How often is it that a person can remember the first time they ever heard a certain word?
I remember the first time I ever heard the word Samhain. It was in the original Halloween film, directed by John Carpenter and starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence. I remember Donald Pleasence, as Dr. Loomis, explaining the significance of Samhain and Michael's penchant for killing on that particular night. It stuck with me through many years.
My horror and fascination with Samhain led me into researching and studying other religious belief systems.
I worked with a guy (whom I still consider a friend) who saw me through many of my religious fascinations.
He was there when I studied Tao and Confucius. He gave me the critical eye when I became interested in Hindu and Islam. And when I threw myself headfirst into Krishna he finally asked . . . "What are you looking for?"
And I had no idea how to answer him.
Even though I knew, deep in my heart and soul what I was looking for, I had absolutely no way of expressing it in words to another human being. I tried my best to explain to him what exactly it was that I wanted, but nothing seemed to make sense. And I believe we just left it at . . . "Clarity".
But what does this have to do with cooking you might ask? Well, it has a lot to do with cooking.
As we come upon the Autumn season again, it is time to turn back the clock to a time when things were simpler and more . . . natural than they are today. Lets think back to a time before cell phones and computers and radios and televisions.
Imagine what it must have been like for the poor and uneducated when it came to protecting and taking care of their families, friends and loved ones. No one knew for sure what they were doing. They knew what they had been taught by whomever was in control at the time. And we all know that history is written by the victors.
With that said, let me get to the point of this post.
Food is life. Without it . . . there is no life. We (humans) and animals and plants and every other living entity on this planet must have food of some kind. So why shouldn't that food be blessed and infused with the power to protect those that are consuming it?
One thing that always fascinated me about Krishnas (and influenced me to be a vegetarian for more than 10 years) is that they believe that we should NEVER eat anything that results in death. I realize that may be a very ambiguous statement, but let me try to explain.
If you slaughter and eat a cow, you have taken a life. If you eat a vegetable that is a root, you have taken a life. How? The root of a plant is the life of the plant. If you dig up the root, you have killed the plant. Carrots, onions, potatoes . . . they are roots. When you dig these plants up and eat them, you are killing the plant. Whereas, if you eat a berry or a nut or a piece of fruit from a tree or a vine . . . the plant continues to grow and produce food. But if you eat a root (carrot, onion, etc.) that plant is gone and no longer has the ability to produce food.
Get it? I'm not saying that you should follow this strict regime that the Krishnas have laid out for themselves. I am just saying that you should have respect and revere ALL living beings. Even plants.
Okay, so as Autumn approaches and the time for Harvest and Samhain and All Hallows Eve draws near, let us take a page from the book of (literally written by) Silver Ravenwolf . . . Don't just slop some food together and throw it on a table to serve. Take a minute to appreciate and respect what nature has given you. And give nature thanks for her bounty.
ADAPTED FROM "HALLOWEEN" BY SILVER RAVENWOLF
(Why not try some of these when cooking during the Autumn holidays? It couldn't hurt.)
General Ingredient Blessing
Lay out all ingredients for whatever dish you may be preparing. Hold your hands out over the ingredients. Envision pure white light entering the ingredients. Circle your palms five times over the ingredients and say:
"From the East, the Air brings wisdom.
From the South, the Fire brings creation.
From the West, the Water brings love.
From the North, the Earth brings stability.
From the center, Spirit brings blessing."
Tap the kitchen counter 3 times and say . . . "The love is sealed."
Once you have all of your ingredients in the simmering pot . . . or casserole, or cake pan, or pizza pan, or toaster, or microwave . . . put your hands over it and repeat three times . . .
"Three angels came from the East
Bringing blessings upon this feast
The first said, "I banish all negativity."
The second said, "May you never thirst."
The third said, "May you never hunger."
In the name of the three, so mote it be."
With your hand or a wooden spoon, make the sign of the equal armed cross ( + ) over the food, then tap the spoon, or your fingers, lightly on the stove and say . . .
"This work is sealed. Blessings of Vesta upon us."
And then when it is time to serve the Samhain feast, there is even a blessing for that. (And yes I am still paraphrasing from Silver Ravenwolf.) . . .
Samhain Serving Blessing
Hold your hands over the cooked food and say . . .
"The golden rays of sun kissed grain
Sweet drops of rain caressed the fruit
Streams of moonlight danced in the fields
Sending energy into the root.
Blessings of the Mother
Strength of the Father
Unity of love. So mote it be."
Make the sign of the equal armed cross ( + ) above the serving dish. Tap the dish once and serve with a smile!
Now. . . go out and do some research and find the PERFECT Autumn/Halloween/Samhain recipes to use these blessings on and have some fun with your family, friends, and loved ones.
Blessed be.
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