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Nature Is the Best Teacher…

Monday February 27 2012 by ocean1025

I’ve been feeling a bit “out of sorts” lately. Some of it could be attributed to the seasonal cabin fever that we all tend to get around this time of the year, although in reality this has been a rather mild winter here in the Midwest. I think it’s just that I’ve been a little bored and a lot lazy of late, with the result that I’ve been dawdling around the house, wasting my time on Facebook and snacking on unhealthy food – which of course doesn’t do anything for my health or my waistline.

But yesterday was a beautiful day – the sun was shining, the sky was a bright blue, and the temperature climbed into the 50’s…still on the cool side, but warmer than average. I was determined to get out and get some exercise…and with a large park near my house, I had no excuse. So I donned my exercise clothes, laced up my New Balance sneakers and drove over for a hike.

This particular park is over 700 acres, and is built on a large knob covered with old growth forest. After parking my vehicle, I headed off into the woods.

It turned into one of the best decisions I’ve made recently.

It gave me the chance to do a bunch of RE-ing: rejuvenating, renewing, reconnecting and reaffirming. I was able to rejuvenate my body with some needed exercise; renew my relationship with nature; reconnect with the Goddess in her role as the Earth Mother, and reaffirm my spiritual beliefs.

Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods to remind oneself why you are a Pagan.

As I strolled along the trail, my senses took in all that was happening around me. I couldn’t hear the birds, of course…but I could see them fluttering around the branches. I could feel the sun’s rays upon my shoulders, smell the rich fertile earth beneath my feet, see the small green shoots of plants poking up through the soil. Mother Earth is indeed awakening, and we are now witnessing the promise of rebirth, the continuation of the cycle of life that is celebrated in the Wheel of the Year.

My mind drifts back to a time many moons ago, when I was a newcomer to the Craft and studying the Pagan Path with the help of the Elders. One of the requirements of my study was to keep a journal – and to every day take a walk outdoors and record my experiences of the day. I had to use all of my senses and then write about the things I saw, felt, smelled, tasted, and to the extent that I was able…heard. I had to jot down my thoughts, describe the feelings that were invoked. What words came to mind? What songs did I feel like singing, chants that I felt like chanting? What quotes or sayings was I reminded of?

The keeping of that journal was a significant part of my training. It taught me a lot about observing, about expressing, about experiencing.

It taught me a lot about the heart and soul of what it means to be Pagan.

Through journaling, one could write about what she observes with the Wheel of the Year – the changing of the seasons; the birth, death, and rebirth of life; the lessons that Nature has to teach us.

Alas, I haven’t been doing much journaling lately. Maybe it’s time to get back into the habit.

But I was doing a lot of thinking. I found myself reflecting on a recent discussion which occurred on-line, in which another individual stated that it was her understanding that Paganism is a “taught” religion that one was to learn via books or from a teacher…it doesn’t just instinctively pop into your mind. Understandably, a number of Pagans objected to the statement.

I’m also reminded of a statement which was made in a comment here at the Crossroads some time ago – in which an individual recommended spending as much time in nature as possible… that books are just theory, and what helps most of all is a true and profoundly deep connection to nature and all helping beings. Understandably, a number of Pagans objected to this statement as well.

So what’s the answer? Are both of these statements wrong? Both right? One right and one wrong?

My friend Hawk had this to say on the subject:

While I do agree that Mother Nature is probably our best teacher, I do feel strongly that any time spent out in the woods needs to be coupled with time spent in intellectual pursuit of a true understanding of Paganism from historical, theological, ethical, psychological, spiritual, sexual, scientific, and/or magickal perspectives.

Spending time outdoors developing a love for nature does not in and of itself make you a Pagan, any more than spending time observing trials in the courtroom makes you a lawyer. You’ve got to be willing to walk your talk and do the work.

