The Lost Art of Wassailling

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is Wassailing, a quintessentially English set of traditions and agricultural rituals. It is usually observed on the very last night of Christmas, Twelfth Night or January 5.

Its simplest form was originally a toast borrowed from Viking conquerors in the ninth and tenth centuries. While drinking spiced cider or ale (We like Russian Tea!)raise your glass (or mead horn) and call out “Wassail!” (Old English: Waes Hael, “To your health!”). The  response is, “Drink Hail!”.  

There are several forms besides the toast.

• Carol Wassailing
• Orchard Wassailing
• Livestock Wassailing,
• Fire wassailing

Our favorite is Orchard Wassailing (also called apple wassailing), a rural tradition aimed at encouraging a bountiful harvest in the coming year. We gather the family and bundle up against the chill. Carrying our wassail bowls or mugs filled with spiced cider or ale, we take a short walk to visit our favorite apple tree and toast its health.

As part of this tradition, we sing the Wassail Carol:

“Wassail! Wassail! In our good town.
The bread it’s white and our ale it’s brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassail bowl, we drink to thee.“

Then, with one hand touching a branch and the other raising the cup, we call out the toast, take a large drink, and pour out a bit on the tree’s roots.

Wassailing is more than just a toast; it’s a connection to the past, a celebration in present, and hope for the future. Also it’s a good way to push forward the spirit of Christmas into the doldrums of January.

Traditions like Wassailing keep the warmth of Christmas alive, weeks after the last carol is sung and the Christmas tree is taken down. Join us as we appreciate and enjoy the holiday season just a little longer.