Star Crossed Botanicals

Peppermint tea and gathering Calendula seeds. It's the little things!

Feverfew decided to volunteer in my Bay Laurel and now it's trying to take over! The Valerian in the background was a feature flower at the Chelsea Garden show this year. Now I'm trying to figure out other places to grow it!

This morning, I was greeted by a stunning flower explosion that left me in awe.

Welcome Spring!

Canning tomato sauce today with the frozen Romas from our garden last Summer.

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This Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with a buttery chocolate graham cracker and almond crust makes a wonderful offering for Hekate's Night. (Recipe link below)This celebration is held on November 16th and while no historical precedent for this date can be found, Hekate's Supper (food offerings) are left by contemporary devotees at crossroads to obtain her favors. Despite her reputation as Queen of the Witches, I see Hekate much as my ancestors in ancient Athens once did, not just as a goddess of the Underworld but as “Mother of All Who Bore Love ” and the “Bringer of the Light”. And since November is the month of the ever-deepening dark as winter closes in, it feels propitious to bake a cake to invoke her protection from ill winds and baleful spirits.

Made with a blend of dark, milk and white chocolate, lightly spiced with cardamom and lavender, wild fennel seeds, and (just a touch) of the earthy, loamy flavor of freshly ground Licorice Fern Root, this cheesecake may not be historically accurate but is my “homage” to what I see as an incredibly beautiful rite of ancestor veneration, household protection and blessing, and most especially, food magic. And it is in this spirit I honor Hekate on November 16th. I think it’s a pretty offering – and I hope it will curry her favor. After all, if Hekate was pleased she would bless the household, family, and city-state with protection, give rulers wisdom in their judgments, ensure family harmony and bestow prosperity on the common people.

https://gathervictoria.com/2018/11/14/dark-chocolate-cheesecake-an-offering-for-hecates-night/

Artemisia pontica. I started this plant after taking the Fermentation, Ale and Mead course ar HANE. I wanted to try making an Absinthe Ale. The Ale really didn't turn out because I believe I used more Wormwood than recommended. It was so bitter! But the recipes that I saw on old time Absinthe recipes included Artemisia pontica. This little plant was hard to come by, but it's certainly becoming one of my favorites.

How To Boost Your Health With Matcha Tea Do you need a natural boost to your health? Here are 3 recipes to boost your health with matcha tea!

Acornball Sandwiches and How To Eat Acorns — The Wondersmith Learn the various methods of preparing acorns for food, then reward that hard work with a hearty vegetarian meatball sub, made out of acorns!

Harvest Time Apple Recipes Eaten raw or cooked with warming herbs, nutritious and tasty apples make a great addition any diet. These apple recipes are perfect for the family table!

Homemade Pumpkin Soup Recipe Healthy, vegetarian homemade pumpkin soup recipe created by the director at the Herbal Academy of New England, Marlene Adelmann.

Naturally Tinted Homemade Lip Balm Recipe This naturally tinted homemade lip balm recipe not only adds a beautiful color to your face, but also smells like a cinnamon treat!

4 Methods of Seasonal Food Preservation Choosing some of these seasonal food preservation methods is a great way to start enjoying the benefits of local food in and out of season – and save money!

Herbal Academy's 10 Year Anniversary Giveaway It’s with great pride that we commemorate the more than 100,000 students worldwide who have studied hard, graduated from our courses, and carried their knowledge onward, infusing their homes and communities with herbal wisdom. Think of all the tea sipping, monograph creating, and notetaking that h...

Autumn Wildharvesting Guide: Herbal Roots Fall is when we harvest medicinal roots, find our autumn wildharvesting guide to roots here. Berries, fruits, seeds, and herbs are in the complete guide.

Handmade Floral Paper: A Family-Friendly Project You can make your own floral paper and then use it to make the prettiest cards, bookmarks, and more. This activity is great for all ages!

Mugwort Dream Pillow for Natural Sleep Aid Mugwort offers a natural sleep aid and a mugwort dream pillow is the ideal gift for those who cannot remember their dreams.

Turn These 7 Herbs and Flowers into Country Wine Country wine is simply wine made with anything other than grapes! These herbs and flowers that can be turned into a wine with an easy fermentation process.

Pumpkin Spice Wellness Benefits You Should Know About Fall equals pumpkin spice season! Learn about pumpkin spice wellness benefits and how to bring that true pumpkin spice flavor into your everyday life.

Stress-Be-Gone Balm Recipe Learn to make your own stress-soothing balm formulated with lavender and calming essential oils. This tutorial walks you through the process, step-by-step.Fi...

How to Plant a Winter Vegetable Garden How to plant a winter vegetable garden with crops to harvest throughout the cold season. Includes tips on when to sow and plant winter crops, growing both outdoors and undercover, and overwintering your vegetables for spring

5 Ways To Use Hollyhock In Your Materia Medica Did you know the stunning blooms of hollyhock are not just a flower, but also an herb that can be used in your materia medica? Here are 5 ways you can use hollyhock today!