While my friend Robin shared her own sentiments:

I learned the most when the Elder teaching me at the time had me spend a year and a day getting to know the Wheel of the Year through nature rather than through books. Many of the books at the time based their seasonal timelines on what was, for me then, a more northern climate. She had me learn about the geology, ecology, and history of the land where I lived. I had to get outside every day, keep a diary of things like the weather, what was happening to the flora and fauna. I also spent that year naming the full moons with names that were appropriate to where I was living and what was happening on the bit of earth where I lived. It was a great exercise, and I continued to do that whenever we moved. It works for urban, suburban, and country living. Not only did I get to know the land and seasons where I lived, but it really put me in touch with my surroundings in a deep way, as well with the Earth herself. It allowed me to practice, rather than read theory.

I chimed in with my own thoughts on the matter:

I do agree on the importance of getting out and communing with the outdoors… Mother Nature can indeed be our greatest teacher. Thus, I do endorse Robin’s idea of getting out and spending time observing nature and the changes taking place in your area, learning to understand the land, the flora, the fauna, the moon cycles, etc.

However, Robin also brought up another point – the fact that she had an Elder… a teacher to help instruct her and give her some guidance as she underwent her journey and traveled down the Path. Having such a resource to bounce thoughts and ideas and knowledge and so forth off of is invaluable, and I think when that is missing from your studies, that it leaves a gap in your full understanding and appreciation for our spirituality.

But in the end, I have to agree with my friend Wolf Wind:

I think an important foundation stone has been touched on here and that is balance in all areas (outdoors vs. book learning, elder vs. young, solitary vs. group etc.)

The common factor in all of this is do your homework and do it seriously, not half-assed (putting it bluntly) and remain open because such journeys definitely take unseen and unexpected turns and twists when you least expect it.

I think Wolf has hit the nail on the head. Balance is the key, and I suspect this explains my out-of-sorts feeling…I’ve been rather unbalanced lately. I was running the risk of becoming too much of an “armchair witch” - I was spending too much time sitting around around talking about my spirituality; but I wasn’t getting off my duff and actually practicing my spirituality. I wasn’t living my religion.

It took the Goddess giving me a good nudge to remind me of the healing effects of communing with nature. A walk in the woods is a good prescription for the body, mind and spirit.

The sun is shining again today. I’ll have to continue this in my next post. For now, please excuse me while I go find my hiking boots.

Posted in Archives #4 Pagan Thoughts and Writings, Earth Day, Eco-Psychology, Empowerment, Healing, Nature, Paganism, Spirituality, witchcraft, Women's Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

A Deaf Artist Paints the Mother Earth

Wednesday February 15 2012 by ocean1025

The Deaf Community lost a very special friend recently with the death of Chuck Baird.

Chuck showing some of that warm humor for which he was known

Chuck was a brilliant Deaf artist especially known for his skill in incorporating aspects of Deaf Culture (particularly sign language) into his artwork.

One of Chuck’s paintings,

showing the ASL sign for “cat” (signifying the whiskers)

He passed beyond the realm on February 10th after a valiant battle with cancer.

His death has left a void in our hearts that will never be filled. He was a truly beautiful person who was loved by many. Not only was he an excellent artist, he was also a skilled actor, who once performed with the National Theater of the Deaf.

While perusing Chuck’s website - http://www.chuckbairdart.com/ – where one can see several examples of his artwork, I came across a painting of his that truly made my heart sing.

It is a painting that so beautifully represents what this blog and my life are all about…the merger of my identities as a Pagan and follower of an earth-based spirituality, and as a Deaf person.

“Homage to Mother Earth” by Chuck Baird, 2007 

Here in Chuck’s own words he explains this painting:

Many years ago when I was on commercial flight, I pulled out the airline magazine and found the fantastic article that showed the wide variety of the corn raised in North, Central, and South America. I was dumbfound by the beauty of diversity in colors and size. The kernels seen in the opening are in rhythmic and organic form with the pleasure for the eye as the music to the ear. The memory of the image often came back, enough itching me to paint the corn on a canvas in a symbolic composition.

With the affirmation for the America Indians as growing up the Midwest, more from the frequent visits in Sedona and recently attended the National Museum of American Indian in Washington DC, next to the capitol, absorbing it as I circled down the entire museum, strongly connected, especially, with the Mother Earth.

