Blessed Beltane and Blooming Spring at its peak: May Day out in the woods #sublimesunday

BLESSED BELTANE (or May Day)

This is a blog with the highlights of May Day (1st of May or Beltane) out in the woods along with some Nature photography taken 1st of May 2022. In the middle of the world's turmoil I find my healing grounding in the forest.

Beltane (halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, (Litha)). Everything bloom as Spring is at its peak. The night before (Walpurgis Nacht or Beltane's Eve) is also riddled with mythology and traditions, including bornfires and it's said to be one of those nights (as Midsummer's and Halloween) where the veil between the living and the unseen world is very thin. Thus it's a night and date associated with lots of folklore. Beltane means "white fire" because hawthorn trees are fully in bloom. They are also the origin of May pole traditions.

Last year I made an article about Walpurgis and Beltane if you want to know more about the mythology:
https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@yidneth/walpurgis-nacht-30th-april-and-beltane-1st-of-may-celebrations-myths-legends-and-folklore-or-mitos-leyendas-y-folklore-sobre-la

First of all some highlights of the day

The grass is at its greenest, the leaves at their tenderest, and the meadows are all full of blooming flowers. The day was clear, the temperature mild... It was just a perfect start of May and a lovely way to celebrate Beltane (midpoint between Spring Solstice and Summer Solstice) that represents the point where Mother Earth is at is maximum bloom.

I always struggle to collect flowers, so I tend to pick those who have a bent stem and never the entire plant, I picked a bouquet to make a garland or wreath which is one of the traditions of this day.

^{A bouquet of wild flowers on Beltane (May Day)}

Our trail goes along Larraun river (Navarre, Spain). The beech trees are already crowned by translucent new leaves and everything seems to be bathed in a vibrant vivid green light.

^{Full bloom by Larraun river}
The waters are turquoise and clear...

Old train railways now overgrown and engulfed by Nature

The Plazaola (Abandoned old train railways) Greenway is a longer hike that includes many of these tunnels, but you have to use a bike and unfortunately I can't ride. The 85 Km train rail wails which originally connected San Sebastian with Plazaola (Navarra) were abandoned in the 50s after a severe flood rendered them useless and since then Nature has overgrown over the remains and has become a rewarding route for cyclists. But we chose a shorter hike on foot with some rewarding landmarks.

Izquier Waterfall

We go down the stairs into the Izquier waterfall. The rumbling water sound is just so relaxing. It almost sounds like pink noise but there is something so therapeutical about it

Izquier Waterfall (Ixquier in Euskera)

I had visited this waterfall before (check the end of the article for a music video I filmed here last year) but I had not used the same trail to reach it. I felt grateful for my beautiful earth...

Very close to the waterfall there are some remnants of an old mill

^{Above: My shadow and the wheels of an ancient mill}

On our way back @hedac and I stopped to record some nature sounds, birds chirping... we stopped in silence to rejoice in the sound of the flowing water, the buzzing bees, the animals calling in the distance, the little creatures stirring in their lairs and the birds cheerfully tweeting. It reminds me to my song "The waking of Spring"
The sounds that winter muted now burst alive and sing

This tree is probably my favourite picture of the day, just right out from my phone but It's been the best it has felt in after many grey days. For me, this time is healing. Just listening to the creatures stirring, the fish jumping and ducks splashing. LIFE
Such beautiful word...
And all it's rejoicing... alive

It's the "Green" time of the year...

And I love it! :). I tend to wear lots of green until Autumn takes it away

^{Above green ferns unfurling}

I have filmed several music videos in this area

I had previously visited the place but approaching it from another hiking trail (the trail of the 3 bridges, Intzoa, Zubidenea y Beltzuntze) and filmed there two of my music videos: The Earth Awakens (also by Larraun river)

And "Down by the Salley Gardens" at the very Izquier waterfall (last Spring)

But this time we had a different approach and enjoyed a glorious May Day surrounded by flowers and greener

ps. I posted a little video playing my tin whistle on my instagram and twitter
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdD5_kRAAT7/
I did not know how to attach to the article

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