The May Day Ritual
Here is the next part of the section in The New Pagans’ Handbook on May Eve and May Day.
May Day: the Ritual
Because we have no set place for our rites, unless we are fortunate enough to find sufficient private ground for a temple, we must of necessity tailor our observances to the available environment. Ideally, with the exception of Candlemas they should be held in the open, preferably in the presence of trees.
The essential is that a circle be formed around a central point, and all the better if, at that point, there is a tree or symbol of it such as a staff. For May Day the tree should be an oak.
As it is going to be a party we should dress for one. Presents of food and drink should be brought by the group. Make-up helps the atmosphere to develop. The Lady can have Her face whitened in honour of the Moon. The man chosen to personate Robin can have His face reddened. The meal is the wedding breakfast, so called because it is the first meal of a marriage.
Throughout the ceremonies music, humming, clapping and stamping can occur. At some meetings that I have attended the most musically inclined person has acted as Ringleader initiating musical endeavours and introducing various stages of the rite. Such an individual is invaluable at any meeting, particularly if they have a sense of theatre. An old friend of ours, ‘The Fool’ can also be personated, with the task of playing tricks etc, although there always seems to be one such at any wedding.