As you see on the medicine wheel, the cardinal direction with our manual alphabet; E for east, S for south, W for west, and N for north in the order which the Native American spiritual leaders often begins any ceremony with the blessing, faces to each of point of direction around the full circle. On the corners outside the wheel, they were replicated the hierogram painted on the rocks found in the Southwest region; (clockwise from upper left corner) Sun, Rain, Crop of Corn, and Harvest following re-seed the plant as the Native American’s chief nutriment.

The center should be turtle or fire depending on which tribe is, however, with an artist’s licence with respect, the row of corns was put in the center representing the Mother Earth.

Weeks after I completed the painting, I noticed the corn in the painting have the resemblance of vulva. In the ancient, it was seen on either tree trunk, rock, or flower as sacred sign for the fertility, the vital part of Human Life.

I couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you, Chuck.

I did notice on his website that copies of this painting were available, although I do not know if this will continue since his passing. I do plan to inquire into such, and if possible obtain a copy to hang in a place of honor in my new house.

I did not know Chuck well, although I did meet him a few times while I lived in Kansas City. He was always a very nice person. I do remember when I participated in a play about Helen Keller, that he came to one of the performances and was very complementary and supportive of this amateur’s theatric efforts.

Godspeed, my friend. You shall be missed, but through your art your life will be celebrated for generations to come.

If you would like to leave a few words of remembrance about Chuck for his family and friends, please feel free to do so in the comments below. Such words can be healing for all, and bring us together in our loss. 

Posted in Archives #2 On Being Deaf and Pagan, Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Art & Literature, Creating Accessibility, Deaf/Hearing Relations, Deaf/Pagan Relations, Deafness, Earth Day, Eco-Psychology, Equal Communication Access, Nature, Paganism, Sign Language, Spirituality | 4 Comments »

A Deaf Imbolc Ritual

Thursday February 2 2012 by ocean1025

Recently I have begun corresponding with a Deaf family who has been studying about Paganism and undertaking their own spiritual journey down the Pagan Path. Both the wife and husband are Deaf, and they have three Deaf children.Together, the family has been begun celebrating the Wheel of the Year and eight Sabbats.

I recently shared with the family information about Imbolc, and a ritual that I have used a number of times for celebrating this Sabbat. The ritual is known as the Seven Candles of Life ritual, and it is based upon teachings from The Celtic Wisdom Tarot, by Caitlin Matthews. In her book, Caitlin talks about these seven candles.

Each of these candles is illuminated by three spirits. Those three spirits help to represent the meaning of that candle, and they are also archetypes from the Wisdom Cards of the Celtic Wisdom Tarot. The Wisdom Cards correspond to cards of the Major Arcana in traditional tarot decks.

The Seven Candles of Life represent the seven qualities that are important in the overall circle of life. They are the foundation for the wisdom that we consider very important as a part of the practice of our spirituality. However, the wisdom can be shared with anyone and everyone, regardless of their own spiritual path.

At Imbolc on February 2nd, I like to light the Candles of Life as a way of celebrating the growing light of the new year, and the new life that will soon begin with the coming of Spring. It’s a good time for making pledges and for renewing my strength after resting all Winter.

Each of the Seven Candles has its own wisdom – its own lessons to teach us. Each candle is brightened by the presence of three spirits – three being a magickal number.  As we light each candle, we call upon those spirits to be with us, and to give to us of their strength, their knowledge, their guidance, and their love.

The Seven Candles are:

The Candle of Will: This candle is brightened by the Three Unfailing Ones who uphold the universe: The Decider – whose poetry never ends; The Empowerer – whose deeds never fail; The Challenger – whose questions never stop

The Candle of Truth: This candle is brightened by the Three Sparks of Wisdom: The Guardian – who protects the hidden truth; The Counselor – who blesses the revealed truth; The Changer – who shows the facts of every truth

The Candle of Growth: This candle is brightened by the Awakeners of Destiny who plant the seeds of life: The Shaper – who shapes the seeds into the mighty trees they become; The Spinner – who scatters the seeds into the winds that they may travel everywhere; The Dreamer – who cares for the seeds in the womb of the dark earth

