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Wassail with the Hunters Moon

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Each January, the Pagan tradition of Wassailing brings a great opportunity to get outdoors, share some merryment and sample orchard produce!  The annual event at the Middle Farm in Sussex, provides a great opportunity to take part in the tradition and enjoy tasty treats!

The English tradition of Wassailling in the orchard aims to wake the trees from winter, ward off the spirits and thus ensure a good harvest for the coming autumn.  There is a Wassail song, a Wassail drink, a Wassail cake and then the Wassail Party!  The Middle Farm Wassail event included all these elements, with folk music, Morris dancing and fire for good measure.  As if that wasn’t enough, Middle Farm just happens to be home to the The National Collection of Cider & Perry, making it the idea venue for the celebration.

Wassail: Verb (no object): drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way.

 

Eat Wassail  cake – a delicious fruit cake, the recipe for which varies regionally,  made with dried fruit, cinnamon, ginger and all spice and given out in the orchard to those present

Drink Wassail – the hot spiced mulled cider, used to make libation offerings to the trees.

Sing the Wassail – in the orchard, to give thanks and ask for a good harvest

Oh apple tree we honour thee

In hope that you will bear

The blessed fruit of Avalon

At harvest time each year

The Middle Farm Wassail was a truly enjoyable evening, with a delicious selection of traditional drinks from the National Perry and Cider Collection, available from the barrel by by the pint, quart or flagon. Three Morris troops danced in turn, before the Hunters Moon Morris troop lead a torch lit procession to the orchard for the main Wassailing and bonfire.  Afterwards, there was traditional folk music and dancing in the barn.

Wassails not only keep traditional ceremonies and recipes alive, they promote a respect for the Earth and environment, whilst bringing people together to give thanks and have fun.  Wassail!


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