⍟——«« Autumn Always – Wonder Wisdom Words ╱╲╱╲❀╱╲

Fall in New England brings sweater weather, spectacular displays of foliage, and harvest celebrations. For many, a season filled with apple picking and pumpkin projects. For others, Autumn brings a kind of melancholic ode to Summer with a gradual slowing down and turning inward this time of year. The days become shorter and darker, trees begin to lose their leaves, and plants draw their energy inward in preparation for Winter. The best Autumn poems capture this season of striking change, using Fall as a metaphor for the cycle of life. As Frost wrote in one of his famous poems, Nothing Gold Can Stay. Which holds true for the golden leaves of Autumn and the halcyon days of Summer.

Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. ~Frost

We all have our favorite season, and for me it’s Fall. I love everything about Autumn ambience. Always. A remarkable time of year that ignites wonder, sentiment, and nostalgia. The crisp, chill air, brilliant Red Maple Trees, the tastes of Fall; ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, caramel, apple cider and homemade pie, the spirit of Autumn; Holly and Sage, the backyard harvest and making preserves, the sound of leaves under foot, and hillsides turning a kaleidoscope of colors. That said, it’s also an ideal time to plan a Harvest Celebration. There is something special about breaking bread in the outdoors with your favorite people during the colorful and atmospheric harvest season.

Magical Meal Suggestions. 1) Simplicity is key. 2) For a harvest dinner, a few pumpkins or gourds and bouquet of dried flowers on the table is all you need. The food is your main décor. 3) Bring out an old record player and classic albums to listen to tunes old school style. Remember music sets the atmosphere and tone for your celebration. 4) A cozy farm-to-table meal outside is ideal to fully embrace the Fall season. Ask guests to bring a local farm-to-table dish. Eating fresh, locally prepared food will add meaning to the meal.

Visit your local garden shop and pick up a few effortlessly beautiful Chrysanthemums ~the stalwart champions and queen of the Autumn garden, to grace the table as the perfect Fall centerpiece, or place a couple around the table perimeter, to cultivate charming color and romantic rustic outdoor ambiance. Include the New England tradition of serving real Vermont Maple Syrup with brunch and position several bottles of Farmhouse Pottery Syrup with true vintage vibes alongside place settings for guests to enjoy. Farmhouse Pottery is an old world pottery shop in modern day Vermont. Established in 2012, their journey began by creating a community of artisans that have a deep love for simple, beautiful pottery. Today, they offer a lifestyle with beautiful handmade wares and household goods rooted in the pursuit of authenticity, integrity, and joyful living.

Poet Philosopher John O’Donohue. John O’Donohue was born into a native Gaelic speaking family, on a farm inhabited by previous generations in Ireland. There he developed a close kinship with the wild landscape, forging a powerful connection with the elements shaping him. John later described the profound influence of his childhood home as a huge wild invitation to extend your imagination… an ancient conversation between the land and sea.With a Ph.D in Philosophical Theology, his writings broke new ground in our thinking about consciousness, with a richer and deeper notion of self and other. His legacy directs our search for intimacy to crucial thresholds: tradition and modernity, past and future, life and death, the visible and the invisible world. At the heart of his awakened beliefs was the premise that ancient wisdom could offer desperately needed nourishment for the spiritual hunger experienced in our modern world.

Tis’ the season for a fresh and simple root vegetable recipe. Carrot Ginger Soup is nutrient-rich and packs a powerful, healthful punch. Plus warms body to soul. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. sea salt
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 pound carrots, roughly chopped
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
3 cups vegetable broth
freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. maple syrup, optional
coconut milk for garnish, optional
fennel seeds garnish, optional

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, salt and pepper and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the mashed garlic cloves and carrots to the pot and cook 8 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the ginger, apple cider vinegar, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Let cool slightly and transfer to a blender. Blend until smooth. If your soup is too thick, add a little water. If you would like your soup a little sweeter, add some maple syrup.
Serve with a drizzle of coconut milk and garnish with fennel seeds, if desired.

This delicious Carrot Cake recipe is a Fall favorite from the executive chef at North America’s largest yoga-based healing center ~Kripalu Center in the Berkshires.

For The Frosting

1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 to 2 Tbsp. honey 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Whip cream cheese and butter together in a food processor or by hand with a fork until smooth. Add the vanilla and honey and mix thoroughly. Use immediately to frost cake.

For The Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
3 cups shredded carrots
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup sunflower oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cake pan.
Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the carrots and mix until they are coated with the flour mixture. Stir in the sugar, oil, and orange juice and mix until just blended. Stir in the raisins and walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan and use a spatula to spread batter evenly.
Bake until the edges pull away from the pan and a toothpick comes out clean, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting, if desired.

Fire Cider is a potent and popular herbal folk remedy popularized by esteemed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar ~who inspired the recipe below. This tasty vinegar infusion powered by warming and wellness-supporting ingredients, is an easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and raise your internal thermostat and immunity as the seasons transition and or when temperatures drop. I like to make this in the Fall, and then enjoy a spoonful daily to reap its full and flavorful benefits, until Summer sunshine.

