Associations of Foods and Holidays

To Help in Your Choice of Menu

Imbolc - February 2

From the myths, the idea is to help the Sun on its journey, banishing winter

Prepare yellow and orange foods such as carrots and squash to symbolize the Sun, and anything hot and spicy

Ostara

Also known as the Spring Equinox

About March 21

Marks the astronomical start of spring.

Food for joy, life, harmony and productivity

Egg dishes are excellent, as are sprouts, seeds of any kind, green leafy vegetables. Flower dishes using rose, mustard, squash, nasturtium, or carnation flowers are welcome.

Beltane

May 1

This is a holiday of love, fertility, weaving of masculine and feminine energy. It is the high point of spring.

Oat bread and cookies, spring wines, and egg dishes are appropriate. Ice cream yogurt, cheese are also welcome additions to the menu.

Summer Solstice

About June 22

Celebrate an ancient time of magick. Great fires were lit on hilltops in honor of the Sun's strength.

This holiday is dedicated to fire festivals, love, beauty, passion, and energy.

Put some spicy main dishes on the menu, and fresh fruit desserts, or any dish with fruit as a major ingredient.

Lammas

Also know as Lughnasadh

August 1

Celebrate the first harvest with a grand variety of foods.

Any homemade bread, all berries, crab apples, and grains, garden vegetables are appropriate.

Mabon

Also known as the Fall Equinox

About September 21

This holiday marks the second harvest, and preparation for winter.

Put corn squash, and wheat bread on the menu along with other grains, especially corn. Any corn recipe is acceptable. Beans and squash are also good additions to the menu.

Samhain

October 31

Ancient Celtic festival known here as Halloween, a degraded version. This holiday marks the end of the year.

Psychic abilities are best honed with, bay, celery, fish, fresh fruit, Root crops such as turnips, carrots, potatoes, beets, apples in all forms and cider, grains, nuts, mulled wines, pumpkins, and roasted pumpkin seeds may be eaten.

Pomegranates are associated with Samhaim due to their connection with the under world in classical mythology. Eat them raw or use in recipes.

Yule

Also known as the Winter Solstice

December 21

Longest night of the year, the waning of winter. After the Winter Solstice the hours of light increase. Yule is associated with the returning of the Sun.

Encourage the return of the Sun with gingerbread, the modern version of ancient cakes made of grain and honey. These were offered as sacrifices to the goddesses and gods at Yule. These cakes were buried with the dead to ensure the passage of their souls into the other world.

Apples hung on Yule trees symbolize the continuing fertility of the earth. Any apple dish is welcomed on this holiday.

When ginger was introduced into Europe from Asia, it was incorporated into the ritual Yule cake. This was the origin of gingerbread.

Cookies are standard on this holiday


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