Friday, May 1, 2015

GOING A'MAYIN'

In earlier days—from the at least as far back as the 12 Century—May Day was treated as a big deal.  

Ancient Celts reckoned May First as winter's end and summer's beginning, which they called Beltane. The evening before, they built bonfires and made merry with food a drink, sometimes attempting a celebratory leap over the dancing flames. They also wandered hither and tither in woods and fields, gathering bundles of flowers and greenery for the morrow's decorating…whilst enjoying the occasional moonlit tryst. 

Britons had their ribbon-strung Maypoles and Morris Dancing—and they, too, went "a'Mayin," picking baskets of blooms and greenery to employ in decorating for the festivities. There's a fine old painting by John Collier—a scene from Malory that was later recast in a poem by Tennyson—that depicts Guinevere astrid a white horse, surrounded by her retinue, her arms loaded with May blooms—hawthorn, by the looks of 'em.  

In the place and culture where I grew up, many of the older folks and their kids still clung to many Mayday traditions—particularly setting up the annual Maypole, and going a'Maying to gather baskets of various spring flowers.

Photographically speaking, I went a'Mayin' yesterday, making images of many of the mostly wild blooms I found around the yard. I hope you see something you like. 

8 comments:

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - happy May - Day :-) I love all the images and I especially love lavender. I can feel and smell the beauty of Spring and even hear the buzz of the bee busy doin' its thing. Love it all. I alsoloved reading of the many ole traditions and celebrations of May - thank you for the wealth of information. As kids we made May-baskets with flowers and candies and brought them to neighbors. My Mom loved doing that.

We are having some old friends for lunch today - it is cool and sunny. We made an assortment of wraps - turkey rasberry brie, roast beef and lettuce/tomatoe and horse radish mayo and a Italian combo. We have a nice dish of our home made eggplant parm and also a platter of fresh mozzorella on tomato slices w/basil and balsamic vinagarette. Pumpkin pie and homemade poppy seed rolls, yum and good conversation and laughs and hope for us all. They are in their 80's and will be married 60 years come this August. I met her about 25 years ago when I worked at a school as a special needs counselor for a while - she managed the lunch program and always made me special salads or whatever. And the rest is history. I have rambled enough. Love to you
Gail
peace.....

KGMom said...

Scribe--lovely photos of May's flowers.
I read today that May 1 is one of the most celebrated days world-wide. Different places, different celebrations, of course.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

First off, I can tell you Myladylove and I (we've been out hitting garage sales and doing errands all day) certainly ate lunch in the wrong place! If we'd known what you had on your menu, we might have driven up! It all sounds terrific—from wraps to rolls to pumpkin pie.

Secondly, I love your rambling, which is just what's needed to relate such a wonderful story of your friends. Ramble all you want here, anytime.

Third, and by no means less important—I'm so glad to hear that you were taught and allowed to keep something of of the old Mayday traditions. Gathering and making May baskets was something we did when i was a kid, too. The schoolyard had a Maypole. And folks, young and old, went a'Mayin'. Nowadays, of course, that would be deemed silly…but it wasn't and isn't. Traditions and heritage are a part of who we are, where we come from—and we're the less for tossing them by the wayside.

Glad you liked the pix. Take care.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

You're right—though a lot of those celebrations reflect political/governmental themes and ideologies. But celebrating May Day as a seasonal milestone via various traditions, is older than the month's naming, and about as old as any sort of written record, at least in the northern hemisphere.

Scott said...

Grizz: There's a group that celebrates May Day by gathering on a high, exposed knoll in one of Philadelphia city parks at dawn. Local Morris dancers join in the festivities. I've never gone, but one of my members never misses the day when the weather's good.

Grizz………… said...

Scott…

That's interesting. I'd be curious to know whether their celebrations are neopagan based—though Morris Dancing was first mentioned in England during the 14th Century, having come from Spain ("Morrish" Dancing) during the reign of Edward III.

If indeed a neopagan gathering, they must eschew the more historically correct timing of an all-night, around-the-bonfire gathering, on Mayday Eve…or else are not permitted such blaze-lit frolicking by the park's management.

You ought to give it a look-see one of these Mayday morns, just for reportorial sake. And make a few photos!

Gail said...

HI AGAIN - What a lovely image of you and your Lady-Love happening by for a visit and sharing a meal with us. Lovely indeed.......there are candles in every window to light your way. See you when you get here. Until then......peace and love be yours
Gail

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Maybe one of these days…we'd certainly enjoy visiting and I have not a moment's doubt, be graciously welcomed. I'll watch for those candles.