Pagan holidays in May are connected to the arrival of spring and the celebration of fertility and new life. Beltane, also known as May Day, is one of the most significant pagan holidays in May. It marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Beltane celebrations focus on the awakening of the Earth after winter and the abundance of nature. During Beltane, people traditionally gather to light bonfires and dance around them. This symbolizes the banishing of winter and the welcoming of summer.
Part of what makes the movie work in a “can’t stop rubbernecking at a car wreck” way is that despite the fact the movie is about a guy who has a snake growing out of his arm, no one ever cracks a smile about it once! In fact, Lisa doesn’t even seem that concerned when Clark starts sweating, holding his gauzed up hand protectively and generally acting like a guy who is in the middle of a horrible mutation. She just wants to prance around in a leather mini-skirt and dance with other dudes in a cowboy bar!
In fact, Lisa doesn t even seem that concerned when Clark starts sweating, holding his gauzed up hand protectively and generally acting like a guy who is in the middle of a horrible mutation. Part of what makes the movie work in a can t stop rubbernecking at a car wreck way is that despite the fact the movie is about a guy who has a snake growing out of his arm, no one ever cracks a smile about it once.
This symbolizes the banishing of winter and the welcoming of summer. It is believed that the flames from the bonfires have protective and purifying powers. For fertility rituals, couples may jump over the bonfires or pass through them to ensure a fruitful and prosperous year.
John’s Horror Corner: Curse II: The Bite (1989), a B-movie about a mutant snake hand puppet.
MY CALL: Laughably terrible B-movie. Not nearly as enjoyable as The Curse (1987) and seemingly completed unrelated despite the title. IF YOU LIKE THIS WATCH: Well, The Curse (1987), and maybe even Curse III: Blood Sacrifice (1991; aka Panga).
An adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour out of Space”, the first “ curse” ( The Curse ) involved melty-fleshed zombies created from an other-worldly ooze that infected the water supply from meteorite contamination (I believe in Tennessee). Clearly having nothing to do with the first film, now we find ourselves at a nuclear testing site in Arizona. Clark (J. Eddie Peck) and Lisa (Jill Schoelen; The Phantom of the Opera, Cutting Class, The Stepfather) are driving across the desert and a bunch of cheesy snake imagery festoons the opening credits.
While fixing a flat tire, they come across a paranoid gas station owner with a feisty snake-headed mutant dog. The effects are B-movie cheap (and silly), but they’re ambitious as we enjoy a rubber snake puppet biting its owner’s neck. Unfortunately, this is the only thing in the first 50 minutes that isn’t painfully boring. I don’t mind a cheap B-movie, just please keep the pace up!
Eventually, Clark is bitten by a snake—the wrong snake! Clark becomes temperamental, his hand becomes infected and actually turns into a snake. Just his hand! And it is just around this time (the one-hour mark) that we finally get some schlocky gore when he punch-snakebites down a sheriff’s throat and rips out his heart. Again, nothing impressive visually. Although later when it rips off the lower jaw of a doctor… THAT was cool and packed a good gory effect. Then, like an Evil Dead 2 (1987) knock-off, Clark cuts off his own cursed hand in the least entertaining hand-amputation in film history. But spitting in the faces of the lords of good taste, it grows back snakier and slimier than ever.
All told, this is a movie about a mutant snake hand puppet. The plot, execution and special effects are all hokey as sin. And one of only two truly entertaining effects scenes is at the very end when Clark’s eye and tongue ooze out of place and he regurgitates baby snakes… and then he pukes up fully grown adult snakes… and then his head rips open for the emergence of a yet bigger snake! What the…? Clark had the strangest curse-infection ever. And the only link I can discern to the first movie is the inclusion of some God-fearing folks who liken the malady as a test from God (or punishment or something like that).
Oh, and this movie is terrible.
Eventually, Clark is bitten by a snake—the wrong snake! Clark becomes temperamental, his hand becomes infected and actually turns into a snake. Just his hand! And it is just around this time (the one-hour mark) that we finally get some schlocky gore when he punch-snakebites down a sheriff’s throat and rips out his heart. Again, nothing impressive visually. Although later when it rips off the lower jaw of a doctor… THAT was cool and packed a good gory effect. Then, like an Evil Dead 2 (1987) knock-off, Clark cuts off his own cursed hand in the least entertaining hand-amputation in film history. But spitting in the faces of the lords of good taste, it grows back snakier and slimier than ever.
Another pagan holiday in May is Walpurgis Night, which is celebrated on April 30th or May 1st. This holiday originated in Central Europe and is named after Saint Walpurga, a Christian saint. However, it is also associated with pagan traditions and beliefs. People celebrate Walpurgis Night by lighting bonfires and performing rituals to ward off evil spirits and protect livestock and crops. May is also known as a time to honor the goddess Maia in pagan traditions. Maia is the Roman goddess of spring, growth, and fertility. She is often associated with the month of May and worshipped through rituals and offerings. Some people may create altars or shrines dedicated to Maia and leave offerings of flowers, water, or food. Overall, pagan holidays in May celebrate the arrival of spring, fertility, and the renewal of nature. These holidays are rooted in ancient traditions and beliefs that reflect the importance of the changing seasons and the cycles of life..
Reviews for "The May Queen: Symbolism and Pagan Traditions"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I wasn't a fan of "Pagan holidays in May". While I appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on lesser-known traditions, I found the book to be confusing and lacked clear explanations. The information was all over the place, and it was difficult to follow the narrative. I also felt that the author's tone was condescending at times, which made it hard to connect with the material. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Pagan holidays in May". The writing style was dry and stale, making it hard to stay engaged. Additionally, the author seemed more interested in promoting their own beliefs rather than providing objective information about Pagan holidays. I was hoping for a well-rounded exploration of May celebrations, but instead, I was left feeling like I wasted my time. I would suggest looking for a different book if you're interested in learning about Pagan holidays.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Pagan holidays in May" was a disappointment for me. The content felt shallow and didn't delve deep enough into the significance and origins of the various holidays. I expected more context and historical background, but it felt like the author was merely scratching the surface of each celebration without providing any substantial information. The lack of depth made it difficult for me to connect with the material and fully appreciate the significance of these holidays. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in substance.