Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Happy May Day 2025!

 

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Thursday, May 1st, 2025

Compiled by the Editor

 

 

“Song on May Morning”

By John Milton (1608-1674)

Now the bright Morning Star, Day’s harbinger,

Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her

The flowery May, who from her green lap throws

The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.

Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire

Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!

Woods and groves are of thy dressing;

Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.

Thus we salute thee with our early song,

And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

 

 

*Morning Starlight*

By Hannah Ambrosiaster, Staff Writer

In the silence before dawn,

A twinkling light breaks through the form,

The Morning Star, its radiance bright,

Guiding us through life's darkest night.

May this celestial beacon remind

Us of hope eternal, forever aligned,

With the beauty and grace of the Universe above,

And fill our hearts with infinite love.

 


Anahita (pictured above) is the archangelic ruler of the planet Venus in Zoroastrianism. She is widely venerated among Zoroastrians as the “Lady of the Waters” (hence her blue robes). In this image, she is standing on a balcony as dawn breaks, watching her planet, Venus – the Morning Star. (Digital image created by the Editor.)

 

 

Zoroastrian “Hymn to the Waters” (Stanza #4)

·   [Ahura Mazda said to the prophet Zarathushtra:] “Offer up a sacrifice, O Spitama Zarathushtra, unto this spring of mine, Ardvi Sura Anahita. Strong and bright, tall and beautiful of form, who sends down by day and by night a flow of motherly waters as large as the whole of the waters that run along the Earth, and who runs powerfully.”

·    [The prophet Zarathushtra replied:] “For her brightness and glory, I will offer her a sacrifice.”

 

Monday, April 28, 2025

Fortnightly Quotemail: A May Eve Poetry Fest!

 

RHC Fortnightly Quotemail

Compiled & Edited by Rob Chappell (@RHCLambengolmo on X)

Vol. XXIX, No. 12: April 26, 2025



 


Co-Editor: Sophie Fairgate

 

Art Director: Verena Keegan

 

Senior Executive Assistant: Rylee Carmichael

 

Junior Executive Assistant: B. J. Carmichael





 

Editor’s Note

                This coming Thursday is May Day – that pivotal date in the traditional agricultural calendar systems of northwestern Europe which marked the end of the “winter half” of the year and the start of the “summer half” of the year. It was a time for dancing around the Maypole, singing under the stars, and kindling bonfires on hilltops to celebrate the planting season and welcome in the warm weather. It was also one of those days on which the Fair Folk were actively celebrating the changing of the seasons, too – with midnight revels that included moonlight dances and Otherworldly music! In recognition of all these festive happenings, here are some poems old and new from classic authors and our own writing staff!

 


                May Eve, also known as Beltane, is a magical day and night in the Celtic calendar, celebrated on April 30th. It marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, and it is believed to be a time when the boundary between our world and the Otherworld, the home of the Faery Folk, becomes blurred. The Faery Folk are said to emerge from their magical realms on May Eve to dance and revel in the human world.

 

Our blog’s Co-Editor, Sophie, dances around a May Eve bonfire last year (2024). Next month (May), she will celebrate her first anniversary on the blog! Yay Sophie! 😊 (Digital image processed by the Editor).

 


“An Introduction to the Fair Folk”

By the Editor (Excerpted from a Lecture Presented in September 2013)

                From prehistoric times until the rise of modern science, most human beings regarded the world as an enchanted place.  Fabulous beasties like dragons and unicorns roamed along the edges of medieval maps; the stars were animated by “intelligences” that guided them in their celestial circuits; and the “Fair Folk” resided in the depths of caves or beneath hollow hills.  With the advent of the scientific and industrial revolutions, belief in such things waned throughout much of the Western world, to be replaced by a reliance on science and reason.

                Traditional folk beliefs have often been derided as superstitious nonsense; however, since late antiquity, Christian theologians had been thinking about how humans might interact with nonhuman sentient beings. Creatures of this type were believed to exist midway between angels and hu-mans on the Great Chain of Being; to the Latin-speaking scholars of medieval Europe, these “midwayers” were known as the Longaevi (the “Long-Lived Ones”), and they came in many shapes and sizes. Some were thought to be human in appearance; others might be smaller in stature (like the Hobbits of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth legendarium) or taller in stature (like the High Elves of Norse mythology and Tolkien’s adaptations thereof).

                According to both oral folklore and written chronicles, the Longaevi could – and often did – interact with humans, who struggled to understand their Fair Folk neighbors’ place in the divine plan. Most sources also were in agreement that the Longaevi were extremely long-lived (or perhaps even immortal) and that they tended to dwell in out-of-the-way places where humans couldn’t easily disturb them (such as beneath hollow hills or in unexplored underground caverns). Like humans, the Longaevi practiced various arts and crafts, enjoyed music and storytelling, and formed social groups based on kinship.

