Today is Samhain, the start of the Celtic New Year, a day or two when
the curtain between the sprit world and us is thinner and our ancestors
are closer.
It is also, of course Halloween...All Hallows Eve...a more modern, originally Christian version of the pagan festival.
We
don't go in for Halloween parties and suchlike at Compost Mansions,
normally we have a bonfire, a clear out of the sheds and polytunnel and a
tidy up to mark the end of the year. We eat some favourite, special
foods and I mark the day in a number of small, private ways.
One
of my regular things is I tend to do "kitchen witchery" today, with the
cooking usually being pumpkin related! However I am still feeling very incapacitated, so a lot of the things I had planned have been shelved for a few days AND we had a grand total of ONE very small pumpkin as a harvest, this year.
So I think a quiet sit by the fire and lighting candles will have to do!
Samhain/Halloween blessings to you all:-)
Showing posts with label Samhain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samhain. Show all posts
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Halloween/Samhain preparations
Tomorrow is Halloween, the end of the old year for those who follow the Old Ways. A time for clearing out and tidying up and putting things to bed, ready to start afresh in the New Year.
I spent some of today digging and raking and composting and covering over raised beds; cleaning out pots in the polytunnel, cleaning out the chicken house and scrubbing their drinkers, decluttering rooms upstairs and looking at old documents; sorting through "things", both real and in my thoughts.
I found it helpful to do this as while I got on with some hard physical work which needed doing, I also had time to let my thoughts drift, to muse and ponder on my life, how it is, how I would like it to be and how / if I can get the two things to be closer together.
Hopefully some good will come out of this exercise - even if it is only in the physical sense :-)
After a good meal of Roast pork and lots of lovely veg, and apple crumble to follow, along with cider ( all except the pork grown/made by us ) and a sit down in front of the woodburner to relax, watch a little TV and do some knitting, I am now about to go to bed. More pondering and tidying to do tomorrow, as well as a pumpkin to carve ( maybe!)
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Halloween/Samhain
The end of the old year and the start of the new year.
I have walked in the wood today and watched the leaves as they came whirling down, broken free from the tree by the wind to land on the ground and slowly return to the soil.
I caught a leaf as it fell through a shaft of sunlight and made a wish.
I spent today outside, tending to my plants and animals and family, weaving the threads of love and nurturing around them all to make them comfortable and secure.
I shall sit by the fire tonight, with candles lit, and think of all my loved ones, my friends and family, animal and people. Those I still see in life and those who have gone on before me.
Wishing you a thoughtful day.
I have walked in the wood today and watched the leaves as they came whirling down, broken free from the tree by the wind to land on the ground and slowly return to the soil.
I caught a leaf as it fell through a shaft of sunlight and made a wish.
I spent today outside, tending to my plants and animals and family, weaving the threads of love and nurturing around them all to make them comfortable and secure.
I shall sit by the fire tonight, with candles lit, and think of all my loved ones, my friends and family, animal and people. Those I still see in life and those who have gone on before me.
Wishing you a thoughtful day.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Visit to the Scrapstore and some things I have made....
I had a trip to the Scrapstore in Worcester last Friday. I am running various recycled material based craft workshops over the next few months, so I needed to stock up on supplies. I went with my friend S, who I run Eco Club with, and we had a very successful time over there!
The Worcestershire Resource Exchange ( aka Scrapstore) is very well run, clean, tidy, well thought out and with loads of really good items for the bargin price of a trolley load for £10 ish, if you are a member. membership is worth while if you go more than once or twice a year!
I got lots of material ribbon and also lots of plastic ribbon
I turn the ribbon into recycled material wreaths or weavings like this
I also use paper packaging strips as weaving materials in my workshops with children, here is something made from paper packaging, which looks rather nice I think?
I also got an amazing whiteboard/A1 flipchart board for only £5!! They retail at about £100!
I am running some Bat and Spider based workshops over the half term break in October, which is the week before Halloween/Samhain, so I have come up with some simple craft ideas for the children to make, on the theme of bats and pumpkins and spiders and suchlike...We shall be playing some games and talking about bats and spiders and why they are so important and such a Jolly Good Thing.
Compostgirl is helping me test out the various designs to make sure they are "do-able" for her age group...
