Apple Harvest Full Moon

I was fortunate enough to join the Apple Harvest Full Moon Circle out at Circle Sanctuary this past Monday. It was a gorgeous evening that began with apple pressing and some sweet freshly pressed apple cider. I met some lovely people and before I knew it, it was time to join the circle for the ritual.

Led by Selena Fox, we did a beautiful meditation with an apple, performed a healing circle, and raised our cups of cider to the glorious Goddess as She rose above the trees illuminating the night with Her beautiful white light. The sky was clear and She shone down upon us with Her smiling face and enveloped us in Her loving embrace.

It really was a night to remember. And the thing that I took away with me was the feeling of connectedness with like-minded souls and a connection to the Goddess that you only get when you go out into nature and commune with Her.

What is a Wassail Anyway?

I grew up singing that song 'Here we come a-wassailing . . .' but never knew what the heck it meant. So this year I decided to check into it and see what it means and what it means in a Yule celebration kind of way.

Wassail ~ A salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity; the drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar; a festivity characterized by much drinking.

In centuries past, villagers or townspeople got together in groups and went from door to door, singing and drinking to the health of their neighbors. This concept actually harkens back to pre-Christian fertility rites - except in those ceremonies, villagers traveled through their fields and orchards in the middle of winter, singing and shouting to drive away any spirits that might inhibit the growth of future crops. As part of this, they poured wine and cider on the ground to encourage fertility in the crops. Eventually, this evolved into the idea of Christmas caroling, which became popular during the Victorian era, and is still seen today in many areas.

While I'm not sure about going out in the middle of winter and pouring cider all over the apple trees in the neighborhood, I sure don't mind drinking a cup or two of wassail. Enjoy!

Crockpot Wassail

8 cups apple juice or cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
2 oranges
Whole cloves
1 apple, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon Allspice
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Nugmet
3 cinnamon sticks (or 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon)
1/2 cup - 1 cup brandy (optional)

Turn the crockpot on high and pour in the apple cider (or juice) and cranberry juice. Mix in the honey and sugar until dissolved. Stud the oranges with the cloves (25 to 30 should do the trick) and place in the pot. Add the diced apple, Allspice, Ginger and Nutmeg. Finally, snap the cinnamon sticks in half and add those as well. Cover the pot and cook on high for 1 hour. Change the setting to low and allow to simmer for 3 more hours. About half an hour prior to serving, add the Brandy if you choose to use it.

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green.
Here we come a-wand'ring so fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
and to all your wassail, too,
may the Gods bless you, and send you a Happy New Year,
the Gods send you a Happy New Year.

Tea Party Under a Halloween Moon

Welcome to a 'Tea Party Under a Halloween Moon' here at the Manor. Many thanks to our lovely hostess 'Anna' from 'Frosted Petunias' for bringing us together to share in the festivities of the season and to delight in the full moon!

Poor Adelaide ~ looks like she missed her landing again . . .

I see the rest of you made it all right though . . .

Please come in . . . the Aunts are out back brewing up some tea and will bring it in shortly.

Well, yes, I have been decorating ~ how kind of you to notice!

Everyone needs their own Witchy doll . . .

Oh, don't mind Aunt Esmeralda ~ she seems to think her candied apples are to die for . . . literally . . . they're to die for . . .

Cousin Penelope is conjuring up some witch's brew in the parlor . . .

Follow me this way into the dining room . . .

Ah, I see some of my guests are making themselves comfortable . . .

Please, pull up a chair and help yourself to some delectables . . .

I picked these fresh this morning . . .

Yes Cousin Esther, Candy Corn does grow on stalks . . .

Anyone care for some hot apple cider?

Ah, I see you're admiring my tarnished silver service . . .

I've got my eyes on you!

My Mabon altar which needs to be changed over for Samhain . . .

I couldn't resist this little pumpkin when I saw it in the store . . .

There's nothing like the warm glow of candles . . .

Anyone care for an apple? I promise they're not poisoned {cackle, cackle} . . .

Thank you all so much for coming! We enjoyed ourselves so much it's gotten dark outside. Enjoy the decorations and be careful of the spiders!