Friday Five May Day

Sally Writes" It is the first of May, or as I have been concentrating on dialogue with folk interested in the new spirituality movement this last week, it is Beltane, a time to celebrate the beginning of summer. The BBC web-site tells us that:

Beltane is a Celtic word which means 'fires of Bel' (Bel was a Celtic deity). It is a fire festival that celebrates of the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year.
Celtic festivals often tied in with the needs of the community. In spring time, at the beginning of the farming calendar, everybody would be hoping for a fruitful year for their families and fields.
Beltane rituals would often include courting: for example, young men and women collecting blossoms in the woods and lighting fires in the evening. These rituals would often lead to matches and marriages, either immediately in the coming summer or autumn.

Another advert for a TV programme that has caught my eye on the UK's Channel 4 this weekend is called Love, Life and leaving; and is a look at the importance of celebrating the seasons of life through ritual and in the public eye, hence marriages, baptisms and funerals.

I believe that we live in a ritually impoverished culture, where we have few reasons for real celebration, and marking the passages of life;"

So

1. Are ritual markings of birth marriage and death important to you?

Yes, absolutely. My xx birthday is coming up-not starting with a 5 or a 7, and I've been telling everyone who will listen in preparation for my imminent croning!

2. Share a favourite liturgy/ practice.

Well, I always did like the benediction because it was short. But I have been going to a women only ritual in a convent that has different rituals  every Sunday that they are held ( designed by the different women.)

3. If you could invent ( or have invented) a ritual what is it for?

I would like to see a ritual for a young woman's first menstruation. (I think theses exist, but are way underused.)

4. What do you think of making connections with neo-pagan / ancient festivals? Have you done this and how?

Not really. I have a friend who is a partial neo-pagan and have attended some of her rituals but they don't really resonate.

5. Celebrating is important, what and where would your ideal celebration be?

At my High School, this day was for the outdoor living rosary, with girls in pastel dresses instead of our dreary uniforms of plaid skirts and navy blazers. I'd like to celebrate Birthdays and marriage, once it's available for all!

PS, I'm on my way to a three day retreat held by BL's synogogue in CT at the Isabella Freedman Retreat Center. The place is really beautiful, the company can somewhat non-welcoming in my experience. Woo Hoo! These are the folks that wouldn't marry us. I better go pack.