I hope the participants have as much fun making these items as I have done :-)
The Worcestershire Resource Exchange ( aka Scrapstore) is very well run, clean, tidy, well thought out and with loads of really good items for the bargin price of a trolley load for £10 ish, if you are a member. membership is worth while if you go more than once or twice a year!
I got lots of material ribbon and also lots of plastic ribbon
I turn the ribbon into recycled material wreaths or weavings like this
I also use paper packaging strips as weaving materials in my workshops with children, here is something made from paper packaging, which looks rather nice I think?
I also got an amazing whiteboard/A1 flipchart board for only £5!! They retail at about £100!
I am running some Bat and Spider based workshops over the half term break in October, which is the week before Halloween/Samhain, so I have come up with some simple craft ideas for the children to make, on the theme of bats and pumpkins and spiders and suchlike...We shall be playing some games and talking about bats and spiders and why they are so important and such a Jolly Good Thing.
Compostgirl is helping me test out the various designs to make sure they are "do-able" for her age group...
I hope the participants have as much fun making these items as I have done :-)
Sunday, 2 November 2008
An aromatic hour ----------later version with additions!
I have added some stuff...it is in bold!
Pamper time!
I am feeling very achy and stiff at the moment, a combination of the virus and general stress of life at the moment I think. I can't do much outside at the moment so I decided to make up a new batch of skincare oils and toners.
The toners are floral waters mixed together and stored in a dark bottle, I like to use Witch Hazel, Lavender and Geranium floral waters (also called hydrolats/hydrosols if you are looking to order any) in equal proportions....I find this to be refreshing and to remove any trace of oil left from my cleansing routine. I have mainly dry ish, VERY sensitive skin (especially in winter) so I have developed a recipe which suits me, but it would be a good general toner for most skins I think. If your skin is oilier use more Witch Hazel probably.
I then got out some of my essential oils from the dark, locked cupboard where they live:
sorry that you can't see which bottles are which! IF enough people are interested I will post a list of the oils I use most often...I have at least 2 other boxes with other oils in, some for household use ( I use up any which have gone past their use by life for putting down drains!)
I keep a few bottles of essential oils out on my dresser, Lavender and Geranium mainly as I get through such a lot and they are relatively harmless if spilt BUT Essential Oils are potent and are best kept in the dark, out of reach of children!
I have nearly run out of my facial oil and I needed to make up a slightly more rich version to use on my face in winter, so I used more Jojoba and less Sweet Almond oil than I use in Summer, with some Rosehip and Apricot Kernel oil as well as a base. I then added a total of 6 drops of essential oils to the 30 ml of base oils
( the proportions of the base oil were 10 ml Sweet Almond, 10 ml Jojoba, 5 ml Apricot Kernel, 5 ml Rosehip oil), I don't want or need any stronger a blend as it is for my face but for body use I would use 4 drops per 10 ml base oil, rather than the 2 drops per 10 ml base oil I use for my face. Today I used Lavender, Rose Geranium and Rose Otto oils, all wonderful for facial blends and oils I personally love......later on in the Winter I might add some Frankincense, good for all skin care!
I often find I tend towards floral oils when I am low and more earthy oils when I am feeling more grounded ( like Vetivert! Oh how I LOVE Vetivert! the scent of leaf mold in a woodland! ) which goes against accepted wisdom...usually we are supposed to be drawn to the oils which are likely to do us the most good in healing us ...but I find I am drawn towards the oils which reflect how I am feeling....but as they all have potent healing powers, who am I to judge?
I then moved on to making my all purpose soothing massage oil, a blend of Lavender, Neroli and Yarrow in a base of Jojoba and Sweet Almond oil. This is what gets massaged on to any stiff, or sore place at Compost Mansions!
The blue of the Yarrow is SO intense, you can't really see it well in this photo ( I tried but couldn't capture it!) Its the colour of india ink!
If you are wanting to cut costs then Petitgrain can be substituted for Neroli and Chammomile for Yarrow....Yarrow IS cheaper BUT harder to find....
Later on I may make up some more anti viral oil blend, I have just bought some Lemon Eucalyptus which has the most wonderful aroma and I shall add in some other virus busting oils.
Compostman has just informed me I put " anti vital oil" the first time around...oh well..thats how I feel at the mo...anti vital!!
