Samhain: Forever Night

There is a place, a place I know
Where all the kindred spirits go,
Where you can hear the faerie song,
Where hopes and dreams still linger on.
The days are brightly filled with cheer
and merrily songs do fill the ear.
And as the old year passes by,
And time, it so does seem to fly,
Then I will know, the time has come
to honor those who’ve gone along.

Welcome to the longest night of the year, a magickal interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the veil between the living and spirit worlds are their thinnest. It's a day made for divination, for communicating with those who have already passed. And of course, it's a day for honoring those already in the next life.

Samhain (pronounced sow-en) comes from Old Irish roughly meaning "summer's end," and marks the longest night of the year. During this time, Pagans all over the world reflect on death and rebirth, as this day means a return of light after a long, dark night. Many celebrate by creating altars meant to honor the dead, lighting candles and walking a labyrinth, reading the Tarot and other divination tools, and preparing a Dumb Supper.

This supper, also known as the Feast of the Dead (Gaelic: "Fleadh nan Mairbh"), was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the dead roaming the night. You might recognize a part of this in today's trick or treating! In some areas, this practice continues, both on altars and during Samhain night's dinner, where place offerings and extra chairs were made for any spirits that might come by for a visit.

Whether preparing your own Dumb Supper or simply having guests (human and spirit forms alike), you know we've got you covered with recipes and decorating ideas. Be sure to check out our fresh-from-the-pumpkin bread, braaaaains!, and our cocktails, including witches' brew and pumpkin pie martinis -- my personal favorite!

The ancient Celts also hollowed out turnips and carved to represent protective spirits, then lit from the inside to send ghosts on their ways. Again, you might recognize this custom in today's Jack o' Lanterns.

Of course, there are far too many Samhain customs to list in just one blog post. For more information, I reference you to my favorite WitchVox article: "You call it Hallowe'en... We call it Samhain." It is arguably one of the best compilations of current traditions compared to old customs I've read in a while.

No matter how you celebrate this Samhain, be sure to take a moment and reflect on those who have passed in your life. If you desire, light a candle to commemorate each one, and pay your respects to your ancestors, family members, friends, pets, and other deceased loved ones. Who knows, perhaps one may even pay you a visit... ;)

Meatless Monday: Pregnancy and Vegetarians

Any vegetarian embarking on any life journey is sure to get some questioning looks and even some invasive questions. Of no exception is pregnancy: How do you expect a baby to thrive when the mother is vegetarian? She needs her meat, right?

Actually, this isn't true! In fact, if a vegetarian diet is based on nutritious whole foods, it can be a very healthy choice for pregnant women. Of course, some adjustments would need to be made to accommodate the baby, but these adjustments hold true for both vegetarians and omnivores: Increase your calcium, protein, folic acid, and overall calorie intake (modestly, about 200-300 calories per day) by eating foods rich in these vitamins and nutrients. Done right, a vegetarian diet is a great thing for a mother and her developing baby.

These guidelines for the vegetarian pregnant woman are just as applicable for the omnivorous pregnant woman. Begin a heathy diet before you're pregnant, as your body's store of nutrients support the early growth and development of your baby. Be sure to maintain a steady rate of weight gain, aiming for three to four pounds total during the first trimester and three to four pounds each month during the second and third trimesters. These numbers will differ for each woman, so more importantly, see your healthcare provider -- be it an OB, midwife, doula, or other provider -- on a regular basis.

The following are nutrients that should serve as a good guideline for pregnant vegetarians and omnivores alike! To be sure you're getting adequate nutrition, check this chart for vegetarian foods rich in these nutrients:

Calcium: Tofu, dark leafy vegetables, kale, broccoli, beans, figs, sunflower seeds, tahini (mmm, hummus!), almond butter, and calcium-fortified soymilks, cereals, and juices. When looking for fortified products, especially soymilk, make sure that the beans are organic. Silk or Vitasoy are great sources of organic soybean milks.

Vitamin D: Learn to love the sun! The normal source of vitamin D is sunlight, so spend at least 20 to 30 minutes in direct sunlight on your hands and face, two to three times per week. Don't overdo it, though, due to the risk of certain skin cancers, and be sure to wear sunscreen if you plan on being out in the sun for a while. If you're not a sunny-side person, many vitamins and foods are fortified with vitamin D, including cereals, soy milk, and rice milk.

Vitamin B12: Unfortunately, this vitamin does not occur naturally in most plant foods, so B12-fortified foods are a must. Many cereals, some meat substitute products, some brands of soy milk, and Vegetarian Support Formula nutritional yeast are fortified with B12; try to find "cyanocobalamin" in the ingredients list, as that is the most absorbable form of B12. Vitamin B12 is also in all standard multivitamins and vegetarian supplements. Note that seaweed and products like tempeh are generally not reliable sources of B12.

