Hello Hive!
Happy May Day (Tag der Arbeit)!
In Germany and many European countries, today is an international holiday which traditionally celebrates spring, but has been adapted as a labor holiday formed by communists and labor unions.
Many people are enjoying the day off and a long weekend here in Germany and of course, we can't forget those who must work regardless of holidays and weekend. In our region especially, I know the farmers are busy as hell and we really appreciate their hard work.
Normally there are many festivals this time of year, beginning with the Easter fire at the end of April and then the May festivals.
In our village, we do not have a typical maypole like in Bavaria, but our pole stands year-round, as it marks the spot of the “thing”. To this day, the pole stands decorated in the same spot for 1000 plus years.
If you are familiar with Norse history, you know a ”thing” was held every year (In Spring) and this is where tribal elders and members would meet to govern the region, settle disputes, cast judgment, as well as celebrate victories of spring (also many weddings).
May festivals have many pagan roots (as most holidays) and it is still a very joyous time of year to celebrate spring and mother nature.
”There was a queen who resided over the sea,
Whose like no one knew of anywhere.
She was exceedingly beautiful and great in physical strength.
She shot the shaft with bold knights — love was the prize.”[1]
Sigrdrífumál (or Brunhild) is the Valkyrie of victory and still held in this regard today. Many honor her as the Völsunga Saga tells of victories of our ancestors and her relation to it.
A sigr blot (victory blessing) is held to praise victory and ensure that future victories will be had and is celebrated as the winter passes away and the summer is born.
There won't be any public celebrations this year. No honoring victory, no praising mother nature for returning spring to us.
This must be held at home in solitude. This is chance for us to really take stock in what we have and plan out own personal victories for the year to come.
Did you stick to your New Years resolution?
Did you make a bunch of money in crypto?
Did you get your vegetable garden planted?
Did you bring a new life into this world?
Did you make an oath and keep it?
Take some time, honor your victories! Reflect on the hard work you have done to be where you are today. Bring glory to your family and ancestors!
I wish you all a happy May and many victories in your life!
Hail Sigr!
Sources:
1: Edwards, Cyril (trans.) (2010). The Nibelungenlied. The Lay of the Nibelungs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
@balticbadger