The Yulelog: Rekindling the Sun

The Yulelog: Rekindling the Sun

Traditionally, the Yule log is the last part of the winter solstice festival fire of the previous year. This final section of the final log is kept, generally wrapped in cloth and protected in the home until it is brought out the next year to continue the cycle.

Ethnobotany and the Epitaph

Ethnobotany and the Epitaph

The epitaph is a highly personal thing, especially in the modern period.  For centuries, plants have made an appearance on burial markers and urns. 

Humanity's Beautiful Diversity

Humanity's Beautiful Diversity

Human rights and diversity are important regardless of your background, dear reader, but are perhaps most spotlighted when concerning those members of society whose voices tend to be suppressed in some way.  Minority voices are important, brightening and enlivening the global human narrative, whether that be religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender expression, relative ablebodiedness, or other aspects. 

Mabon Stew

Mabon Stew

I wanted to share the recipe with you, both so that you can make it and so that I have a readily accessible copy.  This is essentially a loose recreation of something I put together several years ago while studying ethnobotany and living in UKC's student housing. 

Under the Harvest Moon

Under the Harvest Moon

This time of year is about reaping what was planted in the growing time.  Look to your Springtime goals, dear reader, and see what you have accomplished.  Do you still need to do more on certain projects?  Are there others that have fallen dormant but you still hold on to? 

Apples of Mabon

Apples of Mabon

In Celtic traditions, this time is called Mabon, and is the second of three harvest festivals. It is also sometimes called Alban Elfed, Cornucopia, the Wine Festival, or the Apple Festival (among other names).

Things I learned from plants (A Series): #3. You can heal from injury.

Things I learned from plants (A Series):  #3. You can heal from injury.

Whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise, dear reader, you can heal from injury.

Have you ever seen an old, decomposing tree stump in the depths of the forest, with a seedling sprouting from its ruin?  The decomposition and complete breakdown of the old makes way for an emergent new life form, providing the impetus for its growth and development.

Things I Learned from Plants (A Series): #2. Water is Life and Should Be Respected.

Things I Learned from Plants (A Series): #2. Water is Life and Should Be Respected.

Water is party to all things, dear reader.  While all Earth-dwelling embodied lifeforms have their own characteristics, goals, needs, and expectations of their environments, water is a common necessity they all share.  Without proper hydration, the brain's receptors stop interpreting and correlating information and general organ failure occurs, plants are unable to photosynthesize, and moisture continues to evaporate from the body at a rather high rate. 

Garden Helpers: Awesome Arachnids

Garden Helpers: Awesome Arachnids

There are many people who have some level of arachnophobia, or a fear of spiders.  While most keep to themselves, there are some that are highly aggressive when disturbed.  Generally these species rely heavily on web cues and have rather poor eyesight. 

NOTE: There are images of spiders in this post.  If that is something that disturbs you, you’ve been forewarned.

Things I learned from Plants (a Series): #1. Strong roots let you grow tall.

Things I learned from Plants (a Series):                       #1. Strong roots let you grow tall.

Have you ever noticed, dear reader, how a an unbalanced, top-heavy thing is prone to collapsing?  Some things are balanced by having a flat base on which to build, brick structures forming in orderly fashion.  Some have a reasonably stable base and overall structure, but topple when the weather or environment changes. 

Garden Helpers: The Bees, the Bugs, and the Doodlebugs

Garden Helpers: The Bees, the Bugs, and the Doodlebugs

What garden is complete without the gentle hum of insects, buzzing and chirping, going about their lives in their intrinsic ecological niche.

May the Green Forth be With You

May the Green Forth be With You

In every good world-building exercise, there is at least passing mention of the local flora and fauna.  The Star Wars universe is no different. Today, we're talking about the plants and plant-like beings of the franchise.

Breathe

Breathe

Sometimes, we all need to remember that.  Sometimes, whatever we're going through can seem so exciting, so daunting, so terrifying (not mutually exclusive, I've checked), that we have to take a moment and just breathe.

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

There are several species of mushrooms that alter a person's consciousness when ingested.  While botanically mushrooms are not classed as plants, they have played a significant role in human development, whether as a food source, a method of communing with the gods, or as an artistic muse.

Dandelion: Healing Your Gut Since 659 B.C.E.

Dandelion: Healing Your Gut Since 659 B.C.E.

One of the most commonly seen and often unwelcome plants, the dandelion (Taraxicum officinale), is relatively easily distinguishable with its iconic, serrated or toothed leaves and domed flower heads .