Looking for a Sign Part 3: Year of the Moon

The moon is important for many farmers.  In Biodynamic farming all planets and celestial bodies are considered to effect plant growth, but the rising and falling of the moon is considered especially important.  Much like the pull of the moon effects tides it is also considered to effect the movement of sap in the plants.  This helps to dictate advantageous times to prune, cut timber, transplant, plant and harvest.  There is actually some science to back this up.  Planting by the moon is also advise by some Old Farmer Almanacs and certainly just the ability to work into the evening has inspired the title of the Harvest Moon for the moon occurring closest to the autumnal equinox.  All the old farmers in Walla Walla would also tell you that a frost is most likely right around the full moon, something that I observed during my time there for sure.

The moon is also obviously an important sign of fertility as human women and females of other species typically have their cycles in a way that corresponds to waxing and waning.

In my own life the cycles of the moon have also often denoted special happenings.  Particularly I remember all the full moon nights I had in Tanzania as being significant in one way or another, including on on which there was a lunar eclipse.

This year the full moon is on my birthday (May 6) and I am already planning to pick up some chicks for a laying flock on the full moon weekend, which also happens to be passover and easter (which I assume are always on the full moon since they follow the lunar calendar?)  The signs for this to be a year of lunar signs, especially full moons, seem plentiful.  This is perhaps not the best sign to pick as other than associations with women, fertility and menstruation it is often associated with madness and insanity.  Somehow I feel that that might also be apt.

Looking for a Sign Part 2: Year of Fire

I was introduced to the tradition of Beltane in Spring of 2009 by good friend Emily Dietzman of Welcome Table Farm.  Beltane is a celebration of the crosswise or halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, celebrated on May 1.  It usually involves big celebrations involving fire.  Traditionally you jump over the fire from one direction to another depending on what you want your year to have.  north symbolizes earth and stability (like Taurus), south for fire and passion, west for water and compassion, east for air and inspiration.

Beltane 2011 was during a tumultuous time in my life.  It has been about 6 months since a major relationship of mine had ended, a little less than a year since I had decided I would leave West End Farm, still 3 months before I would figure out where I would leave for, 4 months before I would actually move to Detroit.  I don't remember what direction I was trying to jump from but, I know I was jumping towards the east and some inspiration.  When I landed though I slipped backwards on the flowers encircling the fire and ended up in it for a second before my friends lifted me out.  At the time it was embarrassing, but fire became my theme for the year.

Besides being associated with the south and passion, fire is also cleansing and I think that it is a good sign for a year of new beginnings.  Besides my Beltane close encounter I rung in the new year 2012 with a bonfire down by the river.  It has been a year of new starts in myriad ways, but as Beltane 2012 approaches I am ready for a sign that is less wild and destructive.  It is probably my Taurus nature.

Looking for a Sign Part 1: Looking to the Heavens

I never read my horoscope.  Let's look at today's just for giggles: This may not be the best time for career or vocational decisions and practical advice to others. You could be experiencing a cycle of nostalgia. Family, home, relatives and real estate play a big part in your life. The time is right to invest in some more substantial type of investment like real-estate. You may find yourself looking for that special home or new place to live. You want to belong on a private, intimate, personal level . . . to be needed and to feel it's okay to have needs. You may realize that it takes money as well as love to make the world go around and you work to stay with the realistic way of thinking. Imagination helps dreams come true. You discuss ways to pump up the family income and are pleased with the suggestions.

Okay, well that was spookily relevant in an unplanned way.  So maybe I should rethink my position.

So while I don't usually read my horoscope or place any stock in astrology, I have always felt a strong connection to my given sign: Taurus.  Anyone who knows me will recognize the stubbornness and certainly the aptness of my being an earth sign.  As a bestial sign coarseness and caring more about making a point than elegance of argument are also common traits.  Here are some other things that wikipedia says about this sign: "Taurus is considered by astrologers to be a highly practical sign which is happiest when involved in some kind of creative process. Although generally considered easy-going and placid, as a fixed sign Taureans are likened to the bull in being slow to show anger, but capable of raging if pushed too far. And they take time to eventually act on their anger and basically when they (Taureans) do, be rattled, because there's no telling what they'll unleash upon you...."


