May Day! May Day!! Happy Beltane, May Day, "Good Lord, It's FINALLY SPRING!" Day!

May Day is Lei Day!

I didn't know there were so many different ways to celebrate May Day, until I did some digging.

For instance, in Hawaii, May Day is Lei Day (sure, go ahead, insert your joke here).  The first official Lei Day was proposed in 1927 in Honolulu by poet and artist Don Blanding. Leonard "Red" and Ruth Hawk composed "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii", the traditional holiday song. It was originally a fox trot, but now it's a hula song.  Which I'm thinking is a lot more fun.


The Romanians have a LOT of festivity today, and it's all about the mugwort (I know, mugwort, right?).  Celebrations are in place on May Day to insure good wine in autumn and, for people and farm animals alike, good health and protection from the elements of nature (storms, hail, illness, pests, the plagues of Egypt). Apparently, people would have parties in nature with lăutari (fiddlers), for those who could afford it. It is customary to roast and eat lamb, also eat new mutton cheese and drink mugwort-flavoured wine to refresh the blood and get protection from diseases. Men wear lilac or mugwort flowers on their hats.

Mugwort or Artemisia

France's celebration of May Day is particularly fragrant. On May 1, 1561, King Charles the IX  received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a one each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime, on May 1. The government permits individuals and workers' organisations to sell them tax-free. Nowadays, people may present loved ones either with bunches of lily of the valley or dog rose flowers (Note: lily of the valley was one of my mom's most favorite flowers; I believe I'll incorporate this custom into my own May Day celebration from now on).

Antique postcard featuring one of my Mom's favorite flowers.

And then, of course, you've got the pagan celebration of Beltane.  Wiccans use the name "Beltane" for their May Day celebrations. It is one of the yearly "Sabbats" of the Wheel of the Year, following Ostara and preceding Midsummer.  In general, the Wiccan Beltane is more akin to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans enact a ritual union of the May Lord and May Lady.

Whoa.  This is where lots of people clear their throats and say, "Um, just what sort of enactment are we talking about?"  From what I've learned, yes, there have been enactments that, um, are actual physical unions.  Naked unions.  And lots of folks get turned off about attending Beltane rituals because they think everyone is going to be playing the roles of the May Lord and May Lady skyclad (that would be, without clothes) and there will be lots of prancing about near fires and copious amounts of mead will be consumed and then the police get called in and everyone's whisked off to the hoosegow.

The Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival.  These people know how to party.

But, frankly, that is not the norm for pagan ritual.  Most often, the enactment is mild and symbolic and beautiful.  Summer is recognized and greeted.  And then a wonderful meal is consumed, focusing on fresh vegetables and fruits.  Especially fruity desserts (yes, please!).

Which brings me to my own May Day or Beltane celebration.

First of all, I am a Pole, so you're welcome to come on over and dance around me.  It's fun, it's good exercise, and you might get lucky to have my beagle, Ivy, join in on the dance.

I'll go out to our garden and thank the little flowers that have finally sprung up for being there - and let them know they're invited to bring their friends along anytime they wish.

I'll walk in nature (I already have and it was fantastical), bless the flowering plants and trees, acknowledge the rushing streams and rivers for their might, wink up at the sun.

I'll help my hubby plan a refreshing cocktail like this one: (http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/r/elderflower_ckt.htm) for dinnertime, and put together a fresh, flavorful meal consisting of lots of fruits and veggies in an array of colors.  More colors = more vitamins = more happy. 

I'll remember to recognize today as the beginning of summer in the pagan tradition.  It's the time right between the Spring equinox and the Summer solstice, when Summer is officially known to begin.  But why not just say, "Hey!  It's Summer already!"?  I'll sit out on our little deck and start planning the "summerfication" of the backyard, patio, and waterfall area.

And, since I've learned about it, it's time to track down some lily of the valley perfume.  Mom would've like it.  And who knows?  She might just want to stop on by...