Beltane

It must be 28 or 29 years since I first made my way to Glastonbury Tor to celebrate Beltane, since when it's become a regular pilgrimage; other than two years I missed, one when I was unwell and the other foot and mouth, when the majority of the country was off limits. You never know what the weather Gods have in store for you at Beltane, I think over the years we've stood up on the Tor in most weather conditions, some good, and some not so. This morning was one of the former, in fact it was one of the best, bloody marvellous, it was. As I climbed the Tor a full moon still hung in the clear sky, a good omen I thought. About a 150 people gathered on the Tor, all sorts of people, from all over the place, a mixed of languages and accents, all here to welcome in the sun. Rollo, arch-druid of the Glastonbury Order was here to celebrate 30 years of the order, and their first Beltane on the Tor. Rollo's ceremonies were the first druid gatherings we attended, they always had a certain character and never failed to raise a smile, so I have happy to be here to celebrate with them. As is the way, there was an explanation of the day, some um's and er's, ceremony, communal chanting, some more um's and er's (druids love a bit of confusion), there was a song, a call and response poem, a hand fasting and more than anything, smiles. Three cheers to Beltane and the sun broke cover, to the sound of whooping, horns, drums, and this morning a Scottish piper, magical, it was a most splendid sunrise. As the sun rose higher various Morris danced before the sun, while the Green Man pointed the way forward. Fantastic. Beltane Blessings y'all, may the seeds you sow find fertile ground.