In the Northern Hemisphere September brings us to the traditional time to celebrate the final part of the harvest. In the past it was considered very unlucky to cut the last sheaves of corn as this was the home of the corn spirit and so the last stalks were plaited together and felled by the reapers throwing sickles. The bundle was then dressed and garlanded before being carried home and placed in a church or the farmhouse for the duration of the winter giving the corn spirit a cosy abode until spring; thus ensuring a plentiful harvest next year. Over time the last sheaf known as the kirn baby, the mare, the hag, or the maiden was woven into elaborate shapes with wonderful names such as The Northamptonshire Horn of Plenty and The Suffolk Horse Shoe. Sometimes countrymen would pick stalks of corn and plait them together to make a Country Man’s Favour; these were not intended to hold the spirit of the corn but rather as a show of skill and as a love token. If the young man saw his beau wearing or carrying his gift he could be sure his feelings were reciprocated. It is still possible to find people who make these fascinating items, however, modern corn is too short in the stem for corn dolly manufacture and older varieties are specially grown for this purpose.
