Guardian of Gaia spreading “light and love” through Dead End

May Day. A date renown around the world for social and political change and upheaval. A celebration stemming from a pagan heritage of Beltane, the midway point between the Spring equinox and the Summer Solstice.  According to mythology, legend and other general nonsense ritual on this day typically involving the lighting of bonfires would guarantee the protection of tribe and cattle. Fertility and the blessings of the gods for all. And no doubt, a free iPad, mobile phone and a pile of gold.

Not so, says Dead End’s resident and self-proclaimed Guardian of Gaia who states – like many drug-addled hippies before her – that the only path to true happiness lies in the acceptance of self and in the love of others.

Happiness is not something which can be taken. It is something which we must achieve through true acceptance of ourselves. Light or dark, the world is not possible without both. True harmony comes from the blending of these. To know our limits, challenge them but accept them. This is the only way to move forward, to find happiness within ourselves and to work as an integrated society for the love of that which is all around us.  – Guardian of Gaia

The lighting of bonfires is said to ward off ill fortune

One might be forgiven for considering the flittering do-gooder was new to town, but she assured me that she has been around for quite some time and that a good portion of her “spiritual awakening” happened in our own dark and murky streets. Choosing to celebrate Beltane this year by bringing “the gift of life” to the people of Dead End, the Guardian of Gaia said “Love, light and harmony. All it takes is that. Spread the love. Pass it on. Reap what you sew. Karma is its own reward.” The gift of life, it might be added, can be gotten from any gardening center, or spat out after apples and grapes. Seeds, which when asked to identify, she became strangely – and refreshingly – quiet about.

“Ritual is only as good as the belief put into it.” the nutter proclaimed enthusiastically. “All you need to do is focus. ” Presuming she meant to talk about meditation I was surprised to find a sense of humour in the earnest enviro-mentalist. With a smirk she looked up at me, pulling out a yoga pose for our camera-man “Meditation helps center the soul.” she began “Yoga particularly… but really… it’s also incredibly beneficial… for fitness and flexibility. Defence and sex. And the animal lust of mutual attraction is a definite gateway to inner harmony…”  Here she was cut short, her display of gymnastic flexibility cut off as she nearly tumbled into her own bonfire, wings and all. A doubt raised against her claims of inner-balance to say nothing of mental-balance.

Dusting herself off, she made one last promise before disappearing into the night “There is a lot of hurt in this city. A lot of anger. A lot of good people at the mercy of the bad. But a Phoenix can rise from the smallest of flames. All one needs to do is cast off their sins.”

Make of it what you will, Dead End. For now at least it seems there are yet more lunatics in town. And some of them are spreading light.
– Isobelle Page, DE Reporter