The Queen of the May

Flore by Jan Massys (1559)

I've always considered May Day to be one of the most magical days of the year.

The thought of it certainly evokes a jumble of ideas and images in my head. Pagan rituals celebrating the growing season; the absolute relief of making it through another winter; Flora the goddess of flowers; the May Queen; the Maypole; Mayday (as in "help me" or "m'aider");
Anne Boleyn's world crashing down around her at a May Day Tournament;
Elizabeth Woodville's secret marriage to the newly crowned Edward VI of England.

Did they really put the Queen of the May to death after the celebrations were over?

Perhaps May Magic is so powerful because of both the dark and the light but at this time of year it is so easy to believe that the light is in ascendance!