Hearth is a place I sit to inspire my life, to gather back a life I can call my own. Over time, I have built many different kinds; fires which warm, fires which spark my creativity, fires which transform me and fires that cook the foods which restore my health.
","moreTexts":[{"t":"I discovered one day that in Welsh the word for hearth is synonymous with home. Many of us feel a desire to come home. Hearth can guide us there, it can turn us inward to see what we have lost and help us reconnect to ourselves in the moment.I agree with Anne Scott who wrote in Serving Fire that
"The hearth is a symbol of the feminine that nourishes our soul and our body. Rather than pushing us to transcend ourselves, the divine aspect of the feminine leads us into ourselves, and we are nourished by this journey."
"}]},"moreTexts":[{"t":"Sula, my beloved cat, sat curled by my side. I felt a pull to look more deeply inward. Many winter, spring, summer and fall mornings to come, I would sit by the fire feeling sheltered; this ritual of sitting, musing and writing became a hearth place, a central place to grow a life of my own.My Celtic heritage has inspired me to live seasonally, honor the sacred of every day, and embrace the divine feminine within me. In my website, you'll find excerpts from the book, "Hearth Stories", suggestions for living the every day sacred, and offerings for creating hearth in your own life.
"}]}, "ancient":{"madonna":{"text": "Black Madonnas are statues of the Virgin Mother. Their faces are black or brown. She is found in churches and sanctuaries around the world. During the first winter of my quest, I met the Black Madonna on the pages of China Galland’s book, Longing for Darkness. Soon after, I found myself face to face with her icon in the sanctuary of Chartres Cathedral in France. What followed was a delicious mystery. The passage below is an excerpt from Hearth Stories about my pilgrimage in 2000 to Chartres, France.Certainly it had to do with the search in many quarters for the return of the sacred feminine, for new wisdom. Our world needed the balance of the feminine. It had not been since the 12th century that these Madonna's have had such attention. But it was curious that they have survived centuries of war and revolution. As many have written her origins are unknown;
She has called me. She calls from longings, and she hands out invitations to Her world—to Her womb of being.When I have taken the time, I have found marks of Her presence in places such as wells, islands, meadows, labyrinthine circles,
I must choose the process to arrive in."
A beautiful green book with gold print caught my eye. I asked to look at it; the title was A Hand-Book of Irish Antiquities, Pagan and Christian. I opened the book to see that it had been published in 1891 and was taken by the beautiful drawings. Although the price was a bit steep for my budget, I couldn't just leave it in the shop. So I carried it lovingly home."
Grace Cathedral, in San Francisco, was another place I met the labyrinth. The day I experienced a Chartres style labyrinth I was handed Dr. Lauren Artress' book called Walking a Sacred Path. After finishing her book and learning of a teaching program at Chartres Cathedral,
I stood firm holding onto the rail as the wind whipped and the cold rain pelted the deck. Fionnphort, the small port town slipped behind me, the gangplank dropped ahead of me and soon enough I was stepping on Iona.
I immediately fell under the spell of that mystical island. I was to stay for only two days. With my suitcase bumping behind me I walked to the hotel, pulled open the heavy door and stepped into the old inn, a blazing peat fire welcomed me"
The first spring of my quest I took a pottery class and found it fun, an opportunity to get out of my tendencies to perfection.
","moreTexts":[{"t":"Whether taking a class or exploring on our own, the gift of art can be a kind of inspiring play, helping us to discover more of ourselves.When I took the pottery class, I pinched small elfin figures out of the clay. They were lopsided and funny looking. I laughed and built homes for them from sticks and leaves.
It was the first time I had let go for a long time. The images I created were not about anything; they just were. Using our imaginations to draw, pinch clay, write, knit or dance is exploration, is taking ourselves to a new territory."},{"t":"Using our imagination to draw with crayon, pinch clay, make a book, write a poem, knit a scarf or dance a dance opens our hearts.
JUMP in and play with clay, crayons, paper mache, yarn, or whatever you find draws your attention.
"}]}, "journal":{"text":"Writing in a journal reminds us to write ourselves back into our lives. Whether we use our journals to explore, empty, or express or honor our life experience, it is a gift to ourselves. I like to include in my writing small sketches snatches of images, objects from nature, dreams or whatever you want!There are many different ways we can keep journals, including making collage, writing poetry, drawings, making notes, and collecting quotes. There is no limit to the imagination or to making a journal.
