Thursday, May 1, 2014

May Day


Beltane is one of the four most important festivals in the pagan, Wiccan calendar of events; and also the first day of Summer.  Considering my morning is already hot and humid, that seems about right to me.

Maypole dancing, May Day baskets, bonfires and celebrations.  Amazing how centuries' old traditions are still alive and well in our present time.

When I was a kid, we would make May Day baskets and leave them on doorknobs all around our neighborhood.  In Edinburgh, on Calton Hill, they light a huge bonfire and wild revelry ensues. Dancing and chaos and Druids and ancient ways.  Villages across Britain have Maypoles and festivities.  It's also a holiday off work, which I always thought was the coolest thing.

Blessings and Happy May Day, dear readers...

In lovely harmony the wood has put on its green mantle,
and summer is on its throne, playing its string-music;
the willow, whose harp hung silent when it was withered in winter,
now gives forth its melody.
Hush! Listen! The world is alive!
                                      ~~ Thomas Evans, Welsh poet, 1840-65

2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog! :)
    Happy May Day to you, too!
    What other important festivals are there in the pagan, Wiccan calendar of events? How is Beltane celebrated?
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Made me smile to look at how happy you and Keith look in your blog photos. It's just so cool you've found each other... ;D
      ~~~~~~~~~
      The **four festivals fit between the familiar solstice and equinox events on a regular calendar. These special days are based on the old ways...where Nature and the Earth were revered, trees were sacred, changing seasons were celebrated.
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      **Imbolc - February 1st (Spring); Beltane - May Day (Summer); Lughnasadh - August 1st (Autumn); and Samhain - November 1st (Winter, New Year's).

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