Drying fruit is another ancient holiday tradition that is easy, economical, and enjoyable. The end result is almost as beautiful, festive, and aromatic as the process itself. The dried fruit can be used in so many different ways during the holidays and beyond. Our ancestors included it in their holiday decor and gave it as gifts in an effort to invite good fortune, abundance, prosperity, and longevity into their lives and the lives of their loved ones in the coming year. Your first step is to choose which fruit you want to dry. I’m doing mandarin oranges and apples but…
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If you’re anything like me, there is a bit of regret and disappointment in the air if you don’t take the time to create special things for your home and those you love during the holiday season. Sometimes the hustle and bustle win out and those “little” things start feeling like extra things that you can’t spare the time for, maybe don’t have the money for, and can’t possibly manage to get done. But making and taking the time to create special things with special people during the holiday season should, in reality, be at the top of all of…
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For me…this really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is a magical quality about Christmas that really speaks to my romantic nature. The lights, the love, the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air, the warmth of a fire, and promises of gatherings with family and friends really help light the darkest of days. Many of the customs and traditions that we still adhere to today are rooted in ancient winter festivals that were centered around the winter solstice. Neolithic henges in Northern Europe that are aligned to the winter solstice have produced archeological evidence of…
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Autumn is a time of change and introspection. As the days grow shorter and cooler we begin to slow down affording us the time to look inward. It shows us, with every leaf, that change is beautiful. Every falling leaf serves to remind us that shedding that which no longer serves us will only make room for new growth. Mother Nature is not subtle about this, and yet, for many the meaning behind the season goes unconsidered. Our Ancestors lives depended on being connected to the Earth and Her seasons. Autumn was a time spent preserving harvests, prepping themselves, the…
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Spring celebrations are an ancient practice. Some are based on the solar calendar, which track the Earth’s Orbit around the sun, and some are based on the Judeo Solar Lunar Calendar (say that five times fast :)), which tracks the solar calendar but also incorporates the cycles of the moon. For instance, Western Easter and Jewish Passover fall on the first Sunday following the first full moon of the Spring Equinox. The Pagan and Wiccan holiday of Ostara occurs on the Spring Equinox. Orthodox Easter celebrations are based on the Julian Calendar that was created by Julius Caesar. The oldest…