Thrimilchimonath
may
May is the fifth month of the year and is named
after the Greek Goddess Maia
who is also identified with the Roman Goddess of fertility, Bona Dea. It is
said that this is the month when plants really start to grow. Its birth flower
is the Lily of the Valley and the hawthorn. The birthstone is the emerald which
represents love or success. The zodiac signs for the month of May are Taurus
(until May 20) and Gemini (May 21 onwards).
It is the Three Milk Month, when the animals are in
their fullest milk. This is the month of the summer festival of May Day. The celebration of the mystical union with the
land, honoring of Freyr and Freya. Dances around the May tree and bonfires on
hills. The May Pole/Tree brought from the woods to the town symbolizes that the
fertility of nature shall be brought to the town community. Late May typically marks the start of the
summer vacation season in the U.S.A.
The d rune (d) is called Daeg day, transition, turning point. Daeg is a rune of beginnings. Thurisaz originated from the rune T, called thorn (defense) or thurs
(giant) in the Scandinavian rune poems for th. Thor is the God that protects sacred
enclosures in much the same way that the thorny hawthorn, blackberry or rose
bush does. The u rune u is Uruz meaning wild ox, health
and strength. This rune is associated
with strength, tenacity, courage and survival skills.
The Fifth Hall is about creativity. This time also
rules dating, playtime/acting, sensual emotions, pleasurable affairs, lovers,
parenthood and sexuality. This can include artistic pursuits, hobbies,
recreation and children. Other keywords include creative self-expression, love
affairs, procreation and children, leisure, games and sports, self-fulfillment,
joy and bliss.
1
Beltane
A day for Flowers and Mothers. Like all the eight high holidays, this day
should ideally be spent not enclosed and isolated, but in common with the
larger Pagan community. This can be done a number of ways, including spending
the day elsewhere, at the Beltane ritual of another group or tradition, or by
inviting in those Pagans who would otherwise not be able to attend a ritual.
Either way, the eight holidays should be a time of remembering the place of the
house in the greater community.
May Day is related to the
Celtic festival of Beltane
and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. The Roman festival celebrating
Flora, Goddess of fertility and spring, was celebrated from April 28 through
May 3. In 1955, Pope Pius XII designated
May 1 as a feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.
In 1958, President Eisenhower designated May 1 as both Law Day and
Loyalty Day. In many countries, May Day
is also Labor Day. May Day on May 1 is
an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it
is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. May Day is a festival that has been somewhat
lost but is best known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance.
Celebrated for thousands of
years as the point of fertility and beauty of the flowering Earth. The May
Pole (Tree) brought from the woods to the town symbolizes
that the fertility of nature shall be brought to the community. If possible, sex magic, alone or with others,
should be offered up after the ritual. It is a time for rituals of beauty,
passion, home and any kind of differences in your life.
I pray for the healing of the Earth
Of soil, trees, and sand
And the safe existence of all creatures
within.
Gaia, Corn Mother, Jord
May the land be nourished.
Corn Mother, Jord, Gaia
May life be nurtured.
Jord, Gaia, Corn Mother
May growth be embraced.
Blessed be.
2 Pagan Coming Out Day
The statistics regarding how
many Pagans
choose to keep their religion a secret are difficult to obtain and any numbers
that are calculated are certain to be somewhat flawed. We do tend to be a
secretive bunch and we have good reason to be. Pagans have lost jobs, housing,
even custody of children all because they practice an Earth-based Religion.
People stare and shake their heads sadly while telling us we are going to hell.
Even though the laws of our country clearly protect our religious freedom and
our government officially recognizes Paganism as a valid religion, we still
remain something that society would rather not see, something sinister to be
kept hidden away behind closed doors. It is human nature to be leery of what is
unknown and mysterious.
You must be friendly,
non-confrontational, and you must be able to explain what Paganism
is (and is not) in clear and simple terms without being defensive. Hold your
head up and know that you are within your rights to have your beliefs and
should not be forced to hide it.
Flowers spring forth in
abundance. In most areas, flowers are
abundant everywhere during this time. You
can use them in a variety of ways such as sachets, food preparation, oil and
incense. It is also a great time to
rekindle the romantic spark and passion in a relationship. The Father is
summer, the day, lustiness, teacher, the full moon. Plan a ritual to reaffirm your goals.
Flowers have come!
to refresh and delight all.
We only borrow them:
your flowered drum,
your flowered bells,
your sweet songs.
Thank you for the beauty of flowers.
A thousand years ago our
ancestors in all likelihood considered the 8th of May to be time to get off the
bedstraws, polish the swords and prepare the ships to visit friends and enemies
near and far. The sun rose high in the sky bringing a longing for the warmth of
the south, and wanderlust to foreign countries. The bees began their production
of honey for the life giving mead. The children started running barefoot in the
burgeoning grass.
The Organization Destination
Viking thus enjoins everyone to from now and for all eternity commemorate this
special day. You do this by bringing alive and celebrating this day as a true
Viking. Bang your shields, raise your banners and insignia, walk outside with
your disciples and spread the joyful message that the Vikings have reawakened.
