Cold Frame!

Sometimes I can hardly believe how many wonderful and talented people I am surrounded by...  Wilson Alvarez is one of them.  Wil designs and makes his own line of tools for human-powered farming (his broad fork is astonishing), and teaches Radical Urban Sustainability.  For starters...

Anyway, he delivered my new cold frame today, which he made from some old wooden windows I had, and some pieces wood that he had on hand.  He designed it so that I can open one side, or both with one hand - the center board makes moves to make it seem like one window or two.  Genius! 

Can't wait to paint it and plant some seeds!  And, I'm going to be able to grow greens all winter long! 

A Gift of Copal

While in Mexico this past week, a young man dedicated to preserving his traditional Mayan heritage honored me with the gift of a beautiful piece of Copal resin.  "If there is no Copal, there can be no ritual", he told me.  The Mayan name for Copal is Pom, and the tree (a Pine) it comes from is Pome.  It is burned before ceremony to purify the space and everyone participating, including those who are simply nearby.  The smoke acts as a bridge between realms, between humans and gods.  Traditional Mayans say that the smoke becomes corn tortillas for the gods...

University of Texas has published a very informative paper on Copal. written by Brian Stross.  If you are interested in knowing more about Copal and its traditional uses, this is really worth reading...

And, if you'd like to have some to burn, stop into Radiance, my shop in downtown Lancaster, or order from my web site...

Working on the Herb Fair and Festival Schedule...

I'm working on the festival & herb fair schedule for this year. Oh my, we're going to be busy! Here's how it looks so far:

Landis Valley Herb Faire, Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12
Bumbada weekend, May 18, 19 & 20
Baltimore Herb Festival, Saturday, May 26
Where Womyn Gather, June 7-10
Lancaster Pride Festival, Saturday, June 16
New England Women's Herbal Conference, August 24 - 26
Mid-Atlantic Women's Herbal Conference, October 6

Be sure to check back - no doubt there will be more...

Simmering and Infusing and Reformulating...

It's a busy day here - Elderberry Syrup simmering and filling the air with delicious aroma.  Beth is working today & she says she thinks we all are having our health enhanced just by breathing the fumes! 

In another pot, White Sage, Cedar tips and Sweetgrass infusing for a batch of  Clear Space Mist.  And, just this morning, I was reading about the stone, fluorite.  Suddenly, it was clear to me that I would add a small piece of this lovely gem to each bottle of the mist.  Here's part of what I read:  "Fluorite draws off negative energies and stress of all kinds.  It cleanses, purifies, dispels and reorganizes anything that is not in perfect order."  A perfect addition, I think!

The Scent of Warm Beeswax

We're making another batch of Boo Boo Balm this afternoon, and I am reminded again of how much I love the aroma of beeswax.  Sweet and earthy.  Real.  Ancient...

I've decided to become a beekeeper.  Officially.  I've kept Mason bees for many years - they're wonderful pollinators, very gentle and fun to watch.  But, no honey.  And no beeswax.  And I use a lot of both.  So, I'm going to take a class offered by our local beekeepers society.  And this Spring, I'll put a hive in my garden...

Elements of Magic, a Course in Earth-based Goddess Spirituality

Elements of Magic

An introductory course in Reclaiming Tradition

Using the art of magic, we deepen our vision and focus our will, empowering ourselves to act in the world.

In the tradition of STARHAWK & Reclaiming, this class will explore the Elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit as used to develop the practice of Magic, Witchcraft, and Goddess Spirituality.

Working through each individual element, students will learn & refine techniques to include:  Creation of Sacred Space, breath-work, spell-craft, chanting, visualization & trance, and structuring rituals in an experiential format.  We will learn to sense, shift and move energy.  This is an opportunity to experience deep magic as we learn the skills on which to build our individual practices.  The concept of the triple self and its importance in magic will be introduced. Once aligned, we will open all of our selves to the beauty and love around us, creating rituals and practices that can transform us and the worlds about us.

Preparation:  Read the first six chapters of The Spiral Dance, by Starhawk.

This class is considered the first of the Reclaiming Tradition’s core classes.  Sarah, an initiated Reclaiming Tradition priestess and teacher, and Beth will facilitate class.  Please be committed to attending all 6 classes.

When:             Fridays, January 27 thru March 2, 2012, 6-9:30pm

Where:           Radiance, 9 W Grant St (across from Central Market)

                        Phone 717-290-1517 for more information

Cost:               $185 - $155 sliding scale, includes a copy of The Spiral Dance.

Stop in to register, or send a $50 non-refundable deposit with your registration & contact information to Sarah Preston at Radiance, 9 W Grant St, Lancaster, PA  17603.  Balance due at first class.  Stop in to pick up your book.  If you have previously completed Elements, you are welcome to join the class at no charge.

About the Cost:

In Reclaiming, we try to balance the need to be justly compensated for our labor with our commitment to make our work available to people of all economic levels.  By using a sliding scale, we hope that those who can afford to do so will pay on the higher end. No one will be excluded from the class for lack of funds.

Witchcraft is a growing tradition in our culture today. It is a call from and to the ancient Goddess and Her immanence. It is a call to know ourselves in all of our parts, so that we can create the powerful magic that changes all worlds. While we live in a culture of domination and control, worlds full of desire, beauty, love and grace surround us and the Craft opens them to us.  Witches honor the cycles of nature, the earth and the goddesses and gods that live within each of us.  Reclaiming is an ever-evolving tradition that is rooted in Eco-feminism and the Feri Tradition. It is dedicated to personal empowerment, teaching and unifying spirit and politics.

Sarah's Spectacular Gluten-free Granola

I'm making a batch of granola this morning and am reminded that I have been meaning to post the recipe here on my blog.  Well, it more guidelines than an actual recipe, since each batch is different depending on the ingredients I have on hand.  Sometimes I like guidelines better than recipes anyway - more room for creativity....

I start with gluten-free oats.  Bob's Red Mill sells some nice ones.  Then I add nuts and seeds, some spices, something sweet and coconut oil.  All of that goes into the oven until the nuts are roasted.  When it comes out of the oven, I add the dried fruit, and voila! Granola!

So, here's the version I am making today:

2 pounds gluten-free oats (about 8 cups)
2 pounds raw almonds, chopped in the food processor
1/2 pound pumpkin seeds
1 tsp sea salt
1 Cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Stir thoroughly, so that sugar, salt and spices are evenly distributed.  Then, in a small saucepan melt:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Drizzle over oat & nut mixture & stir to coat evenly.  Spread mixture in a large roasting pan, & put it into the oven at 300 degrees F.  Stir about every 20 minutes until the nuts are slightly crunchy, about an hour and a half.

Remove from the oven and immediately add:

2 cups golden raisins
2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

Stir to blend thoroughly again.  Cool, and store in a large glass jar.  Savor.  Mmmmm.....