A very late Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in Canada and an early Happy Thanksgiving to those in the U.S.!
This blog, of course, is dedicated to Celtic folklore and Celtic-adjacent things, so why am I talking about the North American Thanksgiving holidays? Two words: hospitality and magic. Thanksgiving is one of the few (very few!) American holidays that have not been commercialized. It is about gathering with friends and family to enjoy good food and one another as well as to reflect on all the things there are to be thankful for.
All right. I admit that many Americans claim that Thanksgiving is about eating, drinking, and watching sports but, deep down, they know it’s about family and gratitude. And that’s where hospitality comes into play. Making a large meal and inviting family and friends to partake in food and good company is an exercise in hospitality. (I say “exercise” because this sometimes requires considerable effort, patience, and endurance.)
The Celts are known for their hospitality, and there was even a time when it was part of the Irish legal code. If you have received hospitality, you are (or should be) thankful. But Celtic thought and custom teach that hospitality springs from thankfulness. God has gifted you. Your natural response should be to share that gift with others. And / or you have received hospitality from others so, in turn, you are hospitable.
Where does the magic come in? In Celtic folklore and folk medicine, many herbs and spices are said to have magical properties. Sage, rosemary, and thyme—herbs used to flavor the Thanksgiving turkey—and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and clove, which play a lead role in Thanksgiving desserts, are packed (according to Celtic folklore) with magic!
Over the years, I’ve written several posts about the topics I briefly touched on above. Below are links to some of those posts so you can read about the links between American Thanksgiving and Celtic folklore. In case, you’re eager for some recipes, I’ve included a link to an autumn-themed post and, since Thanksgiving is a harvest festival, there’s also a post on the Celtic symbolism of the harvest.
A discussion of the link between Celtic hospitality and Thanksgiving with some light-hearted examples of the Celtic rules of hospitality for guests.
A guide to the magical properties Celtic folklore attributes to the herbs and spices traditionally used in Thanksgiving dishes. Included in the post is a discussion of the health benefits modern science says these same spices and seasonings offer.
Exactly what it says--a post about great-tasting Celtic dishes for autumn meals. This post includes a ton of recipes plus a discussion of the magic of pumpkin spices.
A reflection on harvest from a Celtic symbolism perspective.
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Slán go fóill
All artwork for this post (except for the Ukranian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.
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