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Past Events May Day 2001
Past Events May Day 2001 | May Day 2001 |
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| Saturday, 30 September 2006 | ||||||||
This script was used as a rough outline for the ritual, the pictures were taken at the event.
"Today we crown our May King, who symbolizes the strength of the people and the land, in his sacred union with the May Queen." Crown May King. Hand May King wreath. He turns to May Queen, and says, "You are the earth goddess incarnate; you are that from which springs all life. Will you join with me today?" She says yes, he puts wreath on her head. All chant, "Hail the Queen of the May! Hail the Queen of the May!" After all this, everyone re-assembles, and then Fool says to May King, "As King for a Day, what would you have us do?" May King can then take everyone on a procession, or just go straight to the Green Man and douse him (say something neat here). Hobby Horse bites everyone. Fools whacks people with stick. General frolicking about. Then Man/Woman divides people up - time to get the May Pole ready. Women stay at barn and put ribbons on wreath. Men go into woods and get pole, carve it maybe, do male things, then bring it to the May Pole area. All go to May Pole area. May King says to women, "Is the wreath of ribbons prepared?" (say yes) To men, "Is the pole prepared?" (say yes) May King says, "Then let the two be joined, and then join and become one with the earth." Put wreath on May Pole, set up May Pole. Tie May King to pole. After pole is wound, cut him loose. Dance around Pole. May Queen and May King consummate the sacred marriage. Crone goes to him, says, "In your role as King, you must be willing to relinquish your life and blood for the good of this land, which you have wed today." May Queen walks up. Crone says, "Are you willing to make this sacrifice?" May King says, "Duh, of course!" Crone kills him. May King dies. Crone covers him. All chant, "The King is Dead!" Fates argue among themselves or with Fool, who cries over and over, "You killed him! How could you?" Mother says, "The King is dead, but not gone. His spirit will live on in the plants, the trees, the earth, the sky. He will dance with his kindred through the coming seasons." Maiden says, "Then for the fertility and prosperity of the land and his people, let it be so." Maiden goes over to dead King, and pulls cloak off. May King jumps up, dances about. All chant, "Long Live the King!" |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 30 September 2006 ) | ||||||||