The Candle of Harmony: This candle is brightened by the Fathomless Ones who maintain the order of the universe: The Keeper – who provides never-ending structure and leadership; The Balancer  – who keeps everything in proper balance; The Imaginer – who keeps the dreams of peace and unity alive for all

The Candle of Lore: This candle is brightened by the Turners of the Wheel who keep the memories of the ancient stories and histories: The Recaller – who remembers and tells the stories of our ancestors; The Dedicator – who honors those stories by continuing the traditions today; The Protector – who honors the ancestors who have passed beyond this world

The Candle of Devotion: This candle is brightened by the Three True Changers who renew love throughout the world: The Lover – who keeps the flames of the Soul’s desires burning brightly; The Liberator – who removes fear and negativity from the Soul and sets it free; The Renewer – who celebrates the transformation of the Soul and its goodness

The Candle of Energy: This candle is brightened by the Keepers of the Soul, who give it all the special gifts to make it truly beautiful: The Dancer – who motivates the Soul to move with the rhythm of the universe; The Artist – who shows the Soul the true beauty of the universe; The Healer – who brings the Soul home to its special place in the universe  

My friend decided to create her own version of this ritual to recognize and honor the Deaf Community and to ask for blessings for Deaf Children everywhere. She and her family (and especially her own Deaf children) will light the candles at their own ritual and say these prayers to the spirits, sending their energy out into the universe for all. She shared with me the script for her ritual, and I felt it so beautiful that I had to share it here at the Crossroads.

THE SEVEN CANDLES OF LIFE FROM A DEAF PERSPECTIVE 

A Deaf Family’s Celebration of Imbolc 

As we light the candle of Will, we honor the spirit of Decider who reminds us always of the beauty of ASL and its true magic in bringing language and communcation to all Deaf children. We honor the Empowerer to give us the strength to always empower others to continue advocating for the use of ASL with Deaf babies. We honor the Challenger as we will always continue to question those who try to make decisions on behalf of Deaf people without asking our input.

As we light the candle of Truth, we honor the spirit of the Guardian and ask it to be with us to protect the hidden truth that we know inside us all – that ASL is the language for us. We honor the spirit of the Counselor who blesses the revealed truth, and we appreciate the researchers who worked for many hours showing that our ASL is a true language.We honor the spirit of the Changer and ask it to be with us to show the faces of every truth; we are the changer in the world by using ASL, embracing our Deaf culture and loving our Deafhood jouney.

As we light the candle of Growth, we honor the spirit of the Shaper who shapes the seeds into the mighty trees they become; we must always be thankful for our Deaf people in our history – those who fought for our human rights (Veditz, Clec, and others). We honor the spirit of the Spinner who scatters the seeds into the winds that they may travel everywhere; we honor the Deaf people who made other Deaf people visible (Deaf Nation, Deaf organizations, Deaf artist – Chuck Baird, and many more). We honor the spirit of the Dreamer who cares for the seeds in the womb of the dark earth; Deaf babies being born on this earth everyday will be the Deaf people in humankind.

As we light the candle of Harmony, we honor the spirit of the Keeper who provides never-ending structure and leadership; Deaf schools which advocate the bilingual education for their students, require the wisdom of the Keeper. We honor the spirit of the Balancer who keeps everything in proper balance. We honor the spirit of the Imaginer who keeps the dreams of peace and unity alive for all; we must keep our dreams in our Deaf schools and of future Deaf leaders, individuals and the future Deaf Community.

As we light the candle of Lore, we honor the spirit of the Recaller who remembers and tells stories of our ancestors in the Deaf community; their stories now being written and recorded on videos must be preserved forever. We honor the spirit of the Dedicator who honors those stories by continuing the traditions today; we honor the many Deaf people who dedicate their time with non-signing people ~ (to my kids – your dad teaches ASL to many many hearing students every year). We honor the spirit of the Protector who honors the ancestors who have passed beyond this world; we remember the Deaf people who struggled and made differences for us today.

