May Day Musings

Ask of Her, the mighty Mother.
Her reply puts this other
Question: What is Spring?-
Growth in every thing -

Flesh and fleece, fur and feather,
Grass and green world all together,
Star-eyed strawberry breasted
Throstle above Her nested

Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin
Forms and warms the life within,
And bird and blossom swell
In sod or sheath or shell.
~  Gerard Manly Hopkins, The May Magnificant, 1888 

Remembering this herb jar I made one May Day and thinking I'll recreate one to celebrate today.  I have lavender, roses, and rue in bloom. Those along with a few pretty wildlings growing beyond the fence and a few sprigs of lemon balm and mint will make a pretty May Day bouquet.  

I find it interesting that May 1 was once considered the first day of summer.  I like that, summer it is!  We should celebrate with a picnic and some summery treats-  Lavender Lemonade and Lemon Thyme Cupcakes, I think.  

How about you, what do you do to celebrate May Day?

Sweet May hath come to love us,
Flowers, trees, their blossoms don;
And through the blue heavens above us
The very clouds move on.
~  Heinrich Heine, Book of Songs

May Day Herbal Fun!

Sunday is May Day, the halfway marker between spring and summer.  My children are counting down the days until summer, anticipating swimming weather mostly!  May Day is a holiday filled with lore and legend as well as fun. 
I like to celebrate by planting an herb or three on this day, and sometimes make up a few May baskets or small gifts such as this herb jar for friends and family. 

Herb jars are fun, frugal if you have a few herbs growing nearby, and are always received with joy. 

To make one for a friend, or even for yourself-
 find a suitable jar such as a pint size canning jar
and
 a bit if wire.
Twist the wire into a handle and secure it around the neck of the jar.
Fill the jar with water,
then go out to the garden and snip a few of your favorite herbs and flowers and add them to the jar. 

You can embellish this herbal gift further by tying on a bow or pretty gift tag.  A small packet of seeds or a lavender sachet make a nice addition as well. 

If you choose herbs that root easily in water such as mint, basil or rosemary, add a little tag giving instructions for potting up the herb plants once they have rooted.  This can be a gift that keeps on giving! 

What are your May Day traditions?

Herbal Blessings,
Catherine