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EveryParampara

Wassail

The old English custom of toasting apple trees or houses with song and spiced cider.

A pattern drawn for this page, not a picture of Wassail.

Also: wassailing

Wassailing is a midwinter custom in which people bless the apple orchards for a good harvest, with song, noise and offerings. In the south-west of England, villagers carry a bowl of spiced cider, called wassail, to the trees at Twelfth Night, pour some on the roots, hang toast in the branches and fire shotguns to scare off evil spirits. The word comes from the Old English for good health. There is also a house-visiting tradition, in which singers go from door to door with a bowl, giving the carol Here We Come A-Wassailing. The orchard custom is being revived by cider makers.

Region: Europe

See also

MaypoleMorris danceFirst-footing

Find traditions that mention Wassail

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