{"id":27124,"date":"2022-10-01T01:10:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T05:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=27124"},"modified":"2022-09-26T12:09:48","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T16:09:48","slug":"notes-from-the-apothecary-78","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/10\/01\/notes-from-the-apothecary-78\/","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Apothecary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Samhain Special<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

Welcome to the special Samhain edition of Notes from the Apothecary! Samhain is the approximate midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, and for many in the northern hemisphere, the time when we start to notice the long descent into the colder months. This means there is less wild food, plus fewer herbs and plants growing, so it\u2019s often time to start using up ingredients stored from summer. In this issue, I\u2019m going to go through some of my favourite herbs, fruits, and veggies to use around Samhain, and why I think they\u2019re so magical.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5 Samhain Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Apples<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What would Samhain be without apples<\/a>? Apples provide one simple way to return to the Irish roots of Samhain. Samhain is a continuously celebrated festival in Ireland, and many Pagan paths have co-opted the festival into the wheel of the year, so it\u2019s good to learn about where it comes from and how the Irish did and still do celebrate this turn toward winter.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The D<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00fa<\/span><\/span>chas.ie Schools Collection<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a fantastic resource of Irish folklore, and there are plenty of links between apples and Samhain noted here. There\u2019s mention of bobbing for apples, a game called snap apple, eating apples and nuts on All Hallow\u2019s Eve, even pretending to be a ghost in an orchard to trick a landowner into giving up his apples! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Apples are also linked to divination. One transcript tells of the tradition of peeling an apple all in one go, then hanging the apple peel over a door. The next person to pass under the peel would marry someone in the house. Similar in nature is the practice of throwing an entire, unbroken apple peel spiral over your shoulder, then seeing what letter it most resembled. This letter would be the first letter of your love\u2019s name.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can help complete this excellent folklore collection by assisting with transcription \u2013 it\u2019s very easy to get involved and I\u2019ve completed a few pages. More volunteers means more folklore available to all! Click here<\/a> for more information. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rosemary<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rosemary is linked to remembrance and memory, not just via literary references like Shakespeare<\/a>, but scientifically too! Studies show that people perform memory-related tasks better<\/a> when exposed to the aroma of rosemary.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This seems so apt for Samhain, when we remember those that have gone before. Try rubbing fresh or dried leaves to release the fragrance, or add dried rosemary to your Samhain incense. You can also buy or make rosemary essential oil. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I use rosemary oil on my altar for Hekate, a goddess often honoured at Samhain due to her links to the dead and the underworld. I also use it to try and prompt me to remember all the things I need to plan and do at this time of year!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pumpkin<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Can\u2019t have a list of Samhain fruits, herbs, and veggies without including pumpkin! Technically a gourd and therefore a fruit, pumpkins are used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes and, of course, as jack-o-lanterns. Traditionally, in Ireland, these lanterns would have been carved out of a turnip<\/a> or swede \u2013 the same vegetable with different names depending on where you are. It\u2019s also called a rutabaga. However, pumpkins are now generally the lantern vessel of choice, being larger and easier to carve.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Your jack-o-lantern should be hideous, to ward off anything not welcome near your home. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cinnamon<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many people associate cinnamon<\/a> with winter holidays such as the Solstice, but it\u2019s also very prevalent around Samhain \u2013 just think of all those pumpkin spice lattes suddenly on the menu everywhere! Cinnamon is linked to sleep (<\/span><\/span>Rosa Anglica<\/i><\/span><\/span>, 1304-1317) and therefore dreams, and the aroma of cinnamon can certainly evoke a slightly dreamlike state, possibly because its such a powerful yet warm and welcoming scent. Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory, so including it in drinks and food can aid digestion, but too much may irritate, so consume with care. Definitely don\u2019t take a big sniff of ground cinnamon, or try and eat the powdered form. Remember the cinnamon challenge<\/a> that was doing the rounds a few years back? Kids and young adults dared each other to eat a whole spoon of powdered cinnamon without taking a drink, leading to a major choking risk and, if too much was consumed, danger of organ damage. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like many aspects of Samhain, cinnamon is both wonderful and healthy yet powerful and dangerous if not treated with respect. Use cinnamon to boost fire spells or wealth charms, place on your altar to represent the South, and sprinkle it as a protector of boundaries. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Parsnip<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Parsnips are an often overlooked vegetable, but they are far more than just the carrot\u2019s wan cousin. Parsnips are tough, versatile, and become sweeter after a hard frost<\/a>. Some parsnips are called sugar parsnips because they are so sweet. Other breeds of parsnip can keep growing throughout the winder \u2013 something many of us aim for at Samhain, storing up energy and motivation to see us through the darker months.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I love roast parsnips, both the sweet, honey coated treats often served with holiday dinners, and my own version which is savoury with garlic, salt and rosemary. Top tip: You can fry cut parsnips just like chips or fries, in a pan of hot fat or even an air fryer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Samhain, though, I love to make parsnip soup. I fry onions with a little flour, then add chopped parsnips, fry lightly then add water and boil until soft. I use a hand blender to whizz it all up, then add a little nutmeg or cinnamon and a generous glug of chilli sauce \u2013 ideal for keeping the cold at bay.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid foraging for parsnips as they are very similar to other plants in the same family which may be harmful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What are your favourite plants and herbs for Samhain? Come and tell us over on Facebook<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo credits<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Apple photo by mohamed hassouna<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rosemary photo by KINN Living<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pumpkin photo by maggie yang<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cinnamon photo by Mae Mu<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Parsnip photo by Goldlocki on Wikimedia Commons<\/a>. <\/span><\/span>Permission is granted to copy, distribute and\/or modify this document under the terms of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>GNU Free Documentation License<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Free Software Foundation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>GNU Free Documentation License<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mabh Savage<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mabh is the author of\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>and most recently, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Samhain Special   Welcome to the special Samhain edition of Notes from the Apothecary! Samhain is the approximate midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, and for many in the northern hemisphere, the time when we start to notice the long descent into the colder months. This means there is less wild food, plus fewer herbs and plants growing, so it\u2019s often time to start using up ingredients stored from summer. In this issue, I\u2019m going to go through some of my favourite herbs, fruits, and veggies to use around Samhain, and why I think they\u2019re so magical.   5 Samhain Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables   Apples     What would Samhain be without apples? Apples provide one simple way to return to the Irish roots of Samhain. Samhain is a continuously celebrated festival in Ireland, and many Pagan paths have co-opted the festival into the wheel of the year, so it\u2019s good to learn about where it comes from and how the Irish did and still do celebrate this turn toward winter. The D\u00fachas.ie Schools Collection is a fantastic resource of Irish folklore, and there are plenty of links between apples and Samhain noted here. There\u2019s mention of bobbing for apples, a game called snap apple, eating apples and nuts on All Hallow\u2019s Eve, even pretending to be a ghost in an orchard to trick a landowner into giving up his apples! Apples are also linked to divination. One transcript tells of the tradition of peeling an apple all in one go, then hanging the apple peel over a door. The next person to pass under the peel would marry someone in the house. Similar in nature is the practice of throwing an entire, unbroken apple peel spiral over your shoulder, then seeing what letter it most resembled. This letter would be the first letter of your love\u2019s name. You can help complete this excellent folklore collection by assisting with transcription \u2013 it\u2019s very easy to get involved and I\u2019ve completed a few pages. More volunteers means more folklore available to all! Click here for more information.   