10
Frigg's Day
Mother's
Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood,
maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Many people give gifts, cards, flowers,
candy, a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their mother and mother
figures, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster
mothers. Mother's Day dates back to
ancient cultures in Greece and Rome. In
both cultures, Mother Goddesses were worshipped during the springtime with
religious festivals. The ancient Greeks
paid tribute to the powerful Goddess Rhea, the wife of Cronus, known as the
Mother of the Gods.
Today
is commemoration of Mother
Earth and all the mothers. Learn to spin. Frigg was the
mother of Balder and of Hodur, the blind God who unwittingly killed Balder. She
is the Queen of Asgard, the All Mother. Odin was well-known for his
extramarital affairs, so the family tree can get crossed. Frigg had great patience and tolerance, often
defending Odin when his actions were questioned.
Frigg
was an important Goddess, whose greatest role was that of the Goddess and
Patron of Women. It was in that particular role that she taught young women the
skills that they needed to know when they would become old enough to enter into
the adult world. Frigg was always there for them, by protecting them and giving
them inspiration. She was always there for the adult women, as well, and she
inspired and protected mothers and housewives alike.
Friadagr in Old Norse,
frigedaeg in Old English, from the Germanic compound frije-dagaz, is Frigg's (and/or Freyja’s) Day. Friday is thus good for
explorations of sexuality and workings of seidhr. Frigg is a seeress and
protectress Goddess of married women and of the home, who complements Freya's
functions (rune for Frigg is perthro p).
Think about what freedom really means. Bring harmony to some place that needs it. Don’t pursue its meaning only in the shallow
contemporary sense, but rather as it relates to our tradition.
Lady of Asgard, cloaked in stars,
Spinner of clouds and weaver of peace,
Finest treasure of Odin,
Give us your blessing on this day,
A blessing not only of my love,
but on my kin, and their kind and their
tribe,
and all of us who hear, watch and
witness all love.
11 Wane Moon
This is a time of great wisdom for He
has learned much in her journey from infant to wise sage and it is a time to
learn from this wisdom by going within and
communicating with him.
You should never sacrifice three
things:
your family,
your heart and
your dignity.
Blessed be.
15 Idunn's Day
Today's work should
concentrate entirely on gardening, even in inclement weather. If there is an
orchard, special care should be taken with it. Idunn
is the Norse Maiden Goddess of youth and springtime. She was one of the lesser known Aesir
Goddesses who lived in Asgard. Idunn has
golden hair and often seen with a box or basket of golden apples. She is married to Bragi the God of poetry.
She is the keeper of the
golden apples that give the Gods immortality.
The golden apples grew on a tree that could only be harvested or given
to others by Idunn. Since the Norse Gods
are not immortal, the apples are considered very precious.
She
walks her garden silently
with
the box
well
hidden in her heart.
Watering
the apple tree
with
her tears.
16
Armed Forces Day
Many Americans celebrate
Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May. It is a day to pay
tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ armed forces. Armed
Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second
Saturday of May.
It is a day to honor and
acknowledge Americans in the armed forces. Parades, open houses, receptions and
air shows are held. Posters and other material used to promote Armed Forces Day
often show images of Americans in the armed services dressed in their uniforms.
Some posters show a collage of images, including images of those in the armed
forces with their families or friends, as well as the United States Flag.
18 New Moon m
Here the first light in the cycle of the Moon begins
and the God is in his phase as a very young man ready to explore the new world.
White of snow, stars are dancing
Tree
of clouds, like thread of silver
Time runs through our hands.
22 Maritime Day
May
22 is National Maritime Day in the United States
each year. This day reflects the gratitude that Americans have for the maritime
industry and the benefits it brings to the country. It also
recognizes ships and seafarers who have held a special place in the nation's
history. Njord
is one of the Vanir and the God of seamanship and sailing. Aegir is the ruler of the
Oceans and seas. Ran is
the lustful giant Goddess of the sea.
Activities and events
include open houses and special celebrations hosted by seaports. Some businesses may host special luncheons
while other people attend memorial observances at merchant marine memorials. Some symbols that have been used to depict
National Maritime Day include: an image or drawing of an anchor, strapped with
a rope around the middle, to symbolize the maritime life; and an image or
drawing of a steering wheel used on a ship or boat.
25
Einherjar
Memorial
Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women
who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year
on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated
after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers
who died in the Civil War. By the 20th
century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died
while in the military service.
In Norse mythology, the Einherjar
(Old Norse 'lone or once fighters') are those that have died in battle and are
brought to Valhalla by Valkyries. In
Valhalla, the Einherjar eat their fill of the nightly-resurrecting beast
Saehrimnir and are brought their fill of mead.
In modern-day practice, Einherjar
blot has tended to become a day to honor all of those who die in wars, and to a
lesser extent, veterans in general. It
has also been speculated recently by some that those in various professions
that involve voluntarily going into danger (police, firefighting) and who die
while performing their duty perhaps join the ranks of the Einherjar.
Hail the
Einherjar! May they feast and make merry in Valhalla
for they deserve
it! Hail the brave dead! Hail!
25 Wax Moon G
During this time, we recognize the God as the young
Warrior who searches for a partner with which he can become a new father.
May the circle be open but unbroken,
may the love of the God be ever in your
heart.
Merry meet and merry part,
And merry meet again.
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