December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December is a month of weaving and knitting warm blankets and clothes (especially socks). Folk spend alot of time round the fire listening to stories and playing musical instruments. Because it is the darkest month, there is a lot going on to keep the Little Folk cheerful.

 

 

1st

Stir-Up Day:- All the ingredients are gathered for the making of fruity mincemeat ready for MidWinter. Little Folk's noses twitch with anticipation of fruit cakes, puddings and mince pies.

 

Full Moon:

On December's Full Moon, greenery is gathered for the decoration of the homes of the Little Folk. Traditionally, holly, ivy, yew branches and mistletoe are used.

 

New Moon - 

Mummers Day:- A group of Oak Folk gather to perform the traditional MidWinter play. The theme is the battle between the Sun and the Wind, which the Wind always loses as the Sun starts to regain strength after Yule.

 

 

21st

MidWinter, Winter Solstice or Yule:-

The shortest day of the year. A great feast is held, with much eating of fruity puddings. Many a Trug is heard to say, "Mmmm... I'm welly stodged" before tucking into yet another appo-pie or currant bun. There is a tradition of snudging today, which means visiting as many homes as possible and thus eating as many treats as one can feasibly fit into one's tummy!

It is traditional on this night to "rake up the fire", clean the grate, stoke the fire with a Yule Log sprinkled with cider, and keep it going all night, to see the New Year in. It is bad luck for the fire to go out. Folk throw a handful of corn onto the fire for good fortune.

 

At midnight ...... THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TREE-YEAR 

 

22nd

The Annual Mince Pie Contest:- After all the snudging of the previous day, everyone has one vote to cast for the tastiest mince pies. This is done at Four Winds. All participants must bring one of their mince pies with them. The Winning Pie is left as a gift for the Four Winds in the hope that the remaining Winter time will be mild. Little Folk hope for what is called a Robin Hood's Wind - a soft wind that begins to thaw the frozen land.

 

23rd

It is customary to go out early on this day into one of the forests and seek out a wren to greet in the following way:

 

"Good morrow Jenny Wren,

in your tiny nest,

as the sun's up in the East,

and the sun's down in the West,

may the Year of the (Hazel)

be your very best!"

 

Many folk have been known to stay out till sunset to find a tiny wren.

 

31st

Tootings:- Tooting is the old Cheshire word for prying curiously. Little folk prepare for Noggins Day by tooting around their friends and family in an attempt to find out what gifts they would really like to recieve. Of, course this is all a big game of which everyone is aware!