The Aster (Aster nova-belgii) blooms during this time of the year. This flower
has become known as the Michaelmas Daisy (see picture at right). The Michaelmas
Daisy comes in many colors, from white to pink to purple. An old verse goes:
The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds,
Bloom for St Michael's valorous deeds.
And seems the last of flowers that stood,
Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude.
(The Feast of SS. Simon and Jude is 28 October) An old custom surrounds Michaelmas
Daisies; one plucks off the petals one by one thus: pull a petal while saying
""S/he loves me," then pull of the next while saying "S/he
loves me not," and repeat until all petals are gone. The words one intones
while pulling off the last petal lets one know if one's love is requited.
As to foods, geese were, at least at one time, plentiful during this time of
year, so roast goose dinners are traditional (eating them on this day is said
to protect against financial hardship, according to Irish and English folk belief).
It was also the time (at least in Ireland) when the fishing season ended, the
hunting season began, and apples were harvested, so eating apples today with
that goose would be a nice touch. |
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