Hello My Lovely Friends,
It has been too long….far too long really….but I am back and planning the tea time book club with zeal! Are you in the throes a wintry February? It is chilly and snowy here which makes for a great reason to dream and read, as well as break in on some sledding and cocoa. This winter let’s do a little reading, a little tea and a little baking.
My first read for Tea Time Book Club will be “Merrybegot” by Julie Hearn. The back reads:
“In a remote west country village, all is not as it seems. Rumours of bad magic and witchcraft are spreading. The piskies are whispering in the orchard and an ill wind is blowing. The fingers of blame are all pointing to Nelle, the cunning woman’s granddaughter. With the Witchfinder General on his way, Nell is alone, trapped, and in fear of her life. Who can she trust? And who will save her?”
The term “Merrybegot” or Merry-me-got means illegitimate child, or moonlight/moss child. A product of sexual activity out of wedlock, the child is conceived on a May morning. There are links to Beltane and the Roman/Pagan festival honoring the Flora, the goddess of flowers. Flora’s festival was known for bright colors, gorging on alcohol and sexual permissiveness. It began the 28th of April and lasted for six days.
Beltane or May Day is a Gaelic holiday and has many similarities to Florala. It is also considered a fertility ritual that is accompanied by bonfires, parades and a May Pole dance. Flower chains are made and meant decorate ones’ head. It was custom to collect the morning dew and wash ones’ face with it in hopes to be seen as more attractive. Oatcakes were eaten and a May Queen was announced in honor of Flora. You can see how old traditions and beliefs are blurred together. Druids chanted incantations around a bonfire to ward off disease while dancing sunwise. (clockwise)
The Catholic church took it upon themselves to mesh traditions and belief together. Pentecost fell around these holidays and church going people could still celebrate the old ways with the new ones, just a little differently. However, as you know Henry the 8th wanted to divorce his wife and since divorce was not an option in the catholic church, Henry pulled away and built the Church of England. in the 1600’s, or 17th century the Puritans began populating the world. The Puritans were a very strict adhering society. They wanted to purify the Church of England and be rid of the old Roman Catholic and pagan traditions and beliefs. Piety is what these groups touted, which meant an end to any type of merriment or holiday fun. Dressing plainly, being serious and working hard were the mottos of life. They were severe in their beliefs and their judgement. It made life very hard for those who still lived many of the old ways.
Speaking of Old Ways, magic and mystery grew behind those ancient traditions such as piskies, or pixies. According to Britannica pixies are “tiny elf like fairies dressed in green, who dances in the moonlight to the music of frogs and crickets.” They are also known “for playing tricks, such as leading travelers astray, rapping on walls, blowing out candles and playing in water.” Like the popular Leprechaun (which sound very similar) the pixies like to start trouble.
I have just begun this whimsical tale but I am already in love. The magic and monotony of 2 very distinct belief groups, the wonderful description and foreboding trouble have me reeled in, and I hope it does for you as well.
Tea Time Book Club 