Autumnal Equinox - September 23, 2013 – “Spicing Things Up”

Tarot card for Sept. 22, 2013
#10 The Wheel of Fortune
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's "Shadowscapes Tarot"©

The last third of September is devoted to balance.  The Autumnal Equinox is the physical expression of the Universe’s need to maintain balance and as we are an integral part of that Universe, we too, require balance.   The term ‘equinox’ means ‘equal hours,’ referring to the equal number of daylight and nighttime hours occurring on the 23rd. (see blog: Autumn Equinox – “All Things Being Equal” for facts about the Equinox).  The Equinox is a gift to us, because it offers us all the opportunity to take stock of our lives and adjust the areas where we are out of balance.  It also gives us the opportunity to open a bag of candy corn ahead of the season. Score!

Autumn colors, autumn scents. The Fall is a rich tapestry of sights and smells – a reminder that bounty is all around us, even if some years we have to look a little harder to find it.  The Fall Equinox is a great time to bring order to the chaos that comes from jumping right into the school year when you didn’t even have the opportunity to pour the beach sand out of your tennis shoes after Labor Day weekend.  There are some easy and fun things to do to bring balance and a sense of order to your world now and luckily any number of them begin with the scents of cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood and ginger.   

Try welcoming the Autumnal Equinox through your kitchen. 

It's also appropriate to further
reduce #10 to #1, The Magician
for Fall Equinox - from Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen's "Wizard's Tarot"©

Start early in the day by organizing your cupboards.  Clear away the out of date ingredients and donate the kitchen gadgets and extra dishes that you don’t use to a charity.  Once those things are out of the way, make a harvest centerpiece for your table.  You can use anything that strikes your fancy – silk flowers, real flowers and herbs – get creative.  For a unique centerpiece, take a fruit bowl and fill it with apples and pomegranates (remember Persephone?) Add sprigs of rosemary and juniper (cypress and pine work well too) for interest – perhaps a cinnamon stick or two as well.  Light candles for warmth and good cheer. If aromatherapy is more your style, try some autumn scents like frankincense, sandalwood, cypress, juniper, sage or pine.  Many metaphysical stores have terrific essential oil blends and incenses that sweeten and clear the air both scent wise and energetically.  

Below is a recipe for an empowering Pumpkin Bread Pudding that says, “Welcome Autumn” and will fill your home with the scents of spice and abundance.  What more can you ask for on the Equinox?

LADY ORACLE

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

6 1/2 cups cubed bread (use a rich, egg variety if possible, like Challah) 

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts 

4 eggs beaten

1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 Tbsp honey or molasses 

1 cup cooked pumpkin 

1/4 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter – melted

1/3 cup dark rum (feel free to pour yourself a shot too – if you’re 21 or older)

Preheat oven to 350º 

Mix bread cubes and 1/2 of the nuts in lightly greased 9 x 9 inch pan

Dizzle a half the rum over the bread in pan (easier to use a teaspoon to drizzle)

Beat eggs, condensed milk, honey OR molasses, pumpkin and spices in a mixing bowl. 

Stir in milk and rum until blended.

Pour liquid mixture over bread, top with rest of the nuts, then place in preheated oven until the blade of a knife, inserted into the middle comes out clean. (approx. 1 hour)

Serve alone or garnish with whipped cream

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