May

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Beltane, Kalends of May

Today is the festival of Beltane, when plants are in full growth, a time of mystical union.

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Floralia, Elena

Today is a sacred day for Elena, or Helen, the goddess of the holy road. She is Elaine of Arthurain romances. The Welsh Sarn Helen are her roads.

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Nones of May, Helston furry dance

A floral dance is traditinally performed at Helston in Cornwall on this day.

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Lemuria

Today is the first day of the Roman festival of Lemuria, when the hungry spirits of dead family members might visit their former houses.

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Lemuria

Today is the second day of the Roman festival of Lemuria, when the hungry spirits of dead family members might visit their former houses.

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The Celtic tree month of Saille ends.

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Lemuria, the Celtic tree month of Huath begins

Today is the final day of the Roman festival of Lemuria, when the hungry spirits of dead family members might visit their former houses.

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The runic half-month of Ing begins

Ing is the male consort of the earth mother goddess. His rune is the symbol of light. This month embodies the energy and growth of midsummer.

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Maia and Mercury, Vesta, Cold Sophie, Ides of May, the goddess month of Maia ends, Scottish quarter day

Today is sacred to Maia and her son Mercury, and to Vesa, the goddess of the hearth. On the Ides of May, the Vestil Virgins of Rome performed a rite to ensure the supply of water for the coming year.

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Brendan the Navigator's day, the goddess month of Hera begins

Legend has it that Brendan the Navigator, an Irish priest, was the first European to find North America. Hera is a Greek goddess, the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She is said to protect all women who have not slept with her husband Zeus.

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Dea Dia

Today is the festival of the mother of the Universe.

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Apollon Day

Today is the festival of the Greek and Roman god Apollo, the patron of archery, agriculture, animal husbandry, crops, cattle, farmers, shepherds, sheep, poetry, medicine, prophesy and ethics.

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Festival of Mjollnir

Today is the festival of Mjollnir, Thor's hammer. Tradition holds that this is a good day for ritual contests and battle.

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Rosalia

Today is the Roman festival of roses, in honour of the goddess Flora.

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The Mothers, Hermes Trismegistus

This is the Celtic festival of the three mother goddesses, who bring prosperity and a full harvest. Today is also the feast of Hermes Trismegistus, the patron of alchemists.

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Ambarvalia, Oak Apple day, the runic half-month of Odal begins

Today is the Roman festival of Ambarvalia, sacred to Ceres, the goddess of grain, growing plants and the love of a mother for her child. It's a time of purification. In England it's oak apple day, which commemorates the escape of Charles ll from Cromwell by hiding in an oak tree. The rune Odel signifies ancestral property.

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The festival of Frigg, Whitsunday

Today is sacred to the Norse goddess frigg, the queen of heaven and consort to Odin, or Wotan. In rural tradition this is Whitsunday, for brewing Whitsun ale and for creating love-bowers.

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