Holiday

[Oznell]

September 29, 2024.  A happy holiday that celebrates angels (Michael, Gabriel and Raphael), and also the end of harvest, and the start of autumn, since about the 5th century A.D.

What to do on Michaelmas?  Most important:  Do good for others.  Also, have roast goose stuffed with potatoes and herbs, and pick and eat blackberries.  In northern Ireland, tenants would traditionally present their landlords with a goose.

Love juicy blackberries.

The holiday's flower is the "Michaelmas Daisy",  what we know as "asters".   In Europe, it was one of the dwindling number of flowers still around during the cooling season, so asters became the Michaelmas flower.  So pretty.

In the highlands of Scotland, special breads -- St. Michael's bannock, or "struans"--  were baked and given to the poor.

Nuts were to be cracked and eaten on Michaelmas eve. 

If you read a lot of English novels, you've encountered the term "Michaelmas" quite a bit, probably.  In British-influenced countries, the first academic term of higher education institutions is sometimes referred to as "the Michaelmas term". 

In the 19th century, the law was finally abolished that said that people could not be arrested for one hour on the Monday after Michaelmas.  A brief reprieve for ne'er do wells!

My hubby is now on the hunt for asters.

[LizzieInSRQ]

@Oznell you always manage to teach me something that i didnt know. Its always a joy to read your posts. Thank you! ❤

[shoekitty]

In all of Jane Austin's novels, she mentions Michaelmas!  It was back to school, a meeting time. Seems like they always were saying they would see each other again after Michaelmas, lol, 

[rockygems123]

What an absolutely delightful font of information, thank you @Oznell .  

[PA Mom-mom]

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@shoekitty wrote:

In all of Jane Austin's novels, she mentions Michaelmas!  It was back to school, a meeting time. Seems like they always were saying they would see each other again after Michaelmas, lol, 

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@shoekitty  I don't remember the phrase in every novel, but I certainly do remember it it in "Pride and Prejudice."

[candys mine]

Hi, Oznell!  Happy Michaelmas Right back At YA!  Hooray for Harvest and Autumn!

Irish lore dictates No Blackberries after Michaelmas Because.....

Michael Archangel  cast down old Scratch On Michaelmas.  When he landed he fell on a Blackberry bush.  The old Stinker was So mad he spit on the bush fouling the berries for the rest of the season.  

Spoiler

 I like to think the incident is where the saying " So MAD I could just SPIT. "  came from.

[AZfem]

@Oznell 

Thank you for explaining this!  Have heard this word often in period show's & Jane Austen novels. Always assumed it was around Christmas. I once asked a British woman I know what it was & she didn't know!  The mystery is now solved. 

[shoekitty]

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

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@shoekitty wrote:

In all of Jane Austin's novels, she mentions Michaelmas!  It was back to school, a meeting time. Seems like they always were saying they would see each other again after Michaelmas, lol, 

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@shoekitty  I don't remember the phrase in every novel, but I certainly do remember it it in "Pride and Prejudice."

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@PA Mom-mom    They did in sense and sensibility. I just finished that for the umpteenth time,  Mrs Jennings's mentioned it to Elinor.  And in Mansfield Park, Mrs Norris did. Not sure about the name. As for the other books I am not totally sure,.  But I do know. I had to look it up,, as I was not familiar with it at all lol

[PA Mom-mom]

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@shoekitty wrote:

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@PA Mom-mom wrote:

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@shoekitty wrote:

In all of Jane Austin's novels, she mentions Michaelmas!  It was back to school, a meeting time. Seems like they always were saying they would see each other again after Michaelmas, lol, 

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@shoekitty  I don't remember the phrase in every novel, but I certainly do remember it it in "Pride and Prejudice."

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@PA Mom-mom    They did in sense and sensibility. I just finished that for the umpteenth time,  Mrs Jennings's mentioned it to Elinor.  And in Mansfield Park, Mrs Norris did. Not sure about the name. As for the other books I am not totally sure,.  But I do know. I had to look it up,, as I was not familiar with it at all lol

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@shoekitty Too right! How could I forget?