from the Celtic Folk Customs book.... Ascension Day, fortieth day after Easter, Thursday before Whit Sunday CELTIC. The Roman flower festival 'Fontinalia' honouring the spirits of streams and fountains took place now, and the association of Ascension Day with giving thanks for the gift of water may come from the Church's efforts to eradicate water- and well-worship. Wells were rededicated to saints. The tradition of thanksgiving for pure well water dates back to the Black Death when villages were spared because of their pure water. Some preambulations and blessings also occurred today. Children used to mix well water with sugar or liquorice before drinking it. Water from healing wells was thought to be especially potent today. There was a general fear of mishap and accident today, and clothes were never washed lest someone dies as the clothes are drying. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com Professional Genealogy Research All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton 2002