Page:Book Of Halloween(1919).djvu/105

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IN ENGLAND AND MAN
85

Avilion means "apple-island." It was like the Hesperides of Greek mythology, the western islands where grew the golden apples of immortality.

In Cornwall after the sixth century, the sun-god became St. Michael, and the eastern point where he appeared St. Michael's seat.

"Where the great vision of the guarded mount

Looks toward Namancos, and Bayona's hold."

Milton : Lycidas.

As fruit to Pomona, so berries were devoted to fairies. They would not let any one cut a blackthorn shoot on Hallowe'en. In Cornwall sloes and blackberries were considered unfit to eat after the fairies had passed by, because all the goodness was extracted. So they were eaten to heart's content on October 3lst, and avoided thereafter. Hazels, because they were thought to contain wisdom and knowledge, were also sacred.

Besides leaving berries for the "Little People," food was set out for them on Hallowe'en, and on other occasions. They re-