Spring is officially here on this first May day. And I want to wish you all a Happy May Day! One of my fondest memories from grade school was when living in Spain and going to Mary Mount, an all girls private American boarding school…May day was a holiday we celebrated in full force and very traditionally. So, I wanted to share some of these celebrations with you.
Leaving a May Day Basket just for you-image via A Field Journal
May Day is traditionally celebrated by leaving small baskets of spring flowers on someone’s doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If they catch the person, they exchange a kiss.
Then there is the Maypole-image via flicker-click to see page
And then there is the May Pole dance. Brightly colored ribbons are woven around the pole by dancers as they weave and swing around eachother. Traditionally this symbolizes the balance of masculine and feminine energies and the duality of life.
The May Day Queen-image via Pagan Space
And one of my favorite memories was crowing the May Day Queen. The May Queen is a girl who is selected to ride or walk at the front of a parade for May Day celebrations. She usually wears a white gown to symbolise purity and either a tiara of flowers or a crown. Her duty is to begin the May Day celebrations.
Wishing you the best May Day-image via the cupcake project
May Day springs from the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. So whether you celebrate the day or not, I wish you a moment to notice…Spring.
Happy May Day Everyone! Do you celebrate?
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