Wheel of the Year

So my adventures have taken a new turn from writing long papers to going back into the woods and hiking. It is sorta fun to go hiking this time of year as suddenly the air is more crisp as it fills my lungs. It hurts sometimes but so worth it to be outside in the sun. This is pictures of Kilgore Falls and King & Queens Seat in Rocks State park, Maryland. I love this state park as it is pretty local (only 30 minutes away by car) and there is something profoundly healing about that place. It used to be a sacred splace by the Native Americans there at the time as you will read on the sign below. I hope you enjoy my pictures and get transported to this lovely place. :)

So I am adventuring into Root country as the energy of the plants travel down into the underground. If you feel a little ungrounded right now eat some roots. Chinese Energetics of Fall: Metal Emotion: Grief, Letting Go Statement: Letting go of that which no longer services. So anyway back to cooking. I decided to make a root roast dish. I used curry, Himalayan salt, garlic, and olive oil to season. I used these roots: Japanese sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes, blue potatoes, white potatoes, beets, onions, and shallots. Here is a before and after picture. Okay not much difference but sooo good! Now off to pee purple. ;) Other Fruits that are finally appearing back in the market is the delicious pomegranate. The secret to peeling them and not dying your skin is to cut into quartors and pull off the outer rind, THEN use a bowl full of water to peel the little seeds out. It is so much easy and your hands look lovely when you are done. Here is my finished product! And here is a picture of Tur...

I attended Faerie Con 2009 and had a blast! The outfits were amazing and next year I am so glamming out for the party. It was hosted in Baltimore, MD at the Huntsville Mariott. Enjoy the pictures!!!! So am going next year and will be dragging along people.

Samhain, All Souls Night, All Hallow's Eve is the beginning and the end of the Wheel of the Year. Marked by death, the trees are becoming barren of life as all the leaves fall gently gently down. This time marks about the time of the last harvest before winter. This time of the year is the second time of the year when the veil is thinnest between our world and the other realms. This is why Samhain is a wonderful time to celebrate the one's who have passed over and connect with them. In America, we celebrate Samhain as Halloween. Interestingly it is based off of a Gaelic tradition of wearing masks and costumes for protection against harmful spirits, if you were dressed as something else the spirits could not know you. This year Samhain was a bit different than the other rituals I have attended. I actually attended a Nordic tradition ritual. It included rune chanting and the traditional practices of cakes and ale. Pictures will be up as soon as they are sent to me. I am including...

Autumn Equinox also known as Mabon is one of the most beautiful times of year to me because it is the turn to wheel where the leaves will begin turning loving shades of reds, oranges, and yellow. The earth is in perfect balance this time of year which only happens today and one day in the spring. There is equal amounts of light and day as the days gradually will begin to get shorter in the winter months ahead. Historically this day is considered to be the Second Harvest when grains, apples, and grapes are abundant all around us. Traditionally there were many feasts during this time of year to celebrate the abundance of the earth. It could be considered almost like a Pagan Thanksgiving. This time of year focuses around death, rebirth, abundances, prosperity, and a sense of letting go. Greek mythology tells the story of Demeter and Persephone who was kidnapped by Hades to be made his queen. Demeter so distraught by her daughter's disappearance focuses her search for her daughter inst...

Lammas, or the much harder to say Lughnasadh, is a holiday to celebrate the first wheat harvast of the year. It usually occurs on August 1st. Lammas is a cross-quarter day marking 6 weeks between Summer Solstice and Mabon or Autumn Equinox. It is the first sabbat marking the now waning daylight. It marks the passage of time in maturity. The grains are ready to be harvested and be made into breads or beginning to be stored for the upcoming winter. Apples are ripe and ready to be picked. The stag becomes symbolic as hunting season begins in many areas. Lugh is honored during this time and the holiday is actually named for him. This Lammas was spent marking the end of my first year at Tai Sophia and soon my departure to Baltimore. It has been a trutly amazing year and I feel blessed with the harvest of this first year. For one of our finals, we were required to cook a nutritious dish. I used quinoa as my grains. Here is a picture of my beautiful creation. Interesting Fact: Lammas growth ...

The Beautiful Summer Sun is high in the sky...it is the longest day of the year. This year has been fairly mild with lots of rain so far and I have enjoying every moment when not at school or doing school work. Summer Solstice is the day the Oak King is slain by the Holly King and the days gradually ebb away to become shorter and shorter. Bonfires burned throughout the country side to protect against evil spirits as the sun turned southwards. Fairies also ran free at this time, an old tradition is if one sleeps under an elderberry tree on Midsummer's Eve, they would be taken to the fairy realms. Due to spending my time up in Mass., USA this Midsummer's Eve and dancing the night away, I missed my opportunity this year, so next year I will hopefully be able to get under one. It was a bunch of firsts this summer solstice. I road my first plane, went to my first IHS, had my first full body massage (WOOT!) and met many of my herbal heros for the first time. Take off! Pictures of My ...

Below are pictures of my trip to United Plant Savers near Athens, OH. It was so beautiful there and healing. I hope the pictures are enjoyed! From UpS West Virginia, Mountain Mama... From UpS Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia striata) From UpS Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) From UpS Twin Leaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) From UpS Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) From UpS Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum commutatum) From UpS Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) From UpS Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium) From UpS Cancer Root (Conopholis americana) If ever given a chance go see this beautiful place!

Beltane or May Day is a wonderful tradition celebrated usually on the 1st of May to celebrate fertility. It is a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun's progress between the spring equinox and summer solstice. As of course the Earth is covered with flowers and life, union with the Land focus. On an interesting note, May Day could be considered the original "one night stand". To go "A-Maying" was when young men and women would spend the night in the woods together, this included allowing couples this one night to dally with others. Beltane is often when couples declare their intentions to handfast or marry at Summer Solstice. In addition to facilitating human partnerships, these rites also supposedly insured blessings of the fields, herds, home. Common Rituals of May Day are: Maypole, Hobby Horse, Green Man, Swordsmen, Dancing From May Day Celebration In Shepherdstown there is a huge parade and rituals are held. Here is the beginning of the parade le...