Season: Autumn
Element: Metal
Moon: Full
Zodiac: Aries
Happy Friday!
Today is the super harvest moon and although it has already reached its peak this morning you should still be able to see it tonight if the skies are clear. This last super moon of the year happens in Aries, a sign open to change and new experiences. If you have read my last Substack posts, you will know that I am on a journey of change from a life heavy in yang energy and light in yin to one balanced in both. During this harvest moon, it is time to harvest the ideas of rest / yin I have been germinating and put them into practice.
Time in the month of September has seemed very fast. My husband and I look at each other at the end of the day and wonder why we don’t have more time. It makes me think a lot about Jenny ODell’s book Saving Time where she explores the concepts of chronos and kairos time. Chronos is the time we usually live by — capitalist time, the employee time clock, the relentless pace of work. Kairos time is where the world seems to stop entirely. As Odell write, “it is marked by a feeling of uncertainty, a feeling that time itself is passing in a different way, but also a time that is more hopeful. It is the time in which change—transformation—becomes possible. It is the time in which we become the creators of our own world.” I’m trying to live more in kairos time. To me this looks like slowing down, taking quiet walks in nature, visiting with older family members even though I have deadlines, and hugging my husband and daughter for as long as I can before it gets creepy.
Tonight, as I slow down perhaps, I will put Harvest Moon by Neil Young on repeat. As Neil sings in the song:
Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin'
We could dream this night away.
This feels like kairos time to me.
Note: Rest curations, products, and recordings are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, and Rest Rituals on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:
REST READING
Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Saving Time by Jenny Odell
The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner
The Moon Book by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body by Jodi Cohen
In Praise of Wasting Time by Alan Lightman
The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
REST RECIPE
Cold weather should be here soon, so in preparation I have started my cache of broth. I like to make a lot so that I can store 8 oz. mason jars in my freezer for future use and 16 oz. and 18 oz. jars in my fridge for making soups and sipping respectively. I’ve adapted a version of Rachel Katz’s Mineral Broth which is brilliant to make after having roast chicken and being left with the carcass. So, here is the recipe for Bone Broth:
1 chicken carcass
3 carrots, unpeeled
1/2 bunch celery
1 leek
1 shallot
3 garlic cloves
1 sweet potato, unpeeled
2 red potatoes, unpeels
1 kombu strip
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch cilantro
3 juniper berries
6 peppercorns
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Place all the above ingredients into a slow cooker or large stockpot for the cooktop. Add cold water over the ingredients until all are covered and 2 inches remain below the rim of the pot. Cook on a slow cooker low setting, covered for 6-8 hours or a cooktop low simmer, uncovered for 2-3 hours. If the water evaporates, add more if the vegetables start to peek out. The broth is ready once the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted and golden oil droplets form on the surfaces from the chicken. Strain the broth through a sieve into storage containers and let cool before placing the refrigerator or freezer. Feel free to add more water and cook again until the broth is too watery for your liking. I usually get about 2-3 more pulls from the recipe above.
*Bone broth supports the gut microbiome and reduces inflammation. Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome can influence sleep quality.
REST RITUAL
I believe I heard about the 20 second hug on either a Goop podcast or an Unlocking Us podcast with Emily Nagoski. Emily and her sister, Amelia, wrote the amazing book Burnout, which is a must read if you are interested in topics of rest. The 20 second hug is a deceptively simple thing, but it makes such a difference. A hug can make you feel less anxious or stressed and more relaxed. As the Nagoski sisters discuss in their book, a 20 second hug can complete the stress cycle.
The wonderful thing is that a 20 second hug can connect you to loved ones, pets, and even yourself. Please do not discount the 20 second self hug. To get the most out of these hugs, there are just three simple practices to consider when giving and receiving:
Be present
Hold tight
Hug for at least 20 seconds
I know when I practice this ritual I reap the benefits almost instantaneously. A few seconds in I can feel my shoulders relax, my heart beat slow, my energy calm, and there is always a sigh of relief. To be held, even in your own arms, brings on a sense of safety and security. Next time you are anxious or stressed, give this a try to bring your body and mind back into a state of calm.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has been enjoyable. May your week wrap up with ease and may your weekend be relaxing.
One more reminder on the upcoming events:
What: Rest Event
Where: Liebestraum Chalet, 5505 Bancroft, Alto, Michigan 49302
When: Sunday, October 15th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Why: Give yourself permission and come join me to REST
Who: Presented by Cascade Rest Curation in partnership with Cascade Feng Shui
How Many: Only 10 spots available, so please RSVP asap to abby@cascadefengshui.com if you would like to attend.
How Much: FREE!
If you cannot make the above date, again no worries. I will be holding Rest Events also on the following Sundays:
November 12th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
December 10th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Mark them in your calendar and feel free to RSVP me for any of the dates above.
And if you are interested in my feng shui services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com.