As we light the candle of Devotion, we honor the spirit of the Lover who keeps flames of the Soul’s desires burning brightly; the people who share their learnings in worthy books i.e., In Search of Deaf Culture, Deafhood; and we honor the love that we all share for our precious language of ASL and our Deaf Community. We honor the spirit of Liberator who removes fear and negativity from the Soul and set it free; the fear and negativity that people have about ASL and Deaf people, the fear hearing parents have when they discover that their baby is deaf. We honor the spirit of the Renewer who celebrates the transformation of the Soul and its goodness; who renews the parents’ hope and belief that their children can and will succeed when they start learning ASL and attending programs for Deaf children, the transformation that happens when society discovers that Deaf people can indeed do anything and be anything they desire.

As we light the candle of Energy, we honor the spirit of the Dancer who motivates the Soul to move with rhythm of the universe; and we celebrate the spirit that moves within each of us and brings us together to dance in our own Deaf Revolution as we continue to advocate for our own special place within the Circle of Life. We honor the spirit of the Artist who show the Soul the true beauty of the universe; the beauty of our language and our culture, and how it is reflected in such works as Chuck Baird, Bernard Bragg, the National Theater of the Deaf, Marlee Matlin, Andre Pellerin, Beethoven’s Nightmare, Douglas Tilden, etc.  We honor the spirit of the Healer who brings the Soul home to its special places in the universe, and we remember each and every one of us in the Deaf Community, and our role and responsibility to continue being the healers and bringing the souls of Deaf children into our community, that they might find a place to call home.


Posted in Archives #2 On Being Deaf and Pagan, Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Archives #4 Pagan Thoughts and Writings, Art & Literature, Creating Accessibility, Deaf/Hearing Relations, Deaf/Pagan Relations, Deafness, Equal Communication Access, Irish/Celtic, Magick, Paganism, Poetry/Prose, Ritual, Sabbats, Sign Language, Spirituality, witchcraft, Women's Spirituality | 5 Comments »

Finding Your Own Year Card…and What It Means (read this first!)

Friday January 13 2012 by ocean1025

Another blast from the past – now that we have started a new year, it’s time to find our year cards for 2012. What’s yours???

With this post, Ocean explains more about how to find your own Year Card. At the end of the post are links to additional posts that will explain the interpretations of the various cards, so that you can look up your own Year Card and discover what it means…

Merry Meet, Crossroads Readers!

I thought I would take a break from examining my own Year Card to help those of you who would like to learn more about your Year Cards. I shared a little about this in my first year card post, but let’s discuss it a bit further…

Most tarot decks are made up of 78 cards, divided into the Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana. The Minor Arcana is much like today’s standard playing deck – it has four suits to it. Although they go by different names in different decks, these suits are most commonly known as Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles. Over the years, they changed into today’s modern suits of Clubs (wands), Spades (swords), Hearts (cups) and Diamonds (pentacles). These four suits represent the four directions of East, South, West, and North…and the four elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each suit also has four face cards – the standard King and Queen, and then the Knight and the Page. In today’s playing deck, these last two have been merged together to create the Jack. Thus in a tarot deck each suit will have 14 cards rather than 13, and the entire Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards.

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards, numbered from 1 – 21, and then the 22nd card is the card of The Fool, who is said to have no number…he is everywhere and nowhere, wandering amongst the other cards. Indeed, the Major Arcana is sometimes known as “The Journey of the Fool” and tells the story of the Fool’s travels through the cards, what each card has to teach him, and the lessons he learns at each step along the path.

Each Major Arcana card shows a picture that represents that card and its meaning. Some of the cards will show a person (the High Priestess); some of the cards will show an object (the Wheel of Fortune). Often they will show both – a person holding a specific object, such as the Magician holding a wand, or the Hermit holding a lamp. The images on the cards are often symbolic, and have specific meanings that are important to understanding and interpreting that card.

It is the Major Arcana cards that are used for determining your own Year Card.

So how do you find your year card?

By using your date of birth – the month that you were born, and the day that you were born. You will add the month and day to the year that you are wanting to study.

For example: let’s say that you are considering making some major changes in your life next year, and you’re wanting to find out more about what the year might hold for you. You were born on April 23. April is the 4th month of the year, you were born on the 23rd day, and next year is 2012. Thus you would add these three numbers together:

4 + 23 + 2012 = 2039.

Now take the 2039 and reduce it down by adding up each of the digits… 2 + 0 + 3 + 9 = 14.

