Autum 2024
Of Goldenrod and golden light
Autumn by far is my favorite season. The weather cools and leaves change. Living in upstate New York we get a stunning show of fall colors. The geese calling on their way south reminds me of my childhood. The leaves crunch underfoot, all a reminder of the cycle of seasons and life.
This year is my first autumn on our homestead, I’ve enjoyed seeing the colors come into their full glory. We have a wide variety of trees here. Maples, beech, ash and some aspen. The maples are showing off by turning yellow and red. Our yard had produced herbs that I can use to create some herbal remedies, Goldenrod, Mullein. We have a harvest of lavender and marigolds ready in the garden.
When we first moved into the space I planted 4 dahlia tubers that have bloomed beautifully. I have always had a goal of growing my own dahlias. I have plans to make a strictly dahlia garden bed right next to our potting shed. I have a few book on dahlias and will be reading those over the winter before buying more tubers. We have some friends back in Vermont who sell them- https://www.mistyhollowfarmvt.com/
With having so much space to grow and develop our homestead and self sufficiency I have been scheming to plant a small orchard. Apple trees, peaches and even some berry bushes. There is a small glade that we will have honey bees in the spring. I think they will be happy with some flowers to pollinate. We will be getting a first round of bees courtesy of the Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association. Drew applied for and received their grant for beginner beekeepers. (I’m SO proud of him) He will go to bee classes in the winter and we will get the hive going in the spring, so hopefully, we will have our very own honey in the next few years.
We also have a lower field which is full of goldenrod. I harvested a TON this fall. Golden rod can be used for MANY medicinal uses as well as dyes. Some of goldenrods uses are as an astringent and diuretic. It also has antimicrobial and anti inflammatory benefits (Fetrow, C. W., & Avila, J. R. (2000). The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines. Pocket Books.).
I have made an oil infusion, using fresh goldenrod and olive oil. As well as a tincture, which is made of fresh goldenrod and 80 proof vodka. These I placed on a shelf in my kitchen for 8 weeks to let the medicinal properties leech from the plant. I have also made a big tincture batch from mullein. Mullein is a great natural expectorant which is needed during the back to school season (Fetrow, C. W., & Avila, J. R. (2000). The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines. Pocket Books.).
Fall is notoriously hard for me. My first husband, Kyle passed away unexpectedly several years ago, 2 days after our wedding anniversary. This year I found a small amount of peace here in the woods. Walking the grounds, watching the colors change and the sun shift. The cycle of life and time steadily moves forward.
Fall also hosts the Vernal Equinox, day and night are equal. We celebrate that before we head into the dark winter months. In Hellenism, this is when Persephone returns to the land of the underworld. Persephone is one of the main deities I honor. Some themes of the Vernal Equinox (also know as Mabon) are balance, harvest, prosperity, and reflection. I spent this equinox thinking back on the last 4 months and making plans for the winter and intentions for spring.
And so the veil begins to thin, as we head towards the best holidays of all, Halloween, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos. My most favorite time of the year.
