May Day Traditions

Hello Readers,

Its May, its May, the merry month of May. May 1st ushers in the fifth month of the calendar year, but interestingly before 1752, when the calendar was changed, it was 11 days earlier. May Day celebrations have their origins in the Roman Festival of Flora, the Goddess of fruit and flowers which marked the beginning of Summer. May day is also related to the Celtic festival of Belthane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. As Europe became Christianised, many pagan holidays lost their religious character and were replaced by new Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter and All Saints Day. During Puritan times, May Day was abolished but reinstated with the restoration of King Charles the 2nd. The month of May has many traditions and celebrations. It was a custom for everyone to go ‘a – Maying’ on May Day. A 17th century poet, Herrick, wrote,

‘There’s not a budding boy or girl, this day,
But is got up, and gone to bring in May.’

May Day always began early in the morning when people would go out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages in belief that the Vegetation Spirits would bring good fortune. The girls would wash their faces in the early morning dew as they believed this would make the beautiful for the following year. There was dancing on the village green, archery contests and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Queen. By tradition, she took part in no activities, but just sat on her throne, like a Queen. There was also a tradition called ‘Lifting’ where a gang of young men would lift a pretty girl in a flower bedecked chair on May Day, and then the girl would choose her future husband on May 2nd. Another famous tradition is Morris Dancing, which is always very lively and accompanied by an accordion player. The custom of Well Dressings is traditional all over Derbyshire. The wells are dressed with large framed panels, decorated with elaborate mosaic like pictures made of flower seeds, petals, grasses, tree bark, berries and moss and of course, we cannot forget the famous Maypole dancing where teams of dancers perform intricate patterns with brightly coloured ribbons whilst circling the pole.

Here at home, my family, The Lulas and I will welcome in the beautiful month of May by spending a beautiful day together and it goes without saying that both The Lulas, Hilda and Talullah will be the two best drama Queens of May ever!!! Racing around the fields, sniffing all the flowers and feasting in the evening at our May Day banquet.

Until next week,
Love and light,
Linda and The Lulas xxx