The Goddess of May is Bona Dea. Bona Dea comes to watch over virgins and matrons; the youngest women and the oldest. She wishes us to dump the past things that now hold no truth(S) for you and casting off the winter rags and recharge with the rest of Mother Nature.
Bona Dea watches over us, in those two stages, and throughout all the changes we make in this newest spring. During this time we can call on her for guidance and protection.
Bona Dea ceremonies were (are) only for women. You see, Old Man Winter has been led off into the past. You will see him resurrect in some of the stories in the shape of The Green Man, symbolic of the male virility it takes to move into the stages of blossoming fecundity and represents our need for male aspects of ourselves during this time, as well. It is noted that her name was kept secret from the men as well. This is a sacred feminine goddess and we honor only the sacred goodness within ourselves.
Using green fluorite stones during this time, to help us focus on healing ourselves, with use of natural, hand-picked medicines (like mint you have picked and dried). Herbal teas and cooking stews and soups is traditional for this month of hers.
To honor her, wear greens. Smudge with sandalwood. Light candles all month.
Reading for this month can be used every morning or night, throughout May:
O
Bona Dea,
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery,
Whose name is a hundred names,
Whose spirit lives in us all
And in every goddess who touches the soil,
And in every mortal who sprang from the clay,
Be with us on this day!
You have made the Earth spring forth
With many green goods for us,
Not merely those with which me feed our bellies,
But also those which heal our bodies.
Lady who heals us, godmother of Hygeia,
Daughter of Faunus who tracks in the wild,
We find your gifts both in our gardens
And on the wild paths where you have trodden.
We see the healing herbs springing up
In each of your passing footprints,
And we are grateful for our lives.
O Bona Dea,
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery
But whose gifts are so concrete,
We revere you and ask that you bless this day
Your plants which you have so generously given us,
That we may always be healed
And always help to heal others.
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery,
Whose name is a hundred names,
Whose spirit lives in us all
And in every goddess who touches the soil,
And in every mortal who sprang from the clay,
Be with us on this day!
You have made the Earth spring forth
With many green goods for us,
Not merely those with which me feed our bellies,
But also those which heal our bodies.
Lady who heals us, godmother of Hygeia,
Daughter of Faunus who tracks in the wild,
We find your gifts both in our gardens
And on the wild paths where you have trodden.
We see the healing herbs springing up
In each of your passing footprints,
And we are grateful for our lives.
O Bona Dea,
Good Goddess of the Earth
Whose name is mystery
But whose gifts are so concrete,
We revere you and ask that you bless this day
Your plants which you have so generously given us,
That we may always be healed
And always help to heal others.
©Carol Desjarlais 4.29.19
Lovely words. If the young women only knew the wisdom of the old woman took time to learn and listen their journey may be easier. Like they say the wisdom wasted on the young. Surely rings a truth to this older person.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is out there, but, I think they feel invincible, perhaps, well into their 50s. Didn't we? I did. We just thought we would do better, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteOnly after my father died did I realize I should have paid much more attention. and continuously thereafter until present day.
ReplyDelete