My Garden has officially declared Spring with some much needed
'heartopening' gaia medicine! ROSE
To honor the roses of my garden, I have decided to make some delicious rose jam :)
Full of love, this calming delightful treat is delicious on top of just about everything! biscuits, ice cream, yogurt and more...
As Promised your first DIY sneak peak...
ROSE 'JAM'
Ingredients
11 oz pure clean water
11 oz pure cane sugar, coconut sugar or white sugar (the whiter sugars make for a prettier color in the end, but I went for pure unbleached and the color is still quite lovely)
2-4 oz fresh ORGANIC/untreated Rose Petals (the stronger the smelling of rose the better!)
1-2 lemons JUICED (meyer for sweeter)
Will Make about 12 oz of 'Jam'
Begin by...
Removing your rose petals gently from their stems and lightly rinsing. Add them to a large bowl with the juice of your lemon and your sugar. Massage them with your hand until you have formed a paste. You don't want to tear your rose petals, just 'bruise' them.
The lemon juice and sugar will help to bring out their gorgeous aroma!
Add your rose petal paste to the water in a saucepan and bring to a very gentle rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir regularly to prevent burning. After about 20-30 mins it should be a thicker consistency. Your consistency in the end will be more like a syrup than a jam. Carefully pour into sterilized glass jars and let cool. Once cool keep refrigerated and use within 2-3 months to be safe. HA! Like it will last that long! YUM
The Spirit of Easter and Earth embrace so naturally this time of year making it easy to see new life and hope everywhere.
We are jumping into full production at Fruits to the Roots. We have been hard at work creating a limited collection of only produced during certain celestial occurrences such as the equinox and solstices. In celebration of the spring we will be releasing a special soap. The scent of this goddess inspired soap is floral, sexy and full of sunshine! Made in the the essence of the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox of this year, calling to aid the intentions of hope, growth, inspiration, fertility and strength this soap will be a nourishing, loving, and balancing combination. Get ready for it, there will be a extremely limited supply available May 1st
Pre-order yours by clicking here OSTARA
Also available our limited Vernal Equinox Dream Salve
Some thoughts on the Alchemy and Rebirth of Nature
The Vernal Equinox otherwise known as the first day of spring is a perfect split of night and day. Equinox = when day and night are of equal length, Vernal = occuring to or relating to spring. On this day the sun is located exactly above the equator shining down upon us creating momentous energy and encouragement for growth and new beginnings.
Throughout time there have been many ways with which one could choose to give thanks and proclaim festivities during the beginning of spring. Some called on Ishtar (Babylonian- Assyrian), Flora (Roman), Osiris (Egyptian), Freya (Norse), and Ostara or Eostre (Germanic). The different traditions surrounding the god or goddess represented a time of rebirth, renewal, the return of vegetation and celebrating fertility. A time when Mother Earth and the Green Man would join in sacred marriage. Some of these festivities were adopted, such as the name Eostre, by Christian tradition becoming a part of the common modern understanding of Easter.
Eostre, from the writings of 8th century Bede:
"Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance." Eostre = Paschal, latin for Passover.Now known as the month of April.
Ostara by Johannes Gehrts
Like the pagan traditions of Eostre celebrated on and around the spring equinox, Easter also coincides with special celestial occurrence. As celebrated by Christians, Easter occurs on the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after the Vernal Equinox. There are arguments about the origin story of both the hare and the egg. Both elements show up in tradition for a number of pagan festivities and the Christian celebration of Easter. For Centuries decorating eggs has been a tradition for cultures all around the world to symbolize fertility and life. And the bunny, there are many stories of spring and the importance of the hare. Some of my favorite thoughts include that the Teutonic spring goddess Eostre, kept a hare as a familiar or that she was able to take form as a hare. Interestingly, hares or rabbits are also often seen as a symbol for sacrificial death. With life comes death, and often times with death comes new life. It is sad but it seems that modern practice has forgotten what the egg and hare actually represent, letting them fade to a place only visible in the back of the mind. However, not so surprisingly, the relics of the celebration remain the same.
It is fascinating that so many beliefs and traditions are arranged according to astronomical occurrence. It's boggling and wonderful to ponder that the heavens shining down are encouraging us to connect in a deeply spiritual way. Throughout history different customs, traditions and religions seem to fall into alignment in appreciation for specific moments in astronomical time. The significance and energy from the planetary alignments seem to allow a clearer sense of self and intention in the world. One can't help but feel invigorated. With the power of hope and new life seemingly waiting at each corner of the world how could you resist feeling a sense of enlivenment!?
The stars love to tell their story, giving guide and understanding to the otherwise mundane. During this time a few thousand years ago, travelers and wanderers would often be at the height of a journey toward the holy land. This thought inspires me to take a moment today to revel in the moonlight. Yesterday marked the first full moon after the vernal equinox, True Easter, as celebrated by many hermetic traditions. This Easter moon is the most powerful full moon of the year. Occurring at a time when the world is ready to celebrate the death of winter and the beginning of spring. All of the Earth is overflowing with energy, growth, and life. Dance in it... Breath it in... Be Still in it... Become enlivened by it... let it inspire you.
Happy Spring. Be Well... Lauren