Ingredients

1/2 cup grated fresh horseradish root
1/2 cup or more fresh chopped onions
1/4 cup or more chopped garlic
1/4 cup or more grated ginger

Directions

Chopped fresh or dried cayenne pepper to taste ~can be whole or powdered.
Optional ingredients; Turmeric, Echinacea, cinnamon, etc.
Place herbs in a half-gallon canning jar and cover with enough raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to cover the herbs by at least three to four inches. Cover tightly.
Place jar in a warm place and let for 3-4 weeks. Shake daily for the maceration process.
After three to four weeks, strain out the herbs, and reserve the liquid.
Add honey to taste. Warm the honey first so it mixes in well.
Re-bottle and enjoy! Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. Store in the refrigerator after opening.

Fire Cider! By Rosemary Gladstar. This can be made seasonally in a variety of ways, and look no farther than Gladstar’s new book: Fire Cider! for inspiration. A collection of 101 recipes contributed by more than 70 herbal enthusiasts, with creative versions ranging from Black Currant Fire Cider to Triple Goddess Vinegar, Fire Cider Dark Moonshine, and Bloody Mary Fire Cider. Colorful asides, including tribute songs and amusing anecdotes, capture Gladstar’s passionate desire to pass along the fire cider tradition. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated towards Traditions not Trademarks to help ensure that traditional herbal formulas are kept free from trademarking.

As the season’s transition, stress less and stay calm and in control with Bach Rescue Pastilles. Homeopathic tool to tame emotional triggers. Ideal for on-the go travel from home to anywhere, to stay on track. In the early 1930s, Dr. Bach’s research into the importance of emotional health on physical wellbeing, a notion that contemporary medicine has only accepted in recent decades, led him to identify 38 different plant and Flower Remedies. Known as The Bach Original Flower Remedies. 5 of the remedies are still used in the Rescue Line today. A formula trusted worldwide for 80+ years. Each dose contains Cherry Plum (Be In Control) Clematis (Have Focus) Impatience (Have Patience) Rock Rose (Have Courage) Star Of Bethlehem (Neutralize Grief). Still made in Switzerland using hand-picked flowers from Bach’s original gardens in Oxford.

Cosmically speaking, the Full Moon is the time of the month where energy peaks and then releases, like a cosmic sigh. Because the Full Moon is considered the energetic peak of the month, it’s the perfect time to tap into its power and practice a little self-care. Whether it’s cleansing physically or emotionally ~letting go of negative thoughts, patterns, behaviors, and even relationships, manifesting with the Moon as it’s called, is a way to take care of yourself and better manage your daily stressors. Rituals and mediations are often associated with intuition and tapping into creativity, as well. Each Full Moon is as a new chapter, a chance to start over, in the same way the Moon does in its cycle.

How To Manage Autumn Moonbeams

Tune Into Nature: Surrounding yourself with nature has a calming and grounding effect. Answering the call to nature around the Full Moon helps to calm unsettling feelings and brings some clarity to unanswered questions. Time spent in Nature is healing and can help you tune into its natural rhythms. Find a spot to sit quietly and take in some beauty, or take a walk in the park or hike in the woods.
Meditation Matters: Meditation offers the perfect opportunity to sit with your thoughts and reflect. Use the energy of the Full Moon ~when emotions often come to the surface, for some meditative introspection. Short or long mediation no matter, as long as you meditate.
Breathe Deeply: The pull of the Full Moon can often trigger strong emotions and uncomfortable sensations. Engaging in deep breathing will help to unfurl these emotions. Turn off your phone and find a quiet place where you can sit and pay attention to the rising and falling of your abdomen as you inhale and exhale. Place your hand on your heart and belly and take a few deep breaths. Repeat often to relax and ground your body.
Clear The Air: Cleaning your physical space helps to clear out any negative energy, making room for what you are asking to come in. Clear your home of clutter and things that no longer bring you joy. Open the windows to let fresh air in, put on bedding and wipe down surfaces, and water your plants. Do a ceremonial smudgestick burning to cleanse the air.
Take A Bath: There are many benefits of taking a cleansing bath as part of a Full Moon Ritual. Use this time to relax, meditate, and center yourself, focusing on your breath. When you let the water out of the tub, imagine you are letting go of whatever is no longer useful to you ~right down the drain. If you’re not a bath person, take a shower. Focus on washing away the dirt, negative energy, and things you have collected throughout the day or month, and imagine the water healing you as it rolls off your body.
Writing Down The Bones: Writing down your intentions helps you to manifest them in your actual life. Are you accomplishing your goals? If not, ask yourself why and begin devising a plan for being proactive. Re-evaluate your goals. Do they still resonate with you? If not, modify your plan and make them fit into your new vision. Begin again. Again and again.
Make Moon Water: Brew up a batch of Moon water which can be a powerful cleansing tool for the body and home. To make Moon water simply place a glass jar of water outside under the direct light of the Full Moon, allowing it to soak up its power. You can drink it daily, reminding yourself of your intentions. You can also use it to water your plants, cleanse your home, or put it in a spray bottle to create a facial mist.
Just Chill: Sometimes the best way to celebrate this lunar phase is by chilling. Cleanse your space, mind, and body, and then sit back and relax. Oftentimes, it is in stillness that we can fully see what is happening inside and all around us.
May The Force Be With You.

