May Day Traditions Around the World
May Day marks the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. It celebrates the time of sowing seeds in the fields and driving cattle to graze in the pasture.
In Gaelic, May Day is called Beltane, which has many possible meanings, including "day of fire", "fires of Bel," and "lucky fires." Ancient Celtic people held bonfires and dances dedicated to the end of winter/beginning of springtime. It's also possible they would pray to the god Bel/Beil/Belenos for healing and a good growing season.
In Germany, it is St. Walpurga's feast day or Walpurgis. In Medieval times, people would pray to her for protection against disease and storms.
In Scandinavia, May Day is called Första Maj and focuses on social progress, such as workers' rights, with lively carnival-style festivals.
In Wales, it is called Calan Mai, meaning "first day of summer." The night before, bonfires are lit to celebrate new growth and fertility. For the day of May, people held summer dances and sang May carols.
Contemporary Wiccan and Pagan communities celebrate the Maypole as a central part of their Beltane celebration, as it symbolizes fertility, unity, and the energy of spring: the intertwining between masculine and feminine energy.
The Queen of May
A girl or young women is deemed the Queen of May, the personification of springtime. She wears white for purity and new beginnings, and a crown of flowers for rebirth and renewal. The May Queen leads the processional to bonfires and starts the maypole dances. As Christianity spread over Europe, Mary become synchronized with the Queen of May, and people offered her flowers as the Queen of Angels.
Maypole Dance
Long ribbons are tied to the top of a thin tree or a wooden pole. Traditionally, each dancer ties on their own ribbon in a certain order to create a colored pattern. Then the pole is lifted up and buried partway in the ground, or is otherwise anchored. In order to wrap the tree in a patterns, dancers weave in and out between each other in concentric circles, moving clockwise and counterclockwise. The videos below demonstrate two types of this dance: one that is formally organized, and one that is community led.
Midsommer
In some countries the maypole is instead erected during Midsummer (June 20–26) and called a midsommer pole. This version of the maypole is thought to be part of an ancient German pagan celebration of sacred trees turning green again after winter. In Nordic tradition the majstång or midsommarstång design features a cross and two wreaths, wrapped with greenery and garlands. It comes from the tradition of celebrating spring/summer by "leafing out one's home."
Beltane blessings to all, may all things be a dance around the maypole!
Spring Events @ HCPL
Tomball Art League Spring Show & Sale
Butterfly Embroidery @ Parker Williams
Blooming Poem Fortune Teller @ Spring Branch
Cricut Flower Craft @ La Porte
DIY Spring Signs @ Barbara Bush
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