May Day / Labour Day – A Celebration of Will

As we step into the heart of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the month of May invites us into a moment of pause and reflection. For many countries around the world, the first of May is marked by a national holiday—Labour Day or May Day. While this day often brings a welcome respite from work and the promise of longer, warmer days, it also carries a profound historical and psychospiritual significance that is worth revisiting.

A Brief History of Labour Day
Labour Day has its roots in the international labor movement’s struggle for fair working conditions. The modern celebration originated in the late 19th century, notably with the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886. Workers were striking in support of an eight-hour workday, and what began as a peaceful demonstration tragically turned violent. This pivotal moment in labour history is why many countries now observe International Workers’ Day on May 1st—commemorating the fight for justice, dignity, and safety in labour.

For more on this history, you might find A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn a helpful and evocative resource.

Labour as a Celebration of Will
Looking at this day through a psychospiritual lens, I’m drawn to a deeper reflection: Could Labour Day also represent a celebration of the human will?
In Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology developed by Roberto Assagioli, the will is not merely about force or discipline. It is a dynamic, nuanced energy that helps us align our actions with deeper meaning and values. Labour, in this view, becomes more than economic output—it is a spiritual expression of our ability to choose, to act, and to care.
From a Tantric or Hindu spiritual perspective, we might understand this as an expression of Shakti—the primordial creative energy, often described as the divine feminine. Shakti moves through the world as action, change, and life-force—always dynamic, always potent.

The Three Types of Will in Psychosynthesis
Assagioli proposed that the will has several qualities and expressions, but for simplicity, let’s consider three broad types of will:
1.    No Will – This is a state of apathy or disconnection, where we feel unable or unwilling to act. Sometimes this emerges from trauma, burnout, or deep disillusionment.
2.    Strong Will – Here, the will is active and focused, able to get things done and push through obstacles. While this can be admirable, it may lack sensitivity or alignment with ethical or relational values.
3.    Good Will – This is the most balanced and evolved form of will. It is strong, yes, but also loving. Good will integrates purpose with compassion—it seeks to serve not just the self, but the collective and the planet.

Assagioli explores this deeply in his book The Act of Will, which I highly recommend if you're curious about developing a more holistic and conscious approach to willpower.

Where Are We Now?
Looking around the world today, I wonder—might we be facing an imbalance in these expressions of will?
On one hand, many of us may feel overwhelmed by crises—climate, war, inequality—and fall into a kind of psychic fatigue, a state of "no will." On the other, we see systems driven by an excess of "strong will"—where speed, dominance, and unchecked productivity are prized, often at the cost of care. Think of corporate mantras like "move fast and break things"—a phrase that valorises disruption without always considering its impact.

This is why, as we honour Labour Day, it feels more important than ever to contemplate how we can cultivate and practice good will—in ourselves, our work, and our communities.
As we enjoy our upcoming holiday—perhaps with a bit of sun, rest, or quiet—I humbly offer a small inquiry:
What would it look like to labour in this world with more kindness, more consciousness, more good will?
Might we approach our efforts—not only in our jobs, but in our homes, our relationships, our activism—with both strength and love?
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Perhaps this May Day, we can plant a small seed of this intention within ourselves: to live and work in a way that honours not only our capacities, but our compassion. A celebration not just of labour, but of the will that makes that labour meaningful.