May Day

Welcome the month of May! Embraced by the workers of the world as International Labor Day, the 1st of May's repute began in ancient times.  The half-way point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice, the Celts called it Beltane. The Germanic tribes called it Walpurgis Night.

After months cooped up inside, the clement weather precipitated raucous celebrations including dancing around the May Pole and crowning a May Queen. As Christianity replaced polytheist religions, folk traditions morphed into Christian ceremonies. The month of May was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. She became "Queen of the May" revered by novenas and recitation of the rosary.

In May, 1886, America's nascent labor movement demonstrated at Haymarket Square in Chicago. Police were sent to quell the mob. A bomb was thrown, shots fired, deaths occurred. The movement adopted May 1st as a day to honor organized labor. Appropriated by socialists, the Soviet Union used this day to display it's power and might. In France it became an annual day of protest. 

Of trivial note, the distress signal, "May Day" has nothing to do with the 1st of May. It is the anglicized version of venez m'aider - French for "Come help me!" 

No matter what your religious, or political predilection, enjoy the day. Warmer weather with its hint of summer beckons all to festoon a pole with flowers and dance like a dervish. - as ever BB

"Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun." - Kahlil Gibran