The old adage says
April showers bring May flowers
We haven’t had much in the way of rain this April, so perhaps that is why the flowers are a bit slower to come. My garden is green, but the flowers so far are mostly on the fruit trees in bloom. I don’t mind so much; spring does show off nicely in May with plenty of growth and colour. But my dream for May has always been to dance around a May pole.
What girl doesn’t like the idea of having flowers in her hair? And despite being rather uncoordinated, I have long fantasized about dancing with a ribbon and weaving it around the pole as I skipped with others in the spring breeze.
May Day has become a civic holiday in many places, dedicated to workers. Going back to ancient Roman times and then continued by the Druids, it is a celebration of the end of winter, taking us into spring – a new season of growth. Often these traditions collide and are combined in celebrations.
I learned of May Day during my university days when I was in France. It is considered “Labour Day” there, but a common practice on the holiday is to give loved ones the gift of flowers – lilies of the valley, to be exact, as they are known to bloom at this time.
If you have never smelled this tiny blossom, search it out. If you have a shady spot in your garden and you find a plant, do yourself a favour and take it home. It will transport you to the world of fairies and magic.
May Day celebrations are said to come from the ancient Roman festival that paid homage to the goddess Flora. Of course, the festivities were all about decorating with flowers and greenery, in reverence to all the new life, new beginnings.
It is said that in the 15th century the women would wash their faces on May Day with the morning dew, as it would give them a special glow. Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, apparently took her ladies in waiting to the fields to bathe in the dew. (I wonder if this is how World Naked Gardening Day came to be at the same time? )
In the Restoration period, Charles II of England abolished many traditions and customs that embraced a spirit of frivolity. May Day was converted to a civic celebration of farmers and workers.
There are Druids who still celebrate Beltane, connected to the full moon in April, and they keep alive the pagan customs of blessing gardens and thanking Mother Nature for her hard work. On May Day, the Maypole dance is one element that remains in some places as a demonstration of the joy that comes to people with the start of a new outdoor season.
I spent this morning on a walk of gratitude through the neighbouring orchards, and despite the rain and wind today I did breathe deep to appreciate the lilac blossoms. I jumped for joy when I discovered the first lilies of the valley blossoms just coming out from their leaf skirts. There is much to look forward to.
Tomorrow I will bake a rhubarb galette in honour of the new season. It will represent the Pink Moon that set us on our way this year for our growing season. Someday I will find a Maypole to dance around, but in the meantime I will continue to count my blessings.
