May

 

 

 

 

1st

Piggintle: This first day of May is when Little Folk have their traditional celebration on the top of Oakridge. The day begins with the Greeting of the Rising Sun, after which everyone walks in an enormous circle round the oldest oak tree (nine times sunwise, nine times back). All folk make food using the last of their stores and bring it to put on a huge gingham cloth (feastcloth). There is an oak-tree dance like our Maypole dancing, and the climax of the celebration is the annual rolling of the Wheelbread down the side of the hill to determine whether or not the year will bring good harvests.

Tiny folk also roll their buggle-cakes down the hill. (See March calendar - Buggle Day)

 

May's Full Moon: The young Oak Folk sing in honour of the Spring and show off their shiny springtime greenery. They choose one of the Little Folk as their Spring Queen or King.

 

 

New Moon - 

Furry Day: Stompers in Cornwall also have a Furry Day but it is quite different in meaning from the Little Folk's day, which is literally, a celebration of all furry folk! Typically, the day starts with the furry-song, and continues with the furry-dance/play being performed at most places of note around the Lands of the Little Folk.

Although not furry themselves, the Night Folk and the Water Sprites have a large part to play as the folk who take particular care of countryside wildlife, pets and riverside furries such as water-voles.

 

31st

Dipping Day: A gathering at the Dipping Stone, and a jolly paddle in the river Goyt! Water Sprites particularly look forward to Dipping Day when they can show off their diving skills!

This is also traditionally the day when Water Sprites from Seven Springs will bring special medicinal water downriver to the other folk. It is splashed on Little Folk's heads for good health and luck.