Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
The Power of Love

The Power of Love

Last updated on: May 2, 2018 at 12:29 pm by Nan Lundeen

The Power of Love 2018-05-02T12:29:17+00:00 Nan Lundeen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Aphrodite

Cast iron replica of the famous original bronze head
of Aphrodite which is in the British Museum, London,
UK. The original is Hellenistic Greek, 1st century BCE,
discovered at Satala (now Sadak) north-eastern Turkey
www.leedsmuseum.co.uk

Sun breaks the eastern horizon

and finds her there, slumbering on shore,

a newly formed woman dreaming

a world of love.

She hears the surf pounding

but she does not know what has called

her to this place. Where are the eel,

the dolphin, the seahorse?

The salty water washes from her

the membrane of new life and she feels

the pleasure of want for the first time.

What is love?

This hard ground presses against her;

as scales and fins fall away, sand blows

across her nascent face sculpting beauty,

faith that being woman will be enough.

Vestiges of Beltane

Vestiges of Beltane shone brightly over the southwest corner of Michigan—the fruit belt where my family and I live—last weekend. Nobody danced around a maypole, or, as far as I know, frolicked in fertile fields, but songs were sung, prayers sent heavenward for a bountiful harvest, and kings and queens of high school age joyfully exchanged branches loaded with apple blossoms.

We were celebrating the beginning of Blossomtime Festival with the Blessing of the Blossoms, following a tradition begun in 1906. The associate pastor offered prayers and brought a homily suggesting that it is important to bring joy and happiness to others. No Beltane fire was lit, but I was reminded that, like so many Christian-oriented ceremonies, this ritual has pagan roots.

I am happy that these lovely young women wearing crowns and pastel dresses, teetering in high heels over mole mounds in the grass, are carrying ribbon-bedecked sprigs of apple blossoms. That the kings in crowns, suits and ties are wearing smiles when, as part of the ritual, they exchange apple blossoms with their queens.

A soloist belts out “God Bless America,” and I am happy that music is floating on the fresh spring air.

This, for me, is an affirmation that Earth is vital to our well-being. The sweet scent of apple blossoms offers only a hint of the joys, Goddess willing, our taste buds will savor on Sabbats to come. I’m already anticipating Summer Solstice, Lammas and Fall Equinox which will bring luscious peaches, blueberries, apples and grapes.

Yet, I know our Earth is in jeopardy. Global warming curses us with extreme weather that will jeopardize agriculture worldwide in ways beyond imagining.

It’s why I choose Aphrodite to honor Beltane this year. What the world needs now is lots and lots of love. The eminent scientist Edward O. Wilson, author of Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life,says if the human race isn’t suicidal, and if we act decisively, we can protect our world.

The question: Do we love ourselves enough to take care of Earth, our home?

Previous Post

April 30, 2018

May Day Is The Great Day

Next Post

May 6, 2018 Pagan Ritual Lessons for UU Services

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Current Events CUUPS Press Release Interfaith liturgy Media Review podcast Religious Education Seasonal Reflection Spiritual Practice Summary Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 April 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz