From the Historic UK website:
- Feast of Michael and All Angels.
- As it falls near the equinox, the day is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days.
- In England, it is one of the “quarter days”. There are traditionally four “quarter days” in a year (Lady Day (25th March), Midsummer (24th June), Michaelmas (29th September) and Christmas (25th December)). They are spaced three months apart, on religious festivals, usually close to the solstices or equinoxes. They were the four dates on which servants were hired, rents due or leases begun.
- St Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors, protector against the dark of the night and the Archangel who fought against Satan and his evil angels. As Michaelmas is the time that the darker nights and colder days begin – the edge into winter – the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with encouraging protection during these dark months.
- A well fattened goose, fed on the stubble from the fields after the
harvest, is eaten to protect against financial need in the family for
the next year; and as the saying goes:
“Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day,
Want not for money all the year”.More Michaelmas Links
The Merry Foods of Michaelmas
Richmond Waldorf School Michaelmas Page
Michaelmas: Prayers, Food, and Flowers
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