MAY MONTH

I missed my favorite holiday May Day in terms of formal rememberance but it is in my blood. With a savage recklessness for the costs, the garden is plowed.

I had to sacrifice three sister trees to the May Goddess because they provided a way out of the yard for the feral I am sheltering and that is done - I kept their wood bodies.

And today, today is the Rotary Garden Janesville WI PLANT SALE!!!!!! And when I went to Double Jointed Fingers to play the Adiemus video music (on her first post) she had a link to the best May Day article I ever read and its' a regular pagan news service!! Full Circle, See Bread& Roses
Read the bread & roses article and bake the bread! Sweet Corn Rasin Bread
Columbia Spelt Bread. Sing the song. Full Circle's latest HERE

***COME TO THE PLANT SALE THIS WEEKEND **HAPPY MAY MONTH ***

This is my last reminder about the upcoming spring plant sale this Friday, May 15th thru Sunday, May 17 (9am-5pm daily).

I've been asked about pricing as a general FYI for all of you potential customers. Daylilies are $4 each or $3 each if you buy 5 or more. We do have some unknown mystery daylilies that will be $2 each (not part of quantity discount).

Mixed herbs (scented geraniums, parsley, sage,rosemary, thyme, etc.) will be either $3 or $5 and bagged compost will also be available at $5.50 for a 40 lb. (1.5 cubic foot) bag. We also have a handful of $100 cedar obelisks for sale too.

All of the tomatoes (100 varieties), hot peppers (25 varieties), bell peppers (25 varieties) and basils (25 varieties) are here in four packs.

Each plant is $1 meaning that a four pack is $4.

Any of these plants can be purchased in four packs or can be mixed & matched (create your own four pack!).

I've seen equivalent heirloom tomatoes for sale around town for $3+ per plant! Our 25 varieties of heirloom runner and pole beans are sold in seed packs for $1 each as well.



HA!!! I WAS ACTUALLY RIGHT ON TIME (SEE? IT IS IN MY BONES) FROM FULL CIRCLE EARTH NEWS:

The timing of this Cross Quarter Holiday can be confusing. Here's why:*

Astrological Beltane: Occurs when the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus. (Usually around May 5th).*

Astronomical Beltane: The time when the constellation Pleiades can be seen on the dawn horizon. Our ancestors would have been well aware of changes to the stars that heralded a change in seasons; something most moderns now miss.*

Calendar Beltane - (AKA May Day): This is commonly celebrated on May 1st.

However, it is important to note that calender changes made by the Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 moved the date backwards by 11 days in most European countries. Overnight, May 12th became May 1st. (Note: England and American did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752).

Thus, the Calendar puts the well known May Day celebrations such as Morris Dancing, May Poles and Fire Festivals, et al, at at a time far earlier than they were previously held.

In Medieval and Renaissance times these celebrations took place 11 - 15 days later in the season; at a time when the weather was noticeably warmer and dryer, travel (both by sea and over land) was easier and safer, many more spring flowers bloomed, a larger number of young animals were about and thriving, and it was far more pleasant to be outside.*

Lunar Beltane: Occurs during the first full moon in May.Many ancient and modern calendars are based on either lunar or lunisolar calendars. Such calenders were/are used by people in Native American, Hebrew, Islamic, Asian, Hindu and Pagan cultures. Many ancients peoples, including the ancient Celts, Egyptians, Africans, Mayans, Hawaiians, and Babylonians, used lunar calendars.*


Solar Beltane - (AKA Cross Quarter Beltane): Beltane is a Cross Quarter Holiday, one that stands halfway between a solstice and an equinox in the Wheel of the Year. It's exact date and time is calculated in relation to the other seasonal holidays ocuring in a 365 day-long solar year. You can check this on sites such as the Archaeoastronomy site.

Here are Actual dates and times for the Cross Quarter holidays through 2012*

Tribal - (AKA Festive Beltane): Our ancestors often held feasts, faires, and festivals that lasted for many days. (This makes sense when you consider that travel to and from these gatherings could take days. Why travel all that way for a brief event?) Today, Pagans and others celebrate this holiday over a period of several days, often gathering to meet or do rituals at a time most
convenient for their families and/or group.

The Wheel of the Year: The Wheel of the Year is celebrated by Pagans, Druids, Wiccans and others as a way to honor the past, and be in touch with nature. Please Note: The number of holidays on the Wheel remains constant, but their names and focus may vary according to one's culture and tradition.