3. Holy wells.
In this chapter I shall deal with the two former.
I. The May Celebrations.
Seeing that the year beginning in May was established because that month really opened the vegetation year, it is little to be wondered at that among the chief features of New Year’s Day was what we may term a flower worship; it is probable that we are here dealing with the sacred-tree side of the general festival at all the monuments erected in connection with the May year worship. The old traditions have lingered longest around the things we have still with us, the trees and flowers; and it is in connection with this side of the worship that most information is available. From the facts I have already stated, for Britain the Rowan and Hawthorn were most naturally selected as the typical forms.[43]
Many poets have written of this festival[44]: Chaucer, Shakspere, Milton, Bourne, Herrick and others. Chaucer writes:
“Fourth goeth al the Court both most and lest,
To fetch the flouris fresh and branche and blome,”
when not the courtiers only, but lowliest of men and maidens sallied forth
“To do observaunce to a morn of May.”
There is a vast literature connected with May Day celebrations, among it references to Celtic customs, and I may add that, besides May Day, August, November and February had their flower festivals also. I shall, however, deal chiefly with May in this book to keep it within bounds.
May Day in Manx was termed Shenn Laa Boaldyn; it is the belltaine of Cormac’s Glossary, the Scotch Gaelic equivalent of which is bealtuinn.