Samhain Field Notes.
Haws, hips and healing vinegars
I felt called to gather the berries of the Huath (Hawthorn) and make some heart medicine this season. We gathered them at a very special place in Sligo called Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird as Gaeilge which roughly means Stream Against the Height, because strong winds can make the waterfall look as though it’s moving upward.
It is the tallest waterfall in Ireland at 150m and comes off of a steep limestone plateau into Glencar Valley (a magnificent glacial U-shaped valley). The yew trees high up on the cliff faces are thought to be the oldest in Ireland, some maybe ~1,000 years. A very special, otherworldly place.
We gathered the berries from some old and lovely Hawthorn trees there and submerged them in brandy. That will sit for maybe 4-6 weeks before straining off into little dropper bottles. Winter heart tonic to share around!
Other than that, October has been full of treats. More bounties of Chanterelles, the beginning of my herbalism studies at The Plant Medicine School, moving to Sligeach (Sligo) again, knitting, medicine making, and getting to know plant friends more deeply, like Neantóg (Nettle).
I had combined pears from the garden with water and sugar about 5 weeks ago and thought it time to strain and decant. I used a muslin bag and enjoyed the burning of my nostrils as the very satisfying result of my experiments. I made a small jar of medicine combining the vinegar with ginger and dried birch polypore. Let’s see how it goes!
