Brief History of the Orchard Wassail.

In this video, Tayler & Solara's good friend Chris Adams gives some historical context for the tradition of 'The Orchard Wassail' - to wake our trees up from their winter slumbers and give back to them. This was classically done in mid-winter through ceremony, celebration, and dance. Bread was dipped in cider and hung on the trees to feed the birds, who then, in turn, blessed the trees with a little bit of warmth... and some droppings of phosphorous (bird poop).
"Here's to thee, old apple tree,
Whence thou mayst bud
And whence thou mayst blow!
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel-bushel-sacks full,
And my pockets full too! Huzza!"
- South Hams of Devon, 1871

[@kristina_lynn]

I love learning about this tradition! I've never heard of wassail, but i really enjoyed hearing about it. My dads family is from Somerset, so maybe I will need to look into connecting with that side of the family history!