May is a month of birth, renewal/fresh starts, the return of migratory birds and new blooms.

Astrological signs: Taurus and Gemini; birthstone: emerald; colors: yellow, red, and green; flowers: lily of the valley and the hawthorn; birds: Kirtland warbler and the nightingale; animal: flower crown kitten; trees: poplar, chestnut and ash; observances: Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, National Maritime Day and Memorial Day.

Taurus is the second sign in the Zodiac. Its symbol is the bull and the element is Earth. Taurus people are reliable, practical, ambitious and sensual, they have an eye for beauty and the good life and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Gemini is the third sign in the zodiac, its symbol is the Twins and the element is Air. Gemini people are intellectually inclined, bright, quick witted and the life of the party. May’s zodiac animals are the bull and the phoenix. The bull is patient to a fault and tenacious, but can be stubborn and clumsy as well. Phoenix people are conversational, charming, clever and very smart.

The emerald is the birthstone of May and symbolizes rebirth, success and love.

Yellow, red and green are Mays colors; all these colors depict spring. Yellow is sunshine, hope and happiness, while red is energy, war, danger, strength, as well as, passion, desire and love. Green is growth, harmony, freshness and fertility.

May’s flower are lily of the valley which is humility, chastity and sweetness, a return of happiness, while hawthorn symbolizes hope and supreme happiness.

The birds for May are Kirtland warbler who is carefree, talented and sociable, and the nightingale symbolizing the connection between love and death.

The animal for May is flower crown kitten which is the symbol of love, fertility and celebration.

May 1-14 is the poplar symbolizing grounding, security and resiliency. May 15-24 is the chestnut it is chastity, honesty and justice. May 25-31 is the ash which is sacrifice, sensitivity and high awareness.

The first day observed in May is Mothers Day, this is the day to honor the mother of the family, as well as, motherhood, maternal bonds and influence of mothers in society.

The next day observed is Armed Forces Day, which is a single holiday for citizens to come together ad thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

In the month of May, we also have National Maritime Day, which is a United States holiday created to recognize the maritime industry. It was first observed on May 22, 1819 when the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933, this holiday also honors the fallen mariners.

The last day observed in May is Memorial Day. This day is always on the last Monday of May and commemorates all men women who have died in military service for the United States.

This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

May is the fifth month of the year and is a month of spring. It’s named after the Greek goddess, Maia and is also identified with the Roman goddess of fertility, Bona Dea.

People born in May are stubborn and hard-hearted, strongwilled and highly motivated. These people have deep feelings, attracted others and are easily angered. They’re beautiful physically, as well as, mentally, understanding, love to dream and have a strong clairvoyance. They love literature and the arts, love to travel, are high-spirited, hardworking and tend to be a spendthrift.

— Compiled by Bonnie Playle, Soldotna