Witchy Woman Walking – Details, episodes & analysis

November is bringing some big energy to the table! The supermoon on the 5th is quickly followed by Mercury stationed retrograde, which can cause some sticky communication and logistical upsets. When these cosmic shifts occur on top of other daily challenges, we can find ourselves feeling strained and overwhelmed. In these moments, we’d be wise to surrender, rather than choosing to push and fight until we meet our breaking point. There’s no shame in slowing down or asking for help, but first we need to acknowledge that we’re struggling. As we wander through the darkening woods, consider how close you are to your limit. Maybe it’s time to wave the white flag, take a deep breath, and surrender.

What am I reading?

The Poisoner’s Tale by Cathryn Kemp

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781454957461

The Aura Color Wheel: What Your Souls Aura Reveals About Your Inner Gifts, Wounds, and Lessons by Helen Ye Plehn

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781401995430

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?

Let’s Dance to Joy Division by the Wombats 

What’s for dinner? 

Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 pound stew meat 

2 tablespoons butter

Carrots

Potatoes

Celery

Onions

Garlic

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup white wine

1 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper

Herbs de Provence 

Instructions: Melt the butter in pot, season beef cubes with salt, pepper, and herb mixture. Brown beef, remove from stew pot, set aside. Add more butter or olive oil to pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, sauté until onions turn translucent. Add diced tomatoes, broth, wine, and potatoes to pot. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down, simmer until potatoes become fork tender. Season to taste. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy! 

2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse 

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (357 g) heavy cream, cold and divided
• 1 cup (182 g) chocolate chips, semi-sweet (or your preference)

Instructions:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ½ cup of the heavy cream for 50 seconds (depending on microwave strength). 
  
  
• Add the chocolate chips to the cream and stir until the chocolate has melted. This will take 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  
  
• Pour the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream into a medium bowl. Using a hand-held or stand mixer, beat until soft peaks form. Continue whipping the cream until stiff peaks form.
  
  
• Slowly fold in half the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture with a large spatula. Gently fold in the rest of the whipped cream.
  
  
• Divide the mixture between 4 ramekins or cocktail glasses (I used lowball glasses). Refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight, before serving.
  
  
• Serve topped with extra whipped cream
  
  

https://iambaker.net/wprm_print/two-ingredient-chocolate-mousse

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How did the ancient Celts celebrate Samhain? Are our theories sound or was the truth lost to history? We may never know exactly how this Sabbat looked long ago, but we can be relatively certain that it was an end of summer celebration and a time to usher in the dark half of the year. Samhain reminds us that even in the darkness and uncertainty of winter, we have the ability to make merry! We can put on costumes, dance around a bonfire, and feast! We can stare down our fear and stand boldly in defiance of it. As the sky darkens and the air chills, imagine the light that you will carry into winter. Happy Samhain! 

What am I reading?

The Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781668087145

Our Green Heart by Diana Beresford-Krueger

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781039009790

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?

Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo 

What’s for dinner?

Savory Veggie Egg Bake 

Ingredients:

9-10 eggs

1/2-1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup Shredded cheese

Parmesan cheese on top

1/2 cup Milk

Onions

Garlic

Peppers

Sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil

Cherry tomatoes

Salt

Pepper

Red pepper flakes

Fresh herbs- dill, parsley, or basil work nicely 

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking dish, set aside. Sauté sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil with onions and garlic until fragrant. Add peppers and cherry tomatoes, sauté until onions and peppers become soft and cherry tomatoes blister, set aside. Whisk together eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese, season with salt & pepper and red pepper flakes. Add veggies to prepared baking dish, spread evenly. Pour egg mixture on top of veggies, add more milk if needed, stir gently. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and herbs, bake for 35 minutes or until fork comes out clean and cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy! 

Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea

  Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 black tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf black tea)
• peel of 1/2 orange (save some for garnish)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk (or your preferred milk)
• orange peel twist or orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

• In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
  
  
• Once the water is boiling, add the orange peel and the cinnamon stick. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
  
  
• Add the black tea bag (or loose leaf tea) to the pot. Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel. Remove the tea bag afterward.
  
  
• Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract while the tea is still hot, so the sugar dissolves completely.
  
  
• Pour in the milk and allow the tea to gently heat for another 2-3 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  
  
• Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel.
  
  
• Add a twist of orange peel or a slice of orange to garnish, and enjoy your warm, fragrant Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea!
  
  

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Stepping out of our comfort zone is hard. We often avoid doing it because we’re terrified of being seen as less-than. We want to show up as immediate experts with impressive skills; this way we can avoid ever looking foolish. Many of are so afraid of feeling embarrassed that we spend a lifetime missing out on experiences that could add great value to our lives. It’s time to stop doing this! What if we could put aside our need to impress and instead approach new experiences with a sense of humor and a deep desire to learn? If we could take ourselves a little less seriously, maybe we could actually expand and grow beyond our wildest imaginations. As we wander through the late summer woods, consider the ways you’ve been hiding. A magical life awaits you on the other side of your comfort zone! 

