I’m Not Doing Beltane This Year.

This is not the story I wished to write down. It is not the story I began engaged on a pair weeks in the past. 

It is the story I’m able to write right now.

Final week I used to be scanning the BBC web site for articles and photos in regards to the upcoming Beltane (1 Might) celebrations. BBC typically has protection of pagan occasions and holidays. I might hoped to see a point out of celebrations at Stonehenge and Newgrange.

As a substitute, I noticed this.

I have been horrified by occasions in Gaza since October of final 12 months. I have never stated a lot about it; it is sure that I haven’t got all of the details and possibly by no means will. There’s nothing I might say that hasn’t already been stated, and by individuals who stated it higher than I might have. And there is the truth that I nonetheless cannot wrap my thoughts round most of what I’ve seen, heard, and skim within the months since. 

I actually get pleasure from discussing the outdated methods, traditions, and present-day celebrations of our Pagan deities. Writing these tales has develop into a part of my private celebrations. I do know that different individuals get pleasure from these tales. And I’ve no intention of ending them; I am going to write about these items once more.

However proper now I merely cannot. I am unable to have fun Beltane whereas the reminiscence of this tiny child woman and what occurred to her and her household remains to be recent in my thoughts. 

I am unable to even actually clarify simply why this explicit story has affected me a lot. One little baby out of 1000’s who’ve been focused on this battle. One household out of 1000’s slaughtered in their very own properties. The truth that it was executed with the assist of my very own nation, my very own authorities. I am unable to clarify any of it. I am unable to even clarify it to myself. 

I am completely not saying that no person else ought to have fun.  I wish to make that very clear. Those that do, could this Beltane be fantastic for you. I am sitting this one out this time. I hope you will perceive. 

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Thanks for studying. That is an open thread, all matters are welcome.

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ETA the infant lived for 5 days earlier than dying. She was buried subsequent to her father.