FULL MOON - Harvest Moon

 

Courtesy of Pixabay Member - Gerhard

Merry Meet, everyone!

Of all the Full Moons, I think I look forward to this one most of all. With this glorious orb, I truly feel the fall season in all of it's glory. The days are not as hot, leaves crunch beneath my feet and my desire to set in provisions for the winter goes into overdrive. I do my best to make sure all of my visiting wildlife have provisions as well. 

As for harvesting, the heat really took a toll on the garden this summer. I'll be spending more time outside cleaning out the greenhouse and stripping out raised beds that have served their purpose for the season. I hope to be better prepared for next year.

I spend a lot more time outside relishing in the changes. Today, I'll take note of my desires made on the New Moon last month and decide what may need to be changed. I'll banish things that no longer seem to be the correct path and just breathe.

Blessings

~Rain

WELCOME AUTUMN!

Today marks the beginning of my favorite turn of the wheel. The time when days are 'warm', nights are cool and the trees change their wardrobe to glorious colors.

I've been thinking about this turn for several days, determined to be 'on time' rather than feeling as if I've missed a step somewhere. We have rain but in between bouts I hope to walk a bit, smell the clean shower that has cleansed everything. The altar is getting a makeover with ceramic leaf-shaped candle holders (I believe they're actually salt dishes) that I bought but never seem to pull from the cabinet.

After I post this, I'm going to mix up a whole grain bread to use for cinnamon/apple rolls later. For dinner, an egg roll inspired dish of browned ground pork, shredded cabbage/ carrots/ onions lightly seasoned with Chinese Five Spice - a mixture of Fennel, Star Anise, Cloves, Cinnamon, Ginger. I love egg rolls and thought the harvested vegetables (okay, they came from the store this year) and ground pork would be lovely omage to the season. 

Why did I choose pork?

Blue Ridge Mountains - VA

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Almost 40 years ago, my older sister took me to meet relatives in the High hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. The first thing I saw when we pulled into the yard next to a rustic cabin were two hogs hanging from a tree. Three of my distant cousins were in butchering process. I'd never seen anything like it. So, I guess the pork is paying respects to my mountain roots.

How are you celebrating this turn of the Wheel? Share your thoughts below. I love to learn from others.

Blessings

~Rain

 

PHOTO FRIDAY - Lughnasadh

 Merry Meet, friends.

Today finds us a couple of days before Lughnasadh or Lammas. 

courtesy of Pixabay

We celebrate the first harvest. Give thanks to the corn/ wheat (or the ingredients), ask that the breads you make be blessed.

I want to try my hand at a rough sourdough as well as a brown bread.  If I do, I'll come back and show you the results. I think the rough sourdough would be perfect dipped into Tomato Basil soup made with ingredients from my garden.  Maybe a glass of Mead to go with. hmmmm 

How will you celebrate this turn of the wheel? Need some inspiration? Check out the article, by Patti Wigington from Learn Religions   (Wigington, Patti. "Lammas History: Welcoming the Harvest." Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/history-of-the-lammas-harvest-celebration-2562170.)

Blessings

~Rain