What is Organic

The Winter Solstice Reveals The Urgency of Regeneration

Our species revolves around the universe
Photo by Andrew Preble on Unsplash

The Winter solstice has come and gone on our small and spinning planet. From where I stand in the Northern Hemisphere, it marked the shortest day and the longest night—winter’s official beginning.

My friends in New Zealand and Australia who reside south of the Equator experience this solstice very differently—they enjoy the longest day and the shortest night. It’s the beginning of summer for them.  

But my story begins with our ancient Northern ancestors, who heralded the sun’s return with great celebration and ceremony. In fact, these pagan celebrations bleed into our holidays today.

But theirs was serious business. These ancients of the north depended on recognizing the seasonal cycles to give them hope and help them through the lean winter months. Their winter solstice was an important reminder that plantings and harvests would someday return.

As we mark the end of 2020, with a reminder that the light will return, I must ponder…

Can the awareness of our place in this vast and boundless universe teach us ways to behave and think differently? 

How important is it to remember that we are creative, boundless beings, spinning and tilting amongst stars, moons and galaxies that have a hold on us?       

Continue reading “The Winter Solstice Reveals The Urgency of Regeneration”
Culinary Delights, What is Organic

Consider the Asparagus this Solstice

The ancients worshiped the return of the sun—that time when in the darkest hour the days began to lengthen. The winter solstice held the promise that the light would again return, seeds would yield to sprout and harvests would once again be reaped. This promise was embedded in the celebration—the birth of the sun.

To this day our holidays surround it; we feast and give gifts, we light candles and sing. The solstice and seasons have influenced many of our culinary traditions and still drive our food production. Continue reading “Consider the Asparagus this Solstice”

Culinary Delights, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Seven Reasons to Make The Holiday Organic

Holiday BaubleThe tilt of our magnificent globe has brought us round leaning towards the darkness. Thus we seek out colored lights, baubles, tinsel and song. This whirl of the winter solstice means the light will once again be born, and so we celebrate. You may lavish gifts, or sing choruses of carols. The glow of the menorah may light up your latkes. Or perhaps you are one who with great humbuggery rejects the entire pageant and go on a tropical vacation. However you celebrate this winter holy darkness, be you Christian, Jewish or Pagan, there are several ways you can add an organic twist to your holiday jig. Continue reading “Seven Reasons to Make The Holiday Organic”