Winter is Coming

I was thinking to myself that I'd like to be more actively involved in my writing here, both about introspective things and about what I am actively engaging in. Winter is always a busy time because there are so many things that get put off during the summer while we are busy doing outside chores and gardening and generally enjoying the warm weather while it lasts. Winter is full of crafts and sewing and indoor projects that let us stay cozy warm. Also cooking and gathering with friends and gaming. More time to think and read and hibernate a bit too.

I saw the following writing prompt and activity ideas on The Witch of Lupine Hollow blog and thought I would give them a try over the holiday season.

Record in your grimoire family recipes you make each year during the holidays, such as the family gingerbread cookie recipe. This is perfect for kitchen witches who use their grimoires as recipe books as well.

Work with the winter astrological signs of Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces and record information you find about the energies of these signs in your grimoire.

Profile crystals and herbs associated with Yule such as garnet and moss agate, or holly and peppermint.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on the past year and how you have grown in your spiritual journey during that time.

Record a favorite holiday story or Yule legend, such as A Christmas Carol or the story of the yule log. Then, each year, you will be able to read this story out loud from your grimoire to create a new holiday tradition.

Make plans for the new year in terms of your spiritual journey. What new ideas and techniques do you want to study?

Sketch or trace mandalas into your grimoire and color them in. Coloring may be trendy but it really is deeply meditative and relaxing, and mandalas can be very powerful for centering your energy. The perfect activity for a rainy, winter day!

Press sprigs of holly leaves, pine or cedar in your grimoire to scent the book with the feeling of the season.

Research and record information about gods and goddesses associated with Yule and other winter holidays, such as Saturnalia. You might find a new tradition you feel drawn to.

Write down the steps you take for your Yule and December full moon rituals, so that you can refer back to them in the future.

Autumn - My Favorite Time of Year

 

Kameiwa Cave - Chiba, Japan

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of the year. The harvests are done, and the fields have been turned in readiness for sleep. The animals are all gathering the last of the nuts ands seeds to hoard for the coming Winter. The leaves are a riot of colors ... green, gold, orange, bronze, scarlet, and wine. They swirl and dance in the air and crinkle under puppy paws and human feet. The air is just starting to gain a crispness to it that smells so clean. The wind gusts and lulls and howls through the branches, rustling the leaves on dressed trees and howling through bare limbs of those that have already shed their bounty for the season.

Maker Monday: Three Sisters' Stew Recipe

 

 

This recipe is inspired by the traditional Native American "Three Sisters Stew / Soup." This stew came about naturally based on the three sisters companion growing techniques used by the eastern tribes such as the Iroquois and Cherokee. They often planted corn, pole beans, and squash together because they are mutually beneficial to each other. Click here for more info on how they benefit each other and reading material on other companion growing methods. They would have used what is readily available for the season, so given the current season, I chose to use late season corn, acorn squash and rutabaga, and kidney beans. If it were mid-summer, I would have used instead yellow summer squash and zucchini squash, fresh summer corn, and green beans.


Ingredients

10-12 cups of chicken broth
1 1/2 lb chicken
1 medium size rutabaga peeled and cubed
1 small acorn squash peeled and cubed
2 medium size red potatoes cubed
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 small onion diced
2 cups sliced button mushrooms
2 cups broccoli lightly chopped
1 cup fresh corn
2 can dark kidney beans drained and rinsed
Juice from 1 medium size lime
1 jalapeno diced (remove seeds and pith before dicing) 
1/2 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground cheyenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Italian spice blend
Salt and black pepper to taste

** During summer months, rutabaga and acorn squash can be substituted with yellow squash and zucchini squash. Sweet potato would also be another late summer to early fall option as well. For a little more richness to the broth, you can add a bit of milk as well.**


Set aside broccoli, chicken, salt, and black pepper. Combine all other ingredients and cook on medium heat, covered. While that begins to cook, brown chicken and then chop into bite-size pieces. When root vegetables are about half way cooked, add the chicken and broccoli to soup. Continue to cook until vegetables are tender. Salt and black pepper to taste.

Servings: 8-10