The History and Traditions of May Day May Day is an ancient Druidic holiday, and is mainly practiced by the Celts in the British Isles. It involves dancing around a May Pole, creating garlands and bowers of flowers, the playing of bagpipes and drums to traditional Morris dances, and general celebration of the beginning of summer. Beltaine or La Baal Tinne, as the Irish call it, starts at sundown on April 28 and lasts for three days. At sundown Druid priests light fires on the top of the nearest beacon hill to mark the beginning of the celebrations. Revelers jump naked through the fires, which confer healing properties and protection. Herds of cattle are often driven between two of these fires before the journey to their summer pastures. May Day also signifies the rite of passage into adulthood. Young men and women stay out in the forest to greet the May sunrise, making flower garlands to carry back and decorate the village. Because many young women returned home pregnant, this custom was outlawed in 1644 by the Puritans. Another May Day custom involving young love is one where young men leave evergreen boughs on the windows and doors of their friends' houses. Since there was a language of leaves as well as of flowers, a thorn branch meant scorn and mountain-ash signified love. May Day is sacred to Robin Hood and Maid Marian, as Robin Hood was said to have died on that day. Archery contests, perhaps in his memory, are often a part of May Day celebrations. Willow, either pussy willow, or weeping willow, is a tree sacred to May Day and the elements of water and the moon. It's also associated with the Goddess of the hunt (Arianrhod, Diana or Artemis). Willow is the natural source of aspirin and has many healing qualities. Willow is also associated with death, femininity, and love. Willow wood is good for making magical harps. |
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