So you planted those seeds back in early spring and you’re beginning to wonder if you will ever see them sprout. Well, yes … if you take care of them and give them some food to grow. Beltane is the highly celebrated fertility festival that comes around each May. And it is this time of the year that we focus our energy on those things we need to grow in our lives and give them what they need to take root and start growing.

You may have noticed a few weeds in your spiritual garden. But don’t let that get ya down; instead, think of it as Mother Nature’s friendly reminder that if it’s worth having it’s worth working very hard for. So let’s get down on our knees and start weeding. First take a look back at the “seeds” you planted in your life during Ostara and take an honest account of how much energy you’ve given them. If you remember one of my own seeds was about having a healthier body. I started eliminating foods from my diet that I’m allergic to first and will continue to do so for some time as it is quite a long list. And I am feeling healthier all the time. But I still haven’t made it to the gym for some exercise; and any doctor will tell you that exercise is a key component to a healthier you.

This year I chose to celebrate Beltane at the Blue Ridge Beltane festival in Louisa, Va., and what an amazing event that was. There, folks from all over Virginia representing many different Pagan/spiritual paths came together to share their beliefs and build stronger community connections and friendships. We lit the sacred Bel Fire and danced to the stirring rhythm of the drummers late into the night. It was such an awesome experience to see the different belief systems sharing such a positive and healthy spiritual space.

Beltane is the time of year when we who are Pagan celebrate the Great Marriage of the God and the Goddess. It is their marriage and love that brings fertile energy to the world. We set our Bale Fires and dance around the May Pole in a traditional fertility dance. Many women who wish to become pregnant enjoy this celebration immensely. It is fun and joyful and a reminder that bringing life into the world is a joyous occasion and lifts their spirits after rounds of fertility treatments. For those of us who would rather harness the energy into other areas of our lives, we gather up all that amazing energy from the songs and dances and focus it through meditation and other spiritual practices into the areas of our lives we do want it.

Just around the corner is the Sun festival known to us as Midsummer. As the longest day of the year approaches we find ourselves spending even more time and energy on those seeds we sowed earlier. It is the natural cycle of the Wheel of the Year and with all things in Nature. This is the time of the year to really dig your heels in and work the garden that is your life. For soon after Midsummer (also known as Litha) we must begin preparations for the harvest. And it is at that time we will be reaping what sowed!

Whether or not you are Pagan, you cannot help but enjoy the warmer days and bright sunshine that has been a huge blessing lately. By simply loving others and spreading love through acts of kindness and friendship, you are spreading the energy of the season. And you are allowing your heart to fill with the greatest energy there is: love. And when you heart is full of love, anything is possible. Love tears down walls and builds bridges. It sure did run some folks out of town recently who were filled with anger and ignorance, didn’t it!

Love yourself and find the beauty in those around you and in everything you see, and you will give those seeds some real “Miracle Grow,” I promise!

Rev. Shanti is the owner of Chrysalis in downtown Radford. A student of metaphysics and pagan theology for more than 10 years and a practitioner of pagan paths since childhood, Shanti was born and raised in the NRV. She is the current High Priestess for New River Valley Pagans Church and School, which meets in Radford. She is the mother of three daughters and life partner with Fred Roller. She welcomes any and all inquiries and comments regarding paganism via e-mail.