a day in the life of a latvian mom

Walpurgis Night celebrated on April 30, is an old European tradition rooted in pagan spring rituals and later connected to Saint Walpurga. Last year, I wrote about this night as something magical and in-between seasons.

Valpurgis Night: A Night Between Seasons

This year, I feel it’s simpler than that.

I celebrated it in my own quiet way.

I walk through our fields (in the rain and cold) and tried to pick whatever I can find — small signs of life returning.

Brougth them inside. Lit candles, to set the mood. And started to make a composition from the plants (hard to call them flowers) I found outdoor. This is what I made! Not bad!

I will take proper pictures later.

This night, for me, is also about time. How far we’ve come from early spring… and how close we already are to the summer solstice. I decided no to light the bonfire.. rainy, windy… I don’t need that. Insted I have candle light.

This year I wrote two lists:

• A list of things that make me feel good. Things that lifts up my mood. Things that inspire me. Things I can’t live without! (Not gratitude — John knows that that word doesn’t feel like mine.)
• A list of things I invite into my life for an upcoming time period.

Simple things. Real things.

Lists can be saved or burned in the bonfire. I feel that this year.

That’s it. I’ll have a moment with myself to acknowledge simple and real things in my life.

Ilze