There seems to be no doubt that the Semitic Asherah was the precursor of the British Maypole, even to its dressing of many coloured ribands, and from the Maypole customs we may infer something of the Semitic practices which have not come down to us. Even “Jack o’ the Green” may eventually be traced to Al-Khidr ([p. 29]) of the old May festivals.
4. The cult of the sacred well.
Here we find only trifling differences. The chief one is the use of pins in Britain. If we knew more about the Asherah with its hooks this difference might disappear.
It has been pointed out by several authors that the worship of wells and water would be most likely to arise in a dry and thirsty land.
5. The time of the chief festivals.
Here we find beyond all question that the festival times were the same to begin with. May is the chief month both in West Asia and West Europe.
It was not till a subsequent time that June and December were added in Egypt and Britain, and April and September among the Jews.
6. The characteristics of the festivals.
Here again is precise agreement. The list I gave on [p. 205] of what can be gathered from British folklore is identical with the statements as to Semitic practices which I quoted from Robertson Smith in the last chapter.