Tales of Desert Forest Goth

  Fire-Flowers Feast   has come to the Shadowlands! 'Tis the first celebration of Summer.  It is a time to be thankful for the blooming of summer plants, Summer Foraging, and the honoring of our elders.  After a day of prayers, preparations, and early Summer foraging  (if the weather allows ), friends and family gather about to feast together upon the bounty which we all pray continues through the growing season, giving thanks to Jesus for the Elders, living and past who have guided on our journeys in the shadowlands into the wyldwode. Example of Fire-Flowers Feast Blessing:   "Creator of All, we thank You for this Fire-flowers Feast as we honor our elders.  As we gather here this day, may we always give thanks for the warming of spring, the cooler clothing made by loving hands, and for fresh wild foods, berries, flowers, and wild game which now sustain us. We remember our Elders who have crossed from the land of living to the land of the ...

  Ingredients: > 4 cans of chicken > 4 Tbls of Vegan Mayo (Soy-Free) > 4 Tbsp of Pickle Relish > 1 Tbsp of Rosemary > 1 Tbsp of Parsley >  2 tsp of mustard > 1 tsp of garlic > 1 tsp of onion > 1/2 tsp of Real Salt > 1/4 tsp of black paper (optional)  > Fajita Tortillas  (Soy-Free) > Sliced Tomatoes > Lettuce Leafs > Sliced Cucumbers 1.  Drained chicken  (save the broth for future recipes) .  Place in blow. 2. Add Mayo and Pickle Relish.  Mix. 3. Add Seasonings/Herbs.  Mix. 4 . Chill for 3-12 hours.  5. Place on Fajita Tortillas, Add Tomatoes, Lettuce, and Cucumbers (if desired) , Wrap, and Serve. In Umbra Terras,   Lady Morria

 Salmon Loaf is a winter favorite at Nightstar Cottage and is often made for winter and early spring events.  This is my (Morria's) favorite version, that I make a lot! 3 Cans of Salmon 1 1/2 Cups of Bread Crumbs (Herbs & Garlic) 1 1/2 Cups Parmesan Cheese 1/2 Cup Green Onions finely chopped 1/2 Cup of Yellow Onions diced  1/2 Cup Milk (whole is best) 2 Large Eggs 1 Tbsp of Dill 1 1/2 Tbsp of Parsley 1/4 tsp of salt 1/4 tsp of pepper Optional - 1/2 tsp of lemon zest 1) Preheat oven to 350. 2) Get a loaf pan or cast iron pie pan (Morria uses cast iron) , and lightly grease with spray olive oil. 3) Open cans of salmon into a large bowl.  Remove bones and skin (a  great treat for the dogs!) and flake salmon. 4) Add Bread Crumbs, both Yellow and Green Onions, Dill, Parsley, Salt, Pepper, and Parmesan Cheese, and mix together with your hands. 5) Add Milk and Eggs, and continue to mix till all is damp. 6) Transfer to loaf pan or cast iron pie pan, and make...

  Here at Nightstar Cottage, Robby, Luna, Bandit, Cowboy, and I have birthdays scattered throughout the year and the cycles of the seasons.  Robby and Cowboy's fall within the Buck Moon, within the month known as July.  Luna and Bandit, aka "The Twins", have theirs within the  Moon, in the month known as November.  Mine (Morria) falls within the Wolf Moon, within the Month known as January.  Other extended family members have celebrations within the other season cycles.  It is my hope that the following ideas give ideas for your own rewilded birthday celebrations within the Shadowlands and Wyldwode. Birthday Blessings: "Creator of All, we thank You for this Birthday.  As we gather here this day, may (birthday person's name) have a blessed journey this coming year, may the moon always shine upon their journeys, and may bats keep the night bugs away from their Light.  As we eat this feast set out before us, may we honor (birthday person's name...

 As we set about looking into Rewilding and Wildsteading, and look at deepening our connection with the shadowland in which we dwell.  In the High-Desert Forest, we have 5 seasons, other places have 2, 3 or 4.  Whatever the case may be,  learning our local seasons and cycles help us to reconnect with the lands in which we live and dwell. As we begin each cycle of the seasons, and the at the start of each one.  What is going on in nature, and how does that echo in what is going on within our lives?  What is nourishing us, and what do I need to let go of?  What is growing within us, and what are we needing to weed out of our lives?  As we reflect on these things, and begin relearning the heartbeat of the changes of seasons and life, I trust together our rewilding journey can be strengthened, calmed, and reinvigorated by learning the Cycles of the Year... The Cycles Winter Winter is traditionally a season of Rest, Storytelling, and Fire...

Raven's Herbal Cabinet As an Herbalist, Wildsteader, Nature Goth, and/or Gothic Rewilder, one important thing to consider is where one's herbs are stored.  Besides needing glass jars, mortar and pestle, tins for salves, scales, and labels, one needs to have a place to keep them cool and dark when not in use.  There are many options for this, from a shelf in one's kitchen, to a full-on herbal cabinet, like our reader Raven Motley has (pictured) , to a herbal nook like I have (pictured) , to a full-on root cellar, where they are kept with stored root crops, and canned items for the winter, it takes a lot of planning to consider where they would best be kept. As one considers, take into account how many people there are in your family, what your herbal medicinal needs are, whether you use herbs alone, or you use some modern medicine as well, the storage area needs, and also your desires with how you will grow it in the future.  These will determine the amount of space you wi...