What is a Wassail

A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer

• When you hear someone say “Wassail” it means -Be Healthy!
  • The reply is “Drink hail” -  To your health!

When does it take place?

Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night.  Or on the 17th of January which is called “Old Twelvey”

Procession to the main Wassail fire

In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways.

Where do Wassails take place?

In the orchard surrounding a large fire, a fire circle and in some places 12 small rings of fire for the 12 apostles or for the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

Indoor Wassails are also doable for those who can’t go outside during -6 degree temperatures. Thus, a Wassail can take place at a Senior Center or a Day Care with songs being sung around a plant or small tree.

The end goal is all the same, to sing to the orchard, the apple tree(s), to ward off the apple foes and to harken in better times ahead.

The Old Apple Tree of the Wassail

DIY Planning for your own Wassail

• Have a fire keeper who will make sure the wood is ready and lit to greet the parade of merry makers
• Set a meeting spot for everyone to gather and then walk to the oldest or largest apple tree. The fire is often very nearby.
• Have “Safe” Torches, flashlights to lead the crowd to the main fire
• Have some hot mulled cider
• Have a Master of the Ceremony or what is known as the “Butler”
• Select a King and Queen
• Have slices of Toasted bread
• Have Cider to drink and to pour a bit on the toast and onto the ground
• Hand out lyrics to the Wassail songs
• The King and Queen lead the group up to the Apple Tree
• Place the toast on the limbs
• Pour cider on the roots of the tree
• Make noise to ward off the evil spirts
• If Morris Dancers are available they would do a dance or two
• Have a taste of two of Wassail - pick an option that best suits your crowd. It can be a hot mulled cider, with or without spices or fortified with brandy, perhaps a wee bit of honey?

A two handled cup or goblet is the classic Wassail cup that would be passed round, but these days any fine drinking cup would do sans the passing around.

Wassailing around the world resources

• Willie Smiths Cider in Tasmania hosts an annual “Mid Winter Festival” in July
• Campaign for the Revival Of Wassailing (CROW)
• www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park/recipes/petworths-traditional-wassail

Mentions in this Chat

072: Lost Apple of the Quabbin |Massachusetts

In A Glass Of Cider

It seemed I was a mite of sedimentThat waited for the bottom to fermentSo I could catch a bubble in ascent.I rode up on one till the bubble burst,And when that left me to sink back reversedI was no worse off than I was at first.I’d catch another bubble if I waited.The thing was to get now and then elated.

Robert Frost

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