Greetings Friends,

May is full of anticipation and excitement for a myriad of reasons… April showers bring May flowers along with my and my mother’s birthday! May is my favorite month of the year. May ushers in summertime, school lets out, vacations begin, the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo. Also, mothers, the lovely ladies to whom we owe our existence, are celebrated, veterans and heroes are saluted for their sacrifice in the name of freedom and let’s not forget the cherished companionship of our furry friends during National Pet Week.

Interestingly, in any given year, no month ever begins or ends on the same day of the week as May does. Isn’t that fascinating? May’s birthstone is emerald, which is emblematic of love and success. Did you know emeralds are rarer and often more expensive than diamonds? The most valuable emeralds, typically formed in six-sided prisms, possess a distinct bluish green hue and are meticulously cut to enhance their brilliance.

Another layer to the significance of May is that it was named for the daughter of Atlas, Maia, revered as the Greek goddess of fertility and nurturing. In Greek mythology, she represented the earth’s rejuvenation and the cycle of growth in nature. Overall, Maia’s significance lies in her embodiment of natural forces, maternal care and nurturing aspects of the earth, making her a revered figure in ancient Greek mythology and culture.

Speaking of goddesses, here in the May issue of Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast, we are celebrating the goddesses of health and wellness, otherwise known as the 2024 Women in Wellness. It’s part of a month-long salute to Women’s Wellness and we are highlighting some incredible businesswomen and holistic health professionals in our area. Each exudes a profound passion to impart their knowledge from years of experience and a unique approach to healing mind, body and spirit. Please join me in celebrating their accomplishments, along with the other important women in your life.

May this Women's Wellness month be a time of reflection, appreciation and empowerment as we acknowledge the remarkable women shaping our communities and leading the way in holistic health and well-being.

God bless and keep you,