So a nice, productive hour I spent at my bench today making up potions.......continuing on with the Samhain theme? ;-))
******PLEASE remember though, *I* know these are the right oils and strengths for *me*, if anyone reading this wants to make up a similar blend and has ANY medical condition or is pregnant or nursing PLEASE check with your Doctor or a qualified Aromatherapist first. Most of these oils would do no harm to anyone but some seemingly innocent oils can cause problems with ( for example) high blood pressure.*****
Thank you!
I have added in some extra information and reposted this ( the edits are in bold ) so people will know it is added too...I hope I haven't confused anyone!
Pamper time!
I am feeling very achy and stiff at the moment, a combination of the virus and general stress of life at the moment I think. I can't do much outside at the moment so I decided to make up a new batch of skincare oils and toners.
The toners are floral waters mixed together and stored in a dark bottle, I like to use Witch Hazel, Lavender and Geranium floral waters (also called hydrolats/hydrosols if you are looking to order any) in equal proportions....I find this to be refreshing and to remove any trace of oil left from my cleansing routine. I have mainly dry ish, VERY sensitive skin (especially in winter) so I have developed a recipe which suits me, but it would be a good general toner for most skins I think. If your skin is oilier use more Witch Hazel probably.
I then got out some of my essential oils from the dark, locked cupboard where they live:
sorry that you can't see which bottles are which! IF enough people are interested I will post a list of the oils I use most often...I have at least 2 other boxes with other oils in, some for household use ( I use up any which have gone past their use by life for putting down drains!)
I keep a few bottles of essential oils out on my dresser, Lavender and Geranium mainly as I get through such a lot and they are relatively harmless if spilt BUT Essential Oils are potent and are best kept in the dark, out of reach of children!
I have nearly run out of my facial oil and I needed to make up a slightly more rich version to use on my face in winter, so I used more Jojoba and less Sweet Almond oil than I use in Summer, with some Rosehip and Apricot Kernel oil as well as a base. I then added a total of 6 drops of essential oils to the 30 ml of base oils
( the proportions of the base oil were 10 ml Sweet Almond, 10 ml Jojoba, 5 ml Apricot Kernel, 5 ml Rosehip oil), I don't want or need any stronger a blend as it is for my face but for body use I would use 4 drops per 10 ml base oil, rather than the 2 drops per 10 ml base oil I use for my face. Today I used Lavender, Rose Geranium and Rose Otto oils, all wonderful for facial blends and oils I personally love......later on in the Winter I might add some Frankincense, good for all skin care!
I often find I tend towards floral oils when I am low and more earthy oils when I am feeling more grounded ( like Vetivert! Oh how I LOVE Vetivert! the scent of leaf mold in a woodland! ) which goes against accepted wisdom...usually we are supposed to be drawn to the oils which are likely to do us the most good in healing us ...but I find I am drawn towards the oils which reflect how I am feeling....but as they all have potent healing powers, who am I to judge?
I then moved on to making my all purpose soothing massage oil, a blend of Lavender, Neroli and Yarrow in a base of Jojoba and Sweet Almond oil. This is what gets massaged on to any stiff, or sore place at Compost Mansions!
The blue of the Yarrow is SO intense, you can't really see it well in this photo ( I tried but couldn't capture it!) Its the colour of india ink!
If you are wanting to cut costs then Petitgrain can be substituted for Neroli and Chammomile for Yarrow....Yarrow IS cheaper BUT harder to find....
Later on I may make up some more anti viral oil blend, I have just bought some Lemon Eucalyptus which has the most wonderful aroma and I shall add in some other virus busting oils.
Compostman has just informed me I put " anti vital oil" the first time around...oh well..thats how I feel at the mo...anti vital!!
So a nice, productive hour I spent at my bench today making up potions.......continuing on with the Samhain theme? ;-))
******PLEASE remember though, *I* know these are the right oils and strengths for *me*, if anyone reading this wants to make up a similar blend and has ANY medical condition or is pregnant or nursing PLEASE check with your Doctor or a qualified Aromatherapist first. Most of these oils would do no harm to anyone but some seemingly innocent oils can cause problems with ( for example) high blood pressure.*****
Thank you!
I have added in some extra information and reposted this ( the edits are in bold ) so people will know it is added too...I hope I haven't confused anyone!
Friday, 31 October 2008
Samhain
Today is Samhain, the start of the Celtic New Year, a day or two when the curtain between the sprit world and us is thinner and our ancestors are closer.
It is also, of course Halloween...All Hallows Eve...a more modern, originally Christian version of the pagan festival.
