I have always found the month of August… a bittersweet month… making it’s  journey from the high energy of the Summer cycle… to the ever approaching waning Sun… and the cycle of …  GATHERING IN.

“Gathering in”…  not only means harvesting the first crops … or drying your fresh herbs… for future use… it also means to  “gather within ” self… to reflect and ponder your personal growth this year… what goals or dreams you have harvested… but to also be honest and true with your feelings… about what goals… dreams… or growth YOU DID NOT… bring into fruition.

Not having what you want… often leads to disappointment… and justly so… but if something is true to your heart… hold it close… and know that it will come to be… when the season is right for you… bless it… and let it go.

August is the perfect month to see how much good and abundance you really do have right now… and express gratitude… by holding a simple gratitude celebration with your family and friends… or creating a special shrine in your home… where you can place a gratitude basket… writing on slips of paper… and then placing them in the basket…everything you are grateful for.

Whatever your faith is… or isn’t… or whatever space your are in your life… make this month of August… the month where you begin to practice GRATITUDE in your life… and share it with others… because you will always have something to feel grateful for… when you look from your heart.

I am grateful for you,

Victoria

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TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR AUGUST

August 1 is the first harvest celebration… a festival of great gratitude for bringing in the crops… and for all the land provides.

August 9 is International Day Of The Worlds Indigenous People

August 26 is Women’s Equity Day

FACTS ABOUT THE MONTH OF AUGUST

August is the biggest month for tourism… right before it is time to return to school.

On August 2nd  1875 the first roller skating rink was opened in the UK

FEMININE LIVING TRADITIONS

…FOR YOUR HOME

Set out small baskets filled with apples… or nuts… for a natural harvest feel.

Make it a tradition to begin your Fall cleaning this month… and use earth friendly cleaning products.

Clean and begin to pack away Summer items… and add Fall decor to your home.

Put lovely pieces of tall wheat into your vases… instead of flowers… as wheat is the symbol of the harvest season.

… FOR YOUR HEARTH

Try your hand at one of the oldest cooking traditions… that of  making some homemade bread this month… and serve it warm… with butter and local honey.

Make your own HERB FETA CHEESE … by slicing a block of Feta Cheese into even-sized cubes… and then placing the cubed cheese into a wide mouthed jar (recycled if possible). Next pour enough good extra virgin olive oil to cover the cheese completely. Add several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary… slivers of red pepper… garlic cloves… and some peppercorns.

Allow to meld flavors for a few days… in your fridge… and then eat and enjoy… and use the olive oil to cook with or pour over cheese or veggies.

… Start the tradition of drinking mint tea… after dinner. It calms the digestion… and is a calming and soothing ritual… that you will come to enjoy.

… FOR YOUR HEART

Upon rising… sit quietly on your bed… breathing in the new day… and say a blessing of gratitude for being able to experience everything that will make up your day.

… Send out gratitude cards… to family and close friends… thanking them for being in your life.

… Make a gratitude memory box… for all you harvested thus far this year… and keep adding to it for the remainder of this year.

… There is nothing more natural or wonderfully traditional then using fresh herbs for your skin… here then is a simple herbal recipe for an astringent to make for your personal use… or bottle up for small gifts to family and friends.

APPLE and MINT ASTRINGENT… this homemade astringent will improve the texture of your skin and add color. Just add 3 teaspoons chopped fresh mint and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a screw top jar or bottle. Let stand for at least 7 days. After 7 days… strain mixture into a bowl and add 1 1/4 cups pure water. Stir well… and then…pour into clean jars and store in a cool place. If gift giving… pour into pretty jars or bottles… tie with a ribbon with complete instructions.