celteros:Nutting Day/Day of the Holy Nut -Today was/is traditionally known in Britain as Nutting Day
celteros:Nutting Day/Day of the Holy Nut -Today was/is traditionally known in Britain as Nutting Day - or Devil’s Nut in the belief the “Devil” or an enchanting entity from the netherworld - a Brownie (faery) by some accounts - would come and hold the tree branches down for people so they could “nut” - a custom which persisted in England until the First World War. It is also called the Day of the Holy Nut.Hazel nuts gathered today are said to have magical, regenerative powers. It was believed that finding two on one stalk today, would guard against evil spells and other physical maladies. But gathering nuts early in the morning was considered unlucky with late day and eventide being ideal. In tradition people were granted a day off to gather nuts which may have been a moveable time since it depended on when the nuts became ripe.The day’s associations are decidedly masculine as the nut is often associated with male fertility. According to custom, young women who “went nutting” were at risk of premature pregnancy and men were to “get their nut” on this day. Some sources report that young men were called “Nutting or Nut Boys” on this day and that there were “Nutting Parties” in the groves and forests were Hazel trees lived. It is therefore thought likely that nutting days afforded occasions for outdoor lovemaking. -- source link