I don't put a lot of stock in the conventional "holidays" that adorn the Gregorian calendar. They are mostly over-commercialized and under appreciated events that cause a great deal more stress and grief than reason to celebrate. I do celebrate the Sabbats and Moons and, quite frankly, there are way more of them than there are conventional holidays. I could almost literally be celebrating non-stop all year round just with Sabbats and Moons. And no one expects me to call or buy a meaningless card or gift against which the measure of my esteem is cast.
But I am not writing this to be disparaging of the conventional holidays. It's nice that people feel obligated to make a fuss now and then. For some, no fuss would ever get made if not for the date, circled in retail advertisements, didn't kick them into action. As many relationships are saved by these dates as destroyed by them I would imagine.
My apologies for digressing once again into the muck of scorn. I will get back on track forthwith!
It's Mothers Day. Having already established that fact, I shall now posit an alternative honoree for this particular holiday: Mother Earth.
Gaia if you will.
This tiny blue marble that floats in the infinite sea of the Universe is our mother. And she's in pain. In spite of her pain, she continues to love each of us without question. Sure she sometimes grumbles and rumbles and, in turn, causes us some pain. But who among us doesn't do that from time to time? Who among us doesn't lash out once in a while? We are none of us perfect. Neither is Gaia.
She's aging. Four and a half billion years tends to take its toll.
She's evolving. Changing. Constantly shifting.
She gives us everything, though. She gives us our food, our shelter and our clothing. She turns us toward the sun to keep us warm and away from it so we can rest in her shadow. She gives us beautiful things to look at and play in. She protects us from harm with the blanket of her atmosphere. She's amazing!
So somewhere in the midst of honouring your earth Mother today, try to take a moment or two to be still and reflect on and honour Mother Earth, too. She doesn't need a card or a gift; she'll be quite happy if you just whisper a simple Thank you.