Folic Acid: This is incredibly important to women trying to conceive all the way through the end of the first trimester of the pregnancy, as are all other B vitamins. To get the proper amount of these nutrients, leafy vegetables, nuts, grains, and fruits are excellent sources. For other vitamin B sources, check out yeast extracts.

Iron: Definitely one of the more contentious points of vegetarianism, many people find it hard to explain to people how they get their daily value of iron. Fortunately, iron is abundant in plant-based diets! Beans, dark green vegetables, dried fruits, blackstrap molasses, nuts, seeds, and whole grain or fortified breads and cereals all contain plenty of iron. However, during the second half of pregnancy, many women find it necessary to take a supplement regardless of the type of diet they follow -- and this includes omnivorism. Discuss these supplements with your healthcare provider to find one that's right for you.

Protein: Yet another contentious point! This is made more difficult by the fact that pregnant women need to increase their protein intake by about 30% during the course of the pregnancy, but fortunately, there are several sources of vegetarian proteins... and many pregnant women with a well-balanced vegetarian diet are already getting enough. Protein-rich vegetarian foods include legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and whole grains, making protein needs easily attained during pregnancy.

Empty calories: Finally, limit empty calories found in highly processed foods and sweets. Make those extra calories count!

And what happens after the baby is born? If you're breastfeeding, the guidelines are very similar to those for pregnant women above, and as milk production requires more calories, you'll need to boost your food intake a bit to make up for it. Regular breastfeeding can take up to 500 calories per day!

Pregnant or not, this is an excellent guide for those wanting a balanced vegetarian diet. Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor or midwife. Best of luck and congratulations to any women trying to conceive, already pregnant ladies, and all the mommas out there reading this!

Theological Thursday: Pagan Weddings and Flowers

Weddings nowadays tend to have elaborate budgets for their florals and faunas, even in this crunched economy. From real flowers to silk flowers to the clay flowers Matt and I will have, most all weddings incorporate flowers into the ceremony and reception. But where did the tradition of flowers come about? Sure, they're pretty, but like most wedding trappings, they come with a story, too.

According to different sources, noted below, herbs and flowers bring the bride luck, fidelity, and fertility, depending on what they carry down the aisle. Roman couples wore garlands of herbs and garlic to ward off evil spirits and other things that might affect the marriage in the future; the Celts carried bouquets of ivy, thistle, and heather; Swedes had the groom carrying thyme in his pocket to ward off trolls. But these customs aren't only ancient; in present day, those getting married in India would experience brothers of the groom showering the bride in rose petals in an elaborate ceremony to ward off evil and protect the bride in her wedded adventures.

Nowadays, Pagans tend to include specific flowers and herbs into their bouquets to represent different aspects of their relationship and what they hope to bring into it in the future. These flowers and herbs hold special meanings, and are included in traditional weddings as well as handfastings. The flowers don't have to be limited to the bouquet, either; the circle could be surrounded by flower petals, circlets could be created for the bride's hair, the ring pillow could be stuffed with them, or "kissing knots" -- strings of rosemary and roses hung by a string -- could bring luck to anyone who walked under them, not only the bride and groom.

Below are some flowers and herbs, and their magickal significances, provided by TheKnot.com. Feel free to add any of these appropriate flowers to your own ceremony! (Please note this is not at all a complete list.)

Anemone
Meaning: Expectation
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: None
In Season: Fall (Japanese) to spring (Wood or De Caen)
Price Range: Moderate
Floral Fact: Anemones bloom in either single or double blossoms.

Baby's Breath
Meaning: Innocence
Best For: Filler in bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres
Scent: None
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Inexpensive

Calla Lily
Meaning: Magnificent beauty
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: Lightly fragrant
In Season: Spring and summer
Price Range: Expensive
Floral Fact: This large tropical flower is very popular in weddings.

Carnation
Meaning: Pink represents boldness, red symbolizes love, and white indicates talent. Some other colors have negative connotations (see below).
Best For: Bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements
Scent: Very light fragrance or none at all, depending on variety
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Inexpensive

Chrysanthemum (or mum)
Meaning: Wealth, abundance, truth
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: None
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Inexpensive
Floral Fact: Mums come in several varieties, which determine their size and color. The name literally means "golden flower."

