body beatific

Memorial Day in the US this year also falls on International Day of Peacekeepers, May 29. As we celebrate armed forces and deployed troops around the world may we forward as well to the day when our peacekeeping involves more peace rather than imposing it. 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping on Thursday, 25 May. In 1948, the historic decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. 

UN Headquarters posted image

Since that time, more than two million peacekeepers from 125 countries have since served in 71 operations around the world. Today, 87,000 women and men are serving in 12 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. 

The 2023 theme is, “Peace Begins with Me” - recognizing the contribution and efforts of UN peacekeepers alongside many partners including the communities they serve to secure peace and progress. 

To celebrate we are posting this sweet collection of WWII naked soldiers - capturing their joy and innocence as well as the beauty and strength of their bodies and spirit. 

Rare photographs of naked soldiers and marines from the Second World War show another side of warfare. Moments of relief, where men who were barely out of their teenage years got through daily life with the support of friendships made both on the front line and in moments of down time. 

featured article on Vogue France

Click through some of these beautiful photographs from the collection, My Buddy. World War II Laid Bare published by Taschen, second edition.

May we care better for all our brave troops all over the world who have dedicated themselves to support and keep us safe - and pay the deadly cost many of us are unable or unwilling to. 

Together, may we all care better for ourselves and our world. 

mothering May

Sharing this calendar from Reiki Rays - Planting Seeds of Hope Reiki Calendar May 2023

This month we're embracing the power of hope, allowing it to uplift and inspire us on our journey towards greater wholeness and fulfillment.

Reiki Calendar May 2023

Are you ready to sow the seeds of hope and positivity in your daily life?

You can download the calendar as an image file for sharing via social media or as a PDF file for printing out. Please pass it on to other Reiki fans and help to spread the word.

#reiki #reikirays #reikicalendar #reikirayscalendar

get on with the healing

“There comes a time when we must stop crying and wringing our hands and get on with the healing that we are so much in need of.” ~ Art Solomon, Anishinaabe Elder.

Portrait of an Ojibway Girl, Minnesota, Roland Reed

A passage from Art Solomon’s book, Songs for the People:  Teachings on the Natural Way (NC Press) describes Aboriginal society prior to the arrival of Europeans. 

“We were not perfect, but we had no jails, we had no taxes…no wine and no beer, no old peoples’ homes, no children’s aid society, we had no crisis centres. We had a philosophy of life based on the Creator. We had our humanity.”

Grandfather, Great Spirit
I give you thanks
That we can sit here
In this circle of Life,
We send Prayers
And the very best thoughts

Grandmother Great Spirit
As we raise this sacred pipe
To give thanks to you
y And to all of your Creation,
We give thanks
To the spirit helpers
Who came and sat among us.

Grandfather, Most sacred one,
These are your prayers
That we send to you
As we sit here together and pray

lunar Beltane 2023

Beltane arrives officially on May 1 but astrologically when the Sun hits 15* Taurus on May 5, 2023. May 5 is also a Scorpio full moon and lunar eclipse.

@EcoDeoNY on Instagram

May is a month charged with electric energy and intensified by the influence of Mercury and Pluto in retrograde. We have the opportunity to embark on a powerful journey of self-discovery and transformation. 

This period encourages us to examine our hidden strengths and weaknesses and confront our deepest fears. May is the perfect time to unleash our inner adventurer, boldly explore new opportunities, and deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in the Universe.

May’s electric energy sparks a desire within us to break free from the familiar and take daring leaps. Fueled by the excitement of adventure, we can harness this energy to broaden our horizons, explore new territories, and welcome transformative changes.