Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year
May Day
Nature if often hidden; sometimes overcome; seldom extinguished.
—Sir Francis Bacon
Common in Europe and North America, May Day is celebrated ebrated by the crowning of the May Queen; dancing around the maypole; and mumming from house to house carrying blossoms soms and soliciting gifts of food. Most of the activities that take place on May Day symbolize Spring, relating human fertility tility to crop fertility and rebirth. In the past it was common for young people to pair up, often by lot, and then gather in the woods all May Eve night.
In English folklore, May Day, Bringing in The May, and Going-a-Maying refers to the practice of going out into the countryside tryside to gather flowers and greenery, much of which was used to adorn the May Queen. Bringing in the May remained a staple tradition throughout most of the 16th century, before it was banned by the Protestant reform-fundamentalists who took moral outrage at the unchaperoned activities of the young people. May Day was banned, along with many other traditional customs in the Commonwealth period, but returned after the Restoration.
Today, many of the old customs still prevail, such as woodland land weddings and the gathering of morning dew for skin renewal. newal. Horse racing, parades, and dancing around the maypole have made a comeback, as have garland parties and mumming.
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