Daffodil
Meaning: Regard
Best For: Garden settings, in pots
Scent: None
In Season: Spring
Price Range: Inexpensive (in season)

Daisy
Meaning: Share your feelings
Best For: Bouquets
Scent: None
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Inexpensive (in season)

Delphinium
Meaning: Swiftness, lightness
Best For: Arrangements
Scent: Lightly fragrant
In Season: Summer
Price Range: Moderate

Freesia
Meaning: Innocence
Best For: Bouquets
Scent: Very fragrant
In Season: Spring and summer
Price Range: Inexpensive (in season)

Gardenia
Meaning: Purity, joy
Best For: Bouquets and boutonnieres
Scent: Very fragrant
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Expensive

Hydrangea
Meaning: Understanding
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: None
In Season: Spring and fall
Price Range: Expensive

Iris
Meaning: A message of faith, wisdom
Best For: In arrangements or potted
Scent: Fragrant
In Season: Spring
Price Range: Moderate to expensive, depending on variety
Floral Fact: Irises come in several sizes; they are usually blue or white, but you may find exotic varieties (including purple ones).

Lilac
Meaning: Love's first emotions
Best For: Filler in arrangements or as part of bouquets, depending on variety
Scent: Very fragrant
In Season: Local lilacs are available in the spring; imported French lilacs are available year-round
Price Range: Moderate to expensive
Floral Fact: The local lilac is grown like a bush, and is used as filler because of its greenery. The French lilac is more flower-like and can be used as such in bouquets and arrangements.

Lily
Meaning: Majesty, truth, honor
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: Fragrant
In Season: Summer, but often imported during other seasons
Price Range: Moderate to expensive

Lily of the Valley
Meaning: Happiness
Best For: Bouquets, in combination with other flowers
Scent: Fragrant
In Season: Spring and summer
Price Range: Expensive
Floral Fact: These small, fragile, bell-shaped flowers are considered traditional marriage flowers.

Magnolia
Meaning: Love of nature
Best For: Arrangements
Scent: Depends on variety
In Season: Spring and summer
Price Range: Expensive
Floral Fact: Magnolias are more common in Southern-style weddings, as most magnolia trees grow in the South.

Orchid
Meaning: Love, beauty
Best For: Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres
Scent: None
In Season: Year-round -- almost always imported
Price Range: Expensive
Floral Fact: This exotic flower comes in a variety of colors and sizes.

Peony
Meaning: Bashfulness, the American spirit of ambition and determination
Best For: Arrangements
Scent: Lightly fragrant
In Season: Late spring
Price Range: Expensive

Rose
Meaning: Love, joy, beauty
Best For: Bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and arrangements
Scent: Lightly fragrant to very fragrant, depending on variety
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Moderate to expensive
Floral Fact: Roses are the most popular wedding flowers.

Stephanotis
Meaning: Marital happiness
Best For: Bouquets and arrangements
Scent: Very fragrant
In Season: Year-round
Price Range: Moderate
Floral Fact: These trumpet-shape blossoms are traditional bridal flowers, no doubt due to their meaning.

Sunflower
Meaning: Short-stemmed sunflowers mean adoration; long-stemmed sunflowers symbolize haughtiness
Best For: Carrying a single stem down the aisle; potted arrangements
Scent: None
In Season: Fall
Price Range: Inexpensive to moderate in season

Sweet Pea
Meaning: Pleasure
Best For: Garden setting, in vases
Scent: Fragrant
In Season: Late spring and early summer
Price Range: Moderate

Tulip
Meaning: Love, passion
Best For: Arrangements and bouquets
Scent: None
In Season: Late spring
Price Range: Expensive
Floral Fact: These sweet and stately flowers can be found in a myriad of colors, but they are very fragile.

There are also unfavorable flowers. Be sure to NOT put these into your bouquet, as they tend to signify things you might not want in your marriage! Of course, you're more than welcome to turn your nose at tradition, but here they are, just in case. :)

• Christmas Rose: Scandal
• Fig: Idleness
• Foxglove: Insincerity
• Larkspur: Infidelity
• Lavender: Distrust
• Marigold: Grief
• Mulberry: I shall not survive you
• Raspberry: Remorse
• Red Carnation: Alas for my poor heart
• Red Poppy: Consolation
• Rhododendron: Danger
• Striped Carnation: Refusal
• White Poppy: Sleep
• Yellow Carnation: Disdain
• Yellow Chrysanthemum: Slighted Love
• Yellow Lily: Falsehood
• Yellow Rose: Jealousy

There are also herbs and flowers that are sacred to various Gods and Goddesses. If you and your partner feel a special connection to a particular deity, find what plant is sacred to them, and bring it into your ceremony. Whatever your choices, knowing that these herbs and flowers are bringing their specific vibrations to your commitment ritual can bring a Pagan element to the day -- no matter how non-Pagan it might seem!

If you'll notice in our bouquet, we have burnt orange calla lilies (magnificent beauty), the miniature pumpkins (fertility & contacting the Spirit World), alstroemeria (friendship and devotion), some chocolate brown king proteas (change and transformation), some reddish green hipericum berries (banishes evil spirits), and roses (love, joy, and beauty). What do you have in your arrangements?

Sources:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Borders

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Borders