✨ 🍁 🎃 Sunday Savorings - The All Hallows Edition 🎃 🍁 ✨

A Peek at my Week!

Cozy Note: This week, I'm taking a gentle detour from our usual Sunday Savorings. Embracing the season's warmth and magic, I'm sharing my heartfelt love for this enchanting time of year!

What’s on my mind…

Here I find myself, crafting these words in a cozy café, a place that connects me to the entire world with just a tap of my wifi button. In this 21st-century life, I have all the technological marvels at my fingertips, and the ability to create a sustainable business in an entirely new way.

My powerful computers bridge me to readers scattered across the globe, forming deep connections with people I may never meet in person but whom I know intimately through our shared passions.

My Favorite Piece by Will Moses

Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't trade this for anything. Yet, these days, you'll often find me immersed in my herb gardens, honing my skills in harvesting and crafting herbal tinctures, finding solace in the healing embrace of nature's offerings. My favorite way to experience the world involves a trusty horse or simply putting one foot in front of the other. As the sun sets and shadows grow long, it's the souls we encounter, the bonds we forge, and the pure delight of heartfelt exchanges that truly illuminate our path.

My life journey has been alongside a man who's guided by love for me, our son, and our family, a man whose heart resonates with his guitars, piano, and the Celtic melodies he adores. From the moment I met him, I knew with unwavering certainty that he is my soulmate, my life's twin ray.

Jim effortlessly navigates this bustling new technically interconnected world while possessing the wisdom of an old sage. He can milk a cow and dance a jig, and he proudly owns a kilt. He's my perfect counterpart, the reason I have the time and space to pour my thoughts onto these pages. He’s also my editor, so I have him to thank when my words all make sense!

Reawakening Roots: Urban Renewal and Earthly Connections

For as long as I can remember, I've dreamt of a world where we'd reconnect with our Earth and with one another. And amidst the chaos, I'm beginning to see glimmers of this dream materializing. Farmers markets are cropping up on every corner, drawing us together to gather fresh sustenance for the week ahead.

In Cleveland, urban farms are sprouting amid the city's concrete, while old, abandoned foundries transform into flourishing greenhouses and aquaculture hubs. The joy multiplies as I walk into a bar, greeted with the latest craft beer or mead. I've even rediscovered the art of crafting my own beer and cheese, thanks to the readily available resources.

My circle includes friends who dye their own wool and fashion textiles through knitting, sewing, and weaving. Chickens and bees are becoming familiar sights. We find delight in crafting candles, soaps, and perfumes. Urban backyard gardens and community plots abound, while every city I visit now boasts its own charming distillery.

Bread, Stew, and Soulful Tunes: Hope in Tradition

What's on the horizon? Hopefully, a resurgence of community bread and stew ovens, and why not? One of the silver linings of the past 11 years of economic challenges is our return to the kitchen, and it's not limited to any one gender. I receive messages from so many dear friends, male and female, eager to discuss food. There's even one who has cooked his way through Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Home cooking is once again embraced as a delightful and soothing pastime, no longer disparaged or discouraged.

It appears that we hunger for authenticity, for age-old wisdom tried and true. Regardless of your circumstances, I can assure you that there's no more elegant prescription for health and happiness than what lies at the end of your fork.

Stirring Apple Butter at Burton Century Village is still one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season!

Sometimes, I read the news, and concern creeps in. Will we save ourselves in time? Can we navigate the descent into the madness ushered in by the industrial revolution over a century ago? I think that as long as there is music to dance to, fabulous food to be eaten and love to be made, that there is hope.

What's amusing is that even in the midst of all this technology, I can still hear the rhythmic beat of the Bodhrans and the soulful voice of the fiddle, singing to me of ancient ways that eternally beckon me home. The scent of apple butter simmering in colossal copper cauldrons over a fragrant wood fire remains vivid in my memory. Perhaps in my own, I too can contribute to this beautiful tapestry.

Blessed Samhain 2023 🍂✨

---

My Halloween Playlist

Halloween, Samhain, All Souls Night? Whatever you call it and however you celebrate it, here’s a little Wytchy dance list filled with all of my favorite music.

