The voice of autumn speaks in the language of leaves, its breath cool and dry and full of change. It is the winding down of the year, a time of both harvest and of death. More than any other season, people feel a spiritual connection to land? Each year, as the Earth completes its annual journey around the sun, the balance between night and day shifts. To think of the Equinoxes and Solstices in terms of a life, the year is “born” on the winter solstice, matures at the spring equinox, and reaches the prime of life at the summer solstice. The autumnal equinox marks the descent into old age, and, finally, the moment of the winter solstice marks simultaneous death and rebirth, starting the cycle anew. Working the land has nurtured a relationship between myself and the fabric of nature.. As The Sami call it "The Nature" this relationship is a part of me now.. I have become a part of that very fabric.. and for that I have become so ever grateful.. A brightest of Equinox to You and Yours.. A blessing upon the land and all those that have come before us and all those that are yet to come... Its going to be a huge year!!
This particular Harvest means so much to me and the little guy!! We have watched this Pumpkin grow from a tiny seed.. Both T and I have nurtured along its journey and a few days before Autumn Equinox or Mabon in the old Wheel of The Year, or known as Harvest Tide which I adore.. The sap of trees returns back to their roots deep in the earth, changing the green of summer to the fire of autumn, to the flaming reds, oranges and golds. We are returning to the dark from whence we came.
The Pumpkin Plant had come to the end of its life cycle.. I closed my eyes felt the Autumn sunshine on my face, paused and silently gave thanks as I cut The Pumpkin away from the plant... These seeds were gifted to me by a lovely lady whos grandfather had grown Pumpkins for years and years back home in the foot hills of Poland..
He had grown monsters Squashes.. And we have too.. I gave thanks to him and all those he holds dear.. alongside this beautiful Pumpkin, I harvested wonky Parsnips, looking forward to these in the coming week for a Family Roast with some local Honey, These were some of the first seedlings I planted out at The Bothy, 1 week into Lockdown in March.. The very day I felt Eden standing at the edge of the Garden.. The very first morning when I checked on the seedlings their sitting was a white feather.. I smiled.. as its a bit of a joke between myself and the innate..
I also pulled some Chard and some wonderful Celery.. Both great for juicing and vegetable smoothies at Breakfast.. I love the The autumnal equinox.. day and a night are of equal duration. The Equinox sits dead center on the wheel of the year.. bringing about a sense of balance... things soften from here on in... New Blog Coming Tuesday.. sharing some recipes and Magic all for good measure.. Ps The Pumpkin will now sit in a cool dark place and be honoured and used on All Hallowed Eve with The Greatest of Thanks on our Community Soul Supper!!!
Harvest Tide Magic
So Mabon is a celebration and also a time of rest after the labour of harvest. In terms of life path it is the moment of reaping what you have sown, time to look at the hopes and aspirations of Imbolc and Ostara and reflect on how they have manifested. It is time to complete projects, to clear out and let go that which is no longer wanted or needed as we prepare for descent, so that the winter can offer a time for reflection and peace. And it is time to plant seeds of new ideas and hopes which will lie dormant but nourished in the dark, until the return of Spring.
Mabon is a useful time for practicing protection magic as well as prosperity magic. Also a Powerful time for Banishing (the veil between the spiritual and mortal worlds is particularly thin around the autumnal equinox as it is on All Hallowed Eve .)
"I also feel How another thread for this time is how we relate to one another in all kinds of relationships—from the individual to the community level—will be in the cosmic spotlight."
Any form of divination you partake in will be particularly revealing now, and meditating on the balance between light and dark and this space of equilibrium is also customary.
Whether you're celebrating with a ritual, a feast, or simply by spending time outside, this is a perfect excuse to enjoy the season. Take time to appreciate Gaia's gifts and don't forget: Winter is coming.
Sussex Crab Apple Cake for your Feast
Cooking or Crab Apples.. We use a mixture of both and have a wonderful Crab Apple Tree we are invited to Forage!!
We are very blessed that we had recently been invited to Forage a beautiful abundance of Crab Apples from a Ancient Crab Apple Tree in the Village Church!! it's so nice to spend an afternoon among the apple trees within sight of The Village . The little guy within his School will help bring in the Apple Harvest as they celebrate Michaelmas the days are noticeably shorter, and we feel a natural instinct to prepare for the colder months ahead. It marks the end of the harvest and the season when we feel the impulse to turn inward after the long, warm days of summer, and gather up strength and fortitude to face the colder days and long nights of the winter ahead, that is anchored in the Schools philosophy...
Below is an authentic Sussex Crab Apple Cake recipe. Eat it either cold, or warm with cream.
INGREDIENTS:
340gms/12oz self-raising flour a pinch of salt 225gms/8oz butter ½ teaspoon cinnamon 170gms/6oz caster sugar 115gms/4oz sultanas 450gms/16oz cooking or Crab apples, finely chopped 3 eggs a little milk a little demerara sugar
METHOD:
1. Rub the fat into the flour and salt. Add the sugar and cinnamon. Make a well in the mixture and drop in the egg and fruit. Mix well; if the dough is a little too stiff, add some milk.
2. Place in an eight-inch greased cake tin, and sprinkle a little demerara sugar on the top.
3. Bake for one-and-a-half to two hours, in a moderate oven (Gas Mark 4/180°C/350°F), until cooked. Allow to cool slightly before turning out onto a cooling rack.
Above all, have Fun, celebrate Life & learn from the Wheel! xxx