The Meanings of May
/ Guest UserBy Tracy Hovde — Last Updated May 1, 2024
The month of May brings to mind, for me, many wonderful things -
May Day and Mother’s Day, planting seeds in freshly tilled dirt, the scent of lilacs blooming, the return of the hummingbirds to my feeders, and the absolute joy of our herd of Scottish Highland cattle when we send them out to graze on pastures of bright green grass for the first time after a winter of dry hay.
All of these things speak to me of beginnings - full of hope, possibilities, and potential.
The word “may” has roots in the ancient imagery of Maia. In Roman mythology she was the goddess of fertility. In Greek mythology Maia is also a goddess, the daughter of Atlas and mother of Hermes, her name literally meaning “mother, good mother, nurse, midwife”. She also was considered the goddess of growth, after whom the month of May was named.
When used as a verb, the word “may” is filled with feminine energy and seed-like potential.
It is rooted in the Old English word “mæg”, of Germanic origin, meaning “to have power”.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the verb “may” is used to express possibility; ask or give permission, or introduce a wish or hope.
The Buddhist meditation practice known as Metta calls on the deepest meanings, the seedlike potential, and the maternal energy of the word “may”. Maybe that is why it is so powerful. The practice of Metta, also known as lovingkindness meditation, brings forth feelings of compassion, connection, gratitude, peace, and joy. To practice, simply sit in a comfortable position and repeat the phrases aloud or silently. You could even sing them if you wish.
We are now midway through the month of May. I offer you my own Metta prayer, from my heart to yours.
Plant a seed this spring. Try something new!
Tracy has a background in dance, bodywork, aromatherapy, martial arts, and personal training. After a dance injury led her to yoga for physical healing, she found that her yoga practice not only supported her body, but it also changed her perspective of the world and her connection to it. For her, yoga engenders peace and clarity, both on and off the mat, and gives her a way to balance her energetic anatomy. Inspired to share her perspectives with others, she completed her 200-hour training with Devanadi Yoga, 500-hour training with Green Lotus, and teaches workshops, classes, and trainings for Green Lotus.
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The month of May brings to mind, for me, many wonderful things – May Day and Mother’s Day, planting seeds in freshly tilled dirt, the scent of lilacs blooming, the return of the hummingbirds to my feeders, and the absolute joy of our herd of Scottish Highland cattle when we send them out to graze on pastures of bright green grass for the first time after a winter of dry hay. All of these things speak to me of beginnings - full of hope, possibilities, and potential.
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Spring is the time when we see what the seeds planted in the past bring forth. Will the tulips come up, or did the squirrels get them? Will the work that I put into my business, my relationship, or my garden reap rewards or will self-surrender guide me as I realize not all I wished for has come to pass in this present moment?
The gentle breeze carries fragrant whispers of soil and fertility, and soon there will be lilac perfume wafting through the air. I sit on my stoop, enjoying a sunbeam shining on my face, watching the world burst into color and sound and aroma, feeling the qi of spring. I feel the world opening up to new beginnings, reconnections, and vast possibility.
Newness paints the skies again
A rainbow makes her mark
The proof that fresh beginnings lie
Just beyond the dark.
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Today, I pay tribute to a man who learned to live in “the world of and”, who embraced change, a meaningful space in the philosophy of yoga, particularly in the therapeutic approach of Yoga Nidra, and in Buddhist psychology.