","moreTexts":[{"t":"I began to also use a nature journal as a way to appreciate the beauty of life. I carried a small notebook with me, made small sketches of leafs, mushrooms, a feather, or the bark of a tree. The journal reminds me to treasure my experience and shows me what is calling to me that day,The journal is a wonderful way to open to raw raging feelings, to set intentions, to honor our experience, and to explore the dark passages of our life.
"}]}, "selfcare":{"text":"I was walking with a friend on a beautiful spring day and we were talking about self care and how we women spend time caring for others but often neglect ourselves. Mary said, ”if I consider myself a loving person, why would I leave myself out of the equation?” Her statement was right to the point, of course. As women we often override or deny our own needs. Body, mind and soul need food, rest, and exercise. Adventure is taking new risks and walking new paths in our lives. We are often busy with our work, family or partnerships but neglect our own down time, neglect the adventure of self care.","moreTexts":[{"t":"I learned to care for myself slowly, old stories which try to tell me I am not worth it can interfere. The gift of presence opens us to the mystery and adventure of our lives. Presence gives us a life filled with joy and aliveness. Adventuring into our deep needs restores our life."}]},"moreTexts":[{"t":"Arriving at the campground I took my purse, locked the car and wandered through the campsites, hoping to find one at the edge of the campground. I checked in with the ranger and then saw a site close to the west boundary. My insecurity built. Was I crazy? It had been years since I had put up my old blue tent. Placing my feet deeper into the dry earth encouraged me.
"},{"t":"It was in the winter and Matt was two months old. I stayed at home to care for our baby while Stephen ran the business we owned close by in Sonoma. Our shop closed at five, and Stephen returned home shortly after that. I prepared dinners, but we had agreed that I would have an hour so I could take a daily run.
"},{"t":"Our home was nestled in the quiet Lovell Valley. The road curved in a large loop, a perfect place to walk. It felt safe to be out in the dark, but that was 1973. I loved running, yet I had never run in the dark. So the experience was a new adventure.The first night I felt afraid so I took a flashlight. I was mostly afraid of tripping and falling. While I knew the road well from walking it, I still had to breathe deeply and challenge myself. The first night I walked, and then ran slowly. On following nights, I learned to feel for the uphill grades, the bumps in the pavement. I gained confidence.
"},{"t":"I began listening for the sounds of the night including the goats, sheep, and turkeys that shared the valley with our homes. I loved the goats. I could hear the rustle of their movement as they crossed through the grasses.After running the first part of the loop, I'd start around the curve to the next half. This part included a slight uphill; here I smelled the eucalyptus tree. It was then that I learned to smell my place on the road. It became a fascinating exercise, and I gave up my flashlight. It was exhilarating.
"},{"t":"As I got used to the feeling of the dark, I sometimes lost all sense of my body except for my legs and the sound of my shoes on the pavement. Learning to run in the dark is an experience of trust and surrender. It gave me a way to confront my fears of the mystery, the unknown.My memory inspired me to begin again, begin by honoring winter solstice with a walk in the dark. What seeds would germinate in the dark and sprout in spring."}]}, "spring":{"text":"Spring equinox is the time of the year when night and day hours are just about equal. The following is an excerpt from Hearth Stories.
It was customary to make an offering which might include making barley cakes, place cloth out on a rush for St. Brigid to bless, or leave offerings of food.
I was excited to reencounter St. Brigid who weaves both pagan and Christian traditions in one braid. The goddess Brigid is said to be the goddess of a fire, of inspiration.
The Christian abbess Brigid was born in 453 BC and founded an abbey at Kildare, Ireland.
"},{"t":"Her church, constructed in the sixth century, included a fire temple; her nuns tended its sacred flame. She felt like kin and I hoped that this ancient woman would help me rekindle a deeper soul life.What did she mean for me, a woman of the 21st century? It was encouraging to read that the modern day order of Brigandine nuns continued her traditions through ritual, prayer and social justice work. They had established a Christian center dedicated to her.
"},{"t":"It was customary to make an offering which might include making barley cakes, placing cloth out on a bush for St Brigid to bless, or leaving offerings of food. In addition, it was customary to make a Brigid cross out of rush and hang it high in the house to win her protection.I honored her by lighting a candle and poured myself a bowl of warm milk with honey.
After all, the holiday was also named Imbloc which referenced olemel or ewes milk. Spring was when lambs were born, lactating time for the mother sheep, milk, nurturance, and new life.
