A Druid's Web Log April 2018 – baking with acorns and saving the bees

There are still a few patches of snow up here on the mountain, but the first brave crocuses are finally making an appearance. There is a large gaggle of geese and ducks hanging out at the nearby reservoir, newly arrived to their traditional nesting grounds. The weather is cool, misty and mysteriously bleak for early spring. I am taking advantage of the cold weather to do a little baking. Today I ground up some acorns I gathered last fall, to make into a cake for a friend’s birthday party. Acorn cake is spicy and warm, perfect for rainy, chill days (you can find the recipe in my book Secret Medicines from Your Garden). There is something soothing about observing the seasonal rituals; in fall I pound and grind the acorns, in spring and summer I bake acorn cakes. It’s reassuring that some things stay the same, year after year.

Spring is when I think about the stretch of grass in front of the house. I recently learned that its best not to mow your lawn more than every two weeks. That allows wildflowers like Dandelions and Clovers and Prunellas to take hold, which is nourishment for tiny native bees. Please consider this as you contemplate your summer lawn. And for goodness sake, do not use pesticides! Manicured chem-lawn fed yards are nothing but wastelands for bees. They need all the help we can give them.

Below you will find the usual book news, Archaeology, Nature, Climate, Herb, Religion, Celtic, Ethical and Political fare. *Reminder – you can purchase signed books from this website, just please specify who you want the book signed to!*

Enjoy!

BOOK NEWS!

THE REAL WITCHES OF NEW ENGLAND is now available for pre-order and will be out in September (just in time for Samhain!).
And Inner Traditions just told me that the next book – THE HERBS OF SAMHAIN (HALLOWEEN) – herbs to contact the Spirits of the dead has been accepted. That’s the one I was working on all winter. I have already started on the sequel which will be an herbal focused on the herbs and Fairies of Beltaine (May Day).
In May I am heading to Ireland, to perform a land blessing at a green cemetery and then to participate in a plant oriented tour of the west coast. And we are forging ahead with the film project, based on the book PRIESTESS OF THE FOREST – A DRUID JOURNEY, we now have a small production company getting ready to film a short. We still need your help and support;
Here is where you can help make the film happen!
The world of the film
The book

EVENTS AND CLASSES

Tuesday, June 19, 7 PM to 8:30 PM
A talk on Chinese Five Element Theory
Living Waters Chapter of Dowsers, located in Claremont, NH.
Contact: Alice Harwood
July 14-15
Tree Divination Using the Ancient Celtic Ogham Alphabet
with Ellen Evert Hopman
at Dreamland, in Worcester, VT.
Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-3
$130.
Contact: Fearn Lickfield
October 13 – April 2019
Intro to Herbalism and Self Care~ A Six Month Intensive
Two Saturdays a month, 1-5 PM near Amherst, MA
Western Materia Medica, Chinese 5 Element Theory,
Flower Essence Counseling, Formula making, Hands on Herbalism,
Ethnobotany, Herb walks, Homeopathic First Aid, Live case taking and more.

Here is a little Spring gift for you;

From SECRET MEDICINES FROM YOUR GARDEN
“Flower Tea
This magical and delicious tea is also a love potion. Share it with your intended on a full moon night.
Take equal parts fresh or dried Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaf, Rose Buds (Rosa spp.) and Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita, (synonym: Matricaria chamomilla), Chamaemelum nobile (synonym: Anthemis nobilis) and 1/4 part Lavender (Lavandula vera, L. officinalis) blossoms. Infuse the mixture in a pot of freshly boiled water. Cover tightly and steep no more than ten minutes or the delicate flowery aroma will be lost. Serve immediately with a touch of honey.”