harvest. In England, the holiday greens were taken out of the house, and if even a leaf was left behind, it was unlucky. “Out with the old, in with the new” is the theme for Candlemas. It’s a good day to make commitments, renew pledges, and plant seeds for new growth.
In your herb garden, celebrate this day of new beginnings by turning over a piece of earth and repeating this ancient Anglo-Saxon plowing charm:
Whole be thou Earth
Mother of men.
In the lap of God,
Be thou growing.
Be filled full of fodder
For fare-needs of men.
Or plant some seeds of annual herbs in pots on a sunny windowsill, for later transplanting into your garden or deck containers. Some good choices: chives, dill, basil, cilantro.
Read more about the transition from Pagan to Christian cultures:
The Goddess Obscured: Transformation of the Grain Protectress from Goddess to Saint , by Pamela Berger
About Candlemas Day
Every good goose should lay.
—TRADITIONAL LORE
As long as the sunbeam comes in on Bridget’s feast-day, the snow ends before May-day.
—TRADITIONAL LORE
FEBRUARY 3
St. Blaise is the patron saint of sore throat sufferers. Today is his feast day.
Good for the throat: Honey, sugar, butter with a little salt, liquorice, to sup soft eggs, hyssop, a mean manner of eating and drinking, and sugar candy. Evil for the throat: Mustard, much lying on the breast, pepper, anger, things roasted, lechery, much working, too much rest, much drink, smoke of incense, old cheese and all sour things are naughty for the throat.
—THE KALENDAR OF SHEPHEARDES, 1604
Scratchy throat?
If you’re bothered by a scratchy throat, gargle with a strong sage tea ( Salvia officinalis ). Studies have found that sage has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. To make tea: pour two cups boiling water over 4 teaspoons dried sage. Steep 8-10 minutes. Gargle several times a day. Refrigerate the unused portion, and warm before gargling.
HOW OUR FOREMOTHERS COPED WITH SORE THROATS
• A poultice: The pulp of a roasted apple, mixed with an ounce of tobacco, the whole wet with spirits of wine, or any other high spirits, spread on a linen rag, and bound upon the throat at any period of the disorder.— The American Frugal Housewife , by Mrs. Child, 1833
• A syrup: Take of poplar bark and bethroot [lamb’s quarters, Trillium pendulum ], each 1 lb.; water, 9 quarters; boil gently in a covered vessel 15 or 20 minutes; strain through a coarse cloth; add 7 lbs. loaf sugar, and simmer till the scum ceases to rise. — Family Hand Book , c. 1855
• A candy. Horehound lozenges are good for a sore throat.— A Dictionary of Every-Day Wants , by A. E. Youman, M.D., 1878
• A bedtime snack: Water-gruel, with three or four onions simmered in it, prepared with a lump of butter, pepper, and salt, eaten just before one goes to bed, is said to be a cure for a hoarse cold.— The American Frugal Housewife , by Mrs. Child, 1833
• A hot toddy and a cuddle: Before retiring soak the feet in mustard water as hot as can be endured. . . . On getting into bed take a hot camphor sling. [A hot toddy made with brandy or rum, honey, and tincture of camphor, ( Cinnamonum camphora )] Rub the bridge of the nose between the eyes with a little oil. Cuddle in bed and sleep it off.— Healthy Living , 1850-1870, compiled by Katie F. Hamilton
Read more about early American medicine:
Early American Herb Recipes , by Alice Cooke Brown
FEBRUARY 4
Carnival!
The weeklong festival that takes place about now offers Christians a chance to enjoy themselves ( carne vale means “farewell, meat”) before the penitential season of Lent. The festival culminates on Shrove Tuesday, the famous Mardi Gras celebration. Pancakes are a traditional fare.
In Pecan Springs, Ruby always celebrates this ritual with a masquerade party (of course), and Sheila Dawson (who cooks as good as she looks) always brings Orange-Mint Crepes.
SHEILA’S ORANGE-MINT MARDI
In your herb garden, celebrate this day of new beginnings by turning over a piece of earth and repeating this ancient Anglo-Saxon plowing charm:
Whole be thou Earth
Mother of men.
In the lap of God,
Be thou growing.
Be filled full of fodder
For fare-needs of men.
Or plant some seeds of annual herbs in pots on a sunny windowsill, for later transplanting into your garden or deck containers. Some good choices: chives, dill, basil, cilantro.
Read more about the transition from Pagan to Christian cultures:
The Goddess Obscured: Transformation of the Grain Protectress from Goddess to Saint , by Pamela Berger
About Candlemas Day
Every good goose should lay.
—TRADITIONAL LORE
As long as the sunbeam comes in on Bridget’s feast-day, the snow ends before May-day.
—TRADITIONAL LORE
FEBRUARY 3
St. Blaise is the patron saint of sore throat sufferers. Today is his feast day.
Good for the throat: Honey, sugar, butter with a little salt, liquorice, to sup soft eggs, hyssop, a mean manner of eating and drinking, and sugar candy. Evil for the throat: Mustard, much lying on the breast, pepper, anger, things roasted, lechery, much working, too much rest, much drink, smoke of incense, old cheese and all sour things are naughty for the throat.
—THE KALENDAR OF SHEPHEARDES, 1604
Scratchy throat?
If you’re bothered by a scratchy throat, gargle with a strong sage tea ( Salvia officinalis ). Studies have found that sage has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. To make tea: pour two cups boiling water over 4 teaspoons dried sage. Steep 8-10 minutes. Gargle several times a day. Refrigerate the unused portion, and warm before gargling.
HOW OUR FOREMOTHERS COPED WITH SORE THROATS
• A poultice: The pulp of a roasted apple, mixed with an ounce of tobacco, the whole wet with spirits of wine, or any other high spirits, spread on a linen rag, and bound upon the throat at any period of the disorder.— The American Frugal Housewife , by Mrs. Child, 1833
• A syrup: Take of poplar bark and bethroot [lamb’s quarters, Trillium pendulum ], each 1 lb.; water, 9 quarters; boil gently in a covered vessel 15 or 20 minutes; strain through a coarse cloth; add 7 lbs. loaf sugar, and simmer till the scum ceases to rise. — Family Hand Book , c. 1855
• A candy. Horehound lozenges are good for a sore throat.— A Dictionary of Every-Day Wants , by A. E. Youman, M.D., 1878
• A bedtime snack: Water-gruel, with three or four onions simmered in it, prepared with a lump of butter, pepper, and salt, eaten just before one goes to bed, is said to be a cure for a hoarse cold.— The American Frugal Housewife , by Mrs. Child, 1833
• A hot toddy and a cuddle: Before retiring soak the feet in mustard water as hot as can be endured. . . . On getting into bed take a hot camphor sling. [A hot toddy made with brandy or rum, honey, and tincture of camphor, ( Cinnamonum camphora )] Rub the bridge of the nose between the eyes with a little oil. Cuddle in bed and sleep it off.— Healthy Living , 1850-1870, compiled by Katie F. Hamilton
Read more about early American medicine:
Early American Herb Recipes , by Alice Cooke Brown
FEBRUARY 4
Carnival!
The weeklong festival that takes place about now offers Christians a chance to enjoy themselves ( carne vale means “farewell, meat”) before the penitential season of Lent. The festival culminates on Shrove Tuesday, the famous Mardi Gras celebration. Pancakes are a traditional fare.
In Pecan Springs, Ruby always celebrates this ritual with a masquerade party (of course), and Sheila Dawson (who cooks as good as she looks) always brings Orange-Mint Crepes.
SHEILA’S ORANGE-MINT MARDI
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