"}]},"summer":{"text":"Summer solstice is the time of the year when the sun reaches its apex. One solstice morning during my quest, I met the rising sun with gratitude for I felt the mystery of my world. Reconnecting to the cycles of the sun and moon was becoming a new rhythm of awareness for me. The following is an excerpt from Hearth Stories:What to eat? Since my childhood memories hovered about I considered a fried green tomato dinner. It would have been a similar evening in New Jersey when my sister and I went to the garden to pick corn and tomatoes."
Please wrap up and enjoy the recipes that follow...
","moreTexts":[{"t":"Winter is a time to settle inside by the fire. There is nothing like a hearty bowl of steaming soup.Winter Squash Soup
1 Acorn squash
1 yellow onion
1½ cups of fresh apple juice
1 tablespoon of butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Bake squash in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes or so, depending on the size of the squash.
"},{"t":"While the squash is cooking, slice the onion and sauté it in the butter, cook slowly and let caramelize.When the squash is done, scoop the flesh out, place in a blender with apple juice and onion, then puree. Serve with toasted pumpkin or squash seeds.
"},{"t":"Spring is a season to enjoy fresh greens. I like to combine greens like chard and spinach, or collards and chard. One of my favorite soups uses fresh watercress.Spring Watercress Soup
2 bunches of watercress
1 quart of chicken stock
1 medium shallot
½ tsp of chervil and chives salt and pepper to taste
Summer Tomato Tart
1 uncooked pie shell or tart shell
½ lb Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard Fresh basil"},{"t":"Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the crust for ten minutes then remove it from the oven to cool for a few minutes. Then spread the mustard on the bottom of the crust with cheese and place the tomatoes on top. Salt and pepper, add a bit of Parmesan cheese if you wish or crushed red pepper. Bake for about 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the tomatoes are tender. After you take the tart from the oven, chop a few basil leaves and sprinkle over the top."},{"t":"Fall is the time of the year that I enjoy making stews with fresh vegetables and beans. The stew is adapted from my favorite cookbook Field of Greens by Annie Somerville.
North African Vegetable Stew
1-can organic chick-peas drained
2 ½ pounds of fresh tomatoes or 1-16 ounce can of tomatoes with juice chopped
1 quart of vegetable stock
1 medium onion cut into pieces
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger"},{"t":"1 pound yellow Finn potatoes cut into chunks
1 large carrot cut into large chunks
1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips
1 small head of cauliflower, break into florets
Cayenne Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Heat the olive oil in a skillet add the onion and a pinch of salt.
"},{"t":" Sauté the onion until it is translucent, then add the garlic, ginger and other spices. Stir and cook for a minute. Add a half-cup of vegetable stock with a half-teaspoon of turmeric and then add potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add the peppers, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook uncovered until heated through. Then add the tomatoes and chick-peas, and broth, cook for 20 minutes. Add the salt and cayenne to taste. Right before serving stir in the fresh herbs. Annie suggests you serve it over a bed of couscous; see her recipe in Fields of Greens. I often serve it with rice and a spoonful of yogurt."},{"t":"RECIPES FOR THE JOURNEYComfort foods are for all seasons. It helps to know when dusk comes on us our fire and the pot of food is warming. Long and arduous quests into the unknown can require different varies of hearth food. Here are a few suggestions to warm body and soul.
Cinnamon Toast
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon butter (lots)
Mix cinnamon and sugar, toast bread, butter and sprinkle!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat the milk in a pan with the butter, when the butter is melted whisk in the flour. Add hot milk and cook until thickened.
"},{"t":"Add cheese off the heat with the seasonings and macaroni. Mix and put into a three-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake for 35 minutes. (This recipe comes from Ina Garten)"},{"t":"Tea and Toast
When I come home from inner or outer pilgrimages or adventures I drop back into rituals, which give me, back a sense of home and hearth. My favorite comfort ritual is making a hot steaming cup of tea and warm toast. Choose your favorite crunchy bread, pull out the butter, choose a favorite jam—blackberry or orange marmalade is mine—or soft cheese like cream cheese or soft goat cheese. Toast the bread then slather on either with the jam, or not and then take your slowly brewed tea and sit by the fire and muse.
