I love this post so much. All these things have been on my mind so much lately, with the anniversary of my dad’s death approaching. I want to remember it in a more heartfelt and holy way. Also, I love the stuff about apples! I ran across a description of Lamb’s wool in a book called ‘England of Song and Story’ and made a version of apple juice, apple sauce and spices (and a hint of brown sugar). I love this season!
Hallowtide really has a different sense after losing a loved one, doesn't it? I'm so sorry you're coming up on a hard anniversary - the approach of those is so hard.
Oooo I need to add the book you mentioned to my list!!
I enjoyed this essay so much, Kristin...I keep meaning to add Hutton's The Stations of the Sun to my To-Read list (so thank you for that footnote reminder).
I also love the pomegranate-theme with your owl (and the image affiliated w/ the Signs + Seasons guild)...my family of three choose a pomegranate every year and consume three seeds on Halloween night -- it's been a tradition since B was little. It began as a recognition of the myth of Persephone & the Seasons but I've learned SO much about the pomegranate and its symbolism (alongside the unicorn) within my own PA German ancestry -- our tradition is ever-so much more meaningful now than when it first began so many years ago. ♡
I'm SO glad you enjoyed, Jessica - these days are just so beautiful & rich, and I feel like they'd been hiding in plain sight to me for so many years! You'll love Stations of the Sun...I can't say I've read it cover to cover (it's a tome!), but I dip into it for various topics, and I've found Hutton's research to be really detailed and balanced. (Sidebar - have you watched Tudor Monastery Farm, or any of Ruth's other documentaries? Ronald Hutton is in it!)
Oh my goodness, we absolutely have the pomegranate tradition too!! Every Halloween, we eat pomegranate seeds while watching the Great Pumpkin. :) It's the classic Halloween fruit! (Also, our departed cat's name was Persephone - I studied Greco/Roman Civ & Language in college, so all of our pets have had very classically-informed names 😂) I'd love to hear about the PA German connection to the pomegranate!
Do you know what's so funny? I went to Goodreads to add the Hutton book and I already have it on my list -- I added it last November! Maybe I'll add it to my holiday wish list.😉
Also...I *think* I might have seen Tudor Monastery Farm in our ROKU freebies. (The only TV we're willing to pay for is PBS Passport. 😆)
Oh, I love that you have the pomegranate tradition, too -- AND that your pets have been given classically-informed names...similarly, I once had a hedgehog named Hawthorne (after Nathaniel -- because I love his short story, "Rappaccini's Daughter"). ♡
You will LOVE Tudor Monastery Farm. It's a historian and two archaeologists exploring what it would have been like to spend a year working a monastery farm. It's an annual tradition for me!
I love the pomegranate symbols too. In my latest novel, the main character Waldo helps his uncle deliver a calf and is asked to name it. He names it Pomegranate--Pom for short. Uncle Charles laughs and says he won’t attempt to spell it. Pom ends up being a symbol for the fertility and promise of youth. Waldo leaves her behind to go to war.
Oh Ollie, it truly makes my day to hear that you're enjoying my meanderings so much! It's such a treat getting to connect with kindred spirits like you here. :)
I love this post so much. All these things have been on my mind so much lately, with the anniversary of my dad’s death approaching. I want to remember it in a more heartfelt and holy way. Also, I love the stuff about apples! I ran across a description of Lamb’s wool in a book called ‘England of Song and Story’ and made a version of apple juice, apple sauce and spices (and a hint of brown sugar). I love this season!
Hallowtide really has a different sense after losing a loved one, doesn't it? I'm so sorry you're coming up on a hard anniversary - the approach of those is so hard.
Oooo I need to add the book you mentioned to my list!!
Mmm! The lambswool sounds delicious. I love the fact about the candles and the connection to Candlemas.
Isn't that interesting? That's what gets me REALLY excited about the calendar...seeing the connections that happen between different feasts.
I enjoyed this essay so much, Kristin...I keep meaning to add Hutton's The Stations of the Sun to my To-Read list (so thank you for that footnote reminder).
I also love the pomegranate-theme with your owl (and the image affiliated w/ the Signs + Seasons guild)...my family of three choose a pomegranate every year and consume three seeds on Halloween night -- it's been a tradition since B was little. It began as a recognition of the myth of Persephone & the Seasons but I've learned SO much about the pomegranate and its symbolism (alongside the unicorn) within my own PA German ancestry -- our tradition is ever-so much more meaningful now than when it first began so many years ago. ♡
I'm SO glad you enjoyed, Jessica - these days are just so beautiful & rich, and I feel like they'd been hiding in plain sight to me for so many years! You'll love Stations of the Sun...I can't say I've read it cover to cover (it's a tome!), but I dip into it for various topics, and I've found Hutton's research to be really detailed and balanced. (Sidebar - have you watched Tudor Monastery Farm, or any of Ruth's other documentaries? Ronald Hutton is in it!)
Oh my goodness, we absolutely have the pomegranate tradition too!! Every Halloween, we eat pomegranate seeds while watching the Great Pumpkin. :) It's the classic Halloween fruit! (Also, our departed cat's name was Persephone - I studied Greco/Roman Civ & Language in college, so all of our pets have had very classically-informed names 😂) I'd love to hear about the PA German connection to the pomegranate!
Do you know what's so funny? I went to Goodreads to add the Hutton book and I already have it on my list -- I added it last November! Maybe I'll add it to my holiday wish list.😉
Also...I *think* I might have seen Tudor Monastery Farm in our ROKU freebies. (The only TV we're willing to pay for is PBS Passport. 😆)
Oh, I love that you have the pomegranate tradition, too -- AND that your pets have been given classically-informed names...similarly, I once had a hedgehog named Hawthorne (after Nathaniel -- because I love his short story, "Rappaccini's Daughter"). ♡
Awww Hawthorne! That's perfect.
You will LOVE Tudor Monastery Farm. It's a historian and two archaeologists exploring what it would have been like to spend a year working a monastery farm. It's an annual tradition for me!
I love the pomegranate symbols too. In my latest novel, the main character Waldo helps his uncle deliver a calf and is asked to name it. He names it Pomegranate--Pom for short. Uncle Charles laughs and says he won’t attempt to spell it. Pom ends up being a symbol for the fertility and promise of youth. Waldo leaves her behind to go to war.
Your Substack is one of my favorites. Beautifully written and heartfelt, and I learn so much from every post.
Oh Ollie, it truly makes my day to hear that you're enjoying my meanderings so much! It's such a treat getting to connect with kindred spirits like you here. :)