Landscapes by Hannah Howe

by Hannah Howe

Hannah Howe is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann's War Mystery Series and the #1 international bestseller Saving Grace. Hannah's books are published by Goylake Publishing and distributed through Gardners Books to over 300 outlets worldwide. Her books are available in print, as eBooks and audiobooks, and are being translated into ten languages. Discover more on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

by Poppy Flynn

May Dayis anancient festivalofSpring usually celebrated on1 st May. It is a current traditional spring holiday in many European cultures though in countries where is a public holiday, it is generally taken as the first Monday following the 1 st of the month.

The earliest documented May Day celebrations began with the Floralia, the festival of the Roman goddess of flowers which was held from 27 th April –3 rd May around 230 BCE.

The Floralia began with theatrical performances, goats and hares were said to be released as part of the festivities and it concluded withcompetitions and a sacrifice to Flora. Moving on to the 2 nd century AD, and the month long Maiouma, described as a ‘nocturnal dramatic festival,’ was celebrated. This was held every three years and was celebrated with impressive banquets and offerings. Also known as the Orgies, it had a reputation for licentiousness which caused it to be suppressed during the reign of EmperorConstantine.

Although May Day practices varied widely, many of the more modern May Day celebrations are a reflection of these early rituals.

It is believed that these rites were originally intended to ensurefertility for crops and, by extension, also livestock and humans.

Another of the superstitions associated with May Day was the belief that washing the face with dew on the morning of May 1 st would beautify the skin.

Because thePuritansofNew Englandconsidered the celebrations of May Day to be immoraland pagan, its observance was forbidden, and the holiday never became a very big part of Americanculture.

In the 20th century, traditional May Day celebrations declined in many countries as May 1 st instead became associated with the international holiday honouring workers and the labour movement.

Celebrations usually included the gathering of wildflowers and the weaving of floral garlands, the crowning of a May king and queen, and the setting up of a decorated May tree, orMaypole which people danced around as well as the tradition of giving of May baskets which were filled with sweets or flowers and usually left anonymously on doorsteps.

InGaelic cultures, the evening of April 30 th signified the start of the celebration forBeltane(meaning lucky fire).

First corroborated in 900 AD the celebration mainly focused on the symbolic use of fire to bless cattle and other livestock as they were moved to summer pastures. This custom continued into the early 19th century, during which time cattle would be walked between fires to protect their milk from being stolen byfairies. People would also leap over the fires for luck.

These specialbonfireswere kindled using traditional methods, generally on a mountain or hill, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. When the bonfire had died down, people would smear themselves with its ashes and sprinkle it over their crops and livestock. Burning torches from the bonfire would be taken home, where they would be carried around the house or boundary line after which they would be used to re-light the hearth and candles. From these rituals, it is clear that the fire was seen as having protective powers. The fire rituals were meant to mimic the Sun and to ensure sunshine for men, animals, and plants as well as symbolically burn and destroy any harmful influences. The gatherings would be accompanied by a feast involving food was cooked at the bonfire and there were rituals revolving around that too. Doors, windows and livestock would be decorated with garlands and yellow flowers such asprimrose, hawthorn, gorseandmarigolds, possibly because they evoked fire. Many of these customs were part of the later May Day or Midsummer festivals in much of Great Britain and Europe. The festival continued widely up until the 1950s, and in some places the celebration of Beltane persists today. In the late 20th century, manyneopagansand Wiccans began reconstructing some of the older festivals, combining them with more recent traditions to begin celebrating May Day once again.

Poppy Flynn was born in Buckinghamshire, UK and moved to Wales at eight years old with parents who wanted to live the 'self-sufficiency' lifestyle. Today she still lives in rural Wales and is married with six children. Poppy's love of reading and writing stemmed from her parents' encouragement and the fact that they didn't have a television in the house. "When you're surrounded by fields, cows and sheep, no neighbors, no TV and the closest tiny village is four miles away, there's a certain limit to your options, but with books your adventures and your horizons are endless." Discover more about Poppy on Mom's Favorite Reads website: