Happy November, friends! We are deep into autumn with the veil at it’s thinnest, and various celebratory goings-on, recognizing the spirit world’s nearness to our world. While Halloween and Samhain have passed, the magic of this season is still abundant for many days yet. I am rarely organized enough to do ritual the day of any sabbat so I sprinkle small rituals in when and where I can in the days before and after. For many, Samhain is considered the witch’s new year, so doing a tarot or oracle card spread to divine what the upcoming year holds is a common practice. Other simple rituals to weave the magic of the season into your practice are setting new goals, lighting candles or leaving offerings for passed loved ones, having a bonfire (or use a small cauldron/other heat-safe vessel) for a release ritual with a few witchy friends, respectfully visiting a local cemetery, or even taking time to forage for seasonal mushrooms or acorns. Remember to thank the land spirits or the Earth for her abundance.
Today also happens to be the new moon which is also an ideal time to light a candle, manifest and take action in the things you want to call in this month. Paired with the magic of Samhain, I think this new moon will be particularly powerful. I like to occasionally make new moon water. Made in the same way as full moon water, it can be used in simmer pots, ritual baths, for drinking, or offerings to bring clarity to a situation or for times of transition.
While my Indigenous ancestors come from the Yucatan Peninsula and not the Northeastern United States, spending time around the fourth Thursday in November to read and honor the Indigenous ancestors whose stories and truths have been repeatedly denied or inaccurately told, is important to me. November itself is a bit of a tricky month. For so many, with Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s a time for giving thanks and the cozy joys of the holiday season. For others, it’s a painful reminder of the long and violent history our government has committed against the original caretakers of Turtle Island. While I believe in listening to Indigenous stories and supporting their work all year long, November is an excellent time to dive into the ever expanding pool of content creators who are bringing their knowledge, history and art back to the mainstream.
A few of my favorite Indigenous content creators:
There’s countless more, as well as, a myriad of reading materials that Indigenous authors have written to share their stories and wisdom. Seeking out Indigenous artists and scholars in areas of interest benefits us all. It deepens our humanity, it reminds us that Indigenous peoples are still here, that they are thriving and creating and sharing the wisdom in their cultural practices.
Before I leave you with a little bit of butternut squash magic for November, I’d like to share some exciting news! If you follow me on social media you’ve likely seen that in October I started collaborating with two amazing friends of mine on The Rooted Folk Instagram account. My friend Allyson started The Rooted Folk years ago as a way to help others feel empowered to live a slower, more sustainable life while finding the beauty in celebrating each season. She invited her best friend Sarah, an amazing fiber artist, and myself to help her on the mission of inspiring others to live seasonally, creatively, intentionally and connected. We each bring our own seasonal art, knowledge and perspective to the page and I am so excited to work with such beautiful and creative friends. I am still creating content on Stove & Larder as well, in an ever evolving journey to share my passion for seasonal living though food, ritual and thrifting. My newsletter here will also continue to be released for free at the beginning of each month, with the possibility of added paid weekly content each month in the new year. I am also working on starting my own little curated reselling business that will include seasonal quality thrifted and up-cycled wares for hearth and home. I’m truly so excited for the future I’m creating for myself and I hope to bring you all right along with me!
Hassleback Butternut Squash
Squash, specifically butternut squash in this instance, is a perfect ingredient to incorporate into your kitchen and hearth witchery this time of year. It is readily available in most places and can be used in so many ways. In pasta, or roasted, simmered in curries or baked into an endless variation of pastries.
1 butternut squash, peeled, halved and deseeded
4 tablespoons softened or melted unsalted butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1-2 teaspoons fresh sage leaves, chopped, plus 10 whole leaves for garnish
red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste
Place prepared butternut squash on a cutting board cut side down between two wooden spoon handles or wooden chopsticks and carefully slice the squash into 1/4 inch slices, stopping when you hit the wooden spoons/chopsticks. Place squash in an ovenproof dish cut side down, tucking 3-4 sage leaves in between squash slices, drizzle with 3-4 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Bake at 425º F for 30 minutes. While the squash is baking stir softened or melted butter in a small bowl with garlic clove, chopped sage and maple syrup. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste.
After 30 minutes, remove squash from oven and brush with sage-maple butter. Return to oven and cook 10-20 more minutes until cooked through and lightly browned around edges. Serve immediately or sprinkle with optional toppings. Excellent with any harvest inspired meal.
optional toppings: grated hard cheese such as Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Pecorino Romano. Crumbled feta cheese, toasted and chopped pecans, chopped pistachios, or dried cranberries.
watch the video here
Butternut squash correspondences: abundance, balance, and love