Happy May Day

We're going to make May baskets when Bill gets home. We're going to get dixie cups and punch holes in them, run pipe cleaners through them to make the handle, then fill them with some candy. The elderly couple on the end of the block are getting them, along with several neighbors with kids Bill's age. We started with just 2 houses, but it's now grown to over 10. We both love May Day, but Bill, especially. He loves making up the baskets, then gifting them to everyone - he's just the most generous being ever, loves giving to others, loves seeing how excited they get when they see the baskets.

What is May Day, anyway? Where does it come from? I'm imagining it has to do with the change of seasons, and offering thanks for our many blessings, a sign that winter is passed, and that spring is here (or on its way, anyway, here in North Dakota). It's a sign that no matter how LONG winter has gone on, it does not stay forever. There is newness, freshness, new life, new beginnings, always, and we are grateful not only for the new, but for the lessons we've learned, and how much we've grown, through the dark, introspective winter days. But me? Well, right now I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I love hearing the robin's warbles in the front yard. She wouldn't sing if it wasn't safe. So I know I'm safe. I made it through the long winter.

According to the holidayspot.com, "For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1 was the second most important holiday of the year. Because, it was when the festival of Beltane held. It was thought that the day divides the year into half. The other half was to be ended with the Samhain on November 1. Those days the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. It was one of those ancient New Year rites performed throughout the world. And the fire itself was thought to lend life to the burgeoning springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the smoke for seeing good luck.

Then the Romans came to occupy the British Isles. The beginning of May was a very popular feast time for the Romans. It was devoted primarily to the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers. It was in her honor a five day celebration, called the Floralia, was held. The five day festival would start from April 28 and end on May 2. The Romans brought in the rituals of the Floralia festival in the British Isles. And gradually the rituals of the Floralia were added to those of the Beltane. And many of today's customs on the May Day bear a stark similarity with those combined traditions.

May day observance was discouraged during the Puritans. Though, it was relived when the Puritans lost power in England, it didn't have the same robust force. Gradually, it came to be regarded more as a day of joy and merriment for the kids, rather than a day of observing the ancient fertility rights."

So, there you go - maybe more than you wanted to know, but for me, I may just bring back the Maypole for next year - I'll talk to Bill's school - maybe it could be incorporated into phy ed? Besides that, what a load of fun, and that's what it's all about, right?