May 2013


Greetings Sisters & Brothers, this is your May Newsletter. 

Congratulations to Hon. Lady Kiarna Steart LKHT and Hon. Lady Kathleen A Flyke LKHT who have now become Hon. Lady Knight Hospitaller Templar.


Also congratulations to Hon. Sir André Heyrman CSsM&J, KHT who has now become a Hon. Knight Hospitaller Templar. Thank you for your continued team work and support. 

Ritual of Earth

On 1st May we celebrated our Ritual of Earth. Sometimes called Beltane in Celtic cultures, this ceremony marks the beginning of summer. It is across-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun's progress between the spring equinox and summer solstice. The astronomical date for this midpoint is nearer to 5th May or 7th May, but this can vary from year to year. 

Beltane honours Life. It represents the peak of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Earth energies are at their strongest and most active. All of life is bursting with potent fertility and at this point in the Wheel of the Year, the potential becomes conception. On May Eve the sexuality of life and the earth is at its peak. Abundant fertility, on all levels, is the central theme. The Maiden goddess has reached her fullness. She is the manifestation of growth and renewal, Flora, the Goddess of Spring, the May Queen, the May Bride. The Young Oak King, as Jack-In-The-Green, as the Green Man, falls in love with her and wins her hand. The union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant. Together the May Queen and the May King are symbols of the Sacred Marriage (or Heiros Gamos), the union of Earth and Sky, and this union has merrily been re-enacted by humans throughout the centuries. For this is the night of the Greenwood Marriage. It is about sexuality and sensuality, passion, vitality and joy. And about conception. A brilliant moment in the Wheel of the Year to bring ideas, hopes and dreams into action.
The Maypole is a popular and familiar image of May Day and Beltane. A phallic pole, often made from birch, was inserted into the Earth representing the potency of the God. The ring of flowers at the top of the Maypole represents the fertile Goddess. Its many coloured ribbons and the ensuing weaving dance symbolise the spiral of Life and the union of the Goddess and God, the union between Earth and Sky.
Ne'er cast a cloot til Mey's oot" conveys a warning not to shed any cloots (clothes) before the summer has fully arrived and the may flowers (hawthorn blossoms) are in full bloom.



May is the time for Hawthorn to blossom also, this a sacred and special flower. The custom of employing the flowering branches for decorative purposes on 1 May is of very early origin; but since the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the tree has rarely been in full bloom in England before the second week of that month. In the Scottish Highlands the flowers may be seen as late as the middle of June. The hawthorn has been regarded as the emblem of hope, and its branches are stated to have been carried by the ancient Greeks in wedding processions, and to have been used by them to deck the altar of Hymenaios. The supposition that the tree was the source of Jesus's crown of thorns doubtless gave rise around 1911 to the tradition among the French peasantry that it utters groans and cries on Good Friday, and probably also to the old popular superstition in Great Britain and Ireland that ill-luck attended the uprooting of hawthorns. Branches of Glastonbury Thorn, which flowers both in December and in spring, were formerly highly valued in England, on account of the legend that the tree was originally the staff of Joseph of Arimathea.


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Now we hear from our Brother Hon. Sir André Heyrman CSsM&J, KHT who is our Guardian of Taurus. 

Taurus Personality


Those born under the Taurus sign make good companions as they are very dependable. If you have made plans with a Taurus, rest assured he/she will be there and on time too! They are also patient creatures but can be intolerant and narrow-minded as well. Other negative traits include obstinacy, greediness, being unimaginative and easily offended. Taurus's have a great need for security which drives them to be meticulous yet creative in what they do. This makes them resourceful and successful business people. Though a Taurus may seem shy, hidden inside is a faithful person longing to show love and commitment to a worthy mate.
Seeing as how Bulls are generally strong and well-built, it's no surprise that these folks enjoy testing their strength on the field of play. Expect to find a Bull engaged in a spirited game of hoops or mountain climbing. Hiking is also a favourite pastime, since it keeps Taurus close to their beloved earth. Indoor adventures are also favoured by Bulls, which is why the opera or ballet is right up a Taurus's alley. When it comes to love, the Taurus-born are devoted, romantic and somewhat possessive. Their sensual nature has a way of erasing any mistakes! Since Taurus rules the neck and throat, Bulls would be wise to keep a silky scarf at hand, ideally in a warm (and soothing) earth tone.


General Characteristics


Birth date: 20th April – 20th May
Strengths: Reliable, forbearing, pragmatic, musically talented.
Weaknesses: Pig-headed and inflexible, over-protective.
Charismatic marks: Sturdy, big-boned, a bit on the heavy side.
Likes: Music, good clothing, hobbies that allow them to work with their hands, romance, stability, natural things, time to ponder, comfort and pleasure.
Dislikes: Conflict, abrupt changes, uncertainty, synthetic fabrics, disruption, being pushed too hard, being rushed, being indoors.
Best environment: Isolated and private abode near the countryside that provides both beauty and comfort.
Lucky Colour: Pink.
Element: Earth.
Body Part: Throat, Neck.
Group: Emotional.
Planet: Venus.
Polarity: Negative.
Opposite: Scorpio.
   
Possible Health Concerns For Taurus


Taurus governs the throat and neck and its subjects need to beware throat infections, goiter and respiratory ailments such as asthma. They are said to be at risk of diseases of the genitals, womb, liver and kidneys, and of abscesses and rheumatism. Because their body type has an inclination to physical laziness, Taureans can be overweight. 

Famous Taurus People 


Adolf Hitler, Leonardo Da Vinci, Samuel Morse, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Florence Nightingale.