Sumer is icumen in / Lhude sing, cuccu…

Whenever Bealtaine rolls around, I inevitably get the old song, “Sumer is Icumen In,” stuck in my head.  My very first experience with Paganism in general was at a Bealtaine (they called and spelled it as “Beltane”) festival.  It included a Maypole, and the priestess, who would become one of my good friends and mentors in my early days of Paganism, sang the song in her beautiful alto voice as we danced with our ribbons.  Music and food were essential parts of her seasonal celebrations.  They are for all of us, but she’s the first person to help me see that and make the connection between local food and the agricultural cycle of the various Pagan holidays.  Although I have never felt my voice is practiced enough to do the tune justice in public, I find myself singing it constantly with my baby girl now that Bealtaine is here.  Again, I think about the lessons my friend taught me and I rejoice at the Nature Spirits growing all around.  Some will become my food, and I join them in their yearly dance.

Bealtaine has found us once again, and the green of summer is growing in!  Sure, I don’t have the traditional Hawthorne blossoming nearby, but I have plenty of Nature Spirits heralding the change of the season!

Next weekend we will join with friends and grovies to jump the sacred bonfire. In the meantime, my little family will celebrate with food and household saining. May your own celebrations be blessed, and may you pray with a good fire!  Sing cuccu!