Will you dance around a Maypole today?
Credit: Bloomington Quarry Morris Dancers | ©Bloomington Quarry Morris Dancers
From Maypoles to Celebrations to Various Rallies, How Will You Celebrate Today?
The worldwide celebration of May Day really began last night, April 30th. However, the celebrations will continue through today and even through next weekend. May Day is a day of celebration by many customs and even some religions. Various Pagan and Wiccan groups celebrate May Day as Beltane, which is the welcoming of summer. Most Pagans and Wiccans see Beltane as the second most important day of the year; Samhain, or Halloween to many, is set as number one since it is the beginning of the new year for their culture.So what is Beltane? Beltane is about honoring life and basically starts the sun's full release from the bondage of winter. Pagans and Wiccans see Beltane as the direct opposite of Samhain, but there is one thing in common; the veils between the two worlds are the thinnest during both times of the year. To them, this is when the two worlds intermingle and magick can be found all around.
May Day may be celebrated in many ways across the globe. Pagans and Wiccans have their own celebrations, such as the Celtic celebration at Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. The annual festival begins on May's Eve and attracts approximately 12,000 people. This year's festival was the 20th year for the celebration and it kicked off at 9 P.M last night. According to the Edinburgh Evening News site, "the festival sees semi-clad dancers with burning torches take to the hill and hold an elaborate procession led by the May Queen and the Green Man lasting nearly three hours."
May Day is not solely a Pagan celebration though. Some Roman Catholics celebrate May Day as Mary's month. Some churches that celebrate will adorn the Virgin Mary's head with flowers. Some of the older May Day traditions of the church was to also give a May Day basket filled with candy and flowers.
- May Day is celebrated worldwide.
- The U.S sees May Day as a labour day, where various rallies are held.
- Pagans and Wiccans also celebrate May Day/Beltane with festivals.
Comments
Interesting article. I thought it only applied to Catholics and Christians, as we know and celebrate it. I had no idea that so many other forms of it existed. :-)
I observe Beltane, and it's always nice to hear positive things about it. Nice read.
Really interesting. I didn't know all this.
thanks so much for this! I celebrate may day as Beltane, but its wonderful and interesting to see how may day is celebrated the world over.
Peggy K
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/01/2007
Good article. I remember it as the day Mother and I made May baskets filled with flowers and took to neighbors. It's amazing how many different meanings is placed on this one day.
I've always wondered about may day myself. thanks for the interesting article!
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