The Month of May is approximately equivalent to the third (3^rd) Jewish sacred Calendar month called SIVAN. The word Sivan is probably of Persian origin and it means “their covering” May is also the ninth 9^th month in the Jewish civil calendar and the fifth 5^th month of the Gregorian calendar. It is named after the Roman goddess, MAIA.

The worship of Mercury (to whom the planet is dedicated to) was associated with the worship of the Roman goddess Maia who is identified as his mother by her association with the Greek goddess Maia – mother of Hermes. Both Mercury and Maia were honoured in pagan festivals on May l5^th the dedication day of the Temple of Mercury on the Aventine (built around 500 BC).

The Romans believed that MERCURY was the god of merchandise and merchants, and is commonly identified with the Greek HERMES – the fleet-footed messenger of the gods.

In classical mythology, Maia is given to one of the group of stars of the constellation Pleiades. The near dawn rising of Pleiades in spring in the Northern Hemisphere, marked from ancient times the opening of sea faring and farming seasons.

In medieval and modern Europe, 1^st May was a day of traditional springtime celebration which starts off with agricultural rituals. Such rites were intended to ensure fertility to the crops, cattle and human beings. Today 1^st May or May day is celebrated as the international Labour Day.