Gifting May Flowers And Appreciating Spring Showers

by Marisa

We've all heard about May flowers as justification for April rain, and certainly, as anyone who has visited our nation's capital during cherry blossom season can attest, those flowers are worth the wet. But did you know a gift of May flowers (a May basket, to you May Day fans) was also believed to promote healing? Or that acceptance of a May bouquet could constitute engagement?

To ancient Pagans, May Day, known as Beltane, celebrated flowering fertility, as spring moved into summer. The Goddess and God were believed to mate at this time, and young lovers followed in amorous suit, using flowers to signify their intent. In Europe, young men would scale the Alps in collection of edelweiss, which, when publicly accepted by their maiden, signified that the couple were engaged.

Similarly, in a tradition of "May birching" or "May boughing," young men would fasten garlands along the windows or around the doorknobs of the young women they were squiring on Beltane Eve. Mountain ash leaves and hawthorn were particularly suggestive of love, but beware any thorny branches, which were said to represent disdain. With time, this tradition generalized to include the gifting of Beltane flowers to anyone in need of healing or prosperity.

But don't forget about the April showers! Rejuvenating spring rain was integral to Beltane festivities, and it was believed that washing your face in the pre-dawn Beltane dew would yield a year of health, luck, and beauty.

Enticed? Click HERE for instructions on making your own eco-friendly, recyclable May Basket. Just beware of thorns!

| 04/30/08 | Practices