🎃✨🌙 #halloween #Samhain #Witch

---

“Walking, I am listening to a deeper way…”

Join me, won't you? Even as the forest canopy casts long shadows, its embrace is more warm than foreboding. Each step on the forest floor feels like a walk through a living tapestry of fall memories. Beneath our feet, wet leaves release their earthen fragrances, a potpourri crafted by nature itself. Here and there, the stubborn apples that refuse to fall offer sweet whispers of summers past, their scent punctuating the crispness of the impending winter air.

Nature's lullaby surrounds us. The gentle rustling of trees, the distant call of an owl, and the occasional rustling in the underbrush weave a comforting nocturnal symphony. The forest isn't just a place; it's a collection of stories, old and new. If you lean in and listen to the murmur of the wind, it might just share ancient tales, echoing laughter, and whispers of times long gone but not forgotten.

This beautiful Photograph by Terri Foss is one of my favorites!

As we journey deeper, a warm and welcoming light beckons. A gentle fire, its flames performing a mesmerizing dance of oranges and yellows, offers both warmth and company. The wood, sourced from the very trees around us—apple, oak, and ash—burns steadily. Circling this natural hearth, bundles of herbs—lavender for its soothing touch, rosemary to jog memories, sage for purity, and mugwort as a protective sentinel—impart their aromatic magic into the evening.

By the fire's side, an old wooden table awaits, groaning under rustic delicacies. A pitcher, its sides beaded with condensation, is filled with home-brewed cider—a drink crafted from autumn's very essence. Spiced with the warmth of nutmeg and sweetened with honey, each sip promises comfort. A large cauldron, blackened by many such nights, bubbles with a rich pumpkin soup. The aroma speaks of the best of the harvest—a hint of curry, the earthiness of sage, and the freshness of vegetables recently plucked. Nearby, corn roasts slowly, its golden kernels crackling and popping, eagerly awaiting the decadent embrace of butter infused with the heady aroma of black truffles and the slight kick of garden chilies.

Above us, the moon keeps a gentle vigil. In its silvery light, the forest comes alive with subtle movements—shadows playing on the ground, leaves taking flight in the gentle breeze. It's All Hallows Eve, a time of magic and mystery, where the line between the living and the departed becomes a mere whisper. But in this space, there's warmth, there's community, and there's a comforting embrace in every moment. As the night cradles us in its serene arms, we find solace in the words of Linda Hogan: “Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all of my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”

Magic is Afoot…

Samhain, to many known as Halloween, is a cherished pause for me—a moment I embrace for quiet introspection. This Celtic New Year resonates deeply with my spirit. My husband playfully calls me a 'Rosewitch,' and in a way, he's not wrong. While I wear the mantle of a witch, my magic is imbued with goodness. I genuinely believe in the enchantment of life.

As the night envelops us, witches worldwide raise their gaze to the stars, casting dreams of harmony and abundance for all. We whisper gratitude for our ancestors and offer thanks to Mother Earth for her nurturing embrace. Guided by a simple creed—to harm none—we are the silent guardians of Earth's whispered secrets. Historically, we’ve been the unsung herbalists, blending soothing teas and crafting potions that add a touch of wonder to life. Our treasured recipes are shared through whispers, concealed within cookbooks, or jotted on fragile slips of paper nestled amidst old tomes, often accompanied by dried herbs and delicate flowers.

We represent age-old traditions. Our practices, once shrouded in mystery out of fear of persecution, are now emerging into the light. The world, it seems, yearns for our verdant touch.

Perhaps some find our connection to nature intimidating. Yet, to me, magic symbolizes joy, compassion, and understanding. It's an acceptance of life's ebb and flow, and a commitment to care for others as we wish to be cherished. It's the courage to embrace life's vastness, its challenges, and gifts. It's a dance of creation and cessation, understanding that reality is as much about what we make as what is handed to us. The cyclical wisdom of our gardens, the lessons of Mother Nature, encapsulates this magic.

