Might Day is Might 1
You may not understand it, however Might Day – an historical spring competition within the Northern Hemisphere – is an astronomy vacation. It’s one of many 12 months’s 4 cross-quarter days. That’s, it’s a day that falls roughly halfway between an equinox and solstice. On this case, it’s between the March equinox and June solstice.
The opposite cross-quarter days are Groundhog Day on February 2, Lammas on August 1, and Halloween on October 31.
Might Day additionally stems from the Celtic festival of Beltane. It was associated to the waxing energy of the sun as we within the Northern Hemisphere transfer nearer to summer time. At Beltane, folks drove livestock by way of lit fires and other people danced round them. They have been all transferring in the identical route that the sun crosses the sky.
In Hawaii, Might Day is Lei Day, a statewide celebration of the aloha spirit and the giving of the flower lei.
Might Day and maypoles
After all, wrapping a maypole with colourful ribbons is maybe the very best identified of all Might Day traditions. Within the Center Ages, English villages all had maypoles. They have been a part of the rejoicing and raucous merrymaking of Might Day.
Maypoles got here in lots of sizes. And there was competitors among the many villages to indicate whose maypole was tallest. In small cities, maypoles have been often arrange for the day. However they have been erected completely in London and the bigger cities.
Here’s a WikiHow on how to do a maypole dance
Might baskets can brighten somebody’s day
We’re not too far-off from a time within the late twentieth century when folks left do-it-yourself Might baskets crammed with spring flowers and sweets on others’ doorsteps, often anonymously. I can keep in mind doing this as a baby. Perhaps it’s a practice that may be revived.
I really like this for a Might craft for teenagers! #maydayhttps://t.co/00NGF4L1I8
— HomeschoolSuperFreak (@HSSuperFreak) April 18, 2023
Backside line: Might 1 is one in all 4 cross-quarter days, halfway between an equinox and a solstice. So completely happy Might Day 2023!
Read more: Halloween is a cross-quarter day
Read more: Groundhog Day is an astronomy holiday
