It’s May first and I am home sick (I’m not really that sick, but Kiddo is, so I stayed home to look after her) and I am thinking about the duality of May Day celebrations.
On one side is Beltane with its phallic maypole and celebrations of “coming together” (marriage & making babies) with parades and feasts.
On the other is International Worker’s Day (in Canada we celebrate on Labour Day instead), celebrating worker organization (unions) and workers’ rights (like regular work hours and safety) with marches and protests.
So … do the parades ever run into the marches? Hehehe.
But the weirdest coincidence today? Kiddo is watching Mayday right now (I have no idea why she loves this show).
If you are celebrating today, Happy May Day, whether you commemorate the achievements of the workers’ movement or observe the age-old traditions of Beltane. Of course in Canada, you are probably at work… but at least it’s a Wednesday so, happy hump-day. 😉
Photo credits:
Maypole 1946-5 CC-BY-SA Bourneville Village Council on Flickr
May Day Rally CC-BY dying regime on Flickr