25 - First of May

Nay, cast a cloak until May is out. This is a lovely old saying, at least 300 years old, judging by the quaint English used. But what exactly does it mean?

The first part is clear enough: Don't dress yourself in lighter clothes. But the second part is open to interpretation. Does that mean until the end of May, or does it mean until the May flower is in bloom as it is right now?

The May flower is the most recent addition to your hedge rows, a brilliant white blossom in heavy clusters. It's the flower of the hawthorn bush; it will eventually produce haws in generous supply at the end of Autumn. And it's "out" now in great perfusion right across the country. You cannot but marvel at it.

I like to think that it is this gorgeous blossom that is the "May" in this ancient proverb: Till May is out. It is a period of time rather than a point in time and for Casting a clout in this country, that makes better sense. Especially during periods of global cooling, like we are now experiencing.