Tuesday, May 1, 2007

May Day

May Day is most commonly known in the US as a day to recognize workers. But the first of May is also an old Celtic holiday called Beltane. Bel is the sun god. And Beltane means day of fire. The first of May marked the transition from Winter to Summer. The usual springtime activities of fertility apply, in the fields, and in people, and in people in the fields.

The May pole dance was a singles mixer. Men and women dance around a tree set up in the center of the village holding ribbons attached to the top of the tree, with the fun being the chance to ensnare your lover, or hoped soon to be lover, within the knotted ribbons.

The reason for May Day becoming associated with worker's rights has to do with the tradition of abolishing social class on this day. In a kind of Apri's fool event employees and employers would all be treated equally for one day, and Robin Goodfellow, also known as the Green Man, was celebrated as the Lord of Misrule, charged with the task of poking fun at the authorities.

Here's a picture of me from a summer church camp a few years ago playing the Green Man.

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