3 posts tagged “birmingham botanical gardens”

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Turning the Devil’s Boulder

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

5^th November - Shebbear, Devon

After nightfall men carrying crowbars with women lighting their way approach the huge stone close to the village church. As the church bells peal out the villagers set to work to turn the stone over. Apparently the devil lives under the stone, and 'turning the Devil's boulder' is meant to avert bad fortune. 

One legend recalls that the stone was quarried on the other side of the River Torridge at a nearby village, apparently intended as a foundation stone for a church there. But the devil rolled it away to Shebbear - and continued doing this every night as the villagers repeatedly rolled it back during the day.

Interestingly the stone is not of a type found locally and may therefore have been transported there in ancient times for some ritualistic purpose.

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Winter Berries

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

Autumn has always been known in folklore as a magical time. The rowan tree’s vibrant display of berries in autumn contributed to a belief in protective abilities against spirits as suggested in the old rhyme: "Rowan tree and red thread / make the witches tine (meaning 'to lose') their speed". Pieces of the tree were carried for personal protection from witchcraft and sprigs or pieces of rowan were used to protect cows and dairy produce from enchantment. When showing autumn colour, the power of rowan trees was though to be greatly enhanced.

Legend says that by October the Devil has spat on blackberries, making them inedible. However, with bramble still flowering and new berries still coming there may be opportunities to enjoy the blackberries that the Devil missed! 

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Crying The Neck

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

Crying The Neck is a harvest festival tradition practised in the West Country of England, in particular Cornwall and Devon. Although mostly discontinued the tradition is still practised by members of the Old Cornwall Society every year.

In The Story of Cornwall, by Kenneth Hamilton Jenkin, the following explanation is given on the practice:

"In those days the whole of the reaping had to be done either with the hook or scythe. The harvest, in consequence, often lasted for many weeks. When the time came to cut the last handful of standing corn, one of the reapers would lift up the bunch high above his head and call out in a loud voice.....,

"We have it! We have it! We have it!"

The rest would then shout,

"What 'ave 'ee? What 'ave 'ee? What 'ave 'ee?"

and the reply would be:

"A neck! A neck! A neck!"

Everyone then joined in shouting:

"Hurrah! Hurrah for the neck! Hurrah for Mr. So-and-So"

(calling the farmer by name.)"