While I don't consider myself an Astrologist, my Great Aunt Louise was.  When all of us kids were born she did our star charts for us and sent our parents little descriptions.  This was mine: "It looks to me like she'll have a strong will , a smart mind with plenty of fight and drive to go after what she wants, plus some nice upbeat aspects to give her a sunny cheerful nature.  She might be a bit of a flirt with Venus in Gemini."  I don't know how accurate all of that is, but I like to think it is at least a bit accurate.

Trees are the right height

I can safely promise you that this is the only time I will defend Mitt Romney, but I kind of know what he means about Michigan trees.

Recently people have been making fun of his comment that in Michigan the "trees are the right height".  While I've never said that, those are the weird sort of things you notice about the place you grew up when you go back to visit after a long time.  It is the little things about the landscape, that you can't quite put your finger on if pressed, but it just looks RIGHT.  Which is because it is home.

I only moved back to Michigan 6 months ago and as I was driving across the country, from Washington to Montana to Minnesota and finally Michigan (and all the non-M states in between) it just started to look more and more RIGHT.  And by that I mean that even though I hadn't lived here in 7 years it looked more like HOME.  Maybe it was the height of the trees, who am I to say.

Ringing in the new year with Black Eyed Peas

This is a year of fire for me (ask me about the past Beltaine sometime).  After ringing in the New Year with a bonfire down by the Detroit River I decided to make a spicy black eyed pea dish for my first dinner of the year.  Black Eyed Peas are a traditional new years dish for southern African Americans, though it actually dates back to ancient Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) celebrations.  In this country they are usually cooked with ham hocks, but this recipe is vegan.

Fire-y Black Eyed Peas for New Year
A couple cups of black eyed peas, soaked over night
Vegetable broth (optional)
Onion, chopped
Leek, sliced
Celery, chopped
Carrot, chopped
Clove of garlic, chopped fine
Olive Oil
Spices and herbs (suggestions: cayenne pepper, basil, oregano, black pepper, rosemary, coriander)
2 cups canned tomatoes
1/4 cup pepper vinegar (optional)

Start cooking black eyed peas (bring to boil then turn down to a simmer).

In another heavy pan saute the onion, garlic and leek in a little olive oil.  Add the dry spices (wait to add herbs) and cook a little longer.  Add carrots and cook and stir until covered with oil and spices.  Add the beans and enough vegetable broth (or water) so that beans and veggies are just covered.  Add herbs.  Cook without lid over low simmer until beans are done cooking.  Add tomatoes and pepper vinegar (if you don't have pepper vinegar you might want to add more cayenne or some other source of capsicum spiciness).

Serve hot with sweet potatoes, greens and cornbread.

Queensland Blue Squash Soup

There are is a severe lack of recipes online specifically for large squashes, other than pies.  This soup is based on a pumpkin soup recipe, but I think is much richer.

1 Queensland Blue Squash (about 5 lbs)
4 Tbsp butter
1 Tbs coriander seeds
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
2 small garlic cloves
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
3 tsp curry powder
5 cups veggie broth +
3 cups milk
1/4 cup maple syrup

1) As much as 40 minutes before starting most of the soup, quarter and gut the squash and stick it in the oven at 400 F.  Also start making your broth if you don't already have some (the guts of the squash can go into the broth).  If you are running low on time you could also just peel and gut the squash and put the pieces in the soup early on.
2) Melt butter in the bottom of a heavy pot.  Add coriander seeds and cook on medium heat for a couple minutes.  Add onions and cook until they are translucent.
3) Add garlic and spices and cook for about a minute.
4) Add squash and enough broth to cover.  If the squash is soft cook at a simmer for 10 minutes.  If squash is uncooked or not yet fully soft simmer until it is soft.
5) Once squash is cooked blend the whole thing with an immersion blender or in batches.  Return to pot.
6) Add 1/4 cup (or less) maple syrup and slowly stir in the milk.  Taste and adjust spices and syrup.  If too spicy you can add more milk.  Serve hot.