May Day

As I muse on the historical and current meanings of May Day, what first comes to mind is the emergency signal sent out when trouble arises "May Day, May Day."

Hmm.. I wonder if Mother Earth is sending out a May Day signal, warning of us climate change. Are we listening?

May Day celebrations today are often labor-oriented, and socio/political.

In ancient times, and in many towns today too, May Day was and is a start-of-summer floral holiday, and quite festive, with May Poles and May Baskets and the like. Not that labor marches aren't festive, often with lots of music.

Holidays inspire gatherings of people. Such gatherings can generate an intimate group feeling which we humans need. We need to feel as if we belong. (If any non-humans happen to read this, please leave a note and let me know how you might differ.)

Of course, sometimes in a group setting, we can still feel quite alone. We are never really alone, of course; it just seems that way some times. We are all connected. Which reminds me of that wonderful Einstein quote...

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Yes!