Happy May Day, From My Bluebells to Yours

Lá Bealtaine

I really do love when May comes round. It is a time for preparation, anticipation, welcoming and celebration for the Summer ahead.

May Day in Ireland is a festival to celebrate the coming of summer and the protection of family and livelihood through the land, flowers, fire and fun.

It is the bidding farewell to the dark nights and embracing Summer.

May is the Symbolic start of working on the land and farms. It is a busy time for farmers with the care and movement of animals to different pastures. Marts and markets get in to swing as they started selling the animals and produce, and hiring of staff to help on the land.

Long ago it was the traditional day for landlords to collect the rent for the next 6 months and for folks to take stock of supplies of the coming months.

There are many traditions associated with May Day like the May Flower, May Poles, May Bushes and May Bonfires.

May Poles and Bushes were decorated with colourful ribbons and egg shells left over from Easter.

May Flowers were left at the threshold of the front door to protect the house and ward away any mystical forces.

My favourite story is that the fairies could not pass the door with the sweet smelling flowers as a distraction. Yellow Flowers such as Primrose, Buttercup and Marigolds, of course Bluebells and Hawthorn and even the beautiful yellow gorse and ferns were used around the house.

They used to put flowers on farm animals and left baskets of flowers on the door steps of neighbours as  gesture of good luck.

Water taken from a well on May day was supposed to bring  you good luck and the Dew of the May day morning flowers was supposed to offer a glowing complexion.

Dancing around the bonfire hand in hand to form a serpent like circle was a lovely tradition, with everyone weaving in and out and gathering others to dance along the way.

My beloved Bog work, to cut turf started and many of the family were roped in to help with that all summer long. Oh how we loved it…… Turing, footing, heaping and drawing home. A single sod was touched 6-7 times before it hit the fire.

It is traditionally in Ireland a Holy day to celebrate Mary and there are Marion Processions all over the country. Children and families collect flowers to decorate the Grottoes, Altars and statues of Mary. It is even a popular tradition to have a statue and flowers in the home and to keep the flowers replenished all the month.

I remember that we used Bluebells as a the flower of choice as they grew everywhere wild in May. I associate Mary with Bluebells as I’m sure many around the country do.

As many in Ireland know the weather is always huge taking point and May was a month for predictions and forecasts of the months to come.

“A wet May and a dry June makes the farmer whistle a tune”

I heard many a time as a child, “Don’t take of your coat till May is out.”

It is the simple joy of the summer to come and the anticipation of school holidays for the children that make it such joyous time of the year for many.

 I for one love to see all my plants coming to life and the bird and bees buzzing and flying around.

The sound of Summer is like no other. A beautiful harmonious chorus with children playing, birds singing and bees a buzzing.

May, May be a good one for you all.

Regards

Sarah