In May, the days grow longer and many Asturian meadows and forests are covered in green. Days can be mild, but rain and mist are still part of the season, especially near the coast and at higher elevations. Spring grows at its own pace.

The month: new leaves and small signs of life

Tender leaves and flowers appear in the forest; birds are more audible and insects move again among the plants. It is a good month for observing, not for pulling up or taking everything that catches the eye. The hills have provided communities with food and work, but they also ask us to respect their cycles.

The voice of the hills: the Busgosu

The Busgosu is a being in some Asturian stories, associated with the forest. It is not described identically in every version. In a story, a shadow between trees or a sound we cannot identify is enough to make the woods seem inhabited by someone else. This is one way to tell of the respect—and sometimes fear—that a wild place inspires.

Today we can explore the forest with curiosity and care: stay on the paths, leave no litter and do not disturb animals.

Giamonios: a debated name

Giamonios appears in the Coligny calendar, a Gaulish inscription found in France. Its interpretation is uncertain, and some proposals connect it with winter rather than May. The link with the Busgosu is a present-day poetic choice, not a historical fact.