GET THAT CAULDRON A-BUBBLIN' 🔥
Blessed Beltane to you! May 1st marks the halfway point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice and is one of the eight Sabbats celebrated by those of a pagan persuasion.
Beltane is a celebration of fertility and is typically observed by cavorting around bonfires (which symbolize the growing powers of the Sun as the days lengthen) and performing various and sundry fertility rituals. Sounds like good sweaty fun!
That's the spirit!
GIF via BBC/Clique
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Today is also National Chocolate Parfait Day. Sounds like a solid way to replenish your calories after sweating them out around the fertility bonfire!
Finally, today is also National Mantra Day. How is this for a mantra?
I will not show up to Beltane without chocolate parfait.
I will not show up to Beltane without chocolate parfait.
I will not show up to Beltane without chocolate parfait.
I will not show up to Beltane without chocolate parfait.
I will not show up to Beltane without chocolate parfait.
No idea if chocolate parfait leads to larger crop yields or more successful animal husbandry, but I bet it makes you more popular with the other pagans!
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Want a few May 1st famous birthdays and historical facts to kick the week off? Here ya go:
• Born on this day: filmmaker Wes Anderson (1969), frontierswoman Calamity Jane (1852), actress Julie Benz (1972), author Joseph Heller (1923), original Smashing Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy Wretzky (1968), and former Tonight Show host Jack Paar (1918)
• The Empire State Building opened in New York City on this day in 1931
• On this day in 1886 a US general strike for 8-hour work days began
• Citizen Kane premiered in New York City on this day in 1941
• Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 on this day in 1939
Pour one out for Czech composer and academic Antonín Dvořák, who shuffled off the mortal coil on this day in 1904. Dvořák is best known for his 9th symphony, also known as the New World Symphony, which he composed while he was working as the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America in 1893.
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Alright! No new community Q&A this week. However, if you're feeling even moderately outgoing and would like to be featured in an upcoming Monday email (and are a customer with some Boredwalk tees, tanks, hoodies, towels, bags, or books to show off), just reply to this and let us know and we'll send you some fun questions!
We'll be back here in your inbox on Wednesday with some more random holidays to observe, historical tidbits to acknowledge, and fun links to entertaining content! Until next time...
Peace, love, and bonfires,
Matt & Meredith
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