Visit An Energy Healer. The Fall season marks the beginning of the deep introspective journey we embark on throughout Winter. It’s about reflection and assessment. Honoring and harvesting the literal and metaphorical fruits of our labor. Autumn season is a time of transition, melancholy, and preparation for quieter months ahead. The Earth prepares for a period of rest, with energy having a downward momentum toward our roots. Which is an excellent time to visit an Energy Healer for some soul-healing. Energy healing is a holistic practice that activates the body’s subtle energy systems to remove blocks and tap into inherent ability to heal itself. No matter what personal pain point you arrive with, a skilled healer can guide you to an earlier experience where you felt that trauma for the first time. Then connect the dots between the past and the present. Energetically untangle the links between what you believed about yourself then and who you are now.

Sublime Sunshine Stone. The origin of the name of this beautiful gemstone comes from the Sanskrit tapas for Fire, which clearly evokes its essence. Golden Topaz is a true expression of Fire energy and it has been associated with it since ancient times in many cultures. As one of the first stones discovered and used by mankind, prized for its connection with the Sun. Giving off light, this Sunfilled stone of inspiration is used to manifest intentions in alignment with Divine Will. My absolute favorite gemstone, and a November Scorpio and Sagittarius birthstone, associated with the solar plexus ~thus it has strong heart-based loving and positive healing vibrations. Wear Golden Topaz in jewelry set in Gold this season for physical and emotional rejuvenation, and to strengthen trust in one’s innate power and abilities. For enduring radiant energy.

Tucked into the northeast corner of the United States, New England is a region of tall mountains, rich farmland, salty seacoasts, and everything in between. Steeped in history and full of spirit, New England is home to some of the nation’s most popular cultural attractions, parks, universities, and sports teams. Four distinct seasons and the perfect assortment of cities and small towns make New England a great place to live and travel to. Made up of six beautiful and diverse states. In the northeast corner is Maine. Next to Maine, on its western border, is New Hampshire. On the other side of New Hampshire is Vermont. Beneath New Hampshire and Vermont is Massachusetts, and beneath Massachusetts are Rhode Island to the southeast and Connecticut to the south.

Yankee Magazine September 2022. Route 7 In Massachusetts Winding 16-Mile Summit Road With Prime Berkshire Foliage Views And A Vista That Encompasses 5 States.

This season’s Yankee Magazine lays out the parameters of the ideal New England Fall Foliage Road Trip. Although Route 7 officially stretches from Norwalk Connecticut, to the Vermont/Canada border, the route is shortened slightly from Shelburn Vermont, to Kent Connecticut. It spans just over 200 miles, and, if driven in one shot, would take about five hours. Perfect to take four days; the road would provide the plan and leave the rest to chance! Follow Historic Route 7 and take any turn that beckons, stopping for pumpkin patches, apple cider, apples and maple syrup, breweries, historical landmarks, iconic inns, some off the beaten path short jaunts, and pretty fabulous Fall foliage photos guarenteed.

For The Love Of Trees. Ever wonder how to grow Oak trees from acorns? It’s easy! Late Fall is the perfect time of year to collect acorns to start growing new Oak trees over the Winter. Late dropping acorns (October and November) are typically healthiest. A healthy acorn specimen suitable for growing an Oak tree is one that is plump with a cap that is loose and or easily removed and not damaged. Take time to find the best specimens.

How To Grow Oak Trees From Acorns:

After inspecting the collected acorns, place them in a mixture of 1/2 peat and 1/2 loose barley in a clear zip-lock plastic food storage bag. Do not crowd the acorns. They should be loose in the mixture and the bag half-full.
Seal the bag and store it in the refrigerator throughout the Winter. Periodically check the moisture level ~it should be damp, but not wet. During the winter, the acorns should split open and white sprouts will begin to appear.

When To Plant Acorns:

In early Spring (late March to early April), fill individual plant pots with clean potting soil. Place the sprouted acorns horizontally in the soil about 1 1/2 inches deep and water. Place the pots in a south-facing window or under an artificial light source and keep the soil moist.
During the next few weeks, the acorns will sprout into a sapling, with a few tiny, yet visible Oak leaves. As the trees grow, transplant them into larger containers. Do not allow the trees to become root bound or dried out.
You may keep your trees in plant pots indefinitely, or until they have reached a desired size to plant outside. Before planting them in the ground, introduce the trees slowly to the outdoors by placing them in cooler areas such as on a porch, or in a shed for a few days at a time. Transplant them outside early Fall before danger of frost.