Beltane 1999 Newsletter Editorial

Welcome to another edition of your state newsletter, and a big welcome to our new members!

NSW had a great day at the midsummer fair in Manly, and I think that everyone involved would agree that the day was a fantastic success. There is another fair for midsummer, and further details can be found later in the newsletter. I encourage anyone who wants to meet people they are on elists with or other networking devices, that this is a great safe location to do that. It is also a non threatening way to see how gatherings work, and what kind of energies are at play. Markets like this are a great way to meet people or to generally suss out the feeling and atmosphere of Pagan events without having to tread out into the deeper water of a longer gathering. Markets like this are also a great way to socialise with people you haven’t seen for ages, and to catch up with members. Oh yeah, and of course you could always do some shopping too!

In our backyard the cuckoo is back, and is the biggest I have ever seen him. He also has a mate this year, she is much smaller and plainer, and sounds remarkably like a chicken (which is why I have nicknamed her ‘the chicken bird’). We have been lucky enough to have some wattle eaters hanging out in our fig tree, as well as some smaller plainer honey eaters.

The bromeliads are still flowering and the wysteria is starting to get its summer leaves. The backyard is the greenest I have seen for a few years, and am looking forward to summer afternoons watching the sun set. It is a sure sign that summer is on its way when we say farewell to the football for the winter (congratulations Melbourne), and we say hello to the summer cricket test series.

Fishing this winter has been nothing short of abysmal, and I recently spent some time in Lennox Head and did not catch one winter whiting, very disappointing. I also spent a weekend in one of the most beautiful bays in NSW - Jervis Bay, and had a chance to explore the water and beach areas again no fish! (I did see some amazing albatrosses though. These are incredible birds, and I sat in awe at some that flew very close to our boat..) I look forward to the influx of warm currents to bring the fish home for the summer.

What’s happening in your backyard, or on your balcony this season? How are you marking the seasons in your life?

Blessed Be,
Adrianne Harris,
NSW co-ordinator