I woke early this morning and while standing at the sink, sipping my glass of water, vinegar and honey.. I noticed the stillness of the day.. Like Earth was resting before the wheel turned once more.. to Autumn Equinox, when nature hangs in perfect balance. Even the magpies knew that the season was changing. They have spent the day calling each other from the trees, their autumn call is different to their spring call. They were reminding me that they are here in my garden at Inglewood for the cooler months and I half expect to go outside and see the persimmon tree heavy with fruit.. but that is a few months of yet.. the magpies will have to wait for a little while, til the leaves fall from the tree and the fruit is visible in all its winter brilliance.....they call each other with that gorgeous haunting call that settles my soul and brings memories of hot soup simmering on the stove, of a comfy vintage cardie that I grab as I go out the door to pick herbs and of gathering sticks to kindle the fire that will be lit as the days get shorter and colder. It reminds me that my favourite time of year has arrived.
life is hectic right now for me and today, I cannot celebrate how I would really like to: by taking a long walk to observe what is happening in my neighbourhood.Today, I would love to gather bits to make a wreath.. I would love to harvest the last of my lavender, but sometimes life calls and you just have to participate. But I do have a big pot of pumpkin, leek and carrot soup (sprinkled with welsh onions from my garden) ready for dinner. candles burn on my altar, they twinkle through out my home.. .. a little bit of autumn magick for the time being
next week, when life has settled down here are a few things that I hope to do:
I hope to make use of my broom. Starting with a clean sweep of every room in the house and make an offering for peace and clarity. Clearing out stagnant energy left over from the heat of summer. Open all my windows and hang out the rugs and blankets. Let my pillows air out in the sun. Sunlight is Mother Nature's disinfectant.
I hope to go through my pantry and "restock my pantry with fresh cinnamon
sticks, whole cloves, whole nutmegs (with a tiny grater), allspice, curry powder, cumin, chilli powder, cayenne, peppercorns, sea salt. Warming herbs such as dried basil, marjoram, and dill are wonderful for the chill of the coming winter."
I hope to make my autumn equinox cake oneday next week and sit with my love sharing this gorgeous season here at Inglewood....
AUTUMN EQUINOX CINNAMON AND APPLE CAKE
preheat the oven to 160 deg. C (320F)
Lightly grease and line the base of a 20cm (7 1/2") round tin.
place
1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
1 cup almond meal
2 tsps baking powder
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
125g(4 1/2oz) melted butter
1/3 cup (2 1/2 fl oz) milk
1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp. vanilla
in a large bowl and mix until well combined.
spoon the mixture into the tin, top with 1 peeled and sliced apple
sprinkle with castor(superfine) sugar and extra cinnamon.
cook for 1 hour or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then brush with 1 cup melted apricot jam
but just for now, just for today I will "surround myself with the energies of the loves & blessings of my life."
(words in italics are from authors unknown or long forgotten)
15 comments:
such a beautiful post, Robyn...sigh it hardly feels like autumn where i live in queensland but at least i can daydream about it as i read your post. i love how you've painted the autumn season so beautifully with your words.
love, light and peace,
serena
As my lovely Aussie ladies (you and Serena) get ready for autumn, I am getting ready for spring!
I promised you pics of my garden to cheer you up during winter and I will deliver! Like you did for me :)
Hugs!
The recipe looks scrumptious! :)
Autumn is a beautiful time of year. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the recipe. :)
There's a little cooling beginning to happen in the evenings and mornings but it's still hot in the day and the mozzies are still biting ... but it's a wonderful time of the year*!*
I really love the new blog look you have here Robyn. It's so tranquil and serene.
I'm anxiously awaiting a real Spring day, one where I can finally do some work outside. That said Autumn is my favourite season, and the cake recipe you shared here sounds good. I think I will make it this weekend.
hugs
xx
Here I am at the start of spring, with the urge to spring clean so very strong and the promise of new beginnings and your post is a nice reminder of the circle of life and seasons yet to come. Off to my own altar to give thanks for the wonders of the world.
I really like your blog, I too like vintage clothing... so well made and full of life (not like the carelessly made store bought stuff). We are entering spring in my part of the world, to sides to the same coin... :0)
Robyn-Happy equinox. Enjoy your lovely season...Continued bets wishes for Paul :)
Today the magpies were in my yard too! Celebrating the change of season. Isn't that funny how they made themselves noticed to us both?
Blessings to you!
As you know we above the equator is the first day of spring.
I don't see many sign of spring here in my neighborhood.
But as I go for my walks I can here birds singing away as they built a nest.
I got a picture post over on my blog and you can see the snow.
I'm copy your recipe and the coffee is on.
Your soup and that cake both sound delicious. Sweeping out the old season to make room for the new - yes, I need to do that here, too. Happy Autumn to you, Robyn! XOXO
It is amazing that this is the second autumn that I have shared with you already, where does time go?
My joy is all about spring, which is my favourite, probably cause I was born in the middle of it.
So I love the juxtapostion of us enjoying our respective seasons and getting joy and peace from them. And at the same time being able to appreciate each others perspective.
love
xx
to robyn,
this helps to remind me of the connection i have always had with autumn and how the vernal equinox stirs deeply in us and in the Earth and her waters.
thank you for sharing such a beautiful inner landscape of all the bounty and hope and fears that autumn symbolises.
soon the astrality will be apparent as the leaves take on their autumnal shroud.
and we shall all feel part of the great cosmic wheel, enlivened, before the dead of winter appears.
with my warm wishes to you,
jill
Ohh yum! I have all those things in my pantry right now.
Rob I am back with conditions but I am gonna try my best to fix things.
And, I have to become me again.
Hey Miss "R". Wonderful, soothing autumn equinox post. Leaving feeling good, as usual.
Just scrolled and read about Paul. Such good news. Miracles do happen. xoxoxoxo
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