Am I truly a witch? The label is but a word. What I do know is that ever since my childhood, when I lay in the grass, making wishes upon dandelion seeds, I felt a deep kinship with nature. Is it the lure of herbal lore in this hurried world? The thrill of the seasons' shifts? The rhythm of the Earth's cycle, or the legacy of the wise women who came before? It might be all of these things, or perhaps, it’s simply because I cherish the ancient wisdom, never allowing it to fade from memory.

A Return to Nature's Embrace: Crafting Harmony in a Modern World

Here's a truth I've come to cherish deeply: I am an herbalist, rooted in the belief that no matter how advanced our medicine becomes, there remains an irreplaceable touch of nature's green magic in healing. I stand as a beacon, reflecting the wisdom of generations past. In the cozy corners of my kitchen, amidst the aroma of simmering brews, I cherish my role as a guardian of health and well-being. With my hands deep in the soil of my garden, I nurture healing herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Through herbal concoctions, flower essences, and the gentle touch of Reiki, I craft remedies that nourish both the body and soul, promising a radiance from within and out.

I often find myself lost in dreams of a world where our bond with Mother Earth and each other is unbreakable. These dreams, to my delight, are taking shape amidst the whirlwind of modern life. The sight of bustling farmers markets, brimming with fresh produce and laughter, has become a common joy. Bars now offer the comforting flavors of craft beer and mead, and I've taken delight in crafting my own brews and cheeses, for nature has generously provided all I need. Our hands have rediscovered the art of knitting, sewing, and weaving, transforming threads into stories. Clucks of chickens, hums of bees, flickers of candle flames, and the soothing scent of homemade soaps—all these remind us of the simplicity and beauty of life. Everywhere I look, I see gardens blossoming with herbs and vegetables, communities coming together to cultivate and celebrate. And, each city whispers its own tale through the alluring scents of its distilleries.

Whispers of Enchantment: A Moonlit Moment

The passage of time has gently ushered us back into our kitchens, reigniting a love for creating. Messages filled with curiosity about herbalism, Reiki, and natural healing find their way to me, whispering a collective longing for the timeless knowledge that stands steadfast and true. In the slower pace of the old ways, there's a gentle reminder that the very essence of well-being can be found in the simple food we share, the refreshing sip of pure water, and the magic hidden within a handful of nurturing earth.

Isn’t that its own kind of magic, juicy and alive?

So tonight, let’s find a moment under the moon’s gentle glow. Remember, there's a sprinkle of enchantment in every one of us. Allow me to offer you a copper mug, brimming with a concoction close to my heart: velvety almond milk meets dark chocolate's embrace, with whispers of raw honey and homemade rose syrup for healing. Let allspice bring fortune, cinnamon health, and chili a touch of warmth. Vanilla sparks your creativity, while an infusion of herbs bridges realms unseen. And atop it all, a hint of treasured Tonka bean, a wish for love and abundance in the days to come.

Take a slow sip, let its essence linger, and dream. Now, share with me: what cozy enchantment do you wish to weave into your life this year?

Blessed Be…
Beth

---

Make It Your Own

I hope that wherever you are that you’re enjoying this magical season. In your comments please share with me some of your favorite ways to celebrate the season.

Merry Meet and Merry Part and all my love until we meet again… 🍎🍂🧡

---

Join Me for a Magical Hallows’ Eve Ritual

As autumn's golden days gracefully yield to winter's crisp embrace, we step into a world where enchantment abounds.  All Hallows' Eve, arrives, inviting us to explore the thinning veil between worlds. 🍁✨

It's a time when ancient wisdom whispers on the winds, and the spirits of our ancestors draw near, sharing their love and guidance.

Join me in celebrating this sacred season of gratitude and Mother Earth's magic. Explore my altar adorned with sweetgrass, sage, and lavender, my tribute to my beloved ancestors and the October full moon,  and then build one of your own. This is an article for paid subscribers but you can get a 7 day free trial  here 🎃 Embracing the Wisdom of Cultures & Generations 🍂 🌕