Michaelmas Day is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on the 29th September. St. Michael is the patron saint of the sea and maritime lands, of ships and boatmen, of horses and horsemen – so in essence pre-internal combustion engine forms of transport. If the Church ever decided to modernise, presumably he could now be given the remit for motorways, trains, the underground system and trams (in Nottingham, Sheffield and Blackpool).
Bum Deal
St Michael was the Angel who hurled Lucifer (the Devil) down from Heaven for his treachery. Partly because of this and because his feast day falls late in September, he is associated with protecting people against darkness and his Feast Day represents the official beginning of Autumn.
Tradition has it that the Devil on being thrown out of Heaven landed in a blackberry bush and that every year on the Feast of Michaelmas returns to earth to spit on the plant that punctured his ego.
Carrot Sunday
In Scotland, traditionally, the day before Michaelmas (Michaelmas Eve) was the day for bringing in the carrots and for stealing horses. (Incidentally, we don't suggest you try this one at home. First, a horse takes up a lot of space on the patio. Second, the local plod will probably not be impressed by your excuse that "It's Traditional".) The Sunday immediately before Michaelmas is known as Domhnach Curran – Carrot Sunday.
Horse Play
Horses were snaffled on Michaelmas Eve, presumably on the Last Chance Saloon principle, in that on Michaelmas Day itself, the holy warrior would be keeping an eye on his four footed friends.
The carrots were used to persuade Dobbin to go with you. Obviously. You can’t just sling an horse under your arm and run off with it.
Michaelmas goose
Michaelmas Days itself is associated with dancing and general merry-making. Traditional foods include Struan Micheil in Scotland, a cake made from the best cereals grown during the year; a roast Michaelmas goose; and special bread.
For other special days to celebrate, take a look at the doNOWdo Calendar