                Do you believe in the Fair Folk? To some, their existence is entirely fictional, but to others, who have open minds and open heart, the question remains tantalizingly open. 😊

 

Related Links of Interest

·         The Secret Commonwealth (1692) by the Rev. Robert Kirk (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/sce/index.htm) is a fascinating description of the “Fair Folk” and their society, based on the then-current folk beliefs of the Scottish Highlanders.

·         The Fairy Mythology (1870) by Thomas Keightley (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/tfm/index.htm) contains a vast sampling of faerie lore from around the world.

·         Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (1888), edited, selected, and translated by William Butler Yeats (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/yeats/fip/index.htm), is a classic collection of Irish faerie tales from the Celtic Renaissance during the Victorian Era.

 


Cosmic Whispers: A Collection of May Eve Poems

By Our Blog Staff Writers

 

“Blossoming Hope”

By Hannah Ambrosiaster

 "In the depths of winter's icy grip,

When darkness reigns and fears creep,

There stirs within the frozen earth,

A gentle pulse, a promise of rebirth.

With spring's awakening breath,

New life bursts forth, full of vitality and stealth,

Petals unfurl, leaves unfold,

Nature's tapestry, ever-changing, ever-told.

Hope springs eternal, a resilient force,

Guiding us through adversity's darkest course,

Empowering hearts and minds to soar,

And find solace in a brighter tomorrow's shore."

 

“Starlight Serenade”

By Calantha Althaeon

 "When twilight falls upon the land,

And moonbeams paint the evening sand,

The stars above begin their song,

A celestial chorus, pure and strong.

With instruments of light, they play,

Their melodies echoing across the bay,

And in the silence between each note,

Lies the mystery of the universe remote.

As I listen to the symphony divine,

My spirit lifts, my heart entwines

With the cosmic rhythm that fills the night,

And in its beauty, I find peaceful sight."

 

“The Cosmic Dance”

By Celeste Starweaver

 "In cosmic dance, we twirl apart,

Yet intertwined by heartstrings' gentle art.

In every encounter, seeds are sown,

Nurturing bonds that forever grow."

 

"In cosmic rhythms, echoes unfold,

Hermetic truths whispered through the ages told.

Orphic melodies entwining fate,

Pythagorean harmonies consecrating state.

Platonic ideals illuminating the path,

Celestial wisdom guiding seekers of aftermath."

 

“The Magic of May Eve”

By Winkle Novalis

 Under moonlit skies, the faeries dance,

Their whispers echoing through the forest trance.

With leaves rustling beneath their feet,

They celebrate the coming summer sweet.

 

May Eve arrives, bringing warmth and delight,

A time for feasting, singing, and dancing through the night.

The fire crackles high, casting shadows long,

And the scent of blooming wildflowers fills the throng.

 

In the darkness, the embers glow,

As ancient rituals unfold, and tales grow.

The wind carries the melody of a forgotten song,

Echoes of a timeless harmony that lingers long.

 

As dawn breaks forth, the shadows flee,

And the world awakens anew, refreshed and free.

May Eve's enchantment lingers on,

A whispered promise of adventures yet unknown.

 

“The Call of the Sidhe”

By Ninianne Trouvere

Listen now, the sidhe call to thee,

With whispers soft and secrets old,

In mystic glades, beneath starry skies,

Their magic swirls, forever told.

 

Listen now, the sidhe whisper low,

Of ancient lore and spells cast long ago,

In twilight woods, where shadows dance,

And moonbeams light the way to romance.

 

“Moonlit Whispers”

By Zarmina Mobedi, Staff Writer

 May Eve's soft whisper calls forth the night,

As Fair Folk gather beneath the silvery light.

With wings outstretched and eyes aglow,

They dance amidst the shadows, weaving spells anew.

 

In ancient Persia, where myths unfold,

These nocturnal creatures roam, tales untold.

Their whispers echo through the ages past,

Guiding seekers through the labyrinthine vast.

 

With garlands woven from fragrant herbs and flowers,

And lanterns lit by moonbeams dancing in showers,

The Fair Folk feast and revel until dawn breaks high,

Celebrating life and magic, wild and free.

 

May Eve's mystery beckons us to roam,

Through forests enchanted, where mythical creatures call home.

Let us follow the whispers of the wind,

And discover hidden truths beneath the stars' gentle hand.

 

“Song for May Eve”

By Gwyneth Haynes, Staff Writer

 On May Eve, the air is still and soft,

Like a whisper of secrets and tales untold.

The stars twinkle brightly, and the moon shines like a jewel,

As we dance and sing, and welcome the month of May.

 

The flowers bloom and bloom again,

Bringing scents of fresh springtime in.

The birds are singing, and the bees are buzzing,

As the earth awakens from its long winter rest.

