vendredi 16 septembre 2005

Michaelmas Daisies... and Michaelmas Day There are almost two weeks to go before Michaelmas, which falls on the 29th of September, but the daisies of that name in our courtyard garden are in full flower and just had to be photographed as they are now. Also to write about a topical subject on the actual day is usually too late for many people who want the information beforehand. It was easier to tie in "now and then" with the balloon flight subject yesterday because it was the anniversary day of the first ascent in England as well as a timely reminder-cum-promo of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta two weeks from now. The Michaelmas Daisy Aster amellus looks wonderful at this time of year - late summer - when gardens are bereft of other colourful blooms. They come in many varieties, some flowering until Christmas and easily surviving frosty nights. In Dante's "Divine Comedy" he writes... "As florets, by the frosty air of night Bent down and clos'd, when day has blanch'd their leaves Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems; So was my fainting vigour new restor'd, And to my heart such kindly courage ran, That I as one undaunted soon replied." Many of the Michaelmas Daisy varieties are native to North America and thus thrive well in the British climate... able to survive in any soil, with precious little nourishment, and a little sunshine. They are popular with flying insects and butterflies as illustrated by the following words... "Red Admiral, Red Admiral, I'm glad to see you here, Alighting on my daisies one by one! I hope you like their flavour and although the Autumn's near, Are happy as you sit there in the sun?" You can read the other verses of this charming rhyme "The Song of the Michaelmas Daisy Fairy" at the BugBios site on Cultural Entomology (Insects in Human Culture). Michaelmas meant only one thing when we lived in Wiltshire, and later in west Wales... it marked the end of the fox hunting season which gave us almost complete peace until the new lambs had been weaned the following spring when the barbaric "sport" started all over again. I say barbaric with good reason... the Welsh hunt from the town near where we lived was the first (and possibly only) hunt in England and Wales to lose it's licence because of excessive cruelty - having been filmed by an undercover cameraman. Michaelmas is the Feast Day of the Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and falls on September the 29th. It has importance for both church and universities... being the start of the Autumn term for the latter. Unsurprisingly, several traditions and customs have sprung up for this day including dining on goose. One reason for this was said to be that Queen Elizabeth I was eating goose when news of the defeat of the Armada was brought to her. In celebration she said that henceforth she would always eat goose on Michaelmas Day... others then followed her lead. Talking of dinner time... in Ireland finding a ring hidden in a Michaelmas pie meant that one would soon be married! English folklore warns against picking blackberries after Michaelmas Day for then they belong to the Devil. It's said that when Satan fell from Heaven he landed in a blackberry bush and was so angry that he spat on it and cursed the blackberries still remaining... not that there are any left for picking so late in the year after the birds have gorged themselves on the tasty summer fruits. In the Western Isles and parts of Scotland The Eve of St. Michael is for bringing in the carrots... and the afternoon of the Sunday immediately preceding St. Michael's day is known as Domhnach Curran or Carrot Sunday. There's a lengthy description of related traditions and customs by Aisling Bronach referenced from the "Work of Carmichael" on the House Shadow Drake web site. Enjoy. 10:55:05 PM    comment []