As the days shorten into winter now at Ednovean Farm, the changing season brings it’s own magic to the farm. The distant memories and ancient rites rise to the top of our memories and the little perks and treats of the season spring to mind.
With the arrival of winter
With the arrival of winter the view to the sunset from Ednovean Farm has changed now. These days it sets over the sea each night with a ripple of light over the water. Maybe one evening we’ll go down to the beach and watch the flaming colours over the waves. It’s always a special moment to be surrounded by the sound of the sea in the cool crisp air of winter.
A winter scene from Marazion marsh
The cars already had their lights on at 3.00 ‘o clock on the coast road yesterday, when I spotted the winter husbandry in progress on Marazion marshes. It’s a sight redolent of another era with the workers continued into the dusk amongst the stooks of reeds and curling smoke.
A winter morning at Ednovean Farm
With the sunrise each morning, there is an air the anticipation for the day. These shorter days concentrate the birds and animals daily task of foraging for food and it becomes more intense.
This morning two birds flew up into a copper sunrise, as we turned the horses out, although the Buzzards were already in position in their favourite tree. It’s timeless scene that we take for granted each day through the changing seasons but beautiful in the moment.
If like me you count the days towards the Winter Equinox it won’t be too long now and then the days will lengthen into spring.
Winter consolations.
The darkening days of winter brings its own rewards. The cosy fires, hot toddies and mulled wine enhance the peace of the season.
The glittering lights of Christmas lay ahead of us and candles flicker and glow against our old stone walls.
One by one, the local villages will switch on their lights and local Santa’s dust down their red gowns. With the arrival of winter memories and the traditions stir.. The customs that we happily dust down each year. Sometimes though, until like Chinese Whispers, they may even –shhh – have changed just a little.
Midwinter traditions
The Cornish midwinter traditions hark to the Old Christmas* with costume, music and dance as they are throughout the country. For instance, The Celtic myths of the eternal battle of the seasons between the Holly King and The Oak King. A never ending battle that’s fought each year. For now he Holly King has been triumphant at the Autumn equinox as the days shorten and earth rests. Yet his power will wane. Soon it’ll be The Winter Eqiunox and the Oak King will stir to reclaim the light and garland the earth with green shoots.
Opposite The planted House in Chapel Street that captures the mystery for me – sadly I don’t even have a green man plaque
Penzance Montol – 21st December
Penzance will celebrate the Winter Solstice with the festival of Montol on the 21st of December. This is a revived tradition under the guidance of the Cornish Culture association. However, it feels so old, it’s as though it has never left.
In Penzance, The Montol festival will play out around the town’s streets until the Lords of Misrule have finally put the Old Year to death … Beware the capacity for mischief is always near. The revived traditions of Montol is such a spectacle with roots in distant memories. The lantern parades the “Montol Obby Osses”, guise beasts and musicians will prance and dance to defy the winter. To date we’ve never ventured to intense festival of Montol to witness the costumed dancers and clacking horses skulls. But if photos on social media are to be believed! Click here for the official website info
Winter under the Christmas lights
Over the years we’ve strolled under the lights of Penzance, we’ve and lingered in front of the independent shops along the worn flagstones of Chapel Street and dallied over the cobbles of St Ives.
We’ve leant on the harbour rails to admire the Mousehole Christmas display as the harbour is gently lapped by the tide, Finally we’ve driven home around the bay with the scent of the sea in our nostrils.
The garden is gently shrouded in mysteries
However there’s magic afoot in the garden as it stirs into growth. Within the warm soil, spring is preparing itself. Are the sharp shoots of the bulbs already moving to the sun, ready for the triumph of the Oak King.
A hellebore in flower beside the door
Weird and incidental information to this weeks blog!
Old Christmas – 6th of January. The date used when following The Julian Calendar until it was found to be inaccurate. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced in the 1500’s and then Christmas Day was changed to the 25th December.
Obby Oss – This is a swirling back round frame, topped with a horses head, that conceals a man. Beware the Padstow Obby Oss is associated with spring fertility rites when maidens are trapped under the skirts. The Obby Oss will be prowling Padstow on May Day the 6th of May. I’m not sure what the Montol Oss will be charged with – maybe it’s there for the beer!
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