Everyone is familiar with the use of Holly and Ivy around Christmas time, but in days gone by other woods and herbs were used in a similar way, year-round. I find the associations and functions (both practical and spiritual) of these, fascinating.
The origins of this decorative tradition are generally accepted as pagan. Holly and Ivy (and other plants such as mistletoe) are used at the darkest time of the year, around Solstice (Yule). The berries and spiky leaves were considered protective against the negative energy associated with the darkness, as well as being 'evergreen'. These plants dare to bear their fruits in the coldest months of winter!
I stumbled across the words of the song 'Candlemas Eve' by the English poet Robert Herrick, when researching one of my classes. It provides a little insight into some other seasonal woods and herbs. It gives their various Christian associations, but it is easy to see how these festivals might also align with others more ancient in origin.
Such traditions hint at a deeper awareness of the outside world and its importance in our lives. The flowers we buy may have travelled a long way to our living rooms, but do we overlook the beauty of the humble woods and herbs which grow in our own land?
This traditional act of 'bringing the outside in', and then clearing it away in preparation for the next phase is one many of us perform at Christmas and the New Year without even realising it.
I can't wait to see my mother's face when she is tripping over bent in my hallway in a few months ;)
Wishing you all a very happy Festive Season, however you celebrate!
'Down with the rosemary and bays
Down with the mistletoe
Instead of holly now upraise
The greener box for show.
The holly hitherto did sway
Let box now domineer
Until the dancing Easter day
Or Easter's eve appear.
Then youthful box which now hath grace
Your houses to renew
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
When yew is out then birch comes in
And many flowers beside
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin
To honor Whitsuntide.
Green rushes then and sweetest bents
With cooler oaken boughs
Come in for comely ornaments
To readorn the house.
Thus times do shift,
thus times do shift
Each thing his turn does hold
New things succeed,
new things succeed
As former things grow old.'
PS: For those of you who can read music, I'm including the notes (and a wee recording) of the tune below. I fully intend to use this song often! You can find it in the Oxford Book of Carols (p. 254), an online version of which can be found here.
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