What am I reading?

A Tale of Mirth & Magic by Kristen Vale

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781538771822

Proof of Life by Jennifer Pastiloff

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9780593474075

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?

Changes by 2Pac

What’s for dinner?

Peanut Noodles w/ Tofu and Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients:

Soba or rice noodles

Head of green cabbage 

Scallions 

Firm Tofu

Garlic

Ginger

Peanut butter

Coconut aminos

Rice vinegar

Hot water

Sriracha

Maple syrup

Red pepper flakes

Sugar

Salt 

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Drain and press tofu, cut into cubes. Marinate tofu in mixture of coconut aminos, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Marinate for at least 15 minutes. Spread onto lined cookie sheet, bake until browned. Wash and chop cabbage, place in colander, salt liberally, drain access moisture. Sprinkle with sugar and dress with rice vinegar, set aside. Boil noodles according to package. In a large boil combine peanut butter (start with 1/2 cup), coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sriracha, garlic, and ginger. Thin peanut sauce with hot water until desired consistency is reached. Or add more peanut butter to thicken as needed. Add noodles to peanut sauce, mix thoroughly. Add tofu and cabbage, mix again. Top with chopped scallions. Enjoy! 

Vanilla Jasmine Milk Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 2 jasmine green tea or jasmine black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose leaf)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1/2 vanilla bean)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp honey (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

• In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a simmer. Add the jasmine tea bag and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Remove the tea bags (or strain loose leaf tea), then add the milk, vanilla extract (or vanilla bean), and ground cinnamon to the pot. Stir gently.
• Allow the tea to heat on low for 2-3 minutes.
• Stir in honey to your desired sweetness.
• Pour into mug to drink hot or serve over ice.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Enjoy!

Spiritual Alchemy https://www.buzzsprout.com/2251895/episodes/17664691

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The holidays should be a time of light and joy, but they can also be a time where our shadow self takes over. Grief can come upon us in both expected and unexpected ways. This season, instead of stuffing our losses deep down, perhaps we can explore our feelings of sadness by exposing them to the light.  As we take this journey through the rain, allow the tears to flow while you connect with what weighs on your spirit. By seeing our grief clearly, we can begin to untangle its hold on our hearts. From this place, we can step into the holidays with a lighter spirit and a clearer mind. Illuminate your grief and find your joy this season!

What I’m reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

Remarkably Bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 

Cooking by Moonlight: A Witch’s Guide to Culinary Magic by Karri Ann Allrich 

What I’m playing on repeat?

How we Living by Michael Franti & Spearhead 

What’s for dinner? 

Turkey or Beyond Beef Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1-2 pounds “meat” ground turkey, beyond beef, or cooked lentils 
1 Onion
3-4 cloves Garlic 
1 cup diced mushrooms, celery, carrots
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
1 cup breadcrumbs 
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of curry powder

Glaze:

1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon mustard
Dash nutmeg

Directions: Preheat 350 degrees. Mix together (everything but glaze) ingredients, put in a loaf pan, bake 30 minutes. Mix glaze, remove loaf from oven and pierce the top with a fork, pour glaze on top, bake another 30 minutes. 

Cider Roasted Veggies 

Carrots, parsnips, onion, cauliflower, bunch garlic 
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup apple cider
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Salt and pepper

Directions: Preheat 375 degrees. Place veggies in roasting dish, whisk together other ingredients, pour over, stir. Roast veggies about 35 minutes until tender. 

Or Dill Smashed Potatoes

1 lb Yukon gold potatoes
2-4 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup buttermilk 
1 tablespoon fresh dill
Salt and pepper 

Directions: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Smash, add other ingredients. Mix gently, so they don’t get gluey.

Immune Boosting Apple Cider Vinegar Tea

Hot water
Bragg’s 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
I tablespoon Local Honey to taste

Crisis Support Resources

In the US: https://www.crisistextline.org/

In Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

International Support: https://samaritanshope.org/resources/international-help/ 

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Holidays can be a magical time, but they can also be a time of energetic overload and letdown. Do you find yourself setting your holiday expectations so high that you inevitably wind up disappointed? Do you have a holiday vision in your mind that rarely matches reality? If so, rest assured that you're not alone! If you'd like to step off this emotional holiday roller coaster, try setting intentions rather than expectations this season. In this episode, we'll explore the messy reality of how our unconscious behavior patterns can suck the joy from holiday revelry. We'll also discuss how to stop trying to control our external circumstances by shifting our focus to internal work instead. Soak in the sounds of the forest while we stroll on this peaceful, chilly morning. Take a few extra breaths when we arrive at the waterfall; imagine yourself letting go of limiting expectations as you open your heart to an intention-filled season of wonder!

