Around the world it seems that people of all beliefs, religions, and traditions have grown to enjoy a variety of December customs. Through this series I explore behind the traditions and customs of Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe, Christmas Trees, Yule Logs, Apple Trees, Reindeer, Goats, Santa variations, Mummer’s Plays and other folk drama traditions, Caroling, Epiphany and after Christmas Wassailing.

“Brewing”, “herbs”, “broomsticks”, “women”. If anyone heard these words together is there a quick assumption that putting these words together describes a ‘witch’? Beer or ale has been an ‘essential’ part of human’s diet for at least 7000 years, and possibly up to 10,000 years. Through this series I try to demonstrate how beer, or ale, brewing is really about the history of women and their wisdom

End of August until early November becomes Apple harvesting time. Accompanying this useful and sometimes life saving harvest are the folklore stories of wishes being made and becoming true. Also the tales of Avalon, 'the place of Apples' stirs many imaginations and sense of that dream world realm where anything can happen if the dream is about love.

I find the folklore and legends of Croms Cruach and Dubh are endlessly fascinating and there is always lots more to learn. Folklore goes back 1000s of years. This First Harvest mythology and folklore is quite an epic with lots of strands and tentacles. It commences with what seems to be basic first harvest of the ripened summer cereal crops.

Bilberry picking on the acidy soils of heathery hills and within some light sharing evergreen woodlands, goes way back into ancient folklore. Precious highly nutritious fruits of summer that available before the ‘First Harvests’ of grains. Their links to fertility and the mating cycle of less known, and their prompting to thank the earth's goddesses and sidhe.

Every year, at Midsummer, I tell a version of a folklore story of Dawn and Dusk. I also talking about the mating dance of the Puffin birds, Carrowkeel Summer Solstice gatherings, St. Stephen’s Day bonfires, crossroads dancing, butter making traditions, and the gatherings at Grange Circle B in Co. Limerick. Blessings for first fruits ripening and strong cereals soon turning golden.