Yes, You May (part 1)

There's a picture in existence, somewhere in the dark recesses of my basement (but not in the photo trunk, blast it), of little me, in 3rd grade but only old enough for 2nd, wearing a crown and my fanciest dress and sitting stiffly next to an awkward 3rd grade boy, also wearing a crown, and the two of us are surrounded by attendants. When I find that picture I will show you the proof that I was once named queen. I didn't understand what all the fuss was about that day on the elementary school playing field, though I was entertained by the dancing and sports and the flowery spectacle going on around the Maypole. I remember being feeling shy and nervous; the crown weighed so heavily on my head. I don't remember anyone explaining to me that—

The May Queen is also known as The Maiden, the goddess of spring, flower bride, queen of the faeries, and the lady of the flowers. The May Queen is a symbol of the stillness of nature around which everything revolves. She stands for purity, strength and the potential for growth, as the plants grow in May. She is one of many personifications of the energy of the earth.

Nope, my teacher simply told me I'd been selected and that I should stand up straight and walk just so in the procession, and then she gave me an inscribed book full of images of fluffy housecats to say thank you. What did I know? Only that some nebulous importance hung on me. Too bad nobody explained the lovely pagan aspect of the scene. A girl whose best friend at the time was a backyard oak tree surely could have better appreciated her role in that light. Certainly now, realizing I was actually an earthy queen from a young and impressionable age helps put the rest of my life into perspective....

[Just got a call from an out-of-town cousin pretending to be an IRS auditor—he's local today and wants to visit, so I'll have to finish this ramble later with a part two. Meanwhile, may I direct your attention to this post on the marvelous Justin Hackworth's blog? He captured two souls yesterday (and two hearts as well)—mine and my mum-in-law's. Just in time for May Day. More from me later. Peas out.]