Michaelmas (redirected from Michelmas)

Michaelmas: see Michael, archangel.

---

Michaelmas

daisy traditional symbol of farewell. [Flower Symbolism: Jobes, 407]

See : Farewell

---

Michaelmas

September 29 in the West; November 8 in the East

The Feast of the Archangel Michael, or the Day of St. Michael and All Angels, is a traditional feast day in the Roman Catholic, Anglican Communion, and Orthodox churches. The cult of St. Michael, traditionally regarded as the leader of the heavenly host of angels, probably originated in the East, then spread to the West by the fifth century. The Roman Catholic feast honors the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, while in the East and the Anglican communion, Michael and all the angels are honored.
Churches dedicated to Michael can be found in Asia and throughout coastal Europe, usually in places where Michael is reputed to have saved the community from the threat of a monster or giant. The ninth-century abbey Mont St. Michel, off the coast of Normandy, France, once held the shield worn by Michael in his fight against the dragon.
There is an old saying that if you eat goose on Michaelmas you won't have to worry about money for a year. When tenants paid their rent on this day ( see Quarter Days), it was customary to include "one goose fit for the lord's dinner." Feasting on goose dinners is still part of the Michaelmas tradition, particularly in Ireland.

SOURCES:
BkDays-1864, vol. II, p. 387
BkFest-1937, p. 153
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 242
DictFolkMyth-1984, pp. 504, 716
FestSaintDays-1915, p. 180
FestWestEur-1958, p. 155
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 571
OxYear-1999, pp. 391, 392, 410
RelHolCal-2004, p. 101
SaintFestCh-1904, p. 428

Celebrated in: Norway

---

Michaelmas (Norway)

September 29

In Norway, Mikkelsmesse is the time of year when cows and goats are herded down from the mountain farms, or saeters, to the valley homesteads. Almost all farms of any importance have saeters, which are similar to summer camps and are normally operated by women. Cattle and other animals are put out to pasture in the lush mountain meadows, and, traditionally, the girls—usually the eldest daughters of the family—milk and tend the animals and make butter, goat's cheese, and other dairy products for sale or for use on the farms throughout the winter. When the girls return to their family homes in late September with their tubs of butter and well-fed animals wearing garlands of flowers, it is an occasion for dancing, singing, and feasting.

SOURCES:
FestWestEur-1958, p. 155

Celebration day: Sep 29

Celebrated in: Norway