Years ago I had acreage and a 22 foot Maypole. We had a big party, picnic and May Pole dance as well as fertility related games..
Such as "cream the fertility goddess" where I drew a fertility goddess on a big cardboard posted to a tree and the men threw water balloons filled with a cooked cornstarch and water "slurry" that was alarmingly similar to semen. The goal was to aim at the appropriate spot. Good fun for all!
For the gals we had throw the loop around the balloon.
A long balloon was attached by it's tail to a weight on the ground where it danced around a bit and the gals threw hoops over it.
Then there was the eat the donut or twinkie suspended by a twine from the clothesline.
And the popular pie eating contest (yes, real pie, pun intended)
And just for fun...because I had small livestock at the time. Bunny or chicken bingo! A canvas was painted with squares with a number in each. A small pen was put around it. People paid $2 for a number, when all the squares were sold an bunny or chicken was put in, and whichever square it pooped on first..won the pot!
And another goodie was "sticky face" each person gets a roll of lifesavers, and a timer is set for three minutes (or a song is put on the stereo) and the contestants have to unwrap the roll, lick the candies and stick them to their face. Whoever has the most stuck to them when the song ends (or timer beeps) is the winner!
Ah, those were good times.
Also, washing the face in the dew on May 1 for a year of beauty (no longer feasible as I live in the desert and there is rarely dew on May 1)
And doing the fertility wiggle with a willing partner on the ground (what a lovely eco friendly use of the forest or field!)
Alas, this year no acreage, party, May dew or partner, what's a girl to do?
Plant seeds. Decorate the alter. Do a gratitude ritual for the fertility of body and mind and land that I am grateful for.
Pick flowers (not actually legal where I live but good for other folks) and share them with friends.
Have a bonfire (actually fire restrictions were called early this year so that's not happening either)
so, since my resources are limited this year I NEED you all to help me out by sharing what you do on May Day.
Thanks!
Such as "cream the fertility goddess" where I drew a fertility goddess on a big cardboard posted to a tree and the men threw water balloons filled with a cooked cornstarch and water "slurry" that was alarmingly similar to semen. The goal was to aim at the appropriate spot. Good fun for all!
For the gals we had throw the loop around the balloon.
A long balloon was attached by it's tail to a weight on the ground where it danced around a bit and the gals threw hoops over it.
Then there was the eat the donut or twinkie suspended by a twine from the clothesline.
And the popular pie eating contest (yes, real pie, pun intended)
And just for fun...because I had small livestock at the time. Bunny or chicken bingo! A canvas was painted with squares with a number in each. A small pen was put around it. People paid $2 for a number, when all the squares were sold an bunny or chicken was put in, and whichever square it pooped on first..won the pot!
And another goodie was "sticky face" each person gets a roll of lifesavers, and a timer is set for three minutes (or a song is put on the stereo) and the contestants have to unwrap the roll, lick the candies and stick them to their face. Whoever has the most stuck to them when the song ends (or timer beeps) is the winner!
Ah, those were good times.
Also, washing the face in the dew on May 1 for a year of beauty (no longer feasible as I live in the desert and there is rarely dew on May 1)
And doing the fertility wiggle with a willing partner on the ground (what a lovely eco friendly use of the forest or field!)
Alas, this year no acreage, party, May dew or partner, what's a girl to do?
Plant seeds. Decorate the alter. Do a gratitude ritual for the fertility of body and mind and land that I am grateful for.
Pick flowers (not actually legal where I live but good for other folks) and share them with friends.
Have a bonfire (actually fire restrictions were called early this year so that's not happening either)
so, since my resources are limited this year I NEED you all to help me out by sharing what you do on May Day.
Thanks!
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