When in a state of hopeless celebration, make a wreath! Grab those twigs and berries and evergreens and start dancing in a circle! As I read back over last year's article, I saw that I made the statement that I might know, by next Dec 3rd, what should go into an Adelma Grenier Simmons wreath. Hmmmmm. This Dec 3rd I was SO riled up over finding out that St. Barbara had been booted off the Saints' Calendar that I can't say I noted the feast of St. Adelma Simmons at all. I see by the calendar that she had a full moon, though, and I remembered making note of that. It was quite clear and perfect.
So why do we have this tradition of hanging evergreen wreaths on our doors, anyway? Circles are a universal, timeless symbol of eternity, the return of the seasons, the continuity and renewal of life. Our ancestors had a deep connection to the plants and trees around them and often honored the nature spirits and various deities by gathering plant materials and hanging them on or over their doors.
In colder climates, the plants that did not succumb to winter's killing cold were considered very powerful and worthy of honor. Even more revered than the simple evergreens were the plants that actually bore FRUIT in the winter, those being the holly, the ivy and mistletoe. Rosemary is often considered a "Christmas" evergreen as well. In my neck of the woods the dreaded rosa multiflora would have been highly honored. I honor it surely, as every red berry on every wreath I make at Glynwood is a rose hip.
Some cultures did not always dance their honored branches into wreaths but rather hung them as "swags" to honor the harvest, pray for good crops and feed the birds!
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