What I'm reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne
Belong: Find Your People, Create Community, and Live a More Connected Life by Radha Agrawal

What's playing on repeat?

Blood in the Cut by K. Flay

What's for dinner?

Vegetarian Banh Mi
Ingredients:
14 ounce marinated tofu (homemade or prepared)
Baguette
Pickled veggies (homemade or prepared)
1/2 cup mayo
2 tablespoons sriracha
1 teaspoon lime juice

Directions: If making homemade pickled veggies: Cut 2 carrots, 1 cucumber, 1 daikon (if available) into matchsticks. Place veggies in jar with 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, pinch of sugar, pinch of salt. If liquid does not cover veggies, add some water, place in refrigerator.

If making homemade marinade: Marinate tofu in tamari or coconut aminos, fresh garlic and ginger (as much as you like), and a few teaspoons of lime juice and zest. Then bake sliced tofu in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, flip, bake 15 minutes more.

Mix mayo, sriracha, and lime juice, spread layer on baguette. Layer tofu on baguette. Load veggies on top. Toast if desired. Enjoy!

Greek Yogurt Bark

1.5 cups Greek yogurt or thick non-dairy yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup peanut butter (optional)

Topping choices:
Sliced banana, graham cracker pieces, chocolate chips, or...
Strawberries, chocolate chips and crushed nuts, or...
Chocolate chips and crushed candy canes

Directions: Mix yogurt and honey (and PB if using). Spread mixture evenly on parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle on toppings. Freeze for 4 hours. Break apart bark and store in freezer bag. Eat up! 

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The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, right? But have you ever noticed how people can easily become cranky, overwhelmed, and downright miserable to be around at this celebratory time of year? Maybe this even describes you... don't fret, it doesn't have to be this way. In this episode, we'll explore simple, affordable ways to raise your vibration this holiday season. From forest bathing, to ritual baths, to rediscovering your favorite seasonal picture books... we'll delight the senses in a variety of witchy and mundane ways to bring your energy from "meh" to magical!

What I'm Reading?

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
The Enchanted Life: Unlocking the Magic of the Everyday by Sharon Blackie

What's for Dinner?

End of the Week Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Whatever veggies you've got in the fridge (I used carrots, squash, and mushrooms)
1 can diced tomatoes
4-8 cups veggie broth (adjust liquid based on how many veggies you're adding)
1 can chickpeas
Vegan chorizo (or any other sausage-like substance you have, it makes the broth richer and more flavorful)
Leftover pasta (any shape will work, or you can use potatoes as a starch)

Directions: Sauté veggies in olive oil (save softer veggies like squash till later). Once veggies soften and onions become translucent, add the chorizo until browned. Then add broth, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, and softer veggies. When soup comes to a boil, add the pasta or potatoes and cook until they are soft. Serve with crusty bread, enjoy!

Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Popcorn

Bowl of popcorn
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sprinkle of cocoa powder (optional)

Directions: Make a big bowl of plain popcorn using an air popper, pot, or plain microwave popcorn. Brown the butter on the stove or melt in the microwave. When the butter is fully browned/melted, add in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle over the popcorn, coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with cocoa powder if desired. Get your snack on!

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When you think about the truly magical holiday moments you've experienced throughout your life, what comes to mind? Is it the spending money you don't have? Or waiting in endlessly long shopping lines to buy things nobody really needs? Painfully posed holiday photos?... probably not... Before diving mindlessly into holiday chaos this season, stop to think about the wonder your soul really craves. In this episode, we'll explore the simple ways that we might infuse more magic into our lives during this festive time. So grab a cup of cocoa, get cozy by the fire and let's call in the wonder as we approach this magical time of year!

What am I reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

Thief Liar Lady by D.L. Soria
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

What's for dinner?

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
12 ounces elbow pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk of choice
1/2 cup pepper parmesan cheese (grated)- extra for sprinkling on top
1 cup red pepper cheddar cheese (grated)- extra for sprinkling on top
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Several pinches black pepper

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook Pasta el dente. Melt butter in a pan, slowly whisk in flour and milk (alternating between the two). Once mixture thickens add cheese, pumpkin puree, and spices. When fully blended, add mixture to large bowl of cooked pasta, coat evenly. Place in greased baking dish, top with more cheese, bake for 25 minutes.

