Happy May Day
Having grown up in Canada where all things British are still revered, I took part in many May Day festivities. I found this and linked it on Olivia Drab's blog because of her auspicious May Day. I never realized the fertility connection of the ritual, although this makes perfect sense: "Originally the Maypole represented a phallic symbol or a Pagan symbol of Fertility celebrating sexuality..." Dancing around a giant pole makes about as much sense as most of the other crap we've been told that increases our chances of conceiving.
Maypole dancing
posted by Donna @ 10:38 AM
6 Comments:
I actually did this in the third grade when our class put on a May Day celebration. They taught the dance in gym class for a few weeks and then picked the 15 best dancers to do the May pole; ever the klutz, I didn't get picked but they did have another dance for us that we got to do wearing funny hats.
WOW, though, maybe THAT'S why we're infertile!!! No May Day dance.
Damn.
Exactly. Start dancing.
May Day is also known as Beltaine, the day of union of the Horned God and the Goddess (if you've read "Mists of Avalon," you are very aware of this holiday). Children conceived on Beltaine are considered giften by the gods.
This is a good page, but turn down your speakers because there's very cheesy electronic music:
http://www.tylwythteg.com/Beltaine.html
Anyone find it creepy that it's always very young girls dancing around the May Pole? Is it supposed to hold you for 30-40 years as long as you've done it once? I can remember doing it - it's not working for me. Interesting tradition. -Kym
I laughed, and then found myself with tears pricking my eyes. I never even KNEW about May Day until I was in 20's. My Ex was born on May 1 (and believe me, he truly believed that HE was God's Gift!)
Maybe thats why I'm now infertile...always finding things out just a smidge too late.
Oh I'm so glad you posted this Donna! I danced around the Maypole as a child, I'm so sorry the tradition died out, my DH says it's because May day was a communist celebration, he usually knows these things.
I'm dancing around the pole today in my heart for you and all our fellow IF'ers!
I'm up for it. Anyone else want to join me for a go-round the Maypole?
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