News: Heathen Freehold Society

May Day Celebrations Ancient Custom

By Dan R. Miller

In the last century May Day has become associated with the labour movement, the working class and social revolution. With roots tracing back into the mists of prehistory, the beginning of May has long been a holy day for most European peoples. Since ancient times, Germanic, Celtic and Mediterranean peoples have marked May Day in celebration of the coming of spring and summer.

May Day is one of the few ancient holy tides that did not correspond with any major Christian or Jewish holiday, and therefore remained relatively free of Christian influence down to the present day. Yule, and Easter, on the other hand, both also Germanic holy days, were more completely integrated into the novel Christian calendar as the Northern Europeans were converted to Christianity between the years 600 and 1000 ce.

The ancient Romans dedicated the celebrations to the Roman Goddess May. In Gaelic the day is called "Beltaine". While the original Germanic name for the holiday is no longer known, it is called "May Day" by the English, by Germans "Fruehjarfest", meaning "festival of the early-year", and also in Germany, as well as Sweden and Finland, "Valpurge's Night".

The term "Germanic", like "Nordic" and "Teutonic", refers to the people, languages and cultures of one branch of the Northwest European family, including the Dutch, German, English, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic and others. Also originally speaking Germanic languages, were the Franks and Normans, today more closely identified as French, as well as other tribes who are now lost to history. Prior to the rise of Christianity these tribes migrated from central Europe to settle the British Isles, Norway, France, Iceland and further, carrying their tribal religion and culture with them.

Common to most Germanic countries is the May Pole, traditionally of hawthorn or birch, decorated with ribbons, garlands of flowers, and a crowning wreath. In Germany, huge poles are erected, upon which are hung small figurines which each represent the vocation of someone in the village. While in England and North America, the pole is often decorated with ribbons that reach to the ground, and are woven by participants around the pole during a dance.

As a fertility and phallic symbol, the May Pole was thought to bless young, single people with luck in love. Perhaps more significantly the pole symbolizes the "World Tree". In Germanic mythology the World Tree is home to many different worlds, including our own, and is populated by a variety of beings, including giants, elves, dwarves, Gods and men. The Tree is an allegory for the underlying interconnectedness of all things. Dancing around the May Pole is one way of actively, and ecstatically, increasing the awareness of that interconnection.

There are a variety of folk dances that are performed around the May Pole throughout the Germanic world. The May Queen, or King, depending on the local custom, leads a dancing procession and mock battle against the forces of winter, culminating with the May Pole dance.

The importance of dance is noted in Grimm's "Teutonic Mythology", the 19th century work seminal to the modern Germanic renaissance.

"To Christian zealots all dancing appeared sinful and heathenish, and sure enough it often was derived from pagan rites, like other harmless pleasures and customs of the common people, who would not easily part with their diversion at the great festivalsÉ ...To this day stories are afloat in Sweden of dances and reels performed by the heathen round holy places of their gods: so wanton were they, yet so enticing, that the spectators at last were seized with ecstasy, and whirled along into the revelry."

Houses were decorated with boughs, garlands, and other greenery during this time. To protect crops from bad weather, a piece of bread and honey was set out for the "Wind-Hound". Old worn household items, such as clothes or wooden utensils were to be burnt in the fire.

The May Fire is another important aspect of this celebration. Traditionally, great bonfires would be lit on hilltops and kept burning until sunrise. Variously, to increase their luck, folks would leap over smaller May Fires themselves or drive cattle and other over the coals in order to bless and purify the animals. In some areas straw-men were woven, which are presumed to have been "loaded" with one's bad luck, and then burnt on the sacred fire in a rite of purification.

Great community potluck feasts were held, with hospitality to strangers being very important. The Grimm brothers cite the holy day as "one of the highest days in all heathenism." They go on to say "We know that all over Germany a grand annual excursion of witches is placed on the first night in May, i.e. on the date of the sacrificial feast and the old May-gathering of the people. On the first of May, of all days, the periodical assizes (assemblies) continued for many centuries to be held; on that day came the merry May-ridings, and the kindling of the sacred fire."

This is a time to celebrate the renewel of life, youthful energy, and the vitality of spring. It is said to be high time to see elves, swan-maidens, nature spirits and other-worldly wights. May Day is sacred to the Goddess Holda, or Frua Holle, "the Kind One", associated with wells, spinning, winter and snow. A winter Goddess, Holda relents to the Goddess of Spring, the May Queen, on Valpurge's Night.