September musings... The Sun casts certain shadows in the month of September...that I just love to observe...and actually sit or stand in... for a minutes outside each day...and just "be" in it's waning light. It feels different...it looks different...the Sun's light that is...because it is retreating...slowly...as if by some cosmic clock...so the lovely season of Autumn can begin.
This month offers...soothing energy...as if the whole Earth...can sigh a big breath of release...from the intense heat of the Summer cycle...and the frenzy of growth. Just as the Sun is retreating it's bright light of the Summer season...you are given this natural yearly signal...to retreat also...and embrace the Autumn...known as the cycle of "gathering in"...to reflect... to release...give thanks...and explore yourself more deeply...for your personal growth in the future.
This is a time of great change and release in my own life...my youngest and last child at home...has spread her wings and moved away to college...leaving a feeling of emptiness for me in my heart...and her echo left here in our home. I miss her something fierce...but I know that this is such a very necessary step for her growth...and one for me too...as her parent .I need...and each person needs... to know how and when to release and let go...no matter how painful that experience might feel in the moment.
As one door closes...another door opens.
No matter what release you are now facing...embrace it...because something new awaits you on the other side. It may not be what you want...but more than likely it is what your soul needs for your life to expand...and for you to grow. Take the gift of this month of September...to be like the Sun...and retreat within yourself...connect and honor your feelings...and reflect on your life events...change... and what you need to release from your life...no matter what that might be.
This is what I must do right now...reflect...feel...release...so when the time is right...I can move forward...to embrace a new chapter in my life.
And be at peace.
Peaceful release to you,
Victoria
There are flowers enough in the
Summertime
More flowers than
I can remember-
But none with the purple,gold,and red
That dyes the flowers of September!
by Mary Howitt
(1799-1888)
THE SEPTEMBER HOME...Is all about nesting..bringing order...beauty and balance once again to the place you call home.Return to your kitchen for Autumn baking...making hearty soups and stews...and place apples...nuts and herbs on your kitchen counters. Fall cleaning is also in order this month...so clean your home from top to bottom. Be sure to add natural pest control buy placing small cedar squares in closets and drawers.
LEAVING THE NEST REFLECTION JAR...
My youngest daughter and last child at home...has just left for college...and my emotions feel so raw...and I know they will remain a roller coaster for some time...as I settle in to my cycle of being an "empty nester". I wanted to express my feelings and keep them...as I feel it is so important to write out how I feel...and hold the memories too. You might want to do this also...for a child of yours who is going off to college...moving into their first place...or moving to a new city...away from you.
Fill up your Leaving The Nest Reflection Jar ...starting the very day your child moves out and add to it each day for a FULL year...then present it to your child...on the exact day...the following year...to cherish forever your heart emotions...and deepest inner feelings when they left home for the first time.
Supplies you will need:
1 large recycled bottle or jar
small blank tags
pen
Each day record your feelings or thoughts by writing them out on one of your blank tags...then place in your jar or bottle. If you wish say a prayer or express a loving message to your child as you finish placing the written tag in the bottle.
Present your Leaving The Nest Reflection Jar to your child one year from the day they left home as a cherished gift to them...and ask them to carry on the tradition with their own children.
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS...
September 7th...Grandparents Day... September 21st.. International Day of Peace...September 23rd...Fall Equinox
In Greece the September Equinox is associated with the Greek mythology of the goddess Persephone and her return to be with her husband in the underworld. It is also a time when the Greeks reflect on successes or failures from the previous months.
In China...The mid-Autumn festival also known as the Moon Festival is celebrated around the time of the Fall Equinox...which honors the abundance of the Summers harvest with special moon cakes that are filled with lotus...sesame seeds...duck eggs or dried fruit.
SEPTEMBER IN FRENCH...Septembre
SEPTEMBER IN SPANISH...Setiembre
FOLKLORE...
Married in Septembers
golden glow, smooth
and serene your life will go.
FULL MOON...September 27th
LUNAR ECLIPSE... September 27th
FLOWERS FOR SEPTEMBER...Lily...asters
GEMS FOR SEPTEMBER...Sapphire
FACTS ABOUT SEPTEMBER...In Old England September was called Haervest-Monath (Harvest Month). This is the month to gather up the rest of the harvest and prepare for Winter.
TEACHINGS OF SEPTEMBER...This month is wonderful to reflect on your successes and failures so far this year...and make peace with situations that did not go the way you wanted them to. Do Fall cleaning and organize your home.
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
September is such a great month to clean out and clear out...your home environment...and creating a Home Blessing is such a special way to cleanse your home... once you have completed your cleaning and clearing out process. I have designed a simple...lovely... and meaningful HOME BLESSING e-course that offers you a wonderful way to clear your home of unwanted energies and add the qualities you really want for your home and family. You will be able to feel the positive difference in your home creating my Home Blessing...and will want to make it a yearly tradition. By ordering my Home Blessing just once...you will have the directions...and easy to follow format to do just that...year after year ...after year. My Home Blessing e-course also makes a great gift to give to those you love and care about.
To order my Home Blessing...just click on the TRADITIONS button that you will find on my website found on the right sidebar...or www.seasonallivingandtimelesstraditions.com
..FOR YOUR HEARTH
Carry on the tradition of baking...and make fresh baked goods this month of September in honor of the harvest season.
I am crazy good over any fruit dessert...and cobblers to me are so comforting and wholesome. Try this ever so good blackberry cobbler...and enjoy this wonderful traditional fruit dessert.
BLACKBERRY COBBLER
serves 6 to 8
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 cups fresh blackberries
1 cup sugar...plus a bit for sprinkling on top
1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of fine sea salt
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
vanilla ice cream,,,,optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet or ovenproof baking dish in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let the butter burn.
While the skillet is heating up...place the blackberries in a large bowl. Using a potato masher...mash them to release some of their juices.If the berries are tart...sprinkle them with some of the sugar.
To make the batter...in another bowl...whisk together the flour...baking powder...and salt. Add the 1 cup sugar...milk...and vanilla extract...and stir until evenly blended.Next...remove the hot skillet from the oven and add the melted butter to the batter...and stir to combine. Pour the mixed batter all at once into the hot skillet...then add the blackberries and the juices to the center of the batter.
Bake until the top is golden brown and a cake tester (knife) comes out clean...about 60 minutes. Serve warm...or at room temperature with ice cream if you wish.
...FOR YOUR HEART
Have a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt...in your neighborhood or nearby park...and embrace your inner child!
Go to an apple orchard and pick your own apples.
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