Sunday 30 December 2018

Friday 21 December 2018

Wuldor and Wassail

After a two year fallow period on this blog I feel it is time to commit to it again. The fallow period has been a very busy period of massive change and growth for me, mostly in my work life. Over this period, coping with the stress of change, Druidy has become a central part of my internal,emotional way of living. The knowledge Druidry has given me have helped me bend with the wind rather than snap. In this sense Wuldor, the king of re-birth, gifting a wonderful Yule has confirmed that, now I am more settled, it is time to start blogging again. I have missed posting here.

The Solstice views over the Alder bourne with Wuldor, the glory father glowing over Wolstonbury Hill

The Sugar Wassail from a Sussex folk collection

Whilst searching for a song to honour Wuldor, initially looking at old Carols but that felt like inappropriate appropriation, I came across this old folk song from the 1840s...

  • A wassail, a wassail, a wassail we begin
  • With sugar strands and cinnamon and all the treasures in
  • With a wassail, a wassail, a jolly wassail
  • And may joy come to you and to our wassail.
  • And if you any maids within your house as I suppose you've done
  • They'd not let us stand a-wassailing so long on this cold stone
  • With a wassail, a wassail, a jolly wassail
  • And may joy come to you and to our wassail.
  • We'll cut a toast from off the log and sat it by the fire
  • We'll wassail bees and apple trees until your heart's desire
  • With a wassail, a wassail, a jolly wassail
  • And may joy come to you and to our wassail.
  • Bring out your silver tankard, likewise you kissing sphere
  • We'll come no more a-wassailing until another year
  • With a wassail, a wassail, a jolly wassail
  • And may joy come to you and to our wassail.
You can hear it here:https://youtu.be/ttA2FCdxxd0 A very merry Yule to one and all. It will be the full moon tonight, so a powerful Yule hopefully bringing sense and peace back into the world.

Saturday 15 September 2018

Saturday 17 February 2018

Tuesday 2 January 2018

A blot and three symbels - pt 2

Symbel One - Solstice
In the evening of the solstice to celebrate the start of the 12 days of Yule.  In my family this is baking the Xmas Ham, a honey mustard roast.  I always use Delia's recipe.
https://www.deliaonline.com/how-to-cook/meat/how-to-roast-glazed-ham
During the day of the Solstice you soak the ham, to remove the saltiness.  Then the baking, with roast Potatoes or Parsnips with Kale or go 'full Delia' and serve it with Braised Red Cabbage and Potatoes Dauphinoise.
This large ham then provides sandwich fillings and occasional meals over the 12 days.
The culmination on or near Twelfth Night, to finish the last remnants, is the classic Ham and Pea soup. 

Symbel Two  - Mother's Night
A simple favourite is best.  In our house a type of Pasta Carbonara with bacon, peas, crème fraiche and lots of parmesan and, as it's Xmas, some Parma ham is often made.  A mulled wine or cider is an aperitif with mince pies and cream for dessert.
https://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2014/07/pasta-carbonara-with-bacon-and-peas.html
Much of the evening is preparing for the next day but it is important to take time to celebrate, if possible to bløt or meditate, Modrasnacht.

Symbel Three - Xmas Day
There are many books on this but Turkey is a recent post-war tradition and we have the annual debate between those who like Turkey and those who don't.  I mix it up and over the years have had Goose, Beef, Three bird roast and Honey Orange roast Duck when it was just two of us.  I do stick to my rules though fowl (Turkey or Goose) has bread sauce, which I love, Beef has Yorkshire Puddings.

Although arguably my favourite meal of the 12 days is the Xmas leftover Bubble & Squeak usually on Boxing Day or the day after.  Preferably with leftover Chipolata sausage's and a poached egg.