Beltane

On thursday evening, I set my alarm for 3:45am on Friday morning so that I could get to the meeting place at 4:45. Surprisingly, there was no need for the alarm because I woke at 3:30 and wondered if I’d missed it – IT being Beltane Gathering, high on a hill overlooking the city.

The sound of bells could be heard in the pre dawn light, lanterns were being lit and people gathered to walk in a line through the wood to the platform. I was in my hightened state of pure joy where elements meet – the unknown, a gathering, darkness, lanterns, masks for Beltane – moving from Spring into the first day of Summer – or May Day

It was my first time, not quite a novice but not a pro having not made a mask nor lantern due to other committments. But, I did make a rose flower crown from out of date roses. The hum and chatter of everyone walking in the semi darkness came alive at the top, with Morris dancing, singing, music and people dancing. It felt like another world

Until the song to welcome in the summer was sung then everyone danced and slowly went back to their ‘normal’ lives – the sun having risen, each person carrying their own beautiful rare internal feeling of being part of something so special and joyful that everyone was happy.

I left with a great feeling of hope.

There is a little film on instagram – here https://www.instagram.com/p/DXzKoGFtp6Z/