Last week was my elder sister’s birthday. What a great season to be born into. For my next incarnation, I’ve decided to also pick the month of May for my month of birth. 
The energy is upwards, upwards, upwards …
Nature is flipping over in order to produce so many beautiful flowers and blossoms. Lilacs, jasmine and lime trees are filling the air with their fragrance. The fresh, juicy, flamboyant green of the deciduous trees is coaxing the eye.
By the way – have you ever tried „baby“ lime leaves? They have a very tender, sweetish taste and do well in a freshly mixed salad.
Yummy ...
Since we’re on the topic: The Pentecost holiday provided for a great excuse to enjoy my favorite dish that I’ve loved from childhood on. Back then it gave me the nickname „Fraulein Forelle“ or „Miss Trout“.
Trout au bleu with parsley potatoes and melted butter flakes is absolutely second to none on my list when it comes to freshly cooked meals.
My local fish dealer had only some freshly caught, extra voluminous salmon trouts left for sale due to the holiday. Those giants weighed almost two pounds. One fish good enough for two meals.
So, I was lucky and in for a treat twice!
On fire and snakes
In the traditional Chinese calendar the month of May has a special connotation. It’s the fourth moon cycle of the year and is ruled by a zodiacal animal, the snake. Also, it is the starting phase of the all-expanding celestial Fire element, which rules the summer season.
The way the ancient Daoists interpreted the Fire element, it’s a representation of growth and the free unfolding and development of all potentials. In the human body it is connected with the heart and the small intestine, one yin, one yang.
Philosophically and spiritually, the Fire element connects you with your intuition, your higher self, the universal intelligence and the divine. You get to deeper insights beyond the knowledge of the logical mind.
The Fire element’s natural emotion is joy and exuberance, its perspective is open and tolerant.
Efficiency is king
The Snake on the other hand is a metaphore as to how the energy spreads out and how it influences the climate, meteorologically as well as socially and economically.
The main character trait of a snake is efficiency. Snakes are energy savers and don’t move about without a convincing reason.
They can endure long periods without food and stay quietly in hiding, not even twitching an eyelid. Unless a worthwile prey comes strolling along.
When they pick up a scent, they tighten up and focus. This is the point of no return. Now nothing can keep the snake away from its goal.
The attack happens in a split second. From zero to 100 faster than you can think.
In the figurative sense, the Month of the Snake can be a pleasurable, playful time, when everything joyfully expands.
But you have to bear in mind that some things have a tendency to happen when you least expect them. You’d better be prepared. And act fast and purposefully.