"}]},"celeb":{"text":"I am inspired by simple, seasonal meals. Winter and fall call for cozy meals by the fire, while spring and summer inspire me to set the table outdoors. I especially enjoy pulling out the table and summer linens. It is fun to create beauty for celebrations, and to do it regularly. The following excerpt comes from Hearth Stories, during the first summer of my quest.Tea is an invitation, a celebration, beauty and comfort. I drink tea to bring together feelings of harmony and savoring. My love of tea came from precious visits with my grandmother. Nana would prepare a tray of tea and milk. Then we’d sit looking at the family photo albums, sip tea, and talk story.
","moreTexts":[{"t":"When I was asked what I wanted for my sixtieth birthday I chose a tea party. My sister Barbara organized a beautiful afternoon tea event which included tea sandwiches and sweets. That March afternoon was warm, the air gentle, small bouquets of spring flowers filled small teapots, and woman friends, old and new, gathered to share stories of their tea cups, of their ancestry, and their lives.There is nothing to compare with a steaming pot of tea, a favorite teacup, and a lemon square or two.
"},{"t":"Remember, making tea is a ritual which includes putting the kettle on, filling the pitcher with milk, cutting lemons, putting out the sugar bowl or the honey bear, placing a flower in a small vase, waiting for the kettle to boil, taking out your favorite cup and teapot, filling them with hot water to warm them, placing your loose tea or tea bags in the teapot, and then letting it steep. A favorite tea I make in the spring is raspberry leaf tea. I buy the tea loose or in tea bags. Often while it is steeping I place fresh raspberries in my cup and then pour the hot steeped tea over top. A cup of strawberry tea and an egg salad sandwich with the crusts cut off are a perfect match."}]},"moreTexts":[{"t":"Living connected to seasonal cycles means eating locally grown produce. Feeding my soul life includes musing on spring asparagus, autumn tomatoes, winter chards, and summer berries. I offer some of my favorite, simple recipes here. The recipes include suggestions for celebration and using imagination for playful meal. Tea is a major component of everyday sacred for me, a beautiful gift to share with friends. Come sit awhile!"}]}, "joanna":{"moreTexts":[{"t":"Her passion for cooking lead to her opening her business. She is owner/ chef of Heart Cuisine Sonoma and continues to serve fresh local foods and teach classes. She currently cooks, teaches and treasures her home in the Sonoma Valley. Her newest teachers are her grandsons Sam and Bodey."}]}, "resources":{"moreTexts":[{"t":"CELTIC SPIRITUALITYLABYRINTH and SACRED GEOMETRY
Richard Feather Anderson, educator, environmental designer, feng shui master, founder of American School of Geomancy, and former faculty, New College of California, EcoDwelling program."},{"t":"Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D., leastudio.com
Lea is the founder of the Santa Rosa Labyrinth Foundation, the creator-artist of the Santa Rosa Labyrinth©, the Snoopy Labyrinth at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Her website gives information and inspiration on labyrinths, creativity, and finding heart in the journey of life.
www.theheartofhealing.com Use a meditation in the morning to set the tone of sacredness or call yourself back in from 'list mode' at the end of the day. An important concept of hearth is giving yourself restorative time each day. Enjoy a meditation.
"},{"t":"www.heartofhealing.net/Meditation/MO_podcasts.htmART
Living into Art, Journeys Through Collage, Lindsay Whiting A new book to be released in May, 2008, a beautiful example of people exploring their creative process. For information contact: Lindsay@paperlantern.biz
Iona Galley art of Marianne Lines, www.stoneline.co.uk
"},{"t":"CELEBRATING THE PLANETSACRED FEMININE
Longing for Darkness, Tara and China Galland
Cult of the Black Madonna, Ian Beggs,
Jennifer Posada, healer and writer.
www.jenniferposada.com"},{"t":"PILGRIMAGE
Judith Tripp, circleways.com
The Art of Pilgrimage, Phil Cousineau
SEASONAL FOOD
Buy your food locally and visit the farmers' markets"}]},
"reviews":{"moreTexts":[{"t":""So many books about personal and spiritual transformation highlight dramatic events and insights, as if all of a sudden someone was forever changed. This writer was able to portray how growth really happens, moment by moment and mostly in the day to day details of how we live. Devrais\'s voice felt so real and grounded and unassuming, and a vibrant sense of the feminine was present throughout the book. Visiting at a black madonna in the Chartres Cathedral and enjoying a walk in the woods at home seemed equally sacred. I encourage anyone who is willing to meet herself more deeply to read this book!""}]}
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