O’ Apple Tree, we Wassail Thee

I was excited to attend a local Wassailing ritual that took place, this weekend. We sang and made noise in the orchards to wake the trees from their winter rest and offered them gifts in hopes of a good harvest.

It's heartening to see these folk rituals experiencing a resurgence, as they remind us of traditional animistic ways of seeing the land. Rather than viewing the trees as mere food-producing machines, these rituals reweave the idea that trees are living beings with whom we can communicate and form relationships. Through ritual and offerings, we can give back to the land in gratitude for the gifts it provides.

Wassailing is an ancient tradition that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, and is typically held in early January. It is a ritual that involves singing, dancing, and making noise in apple orchards to wake the trees from their winter rest and ask for a good harvest in the coming year. It is believed that the noise and commotion scares away any evil spirits that may be lurking in the orchard and allows the spirits of the trees to hear the prayers and offerings of the people. Wassailers often carry a bowl of spiced cider, known as "wassail," which is poured onto the roots of the trees as a gift of gratitude and to encourage fertility. The ritual is a reminder of traditional animistic ways of seeing the land and how ritual and offerings are ways we can give back to the land in gratitude.

Yet, our orchards face other challenges due to our warming climate. Apple trees, and other fruiting trees, require a certain number of cold hours (below 6°C) each winter to be able to produce fruit. With January being the warmest on record, and only a short spell of colder weather occurring, I can't help but wonder how these earth-centered traditions will inevitably adapt to fit the changing cycles. How will the harvests be affected, and what care do our orchards need in these times?

It's important to recognize that we have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis and supporting our orchards. By reducing our carbon footprint, advocating for sustainable farming practices, and supporting local food systems, we can help create a healthier environment for ourselves and the trees. We can also continue to engage in these rituals and practices as a way of connecting with the land and its cycles, and honoring the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature to help grow this awareness. Ultimately, it's up to us to ensure that our orchards, and the wider natural world, have the resources and conditions they need to thrive.