Thornfield & Fog - Seasons, Slowness, and Quiet Magic

On today's show I'm talking about Samhain, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. Finally the dark nights are here. We'll talk about a few decoration ideas, Some spooky time activities, and a little Halloween magic you can do to honor this time of year.

It's one of those in between time when we prepare for the next holiday. I talk a bit slower this time, but had some audio issues in the 2nd and 3rd segments. I'll keep working on it. The perfectionist in me didn't even want to upload this episode, but I have to get over that so I'm doing it anyway. On this episode I take you on a walk around my local forest. Birds are chirping and we have a small wildlife sighting while talking about things decorate with and do during the beginning of Autumn. I share some book recommendations and give you a couple of small spells you can do to really get into that Autumn mood. I have links and recipes below. Don't forget to like an subscribe, I can only get better from here.

Project Gutenberg for all your public domain book needs.
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Autumn by Robert Nathan
Bram Stoker's Dracula

Big thanks to the folks at Pixabay.com who supplied the music for this episode.
Intro/Outro Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
3 cups finely ground almond flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 tablespoons/140 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
1 Cup granulated sugar
1 tsp Molasses
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 ounces/340 grams bittersweet chocolate chips, or coarsely chopped bar chocolate
Sea salt, for finishing (optional)

Directions
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking sheets or parchment paper. One large baking sheet can work as well.
In a medium bowl, mix the almond flour, salt and baking soda well.
Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, Molasses, and granulated sugar on medium speed until very light, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the egg and mix on medium speed until incorporated. Scrape the bowl, then add the vanilla and mix to combine.
Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until it is just combined, about 15 seconds. Scrape the bowl well and mix on low speed to make sure it is mixed really well.
Add the chocolate and gently mix with a spatula to incorporate it. 
Scoop the dough into 10 golf ball sized dough balls, mash them flat to about a 1/2 inch circle and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Give them some space to allow the cookies room to spread.
Sprinkle lightly with a finish of sea salt ( optional). Bake the cookies, switch the racks and rotate the sheets halfway through if you are using two baking sheets, just rotate the pan 180 degrees if you are using one large pan. Bake until they’re golden brown around the edges and just barely set in the center, 18 to 22 minutes. Move sheets to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then put the cookies onto another rack to cool with a spatula.

The Fallen Leaf Spell

• Gather together 
  • a dry nice leaf from outside
  • a marker
  • a fireproof bowl
  • a candle, black or brown but any candle works, like a beeswax candle from Thornfieldandfog.com
• Light the candle
• With the marker, write on the leaf what it is you wish to let go of. A person, a feeling, a situation, whatever.
• Hold the leaf and focus on what you are letting go of and say: 
  • As autumn sheds what cannot stay, 
     I release these burdens on their way. 
     What nourishes remains with me, 
     What no longer serves, I set it free.
  • 
    

Autumn Simmer Pot Spell

• Gather Together 
  • 1 large apple, sliced
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 3 to 4 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp whole cloves
  • 3 whole star anise pods
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Fresh water (enough to fill your pot 3/4 full) 
• Prepare the ingredients by placing them all at the bottom of your pot or cauldron.
• Bring to a lite boil over medium-high heat to activate the aromatics
• Drop it down to a low simmer
• Concentrate of thankfulness and say:

or

You can find my store where I sell small batch handmade 100% Beeswax candles for meditation, contemplation, and reading and writing in cottage or dark library at Thornfieldandfog.com

In this episode, Squirrel is more comfortable, but talks rather fast and his ADHD is on full display. Don't worry, He'll get used to it and slow down eventually. This episode is focused on the Autumn Equinox, also know as Mabon, Harvest Home, Alban Elfed, or Winter Finding. Squirrel covers Decoration and Preparation, Activities that you can do during this season, and the Magic and Tradition surrounding the equinox.
Feel free to contact me with comments or questions at [email protected].

Big thanks to the folks at Pixabay.com who supplied the music for this episode.
Intro/Outro Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay
Segment Music by Paul Winter from Pixabay

You can find my store where I sell small batch handmade 100% Beeswax candles for meditation, contemplation, and reading and writing in cottage or dark library at Thornfieldandfog.com

Welcome to Thornfield & Fog's first episode. It's a little rough as I get used to this but I'll get it sorted soon enough. In this episode I give you too much information about myself so you can get to know me a little bit before we settle into discussing September and the Autumn Equinox that is approaching. I'll let you know what this podcast is supposed to be about and how I intend to go about it with the hope that you will feel like your talking to a friend across a table, sipping on a delicious beverage of your choice. It's short and to the point this time, but be warned, I have ADHD and will talk your ear off in coming episodes where we will focus on things in the pagan/druid/heathen, cottagecore, and dark academia spaces because it's how I've most of my life and I'm not about to stop now.

Big thanks to the folks who provided the music for this episode:
Intro music: Geoff Harvey - Pixabay - Our Incredible Journey
Akiko Shina - Pixabay - Good Night & Thank You

Books at Project Gutenberg

My store where I sell small batch, handmade, beeswax candles for Prayer, Meditation, Contemplation, Reading and Writing can be found at:
Thornfield & Fog