Sunday Evening Reflection: Welcome May

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inLadyBudd, Spring, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , , ,

The emerald, with its rich and vibrant green of spring, is the birthstone of May.

The rarest of all gemstones, emeralds are considered the symbol of rebirth and love. Looking back into the ancient times of Ramses II, tools found in the emerald mines of Egypt, suggest that the discovery of emeralds goes back to almost 1300 B.C. Is is said that Cleopatra’s emeralds (her favourite gem) came from mines closer to the Red Sea.

Ancient Rome believed that green emeralds were linked to the goddess Venus and represented the revitalization of nature, and the ability to amplify love. Emeralds held the mystical power to predict the future.

High in the Andes, the last Inca king of Peru, Atahualpa was said to wear the Crown of the Andes which has an abundance of emeralds. It is said that there are 450 emeralds in the crown.

The idol representing the goddess Meenakshi, the chief deity of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India, is said to be made of emerald.

Throughout the centuries emeralds have held mythical properties of rebirth, fertility and eternal youth. It was believed their green colour soothed the eyes. Vision was restored when your eyes rested on their beauty.

Tonight, I am welcoming the coming of May with the gentle restfulness and fresh green of the emerald month. The vibrant colours of spring flowers add to the celebration. As Robin Williams said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s party!”

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

65 thoughts on “Sunday Evening Reflection: Welcome May”

      3. Don and I are still trying to figure out how to have a podcast that involves a three-way conversation. Zoom is great but it is how we capture each voice on separate tracks. Stay tuned. I would love to podcast with Liz & Liz. Or it could be Liz to the power of two – now that would be exponential.

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  4. Dear Rebecca
    The green of the emerald symbolises harmony and therefore it’s the stone of Venus. It combines the dark colour blue and the light colour yellow and was therefore seen as a symbol of life in most symbol systems. In Islamic culture, it’s the most praised colour as the colour of the prophet.
    We like most the combination of green and blue in your pictures.
    Wishing you an easy week. Sending you lots of love ❤ ❤
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. I must tell you this story, Klausbernd. A couple of weeks ago, I received a text from my neighbour advising that there was a mysterious light in the sky that they could see from their windows. The light seemed so close. Was it a drone? A UFO? Well, when there is a mystery, we need to follow the clues. So one night, the Budd clan went out to see this light. It was bright and filled the sky, so it had to be Venus. My neighbour was not convinced. Evidently, other people had been asking about the light in the sky. One day, the planetarium came out with the announcement in the newspapers that it was indeed Venus. Ah, we mortals have always looked to the heavens, some with expectation, some with apprehension. I love the colour green, especially in spring. I did not know that green was the colour of life in most symbol systems. I can see why! Lots of love and many hugs coming with great speed across the pond to our dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley!!!

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      1. Dear Rebecca,
        thanks a lot for this story. We saw Vega here especially bright during the last days (we only know it because we have Star Finder app).
        People want mysteries because they need them, it’s fascinating like a secret.
        With Love ❤ and Hugs 🤗
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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      2. I think you were the one who introduced me to Rainer Maria Rilke. Here is one of my favourite thoughts: “I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone.” Rainer Maria Rilke

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      3. Good morning, dear Rebecca,
        on my mother’s funeral we played some of Rilke’s poems with music. That was her wish.
        Rilke has a certain magic we like.
        Love ❤ & Hugs
        The Fab Four of Cley
        💃👭🚶‍♂️

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      4. It is magic indeed, my dear friend! Even if I can only read his poetry in a translation. Thank you for the introduction. Love and Hugs coming back to The Fab Four of Cley.

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    1. Thank you, Dave! Over the past weeks of lockdown, I have become more interested in our neighbourhood walks. When you slow down, there is so much to see, and experience. I’m reciting poetry to the crows these days. They seem to appreciate my efforts for their cawing continues, which I’m taking as applause.

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  6. I didn’t know that emeralds are the rarest. I just love that deep but luminous hue of green. Thank you for the stroll. 🙂

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    1. I always smile when I search for the background on gems for they all claim, in some way, to be the rarest. But I think the rarest title goes to a blue or pink diamond, although I am certain that there is always a marketing guru behind the hype. In my humble opinion, the rarest is the green that comes from the soil, that bestows life giving properties to all who walk, crawl, fly, etc this earth. So glad you joined me on my stroll – I enjoy your company.

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  7. Emeralds, so beautiful. Thank you for this history lesson dating back to so long ago, so very interesting! ! I find it interesting that the emerald, so beautiful and rare actually should be connected to gods. It reminds me that the heart of man and woman search for divine presence, here is proof of that as they connect this beautiful stone with their divinities. From now on when I think of the beauty of May, I will also remember this beautiful stone. Thank you for your choice of beautiful photos and the video.

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    1. I love the green of spring for there is a lightness in the hue as the leaves come out. Summer provides a deeper green as the leaves mature. Every season has its own beauty. The story of humanity is a search beyond ourselves. We live in a finite existence, but we recognize the possibility of infinity. I’m delighted that you joined me on my exploration of emeralds.

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      1. There is a certain light green of newly-leafing trees on the rolling hills of Vermont in the spring that is just exquisite. That particular effect only lasts for a week or so.

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    2. Thank you for taking the time to respond, you have so many things to do and write. When I think of our beautiful four seasons of the year, spring, summer, fall, winter, I also think of Brazil and you will remember.. Ceara where we spent our time only has two, the rainy season and the dry season.

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  8. Thank you for responding to my thoughts. Yes, on my way home this evening I saw some of the new green leaves. I have been waiting for all the trees to leaf out, it seems that they were slow this spring, The tulips on the avenue have been in bloom for two weeks, I see they are already fading. I am always sorry to see them gone for the season, they are so colorful. Several of the large bushes are in full bloom now, so lovely.

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    1. I was able to capture photos of tulips before they made way for the early summer blooms. They are so very beautiful, even as they fade….

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    1. Yesterday, when I was out for a walk, I passed by (using social distancing, of course) the “gardener” from the next condo building. How are you I asked, to which she replied: The spring flowers are out and all is well in this world.” Spring is a marvelous time of renewal, smoothing the edges of our current lockdown.

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  10. Wonderful, Rebecca!
    Crazy, but I can smell this post.
    It’s fresh and green and earthy, and I thank you!
    PS – Keep up the vids. I adore them!

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    1. The past six weeks of solitude has been an awakening to what is around me. It has been a mindfulness journey in the midst of uncertainty. Thank you for you words of support and encouragement.

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      1. IKR!
        I gaze out of the Art Gowns window onto Queen Street. The usually buzzing Easy Cafe, brunch line-ups on the weekends (even in the cold and snow), people with newspapers under their arms, all chit-chatting, all neighbours, with kids & dogs, happy but ….. now ….. desolate.
        I am saved by creativity. {{hugs}}

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    1. Thank you Teagan for stopping by and for your heartwarming comments! I love mysteries, myths and folklore. One of my most favourite quotes about myths is by Madeleine L’Engle. “When we lose our myths we lose our place in the universe.”

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  12. Wonderful article about my birthstone , Rebecca, and very interesting as well to read that the emerald has been adopted in different cultures as the May stone. I can understand the Roman connection to Venus as well, for Venus rules the zodiac of Taurus. Beautiful photo’s too. Thank you for sharing. Take care!

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit and comments. I am delighted that we have connected. Looking forward to our ongoing conversation. Take care

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      1. We do. All there if you open your eyes. Glencoe is a fav place on earth. You just fall out of bed and onto a hill there. We’re there a lot and will be heading back soon hopefully.

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