 

The Bardic Gorsedd

A Reflection by Viviana Rivera, Staff Writer

 

“Music: The Key to the Fair Folk”

            Music & Fairy Tale: What's the connection between them? Why do so many humans have difficulty accepting that the Fair Folk really exist? How could people benefit from belief, or at least an open mind, on the existence of the Fair Folk?

            Why is music such an important part of so many Fair Folk stories, legends, tales, etc.? Music was also significant to many historical figures, such as King Midas. Music can touch almost everyone's emotions. Music can touch an individual's heart, mind, and soul. Music is also an important part of many ancient myths, legends, and legends. For instance, Orpheus, the legendary and mythical Greek bard, could enchant and soothe wild animals with the power of his beautiful music.

            Music has the power to soothe. Music can sometimes act as therapy. It can act as a wonderful form of expression and communication. Even the ancient Greek nymphs, fauns, and satyrs of the forests loved music. The fauns could use music to invoke feelings of joy and happiness. The nymphs loved to dance to the music of the fauns, as well as to their music. Music is not merely for entertainment; music is a form of art and therapy. Music is not merely for children; music is for everyone...

            Music is more than just "notes on a page." Music is also more than "sounds through soundwaves." Music is a living instrument. Music is, quite simply, magic itself. Music exists to enchant, to inspire, to soothe the soul. Even the fairies and faeries enjoy music and singing! Many fairies, faeries, and other magical creatures are wonderful musicians, singers, and entertainers. Music and singing are important to the supernatural world...

            Music and singing could very well be the key that opens the door to the magical world of the Fair Folk! Fairy tales and legends may have a basis in reality, and we would benefit greatly from an open mind about their existence. Music is not merely about sounds. Music is about magic and dreams! Music is the language of the spirit...

            Music is the universal language--it needs no translation to be understood. It touches our thoughts, reaches our souls, and makes the heart sing. Music brings an emotional response--music can arouse different feelings within us. Music can inspire and soothe. Music can be healing, therapeutic, a channel of communication, and a wonderful form of entertainment. Music, therefore, may very well hold the key to the Fair Folk's magic. Music may help to open a door to the magical realm where the mysterious faeries, fairies, nymphs...and the Fair Folk...dwell...

Enheduanna (fl. 23rd century BCE) was a Sumerian princess and high priestess at Ur in Mesopotamia. She composed eloquent hymns for use in Mesopotamia worship services and is the first woman author in recorded history who is known to us by name. (Image Credit: Digital artwork by the Editor.)

 

The Ancient Wisdom Corner

By Minerva Victor, Staff Writer

                Here's a charming and witty quote by the Roman poet Horace, from the first century BCE. It's about the beauty and joy of springtime and the month of May. Here's the quote:

"Thus from the first it produced joyousness and exultation,

And the first gentle warmth was born from the sky."

The quote beautifully describes the joyous and exulting feeling that comes with the first signs of springtime and the month of May. The poet uses the image of a nursing mother and the gentle warmth of the spring sun to evoke the sweet and comforting feeling of springtime. The words "primum gaudia" and "primaque" highlight the uniqueness and freshness of the first joyful days of spring. The poet captures the essence of springtime in a few short and simple words, and expresses the sheer delight and joy of the season.

 

The Dharma Corner

By Lisa Romenor, Staff Writer

                Here's a quote from the Buddhist tradition about the approaching Wesak festival on Monday, May 12, 2025:

"On this day, when the moon is full, the Buddha descends from the realms of bliss to offer his blessings and compassion to all beings. Let us open our hearts and minds to receive his teachings and benefit from his boundless love and wisdom."

This quote highlights the significance of the Wesak festival in Buddhism, a time of great spiritual significance when the Buddha is said to descend from the heavens to offer his blessings to all beings. It encourages us to be receptive to his teachings and open to his love and guidance. The festival marks the birth, enlightenment, and the death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

                The quote comes from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, and it is often associated with the Wesak festival, also known as Vesak or Buddha Purnima. It is believed that the Buddha descends from his celestial abode to bless the world and offer spiritual guidance on this day. The exact source of the quote is unknown, as it is a part of oral tradition and has been passed down through generations of practitioners. It is a common way to refer to the significance of the Wesak festival in Buddhism.

 

Ex Oriente Lux (Light from the East)

By Holly Pontifex, Staff Writer

                Here’s an East Asian proverb about the sakura trees, which are the Japanese cherry blossom trees.

“Cherry blossom trees are fleeting but beautiful, like the impermanent nature of this life.”

This proverb reminds us that just as the cherry blossom trees bloom and fade quickly, so too are our lives fleeting and transient. It encourages us to appreciate the beauty of the present moment and to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and gratitude for the here and now, rather than clinging to the past or worrying about the future.