Beginning Midsummer Wild Black Cherry Cordial on the Feast Day of St. Anthony
Starting my wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) cordial for Kupala on St. Anthony’s Day. This is a quick and easy wild ferment.
O Holy Saint Anthony, gentlest of saints, today I celebrate your feast day and honor your deep love for all of God's creation.
I turn to you today to place my beloved mother cherry tree, who offered me comfort in my time if need, under your heavenly care and protection.
You who are the worker of miracles, look kindly upon this tree which holds such a special place in my heart.
Through your powerful intercession, I ask the Lord to pour out His abundant blessings upon its roots, its branches, and its ripening fruit.
Guard it against devastating frost, destructive pests, and blight.
Just as you brought nourishment and comfort to the poor, bless this harvest so that its fruit may ripen fully, bringing sweetness, health, and joy to me and my loved ones.
Saint Anthony, friend of the Divine Child, pray for me and protect my harvest on this your holy day.
Amen.
In addition to prayers to St. Anthony, I included a triplet of Hail Marys to invoke my Mezi Matičkama amulet bag.
Though the fruit is not from the Mother Cherry Tree who first gifted me with black cherry cordial, I see this harvest as a symbol of her fruit and the shelter she provided me during a difficult time in my life. The first photo is of her beginning to leaf the day before we moved and the second is my last full moon under her branches back at the beginning of March on the night of the lunar eclipse.
