My husband loves taking macro photographs, and I found this in the collection for May 2007. Not strictly Beltaine, but it is a fine demonstration that the cycle of life continues, as demonstrated by the seeds on this stem of grass

I was reviewing what I had written last Beltaine, whilst listening to the dawn chorus starting up outside. Yes, that does mean I was writing this page at 4.42 am, but I couldn't sleep!

Anyway, I reflected on my focus for Beltaine last year. My husband found a new job, which he started in December 2005. My son, whilst he still has issues with certain kids and their attitudes, is starting to find that he can fight back in a non-physical manner, and that, more importantly, unlike his primary school, the staff at his secondary school are prepared to deal with bullying in a more active manner.

This year, my thoughts at Beltaine will also be with a friend of mine, celebrating her silver wedding anniversary, and about to undergo surgery.

Whilst not at such a milestone myself, my husband and I will shortly celebrate our sixteenth wedding anniversary. Sixteen years of honouring the cycle of life that brought us together formally. Given that my husband is an atheist, and we did marry in a Catholic church, I will not pretend that we have had sixteen years of united pagan bliss. We have had our ups and downs, and we have grown together as a result. I can still recall my mother-in-law's surprise that he washes the dishes. Joking aside, what has all this to do with Beltaine?

Beltaine is the union of the Goddess and the God, as consenting adults, coming together in celebration of their love, but at the same time, in continuation of the cycle of life that will lead ultimately to the God's sacrifice at Lughnasadh and to the rebirth of the God at Yule. Each year, there are new aspects to that union, and this year is no different. Usually, by now, my roses would be in flower; at least the early ones would be in flower. This year, not even my 'Canary Bird' is in flower, although there are buds aplenty. So Spring was a little late, but it is here, the days are getting lighter earlier, and I don't have to wear a coat over my suit in the mornings.

As in nature, there are new challenges each year, personally and emotionally. This year, as a result of restructuring my time, and having that nebulous 'free time', I plan to re-examine some of the aspects of my religion via the tarot. I would also like to 'do' my Reiki-Master course, but this, I think will be later in the year. This is my self-development target. Professionally, I want to achieve 95% of my sales target. Emotionally, I want to be able to support my husband and my son, but not at the detriment of my own emotional needs. In order to give of ourselves, we must also take time to refresh, so that, as with the world around us, we can greet each year with renewed strength and renewed vigour.