Alchemy blogs: Wassailing - the Winter Blessing

What is Wassailing?

Wassailing is a fun folk tradition that has been practiced for centuries - it involves raucous merry-making and uplifting singing to awaken the spirits of fruit-bearing trees to encourage a bountiful harvest!

Traditionally practiced on the Twelfth night, the ceremony is to drink to the health of the trees and originally performed on cider apple trees to encourage the apples to grow and also to ward off evil spirits.

A Pre-Christian practice, this event is celebrated by those of pagan beliefs and folklore communities but is open to anyone who wants to give blessings for a good harvest and to the land itself.

The phrase "wassail" is a Middle English toast, meaning "be in good health," and the appropriate response is of course a similar merry retort "drinc hael." So during a ceremony if wassail is called then everyone must shout drinc hael back!

Music is a key part of the tradition as it is used not only to inspire cheer but to literally wake up the trees to invigorate the start of their growth. Instruments, bells, drums and even pots and pans are used to bang out a beat! It makes a wonderfully enjoyable event to take part in for all ages and the more energy and dancing the better.

The blessing itself involves hanging toast on tree boughs and sprinkling cider or apple juice on the tree roots, often accompanied by the rhyme: "apple tree, apple tree bear good fruit, or off with your head and up with your root!"

Community involvement

The Wassailing heritage is believed to be a very important custom on a community level, particularly in counties where cider apples are grown, such as Herefordshire and Somerset. This tradition may even be going on today in farming communities.

Feast and revelry were common place during these events and often a bowl of punch was served that was a mixture of cider, ale and mead which would be infused with spices and crab apples. Perfect compliment to your merry-making!

I even had the privilege of being part of a Wassailing ceremony myself, on Sunday 8th January, a local nature reserve opened the event to the public and this was officiated by a local Druid grove. This occasion included such entertainments as Morris dancing, story-telling and then a procession to the orchard where the main ceremony took place.

Everyone (even little children) took part in the blessing by tying toast to the trees and by creating a cacophony of sound using handheld instruments. And amongst the jubilation a very special guest was joining in...

The Mari Lwyd

The Mari Lwyd was the very exceptional, if slightly sinister looking presence, that graced our Wassailing event. A Welsh character, originated in Celtic Folklore, the name translates as the 'Grey Mare' or 'Grey Mary' and it is constructed from a horse skull which is draped in a white robe and is thought to be able to pass to the Under World. The head is adorned with ribbons, bells and symbols while the body and mouth is controlled by an actor hidden under the robe who creates the playful and blessed role. If the Mari Lwyd is present at ceremonies it is seen as a sign of optimism and good fortune.

She is thought to have taken part in such customs as singing outside of people's homes in order to gain entry and have food and drink - similar to a type of caroling tradition! In Welsh lore, the sight of the Mari Lwyd is a symbol of hope through the dark and cold season, especially her colouring (white coat) which creates an ethereal bearing.

During our ritual, she joined the circle as an honoured member of the ceremony and afterwards wandered between the trees as an animated being, delighting and spooking adults and children!

Druid blessings

One main part of the event was the blessings which were conducted by some friends of mine from the Druid grove. Firstly, the lead Druid acknowledged the spirit of place - this is to ground oneself and to encourage those involved to close their eyes and appreciate the environment around them. Next was calling the Quarters which is where we welcome the spirits of North, East, South and West and again connect oneself with the elements of the place (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). The Druid prayer was also spoken and the lead Druid helped everyone with the reciting of the following words: "I swear by peace and love to stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Mark of spirit and hear us now, confirming this our sacred vow."

Finally the Awen incantation was spoken to encourage and celebrate divine creativity. This was performed by breaking the word into two syllables and stretching the note like a song prayer - when everyone got involved it created a wonderful melodious harmony. Then the circle was closed and we bid hail and farewell to the elemental spirits in turn, and this was when the offerings of the toast and cider began.

It was both a sacred and lively occasion where the energy of the event was enjoyed by all and we were all tuckered out afterwards - even the Mari Lywd needed to take the weight of her feet and have a coffee break!

If you fancy having a go at Wassailing or performing a winter ritual, or simply decorate yourself with symbols that reflect sacred blessings, then feast your eyes on the marvellous creations below:

https://www.alchemyengland.com/candle-holders-tea-lights/1879-faust-s-familiar-cat-candlestick-.html