I write this on Christmas eve eve, sitting in my cosy living room with the dog (a very cute if somewhat wild Patterdale terrier) curled up beside me, the glow from the Christmas tree casting soft light and dancing shadows around the room, and the mince pies and brandy cream calling to me from the kitchen. It seems, to me at least, that this moment is perfect to cast an eye back over the year and the wonderful world of folk that has been so welcoming!
Regular readers will know that I’ve been something of a (very) amateur folklorist for a while. Folklore and stories truly are alive, and are continuously shaped by people. However, this year has been shaped by folk practice, of playing, dancing, wassailing, festivals and more, all of which have deepened my love of all things folk! Not only that, it feels as though it adds meat to the bones of the lore and stories I love, fleshing them out with lived experiences, and it is the act of doing that continues to keep folklore alive.
January was a busy month. It was lovely to break up the bleakness of the cold and boredom that usually sets in as the glitz and glamour of Christmas fades with each passing day.
Plough Sunday celebrations at a local brewery was a fabulous mixing of community, alcohol and a reminder of our connection to the land (and if you ever get the chance to visit the Cat Asylum in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, you totally should).
It was also my first time acting in a Plough Play, and what better role for me to play than old Beelzebub! A plough play is a type of mummers play, traditionally performed in the East Midlands, and with several differences depending on where they are found. Typically though, they are tales of death and resurrection, all with a pantomime feel!
A couple of weeks later, and off I went to a wassail at a local orchard at Bracken Farm, in Muskham near Newark (tickets are available now, and even better, it’s a free event!). This was my very first wassail and oh how glorious it was too. There is something special about gathering in the dark, with a huge bonfire, and lighted torches, while singing and making all manner of noise around the orchard. Of course the aim is to honour the spirits of the land in the hope they will bestow a good bounty later on in the year, and the almost solemn ritual of dipping the bread in cider to hang from the boughs and singing balanced the good time feel of the night, making it truly beautiful. And afterwards, there was plenty of music, another plough play and festivities to be had. A simply joyous experience that everyone should take part in at least once!
The weeks flew by, and before long May Day was upon us. I think this was one of my highlights of the year, dancing the sun up on May Day morning with my Morris side, Trentside Holmes Morris along with Rattlejag Morris of Retford in Nottinghamshire. so many of us gathered on Laxton Hill, walking through fields in the half light before sunrise, ready to dance as the sun rose, signifying the beginning of summer. For myself as a pagan, it was an extra special way of celebrating Beltane, with friends, nature, music and of course, dance. About a week and a half later, I celebrated a year of Morris dancing with Trentside, as we danced out at Nottinghamshire County Show, a fabulous day made even better with a bit of dancing!
Come the summer months, and my husband and I set off for Yorkshire, a couple of days away and of course we had to stop off to see the Rudston Monolith, the tallest monolith in the UK. Even better, at least for my gothic heart, it stands in a rather lovely churchyard. There’s also the remains of a Roman burial casket and a couple of smaller stones within the grounds too. Pretty cool eh? The summer also brought with it the Day of Lincolnshire Folk at Leadenham House. What’s better than a day of folk music in the gorgeous grounds of a country house? I’ll tell you what, a free day of folk music in the beautiful grounds of a country house!
As the summer wound to a close and autumn began to get going, it was time once more to don the bells and baldric for the Morris Federations Sheffield Day of Dance in celebration of their 50 year anniversary. It was such a well organised event, and a sheer joy to see so many other Morris sides, clog dancers and more!
Into October, and another highlight for me was taking part in the Black British Folk Takeover at Cecil Sharp House in Camden, London. This was such an important event, organised by the very talented and beautiful Angeline Morrison, and included some spectacular musicians and singers. On a personal note, this event was so important because it fully demonstrated that folk is truly for everyone, and this message of unity is so important in the current political landscape.
And despite car crash injuries, I also managed a very short jig for Dusking at sun down on Samhain, or Halloween if you prefer. Dusking is a new tradition started by the fabulously creative artist Lucy Wright and is the perfect opposite of dancing the sun up at Beltane, so much so it feels like the closing of a circle.
As the year wound down, I continued my own work, finishing the first draft of my next book, Obeah, Demystifying the Authentic Magic and Wisdom of Jamaica, which explores the history and practice of what many might consider to be a folk practice. It releases early next year.
When I look back at the year and all the glorious events and happenings that have punctuated the turning of the Wheel, what stands out more than anything, are the people. That is why folk is so important. It’s created by the people, for the people. It brings communities together in the most joyous of ways, and it is through folk that I have met so many fabulous people, people I now call friends!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the other festive wishes to you and yours!
Emma Kathryn Wild Witchcraft 
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