Rosemary     Rosemary is linked to remembrance and memory, not just via literary references like Shakespeare, but scientifically too! Studies show that people perform memory-related tasks better when exposed to the aroma of rosemary. This seems so apt for Samhain, when we remember those that have gone before. Try rubbing fresh or dried leaves to release the fragrance, or add dried rosemary to your Samhain incense. You can also buy or make rosemary essential oil. I use rosemary oil on my altar for Hekate, a goddess often honoured at Samhain due to her links to the dead and the underworld. I also use it to try and prompt me to remember all the things I need to plan and do at this time of year!   Pumpkin     Can\u2019t have a list of Samhain fruits, herbs, and veggies without including pumpkin! Technically a gourd and therefore a fruit, pumpkins are used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes and, of course, as jack-o-lanterns. Traditionally, in Ireland, these lanterns would have been carved out of a turnip or swede \u2013 the same vegetable with different names depending on where you are. It\u2019s also called a rutabaga. However, pumpkins are now generally the lantern vessel of choice, being larger and easier to carve. Your jack-o-lantern should be hideous, to ward off anything not welcome near your home.   Cinnamon     Many people associate cinnamon with winter holidays such as the Solstice, but it\u2019s also very prevalent around Samhain \u2013 just think of all those pumpkin spice lattes suddenly on the menu everywhere! Cinnamon is linked to sleep (Rosa Anglica, 1304-1317) and therefore dreams, and the aroma of cinnamon can certainly evoke a slightly dreamlike state, possibly because its such a powerful yet warm and welcoming scent. Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory, so including it in drinks and food can aid digestion, but too much may irritate, so consume with care. Definitely don\u2019t take a big sniff of ground cinnamon, or try and eat the powdered form. Remember the cinnamon challenge that was doing the rounds a few years back? Kids and young adults dared each other to eat a whole spoon of powdered cinnamon without taking a drink, leading to a major choking risk and, if too much was consumed, danger of organ damage. Like many aspects of Samhain, cinnamon is both wonderful and healthy yet powerful and dangerous if not treated with respect. Use cinnamon to boost fire spells or wealth charms, place on your altar to represent the South, and sprinkle it as a protector of boundaries.   Parsnip     Parsnips are an often overlooked vegetable, but they are far more than just the carrot\u2019s wan cousin. Parsnips are tough, versatile, and become sweeter after a hard frost. Some parsnips are called sugar parsnips because they are so sweet. Other breeds of parsnip can keep growing throughout the winder \u2013 something many of us aim for at Samhain, storing up energy and motivation to see us through the darker months. I love roast parsnips, both the sweet, honey coated treats often served with holiday dinners, and my own version which is savoury with garlic, salt and rosemary. Top tip: You can fry cut parsnips just like chips or fries, in a pan of hot fat or even an air fryer. For Samhain, though, I love to make parsnip soup. I fry onions with a little flour, then add chopped parsnips, fry lightly then add water and boil until soft. I use a hand blender to whizz it all up, then add a little nutmeg or cinnamon and a generous glug of chilli sauce \u2013 ideal for keeping the cold at bay. Avoid foraging for parsnips as they are very similar to other plants in the same family which may be harmful. What are your favourite plants and herbs for Samhain? Come and tell us over on Facebook or Twitter!   Photo credits Apple photo by mohamed hassouna on Unsplash Rosemary photo by KINN Living on Unsplash Pumpkin photo by maggie yang on Unsplash Cinnamon photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash Parsnip photo by Goldlocki on Wikimedia Commons. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and\/or modify this document under the terms of the\u00a0GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the\u00a0Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled\u00a0GNU Free Documentation License.   ** About the Author: Mabh Savage\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation. Mabh is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,\u00a0\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10004],"tags":[10427,14027,14030,10031,11133,13877,10110,10111,14029,12505,14028,12438,11663],"class_list":["post-27124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monthly-columns","tag-apothecary","tag-apples","tag-cinnamon","tag-correspondences","tag-fall","tag-fruits","tag-herbs","tag-meanings","tag-parsnip","tag-pumpkin","tag-rosemary","tag-samhain","tag-vegetables"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27124"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27130,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27124\/revisions\/27130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}