In the early days of the British Isles, May Day was celebrated with the lighting of massive fires to welcome in the new light.  The fires brought purity and luck to the people who breathed in the smoke.  This was a chance to wash off the dark days behind and look forward to the bright days ahead.

When the Romans took over the British Isles, a five-day feast was traditionally held in honor of the Roman goddess of flowers. The Roman traditions became integrated with the British traditions to become what we today recognize as May Day.

A maypole would be set in the middle of the village to symbolize a tree, the traditional symbol of nature’s strength and vitality.   It would then be festooned with bright ribbons and flowers to celebrate the beauty of nature.  People would traditionally dance and sing around the maypole to give thanks for having survived the darkest part of the year and to look forward to the brighter part of the year ahead.

Today, we give baskets of sweets and flowers in order to share our success with others and bring good luck back upon our own lives.  The next few months ahead are traditionally a time of brightness, productivity, and life.  Celebrate it.