Sacred Earth
Exploring Nature and Culture
Nature Notes:
Samhain – Journey to the Otherworld
When the wheel of the year turns to Samhain, the days are growing shorter, the leaves are falling from the trees, and the life force retreats beneath the surface, into the deep, dark womb of Mother Earth. The harvest is gathered, and we settle into a different rhythm, feasting on its gifts and replenishing our energies. Veiled in darkness, by the flickering flames, stories of old keep us spellbound. We huddle together, sharing memories of days gone by and of those who have passed on to the Otherworld.
At this time of year, the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld are said to grow thin, allowing spirits to pass more freely. We remember and honour our loved ones who have gone before us.
Death is present, reminding us of the transience of our existence: each life a fleeting moment in eternity. And yet, each of us carries the flame of life within, like a precious ember of the sacred fire, the creative source.
Current issue
Pumpkins
Few foods are as quintessentially autumnal as the pumpkin. With their bright colours, bold shapes and sometimes downright ridiculous proportions, pumpkins are hard to ignore. They brighten market stalls, fill our kitchens with warming seasonal dishes and, come Halloween, turn into sinister-faced candlelit decorations.
Yet behind these familiar autumn vegetable curiosities lies a much older and more fascinating story. Originally cultivated by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago, they have developed into an astonishing diversity of forms. Interestingly, their seeds were valued long before their flesh became the basis of pies, soups and other culinary delights. Pumpkins have found their way into traditional medicine, featured in folklore and even sparked fierce competition among growers to produce the biggest pumpkin on earth.
So, whether you know them as pumpkins, squashes or gourds, these extraordinary members of the cucumber family deserve a closer look. From ancient American agriculture to Halloween traditions, there's considerably more to the humble pumpkin than the famous pie.
How Stingy Jack became Jack-o-Lantern
A deal with the Devil, a trickster who thought he could outwit death, and a lonely soul condemned to wander through the darkness with nothing but a glowing ember to light his way. The Irish tale of Stingy Jack is a curious mixture of mischief, superstition and the supernatural. But how did this wandering rogue become associated with the familiar Halloween lantern, and why did people once carve frightening faces into turnips rather than pumpkins? Step into the shadows and discover the folklore behind the Jack-o'-lantern.
Birch (Betula sp.)
The graceful birch tree has always held a special place in our hearts.
Cacao can do more – New Uses for an Old Crop
This article is about unknown uses of Theobroma cacao. This remarkable tree can offer even more than chocolate – as if that wasn’t enough.
12 amazing superfood properties of Cacao
This article is about the amazing nutritional superfood benefits of Cacao and high Cacao content chocolate.
History of the Cocoa Tree- Theobroma cacao
This article is a short introduction to one of my favourite plants: Cocoa – Theobroma cacao, the food of the gods.
Frankincense (Boswellia sp.)
Frankincense is well-known as that stuff that is burnt in church. But what exactly is it, and where does it come from?
Tree Profile: Yew (taxus baccata)
Few western European trees are as enigmatic as the Yew. Dark, brooding and sometimes eery, each Yew tree very much has its own personality.
The Cultural History of Grapes
There are at least 8000 cultivated varieties of grapes, most of which are grown in the Northern Hemisphere. Grapes are one of the most important agricultural crops in the world. But they have far more uses than ordinarily meet the palate.
Plant Profile: Moringa
The Moringa tree, though not well-known outside its native habitat, is a blessing, offering multiple gifts for the benefit of mankind.
Sugar Maple – A Sweet Miracle
Sugar Maple is an iconic tree of the northeastern parts of the US. Its display of bright orange and red fall foliage is world-famous.
Plant Profile: Walnut
Walnut trees (Juglans regia) are acclimated foreigners in our northern latitudes. Their home is in the warm, and fertile regions of south-east Europe, northern Greece, northern Italy, and France, where they are widely cultivated.