Letting the winds of heaven dance between you

It is now our wonderful festival of Beltane. I have to say, I cannot believe it has already come around, entering the second half of our pagan year. But evidence of its being is everywhere right now. The past couple of weeks I have loved walking down my street and noticing how the flowers are blooming. Magnolia trees and their elegant blooms emiting a flowery, heady aroma. There's a house on my road where their doorway is surrounded by Wisteria, lilac coloured hanging flowers (reminds me of bunches of grapes on the vine). The many varieties of coloured tulips - red, dusky orange, black-purple, yellow. Sunshine, beautiful sunshine - I don't even have to wear a coat out at the moment. And bluebells! So many bluebells =D. I could go on (and on), but I'm sure you've been noticing all this yourselves!

We all know that Beltane is about Union, on all levels. The Lord and Lady are now coming into their own, and will be made greater by their coupling. They have blossomed into young man and woman, embodying the act of creation that is bringing nature into bloom. This is also a time for relationships.

I want to share something about the rune Gebo (it comes back round to the Beltane thing, just bear with me!). Gebo is the rune concerning partnership and union. In the Book of Runes, it says this . . .

"For true partnership is achieved only by seperate and whole beings who retain their seperateness even as they unite. Remember to let the winds of heaven dance between you."

This certainly has truth in it. If you become too attached and throw your whole being into something, you could lose yourself in the process. If you are fully yourself, and love yourself, the energy and love you provide for others is more wholesome and powerful. It comes with no attachments or expectations, no neediness or commitment - just a true offering of love and joy.

I heard somewhere that the earliest interpretation of the word 'virgin' was 'a woman unto herself'. What does this mean? We can see this in the wild and untameable goddess Artemis - the eternal virgin, who still had relationships with men. Although she had sex with them, she still was a virgin - someone who needed no man to complete her. Wildly independent, answering to nothing but her own will, someone we can all learn something from. Be content within yourself, and have the strength enough to be yourself. So when you're next with the person you love, or just entering into a new relationship, love joyfully, deeply, honestly and wholeheartedly - but most importantly be whole.