Beltane 2000 Newsletter Editorial

Welcome again to another edition of your state newsletter. I hope many of you have had the opportunity to warm yourselves under the strengthening summer sun.

On the day of the Spring Equinox I was fortunate to be home during the day, and as I was hanging some washing on the line, in flew a very tired, young male cuckoo! Woohoo, I danced around the yard, the cuckoo who was born in our trees last year, had returned from his long migration in the north. How did he do it? Fly all that distance, and remember the exact point in the area where he was born? Now he'll be looking for a mate, but he's got to work out his calling. At the moment he sounds like the young stag who's voice is yet to break.

Our wisteria this year has flowered like I have never seen, large beautiful purple flowers, all with the sweetest scent! The bees are buzzing in and out of the petals, but we share the flowers happily.

A new addition to our household this season is a tropical fish tank with eleven happy fish now living in our kitchen. I've always been happy fishing and catching fish, but this keeping of fish is a whole new ball game. It's been fascinating getting to know the fish, their habits and ensuring they have a healthy and happy environment to live in. So spring has bought lots of activity to our home, and I look forward to the changes that summer will bring...

Recently I had the good fortune of finding a tiny little book at my local markets called The Complete Book of Campfires. Written by G. L. Viles (no date supplied). Inside was over 100 campfire songs, and tips on creating a successful campfire experience for all circle participants. Not technically a Pagan song book, I reckon it goes pretty close, as it contains a lot of the songs of the bush I grew up singing as a guide and away in the bush camping with my family. The introduction explains the importance of opening a campfire circle well, and suggests the following verse to be said when opening a campfire:

As the flame points upwards so be our aim,
As the red logs glow, so be our endeavours,
As the grey ash fades, so be our errors,
As the good fire warms the circle, so may our ideals warm the world.

Lovely sentiments indeed. As we look forward to summer returning, lets remember the danger that unchecked fires pose to the bush, and remember to always be fire aware!

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