Your Year Card for 2012 would be the 14th card of the Major Arcana, which is the card of Temperance. Thus you would want to study the Temperance card to discover what lessons it might have to teach you for the year.

Now, if you are wanting to discover your card for THIS year, you would use the number 2011, since this is year 2011. To this you would add your month and day of birth.

Let’s take my Spirit Sister, Crystal Dolphin. She was born on September 27th. So to find her Year Card for this year, I would add up all the digits… 9 + 27 + 2011 = 2047…2 + 0 + 4 + 7 = 13. Thus her card is the 13th card of the Major Arcana, which is the Death card.

I would like to take a moment here to clarify that the Death card – contrary to what Hollywood might have you believe – does NOT represent actual death. Crystal does not need to worry that she’s going to die this year. Rather, it refers to change and transformation; the idea that something old must die in order for something new to take its place. It is actually a good card to receive, as it represents new beginnings and positive changes. This could end up being a very good year for Crystal.

But Ocean…I don’t really know much about the tarot. How do I find out what my Year Card actually is, and what it means?

Yes… this can be a challenge if you’re not familiar with the tarot.

So I have posted the traditional listing of the Major Arcana;  and without going too deeply into individual meanings and symbolisms, the basic meaning and interpretation of each card – the “theme” of that card that sets the foundation for your own theme of the year. You will find links to these meanings at the end of this post…because of the length, I have separated them into two – one for Year Cards 1 through 11, and another for Year Cards 12 through 22.

So go ahead, readers…do the numerology part here and now. Add up your month, date, and year and find your number for 2011 (or any other year, for that matter). Then go to one of these posts to find out what your specific card is, and what it means.

If your Year Number adds up to 1 – 11, click HERE

If your Year Number adds up to 12 – 22, click HERE

Perhaps in doing so you will gain some insight that will help you with the year!

So what is YOUR Year Card for 2011? How do you interpret it? What lessons do you feel it has to teach you for this year? Feel free to share in the comments below!


Special thanks to Mary K. Greer, tarot writer/teacher extraordinaire, for introducing me to the concept of Tarot Year Cards. I encourage my readers to check out her blog, and buy her books – this lady knows her stuff.

Posted in Archives #4 Pagan Thoughts and Writings, Art & Literature, Divination, Empowerment, Magick, Paganism, Spirituality, witchcraft, Women's Spirituality | Tagged , , | 4 Comments »

On the Twelfth Day of Dining…

Friday January 6 2012 by ocean1025

“On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming…”

Today is Epiphany, and thus the final day of the Twelve Days of Christmas. After today the holidays are officially over – I will be taking down all of my decorations and preparing for Imbolc and then the Spring season soon to come (actually it feels a bit like Spring right now – we are having quite warm weather here for this time of the year!)

So for my final day of feasting, what’s on the menu?

Twelve drummers drumming makes me think of drumsticks. So today I’m cooking up culinary drumsticks…

Turkey legs!

Anyone who has been to a Renaissance Festival has likely eaten a turkey leg – as they are commonly served at such events.

In addition, because they don’t require utensils, turkey legs can be an excellent recipe for picnics, tailgate parties, barbecues, etc. They are especially good when cooked outside on the grill, or cooked in a smoker. However, they can also be roasted in the oven if desired.

Be aware that turkey legs do take time to cook. If you’re cooking them outside on the grill, you might want to consider boiling them first to shorten the amount of grilling time. Some recipes call for boiling the legs in a lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or Seven-Up. If that doesn’t appeal to you, just use water but add some seasonings – such as onion, garlic, herbs (sage, tarragon, thyme, etc.), salt and pepper.

It’s also possible to fry your turkey legs in a deep fryer or use your outdoor turkey fryer (which might be easier if your legs are large.) You could even fry them up and then baste them in a buffalo wing sauce to add some kick and get spicy legs.

In any case, I’m finishing off my twelve days by flashing a little leg…turkey leg, that is.