We don't go in for Halloween parties and suchlike at Compost Mansions, normally we have a bonfire, a clear out of the sheds and polytunnel and a tidy up to mark the end of the year. We eat some favourite, special foods and I mark the day in a number of small, private ways.
One of my regular things is I tend to do "kitchen witchery" today, with the cooking usually being pumpkin related! However I am still feeling very unwell so a lot of the things I had planned have been shelved for a few days but I DID want to make something for us to eat!
SO, some Pumpkin and Apple soup was in order...
The Pumpkin ( A Turk's Turban) was VERY resistant to being cut in slices! I tried ( and failed miserably) and then Compostman tried, he got a bigger knife out and finally his chopper (a scary thing...I don't use it as I have cut my self on it before now!) and the Pumpkin was defeated!
.
I removed the rind from the slices and roughly chopped the flesh along with a couple of onions ( chopped) 2 BIG cloves of garlic, a few peeled, cored ,chopped Bramleys, salt, pepper, thyme and sweet marjoram and my magic ingredient in Pumpkin soup, a small amount of some dark brown sugar
Pumpkin, apples, herbs, onions and garlic were all from our own garden, stock made from a local chicken ( NOT one of ours I hasten to add!) all put in a pot
brought to the boil....
and left simmering on a low heat for an hour, then I turned off the heat and left it simmering for a further half hour with the residual warmth from the ring. I aways like to simmer soups for a long time, I find it improves the flavour!
I blitzed it up with my stick blender and we ate it with a slice of cheese on ( home made bread) toast. The pumpkin flesh was even more sweet than usual, I think the fact it ripened fully on the vine makes them taste the best. I have noticed the ones which I have to finish ripening on a sunny window never taste quite so good?
And as I chopped, sliced, stirred and tasted this morning I couldn't help thinking "Hubble, bubble..." but I guess thats a bit of a stereotype! ;-)))
I certainly WAS thinking of my family, my friends, my loved ones and hoping we all have a good year ahead. I also thought of all my loved ones, still with us or not and wished them all well.
Happy Samhain to you all as well, may your coming year be fruitful, peaceful and blessed.
It is also, of course Halloween...All Hallows Eve...a more modern, originally Christian version of the pagan festival.
We don't go in for Halloween parties and suchlike at Compost Mansions, normally we have a bonfire, a clear out of the sheds and polytunnel and a tidy up to mark the end of the year. We eat some favourite, special foods and I mark the day in a number of small, private ways.
One of my regular things is I tend to do "kitchen witchery" today, with the cooking usually being pumpkin related! However I am still feeling very unwell so a lot of the things I had planned have been shelved for a few days but I DID want to make something for us to eat!
SO, some Pumpkin and Apple soup was in order...
The Pumpkin ( A Turk's Turban) was VERY resistant to being cut in slices! I tried ( and failed miserably) and then Compostman tried, he got a bigger knife out and finally his chopper (a scary thing...I don't use it as I have cut my self on it before now!) and the Pumpkin was defeated!
.
I removed the rind from the slices and roughly chopped the flesh along with a couple of onions ( chopped) 2 BIG cloves of garlic, a few peeled, cored ,chopped Bramleys, salt, pepper, thyme and sweet marjoram and my magic ingredient in Pumpkin soup, a small amount of some dark brown sugar
Pumpkin, apples, herbs, onions and garlic were all from our own garden, stock made from a local chicken ( NOT one of ours I hasten to add!) all put in a pot
brought to the boil....
and left simmering on a low heat for an hour, then I turned off the heat and left it simmering for a further half hour with the residual warmth from the ring. I aways like to simmer soups for a long time, I find it improves the flavour!I blitzed it up with my stick blender and we ate it with a slice of cheese on ( home made bread) toast. The pumpkin flesh was even more sweet than usual, I think the fact it ripened fully on the vine makes them taste the best. I have noticed the ones which I have to finish ripening on a sunny window never taste quite so good?
And as I chopped, sliced, stirred and tasted this morning I couldn't help thinking "Hubble, bubble..." but I guess thats a bit of a stereotype! ;-)))
I certainly WAS thinking of my family, my friends, my loved ones and hoping we all have a good year ahead. I also thought of all my loved ones, still with us or not and wished them all well.
Happy Samhain to you all as well, may your coming year be fruitful, peaceful and blessed.
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