Pumpkin Mousse
Ingredients:
1 package silken tofu
1 can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg and ginger

Directions: Drain tofu to release excess liquid. Blend ingredients in blender or food processor. Chill in fridge for 4 hours. Serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

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It's that time of year again... the energy starts to pick up as the holiday season approaches. The magic of this celebratory time often gets lost in the shuffle of activities. How do we stay present when our calendar fills to the brim? How do we maintain our rituals when we're running on empty? If we want to keep our spiritual practice at the center of our lives, we must first release the physical and energetic clutter from our sacred spaces. In this episode, we'll walk through ways to look at this potentially overwhelming process through a magical lens. Enjoy this lunchtime ramble through the woods while we bask in the last few weeks of autumn! 

What I'm Reading

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

Weave the Liminal by Laura Tempest Zakroff

What's for Dinner?

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
6 Bell Peppers
Filling: lb ground meat, Beyond Beef, protein crumbles, or cooked lentils
1.5 cups cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion
Garlic (as much as you like)
Mushrooms (as many as you like)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can chickpeas
1/2 cup broth
Greens (spinach, colllards, or kale)
Fresh herbs (whatever you like)
Cheese (vegan or dairy) to sprinkle on top of peppers
Season w/ salt & pepper

Directions: Heat oven to 425 degrees. Sauté the veggies in olive oil, brown the meat or Beyond Beef (if using). Add diced tomatoes, broth, chickpeas, greens, herbs, and cooked grain. Season w/ s&p.  Stuff peppers, sprinkle w/ cheese, bake until they reach desired softness. Enjoy!

Roasted Red Cabbage

Ingredients:
Head of red cabbage (shredded)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt & pepper
Additional spices (if desired)

Directions: Massage olive oil into shredded cabbage, season. Spread cabbage in a thin layer on a cookie sheet, bake until cabbage starts to get crispy. Yum! 

Golden Milk

Ingredients:
2 cups milk of choice
1-3 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey
1.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch black pepper

Directions: Simmer milk in a pot, add spices, stir to dissolve. Sweeten to taste. Savor! 

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Creating a magical practice doesn't have to be complicated or carefully curated. What if we strived for authenticity in our practice rather than perfection? Engaging in simple daily rituals is arguably more impactful and more enjoyable than embarking on the occasional complicated craft. Remove the limiting expectations and allow yourself to settle into an authentic (possibly messy) practice of your own making. Ponder how this might look in your own life while we enjoy nature's  perfection on this incredible fall day!

What am I Reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

Hester by Laurie Albanese
 
Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution by Rainn Wilson

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rich-roll-podcast/id582272991?i=1000609269157

What's for Dinner?

Carrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion
Garlic (how many cloves make you happy?)
1-2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
2 lbs carrots
4 cups veggie broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Maple syrup to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste
Pumpkin seeds and goat cheese (optional)

Instructions: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and ginger, cook 1-2 minutes. Add chopped carrots, cook ten minutes. Add broth and vinegar, bring to boil, simmer for 20-30 minutes. Puree with immersion blender or by adding to a regular blender. Add salt, pepper, and maple syrup to taste. Top with pumpkin seeds and goat cheese.

Rosemary Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons vegan or regular butter
1 cup milk of choice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

Directions: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Mix together dry ingredients, cut in butter, add milk and form a stiff dough. Knead gently on floured surface. Roll dough and use a mason jar lid to create biscuit rounds. Bake on lined baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Enjoy!

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
1 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup

Directions: Blend ingredients together in high speed blender or food processor. Chill, enjoy! 

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Samhain is upon us! The veil is thin and our ancestors are waiting to be invited to the table. In this episode, we'll talk about the history of this ancient festival and how to bring these sacred practices into our modern lives.  This episode may inspire you to carve a pumpkin (or creepy turnip!), host a dumb supper, and create an alter for your ancestors. Grab that pumpkin spice latte and let's talk Samhain!

What I'm Reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

Hester by Laurie Lico Anderson
The Illustrated History of Ghosts by Adam Allsuch Boardman

What's for Dinner?

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
Onion, celery, carrot, garlic
Coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon turmeric (1 teaspoon each), red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon, add at the end of cooking process)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro and flat leaf parsley
2 cups red lentils
8 cups veggie broth
1 can diced tomatoes
Juice of one lemon

Sauté veggies, add spices (cook 2 minutes), add lentils broth, diced tomatoes. Bring to boil then simmer 20  minutes. Stir in lemon juice, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Harvest Scones
 
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/harvest-pumpkin-scones-recipe

Resources:

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2019/11/why-do-we-know-so-little-about-the-druids

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Druid

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/halloween-owes-its-tricks-and-treats-celtic-new-years-eve-180960944/

https://medium.com/world-tree-heritage/pagan-celebrations-for-the-ancestors-beyond-samhain-6fef19f7d8d

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