This is what my Wheel of the Year looks like (my Sacred Year actually has more holy days than 8):
Midwinter - Feb 1st - https://substack.com/home/post/p-155668258
Spring Equinox / First Day of Spring - March 20-23 - https://substack.com/home/post/p-158712101
Midspring - May 1st
Summer Solstice / First Day of Summer - June 20-23
Midsummer - August 1st
Fall Equinox / First Day of Fall- September 20-23
Midfall - November 1st
Winter Solstice / First Day of Winter - Dec 20-23
The country is in political chaos, and yet that big ole wheel keeps on turning. May 1st has many names across the cultures and spiritual paths, such as Beltane and May Day. I call it Midspring—lesser known, but still a name. A name that I’m glad to know that I’m not the only person to use. If the Spring Equinox is known in some regions as the First Day of Spring, it only makes sense that May 1st would be Midspring.
Obviously this all depends on the ever changing climate in the different regions all over the world. Spring is going to be different in Hawaii, in Ohio, in Norway, in the rainforest, in Australia, in Ireland; from desert to coast to jungle to mountain to forest.
In my neck of the woods of central Ohio, after a rainy April, May tends to be warmer and greener. Although with global warming and climate change, well, spring has also been windy and unpredictable, and storms have been stormier. But usually after Mother’s Day, it’s safe to start planting seedlings and seeds.
May is when it really looks like the Spring that I think some folks expect the First Day of Spring to look like. Less skeletal trees, more green, more flowers, more animals and bugs. Warmer weather, longer sunny days. And in some areas, the Spring Equinox does look like that. In my area, the Equinox is Spring awaking up, where as Midspring is Spring partying! For the most part, Persephone has said Her ‘See ya laters’ to hubby Hades, and is up here until Fall.
It’s better camping weather, as long as you have a rainfly and an extra pair of warm clothes.
More outdoor chores need to be done, like preparing and maintaining your yard and gardens for the summer and harvest months, if you’re into flowers, herbs, and food planting. I’m excited to start planting after Mother’s Day. I’m missing the mint, milkweed, and lavender around my deck.
May is also the month that my kids begins counting down the last couple of weeks til summer break (which as of April 28th is 1 more month!).
The Gray Tree Frogs have finally started hanging out on our siding and our porch light! Look at this little beauty!
First one that I’ve seen this spring! So cute! I didn’t used to be into frogs until they started hanging our on my house last spring.
Spiritually, what do I do, other than taking care of my yard and photographing the photogenic critters?
Well this year, I plan on spending more time outside in some mosquito netting, chilling with nature and practicing seiðr. For the last few months, my spirituality has really been more focused on my relationships with the Nature Spirits, and I’ve been looking forward to the warmer months to be outside in my yard and in other natural places. More time camping with my friends and family, and learning not just my seiðr spirit songs, but also useful mundane skills, like basic survival. I’d like to spend less time inside, in front of screens, and more time outside communing with nature, as pagans claim to do. More photography hikes, too—which is a healing and spiritual thing for me.
Below is my little list of inspiration for Midspring. I’m still recovering from April 26th’s Psychic Fair, and while I feel a little bit of excitement, I’m still more tired than inspired to throw something together. But nothing says that I can only celebrate on May 1st. All season long!
May 1: Midspring
Entities Honored: Dionysus and Ariadne, Persephone, Sunna, Freyr and Freyja, and the Nature Spirits.
Energies: Solar, Earth, Fertility, Joy, Family, Community, New Life, Vitality.
Symbols: Colorful Ribbons, May Pole, Flower Wreath, Percussion Instruments, Bubbles,
Fauna: Birds (the ones that I tend to see the most are Red Winged Blackbirds, Crows, Heron, Canada Geese, Starlings, Turkey Vultures, Robins), Animal Parents and their young, Bees, Carpenter Bees, Frogs, Crickets, Wasps, Hornets…
Flora: Dandelions, Wild Blue Phlox, Wild Geranium, Lilac, Iris, Tulips, Daffodil, Chickweed, Hyacinth…
Colors: Bright Colors, Greens, Browns, White, Yellows, Purples, Pinks…
Activities: May Pole Dance, Flower/Horn Crown, Ribbon Wands, Weaving, Music, Bubble Magic, Drumming, Sex Magik, Camping, Fire, Divination…
Feast Day: Dairy, Sweets, Honey, Spring Salad, Vanilla, Goat, Chicken, Rose, Rosemary, Rabbit, Lamb…
Honestly, I may do more for World Bee Day on the 20th. Go to the nursery and buy some plants and soil. I’ve got some house plants that need fresh soil, and as mentioned some outdoor plants that need to go into the planters and ground. I think I’m more focused on working with the Nature Spirits this year than my usual celebrations and activities. Getting active outside. Looking forward to it.
That being said, I will be attending Virtual Fire Proto-Grove and Three Cranes Groves’ rituals this week. Some ritual with them, and them some living ritual or paganism with my family by teaching my kids about yard care and more about the Nature Spirits.
Whatever you call May 1st, may it be safe, happy, and fruitful!
Also this month:
May 20: World Bee Day!
I honor all Bee entities and insects! Such as Ariadne, The Melissae, and Beyla.
I celebrate all ethical Beekeepers.
Pollinator friendly planting (in my neck of the woods, we wait until after Mother's Day anyway to plant, so why not plant flowers that pollinators need?).
Make Pollinator Supporting things like watering stations and sugar/water mixtures. (do not give bees honey!)
Give donations to organizations/small businesses/beekeepers that support these important creatures.
Memorial Day
Honoring our ethical, honorable military dead.
We talk about our family trees and the family's military history.
We're honest about the terrible things and the good things. There's no white/light washing going on here. No blind patriotism. We don't blindly honor the military and soldiers--just because you served doesn't = respect or a hero. There's a lot of ugly people out there serving, committing crimes and/or hiding them. Like being a priest or a police officer, it doesn't automatically make you brave or a good person. Actions speak louder than titles.
Thanks for all of the Hearts, Follows, Subscribing, Purchases, Bookings, and Recommendations. I really do appreciate the support.
Trust in Sunna. Trust in Joy. Follow the Bees…
~ Priestess Foxlyn
I offer psychic readings if interested. I’m a Psychic Medium who can channel Deities, Spirits, and the Dead—human and animal. These entities may use pendulums, cards, runes, automatic writing/typing/drawing, possession, or energies to answer your questions. I accept venmo and trade. Click the link above for more information.
Readings will be offered on my Etsy soon.
Until then, you can email me at foxtorchphoto18@gmail.com