Food & The Wheel of the Year
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Food has always been an important part of human culture and traditions. Different foods have different associations and meanings in different cultures. Some foods are associated with health and wellness, while others are associated with abundance and prosperity. Some are even believed to have magical properties and are used in traditional remedies to treat a variety of ailments. In this list, we will explore the associations and meanings of various foods in mythology and culture.
Food and the Wheel of the Year
Food plays an important role in Wheel of the Year celebrations and and different foods are associated with different seasons and holidays. For example, pumpkins are often associated with autumn and Samhain, while eggs are associated with Ostara. Each season brings with it an abundance of different fruits and vegetables, which can be used to create traditional dishes that are enjoyed during the corresponding holiday. Foods that are in season are often fresher and more flavorful, and incorporating them into meals can be a great way to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
Apple - In many myths and legends, apples are associated with knowledge and wisdom. In Greek mythology, the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden was an apple. Apples are also associated with protection, strength, and perseverance.
Banana - Bananas are often associated with energy and nourishment. In many cultures, they are considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
Carrot - Carrots are associated with good eyesight and healthy skin. In some myths and legends, carrots are believed to have magical properties that can improve vision and restore youth.
Celery - Celery is associated with weight loss and hydration. It is also believed to have medicinal properties and is often used in traditional remedies to treat a variety of ailments.
Cherries - Cherries are often associated with relaxation and sleep. In some myths and legends, they are believed to have healing properties and are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Grapes - Grapes are associated with abundance and prosperity. In many myths and legends, they are also associated with wine and are considered a symbol of celebration and joy.
Lemon - Lemons are associated with cleansing and detoxification. In some myths and legends, they are believed to have medicinal properties and are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Orange - Oranges are associated with immunity and vitality. They are also a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in many cultures.
Peach - Peaches are associated with longevity and happiness. In Chinese mythology, peaches are the fruit of the gods and are believed to have magical properties that can grant eternal life.
Pineapple - Pineapples are associated with hospitality and welcoming. In many cultures, they are considered a symbol of prosperity and abundance.
Pomegranate - Pomegranates are associated with fertility and abundance. In many myths and legends, they are also a symbol of regeneration and renewal.
Pumpkin - Pumpkins are associated with autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. They are also a symbol of abundance and prosperity. In some myths and legends, pumpkins are believed to have medicinal properties and are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Strawberry - Strawberries are associated with love and romance. In some myths and legends, they are also a symbol of purity and innocence.
Tomato - Tomatoes are associated with heart health and lycopene. In some myths and legends, they are believed to have medicinal properties and are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Food plays a significant role in many cultures and traditions around the world. Different foods have different associations and meanings, and they can be used to symbolize a variety of concepts and ideas. From apples associated with knowledge and wisdom, to pumpkins associated with autumn and abundance, the symbolism of food is rich and varied. Whether for their taste, their cultural or mythical associations, or their nutritional value, foods continue to be an important part of our lives and celebrations.
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Cross Quarter Days
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Cross Quarter Days are a set of four holidays that fall about halfway between the solstices and equinoxes. These days have been celebrated for centuries in various cultures around the world and have a rich history and significance. In the Wheel of the year, the Cross Quarter Days correspond with the celebrations of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.
The origins of Cross Quarter Days goes back much further than the modern Wheel of the Year. These days were celebrated by many ancient cultures, including the Celts, the Norse, and the Romans. These cultures saw these holidays as a way to mark the passing of the seasons and to give thanks for the blessings of nature.
Imbolc
The first Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and August 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Often associated with the Celtic Goddess Brigid, Imbolc was known as Candlemas in medieval times, as it was traditional to light candles on this day to welcome the return of the sun.
Beltane
The second Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Beltane, which is celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and November 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Beltane is a time of fertility and growth, and it is traditional to decorate with flowers and perform fertility rituals. Beltane is also known as May Day and is associated with the goddess Flora.
Grab Your Free Cross Quarte Day Printable. Be sure to check out the Free Member’s Library for more Mabon House Printables.
Lughnasadh
The third Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Lughnasadh, which is celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time of thanksgiving. It is traditional to hold feasts and give thanks for the bounty of the earth. Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas and is associated with the Welsh god Lugh.
Samhain
The fourth and final Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st in the Northern Hemisphere. This celebration marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Samhain is a time of remembering the dead and is often associated with Halloween. It is traditional to leave food and drink out for the spirits of the deceased. This custom can be seen today in the Latin American celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Despite their ancient roots, Cross Quarter Days are still very much a part of modern culture. Many people continue to celebrate these holidays as a way to connect with the natural world and to honor the cyclical nature of life. Cross Quarter Days are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and practice living intentionally with the seasons.
References and SUGGESTED READING
There are lots of great books that discuss the history of the Wheel of the Year and offer ideas for modern celebrations of the Cross Quarter Days.
Wicca Demystified by Bryan Lankford gives a good overview of modern Wiccan observances of the Wheel of the Year
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The Quiet Moon & A Winter's Rest
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you well and safe. It’s a Tuesday afternoon here in Maine and the sky is a beautiful mess of clouds and sun and the air is a pleasant cold. After a rather harrowing weekend storm that brought five inches of RAIN to the foothills, followed by an arctic blast, I am much appreciative of this quieter weather. Outside my window the river valley is shades of brown and green set against bright white hills. Life is returning to its normal cadence after a several days spent with family celebrating the holiday. It’s always a little bittersweet. I appreciate the quiet return of my regular schedule, but miss my kids.
The Quiet Moon
Next week is the first full moon of 2023. Ancient Celts called it the Quiet Moon. For me January has become a time of rest. There is no outside work to be done (other than shoveling) and I don’t travel much in the winter. The holiday rush is over and now is the time to relax and recharge.
I know that for many folks, the idea of resting when they work full time can seem impossible. Throw in some kids and the idea of slowing down becomes even more elusive. But, I’ve always kind of bucked the trend of busy and prioritized my time to include rest and recharge on a regular basis. When my kids were younger I limited the amount of organized activities they participated in and made our time at home as fun as possible (i.e. pizza and movie nights while camping out in the living room). It also helped that during the second half of raising my kids, they were with their dad a couple of weekends a month. That gave me a much needed break.
It’s funny. When I was in the thick of raising my kids, no one talked (openly) about needing a break from their family. It’s like the last taboo of Motherhood. I honestly never understood how married mom’s survived. From what I saw, they never got a break from their caregiving duties.
So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by family or work or life in general, I get it. And I’d encourage you to ask for help from your partner or family or circle of friends. Because you deserve a break and it is not defect to want time to yourself. Okay. I’m putting my soapbox away now. ;)
2023 Moon Chart
To celebrate the first Full Moon of the new calendar year, this week’s free printable is a new Moon Chart for 2023. I hope you like it!
Well Friends, that’s a wrap for 2022. I can’t express the joy that sending out a letter to you each week has brought me over this year. And connecting with so many of you on Instagram has been an added bonus. I’m looking forward to sharing some new adventures in 2023 with you all.
Happy New Year!
Yours,
Lorri