May Day by Jami Shoemaker – Part 3

[This article will alternate days between CovenLife.co and WitchesOfTheCraft.com]

Medieval & Tudor Britain

May Day found a great popularity in medieval and Tudor times. Women rose before sunrise and went into the field to bathe their faces in the dew—an act believed to enhance beauty and restore a youthful complexion. Hawthorn was associated with May, and the gathering of Hawthorn boughs was know as “going-a-Maying.” Accompanied by song. dance, and general merriment, the hawthorn boughs were brought back to the village, and used to garland the throne of the May Queen, a young woman of the village crowned “Queen” for the day. This custom seems to hearken back to celebrations of Flora, keeping alive the knowledge of the goddess of growth and flowers. Flowers gathered on May Eve would be left at houses in the village, in exchange for food and drink. Our custom of leaving baskets on doorsteps has its roots in this tradition. The flower-bears were seen as messengers of spring, and it was thought that those who reward them with generosity were assured abundance in the coming season.

Along with the Queen of May, spectators were also entertained by Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and other characters modeled from old Pagan customs of the gods of greenwood. Other festivals included games, sports, archery contests, and more dancing. Carols heralding the arrival of spring were sung, and children parade about carrying a doll dressed in white—the “Lady of May.”

People of the village decorated their homes with wreaths and garlands, and a Maypole, cut by the young men and carried into the town with great ceremony, was set up in the village square. Some of these poles reached enormous heights, as the villages competed to have the tallest pole. Ribbons and other decorations were added, and the practice of dancing around the Maypole and weaving ribbons together has become one of our most beloved traditions.

Copyright Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2001 Pages 21 to 25

Published by Lady Beltane

This is about me and the 2 Witchy/Pagan websites that I am the owner of. I am a legally ordained Pagan minister as the High Priestess of Coven Life.co and WitchesofTheCraft.com, Coven Life's Online School of Witchcraft and Heart's Spirit Online Coven. Heart's Spirit Coven hosts Full or New Moon Esbats gatherings monthly, and combined Northern and Southern Hemispheres for the 8 yearly Sabbats. More information for the gatherings can be found on the right-hand side of covenlife.co Homepage under "Heart's Spirit Online Coven Events." All Online Esbat, and Sabbat gatherings are held in a private chatroom! If you are interested in becoming a student please read the Student/Coven Membership Handbook under the menu heading of School/Coven Membership Information on covenlife.com. Also, read the information for what level of studies you are interested in and then email the application to us at covenlifescoven@gmail.com. $10.00 USD needs to be paid when submitting your application. The explanation for the $10.00 application fee, how to pay it, what is done with the fee for you whether you are accepted into the school of witchcraft or not. If you have any questions about the application, things in the handbook please email us at covenlifescoven@gmail.com. If you have questions or comments about anything you read on Coven Life or Witches of The Craft websites please leave a comment. If the question or comment is personal in nature please email us at covenlifescoven@gmail.com. Thank you and we hope to see a like or comment on a post from you soon. Please visit WitchesOfTheCraft.com as this is what generates a payment from WordPress for the two websites, the school of Witchcraft, and our private chat room. If either website helps you along with your spiritual and/or magickal path and you are in a position that you can make a Donation it will be put to good use and greatly appreciated. Just look for the Orangish colored Donate button on either website. May your days be filled with sunshine, laughter, love, harmony, and magick!