Today is May Day, the day when Villagers dance around the May Pole. The Tradition is Ancient, indeed it is probably 'Druid' in origin. The 'Girls' dance around the May Pole, a Symbol of Fertility (I wonder why😋).
There are a Lot, more Traditions, associated with May Day- some quite obscure, I believe that Mr Punch, is even involved in a few. Sorry but, whilst I don't entirely 'poo poo' All Traditions, I AM a Confirmed Christian. 'Though Shalt Not Worship False Gods'. Along with, Jesus said "No-one Come To The Father But Through Me". I do however have both Jewish and Muslim friends and, when I worked in London, Hindus too.
I would be, very interested, however if any 'Druids'- or 'Early Faithers' (for want of a better phrase) could give 'their' Point Of View- as, I'm sure, many of us would.
Once again happy May Day
AndrewT
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AndrewT
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Happy May Day Andrew. From one Christian to another, google Beltane. This should answer your questions.
Hi AndrewT,
I grew up in Oxford where May Day is celebrated as an old tradition with Magdalen College choir singing in May at dawn, and Morris dancing in the 'High' which is packed with crowds. When I was a child my mum would waken me early and we'd walk the 3 miles into the city to be there in time to hear the singing and to follow the Morris dancers through the crowds in the 'High', after watching the antics of punting students on the river below Magdalen bridge. Then we'd back walk home afterwards along the Thames. I loved it and remember it with a lump in my throat. Of course this year it's only going to be celebrated virtually, and I haven't been there for years, but in my head May Day is still a very special day.🌈
The only time that I went to Oxford, it was to the Town, Not the University, to visit a School friend. I went to a Boarding School, so my friends came from 'all over' the country- though Not abroad. My memory was of getting 'Absolutely Legless'- I Still, don't know how we Got Back, that night! (I don't know how this 'Font' got changed either)
Happy Memories from, so long ago, of a Lovely City😃.
We aren't encouraged to get into religious discussions here, But I am a Druid.
Back when the early farmers were just settling to life in one place, Beltane (May day) was the start of Summer, when the flocks and herds were put out on the farther pastures to give the closer fields chance to grow the hay for winter fodder, for when they were brought back in again at Samhain (Halloween), for winter protection from the Bears, wolves and lynx which roamed Britain at the time.
The Maypole is a Mediaeval thing, when fun was more in people's thoughts after the privations of Lent and Easter.
The Druids were the scientists of the Early Europeans. They watched the stars and noted the Equinoxes and Solstices. The other festivals were for planting and harvesting, in the main.
It's actually a lot more complex, but little space here.
May day to me is just about childhood memories of dancing around the Maypole holding ribbons which hung from the top and weaving lovely patterns with the ribbons. We also had wooden hoops at my school and everyone took a hoop and decorated it for the May day procession. There was a prize for the best hoop. The school also chose a May Queen who had a crown of May blossom and other flowers. I was at a small village school and instead of voting for a QUEEN it was always the eldest girl. I recall being extremely upset that the school closed down the year before it would have beeny turn, I was however a Queens Maid the year my sister was Queen.
You have made me Smile, thank you. I am just imagining You as the 'Little Girl', so Miffed at the School Closure😡.
I have seen the Patterns, you describe, but only on 'film'- Pathe recorded much of, it 'for Posterity' and certainly they achieved that. The 'taking a hoop, and decorating it, for the May Day procession' is a New One, on me. Can I ask- Whereabouts 'your' village was please? I went to a Boarding School, in Kent, and don't recall 'that' Tradition. Morris Dancing, especially at Sunrise, yes- everyone Waking Sticks, to Constant Billy, yes absolutely. One, or two, other 'bits' perhaps..... but Not Hoops.
I have heard of a Female 'Clog Dancing' Troop, The Horley Hoofers (perhaps Hoppers?). One, or two, 'Northern' Morris Men- mainly Yorkshire, or Lancashire. The Scottish Highland Games, Edinburgh Tattoo and so forth. Irish Dancing both Traditional, and Modern, 'Irish' and American. I have, to say, that I DO like the Riverdance type Irish Dancing, though my Junior- when I was Working, an Irish girl- Didn't Rate It at all😞.
Once again Commiserations on NOT becoming, the schools, May Queen😢. I'm sure you would have been 'Lovely'😀.
AndrewT
It is all about spring and new growth,the pole is the means in which life is brought forth by the twirling of the young maidens,whom in their frenzy bring fertalisation to the soil and all life ...dont let it grow on you ha! be well
Well, if your name is 'Earnest', then you could have been 'Found In A Handbag' (A Handbag! Prisson, Prisson come here girl.) Wonderful play that- The Importance Of Being Earnest, one of my favourites.😊
Sadly None, of us, can see any Plays, at the moment, not that it stops us remembering them. Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Noel Coward (I can her his 'Voice', in so many) to name a few. The Local Theatres closed 'indefinitely'😢.
Last Summer, one of the Theatre Groups, staged 'Me And My Girl' in a Big Top- of sorts- on the Greensward. It was blowing a 'Gale'- Guide Ropes 'whistling' in the wind, 'Odd' flaps suddenly Opening during the show...… It was hilarious, quite apart from the Superior show. A very good time, had by all😀.
I'll have to 'Brush Up', my Shakespere (yes a Different spelling, so did he apparently, some twenty or more.) I won't Debate here, whether William was one man or a group- I don't think that it's important anyway. Just be grateful that he (they) did so👍.
If I do 'fancy a laugh' I have All the Blackadder scrips, in a bound book, I honestly can't remember how I Came By it. (I believe it was Second Hand or, maybe a present.)
Oh well, until 'Everything' Get Back To Normal! I'd better wash up, clear round, do lunch.....
Shakespeare dont get me started ,he got his inspiration from the like of us and the plague and the crafty goings on in the royalty, not to mention the politics,Ops he did and did a bit of time because of it!! Anyway i think he borrowed a lot of his stuff from others,i mean what did he do for the English language?I will have my pound of flesh yet etc etc etc.Thirty seven times would you believe!! I liked Black Adder too!! an eclectic taste you might say,and you would be right. keep on keeping, on be lucky
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Quotation for Tuesday 5th May 2020