Soon It Will Be May Day....
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
April 6, 2007 8:48pm CST
Or Beltane in the Pagan World. Yes, on the evening of 30th April, the pagan merryment will begin, with the lighting of the Bale Fires and the rolling of the lighted wheel down the hills across the countryside. Then on May 1st, known as May Day in the Christian World, there will be added celebration. Pagans and Christians alike will be dancing round the Maypole, Morris Dancers will be outside the pubs, in the market squares and making special appearances at fetes and the like. A time of celebration for us all... we celebrate the new growth and the strengthening of the Sun, which is lengthening the daylight hours right up until June 21st, when it starts to weaken again.
This is my favourite celebration in the Pagan year, closely following by Midsummer Solstice. The light evenings will be long, the May King and Queen will have been crowned and there will be much merrymaking in the woods and villages alike.
What do you like best about Beltane/May Day?
4 people like this
7 responses
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
1 May 07
Happy beltane or may day to you. I don't know to me its just another day. It does mean a sign that it is closer to summer which is more my type of weather. but I don't do much of anything. I hope you enjoy yours. I celebrate cinco de mayo though. lol
1 person likes this
@Adrenochrome (1653)
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9 Apr 07
When Iwas a child, I loved the maypole, but haven't seen one in years. They seem to be almost extinct. My favourite hangover from the traditional May Day celebrations is Mr Ponchenelli, or Punch from the old 'Punch & Judy' shows.
I wish these things would make a general comeback, rather than just the few exceptions in the countryside.
As for the Morris Dancers, I'm afraid you can keep them. There's only 1 use for a pigs bladder, and that's within the pig!
Enjoy the celebrations, and a good loght year to you.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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10 Apr 07
LOL... an excellent response as usual, Adren. They still have Punch and Judy shows on Brighton seafront. I'm not sure where else, but he's still around! :-)
Yes, it's a pity some of the old traditions like the Maypole are fading away gradually, but you can still see them in several villages.
Thank you for your wishes and a quality reply for which I'm going to award you a + rating. Brightest Blessings Adren.
@Adrenochrome (1653)
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10 Apr 07
I'm envious of you, and Brighton for still having the traditional entertainments. Thanks for the + rating, and for another interesting discussion subject. It's always a pleasure to answer your discussions. All the best, for today and the coming season.
@Bizziebod (3497)
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11 Apr 07
Hi Darkwing, My favourite thing I like about May day is that it's a public holiday lol! Just joking, I love each equinox as it's the start of a new growth (A great day to do cleansing!), my favourites are Midsummer and Midwinter solstices as summer is my favourite time of year I love the light nights and the warm air. With the Midwinter solstice I know that we are half way through winter and the nights are going to start getting lighter! Brightest Blessings
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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11 Apr 07
I like the long nights too. I suppose that's one of the reasons I like Beltane. It's all about development and joy, a tribute to nature and sexuality. I love it. Midsummer too... the community spirit at Stonehenge is something else! But, as I said, I would like to get to Glastonbury one of these times.
Midwinter, I think, is liked by all. It's Yule, a time to bring warmth into the cold world with the Yule Log, and a time of love and celebration of the beginning of the Sun's increase in strength. Yeah, I think I like them all, too. They each have their own theme and meaning, but I just picked Beltane as one of the best.
Blessed Be and thank you for your response.
@Leedsrbest1973 (127)
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13 Apr 07
We see children dancing round the maypole on May Day. They have a grand time skipping around and weaving in and out and over and under each other's ribbons. They still have maypole dancing at some fetes and some schools even still hold up the tradition. It seems a very happy time for everybody especially if the weather is good. Then the Morris Dancers come out in the evening and do their bit.
I like these celebrations.
@kayrod2 (1304)
• Australia
1 May 07
We dont have May Day here in Australia. I didnt know what it was all about. But it sounds so wonderful the way you describe. I have only seen one maypole, which i joined in, but it was when i was a child (that happens to be quite a few years ago) and we had a centenary celerbration at our primary school. We did some old time things and this was one of them. We all had heaps of fun. It is May 1 today, so i hope you have a joyous day, and i will be thinking of you. Cheers
@g3n3j0rd (720)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
This is very enlightening! I never thought that May 1 labor day has its origin from what you have discussed. I remember when I was a kid that for the entire month of May, we would be bringing flowers to the statue of the Virgin Mary in the church. And there would be a treat of candies after that. Thanks.
@Darkwing (21583)
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30 Apr 07
You're very welcome. We live and learn. This festival is really all about love, flowers and growth, as in the sun strengthening, or the Sun God, as we say. You see, the church's celebrations are similar, with the flowers being brought to the statue in the church. The Virgin Mary is the Mother of Jesus... Jesus is light. We worship our Mother Earth, who gave birth to the Sun God, the Sun God is light. It all ends up pretty similar when you think about it, huh?
Thank you for your response and Brightest Blessings.
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
8 Apr 07
One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. The trick is you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.
@Darkwing (21583)
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9 Apr 07
That's right... an old tradition, Babystar. This is usually done for people who are housebound and unable to join the festivities if I'm correct. I'm not sure where you are, but that sounds like a Beltane tradition to me?
Thank you for your response. I'd love it if somebody were to hang a basket on my door knob. :-) I'm awarding you a + rating for this. Brightest Blessings.