 

Posted in Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Beasts and Animals, Food, Herbs, Music, The Yule Series | Leave a Comment »

On the Eleventh Day of Dining…

Thursday January 5 2012 by ocean1025

“On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping…”

I love pasta…all kinds of pasta. So when I tried to think of what I could fix for the eleventh day, my mine went to cannelloni – which if you use a little imagination, does look a bit like the instrument the pipers are playing.

Cannelloni are a cylindrical type of pasta generally served baked with a filling and covered with a sauce. The filling is often piped into the pasta, using a piping bag…thus another bow to our theme of pipes for today.

Cannelloni can be fixed a variety of ways. Some people stuff them with ground beef and cover with tomato sauce and cheese, so they look and taste similar to lasagna. One could also substitute ricotta cheese for the beef and then cover the cannelloni in a meat sauce.

Or you could go vegetarian and stuff the pasta with a spinach-cheese mixture and cover with the tomato sauce.

Some folks stuff their cannelloni with chicken, and I’ve seen some seafood recipes as well that look delicious. Basically you can stuff your cannelloni with pretty much anything. Some folks even stuff them with a sweet filling and serve with a dessert sauce…maybe a berry sauce or chocolate, perhaps with a scoop of ice cream on the side.

Or you could finish up your meal with another tube-shaped dish with a similar name – cannoli. Although actually Sicilian in origin, they are a popular dessert in Italian-American cuisine. Cannoli is a type of pastry dough filled with a sweet creamy filling – most commonly a sweetened ricotta, but one could use a sweet pastry cream or a custard. Sometimes the filling has additions such as pistachio nuts, chocolate bits, candied citrus peel, or candied fruit such as cherries.

Cannoli made a famous appearance in the movie “The Godfather” where Clemenza tells Rocco after the two had killed off Paulie to “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” Then in The Godfather Part III Connie Corleone kills off Don Altobello with a gift of poisoned cannoli.

Cannelloni and Cannoli. I’m not Italian, but I definitely could say “Buon Appetito” to a meal like this!

Posted in Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Art & Literature, Food, Music, Photography, The Yule Series | 1 Comment »

On the Tenth Day of Dining…

Wednesday January 4 2012 by ocean1025

“On the Tenth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten lords leaping…”

This one started out to be a bit of a challenge, but I resolved it pretty quickly.

After reviewing my menu for the last nine days, I noticed that I’d had a couple of poultry dishes, two soups, and a few sweets…but no red meat. Being that I am a carnivore who likes the occasional steak or hamburger, I decided that for the tenth day I would eat a dish fitting for any leaping lord – venison.

Back in medieval times, this would have indeed been the red meat of choice – either you hunted a stag or you killed a boar. Only Lords and Nobles were allowed to hunt deer back in these times, so venison would indeed have been a dish that would have been eaten by the upper class.

Besides my love for Renaissance Festivals (although admittedly venison is rarely served at such events), the idea of dining on a dish of deer meat was also prompted by my visit to Ireland last Fall, in which I visited Phoenix Park, one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. Since the 1600′s the park has been the home of a large herd of Fallow Deer. The deer are fairly easy to get close to and thus take photographs:

Ocean near a herd of Fallow Deer in Phoenix Park, Ireland 

Close-up shot of Fallow Deer in Phoenix Park, Ireland 

I can imagine that the ancestors of these deer fed a couple of Irish nobles in days long past. Of course, today they are protected and no hunting is permitted.

While I’ve never feasted upon Fallow Deer, I have enjoyed the meat of an American species – namely Odocoileus virginianus, better known as the white-tailed deer. Growing up in the mid-west, with its large white-tailed population, a drive out into the country in November or December would surely result in seeing a couple of hunters cruising down the highway, their trophies strapped on top of their vehicles.

While I don’t think I would enjoy participating in the shooting of Bambi, I must confess that I do like the taste of venison. The most common way I have eaten it is as sausage, and indeed venison does make an excellent sausage…although because the meat is lean it is necessary to add additional fat to assure a moist and flavorful sausage. Venison can be made into breakfast sausage or polish sausage, but my favorite is probably venison summer sausage.  The venison along with pork or beef is ground and then the two meats are mixed together along with various spices. Curing salts are added and the meat is allowed to cure for several days before it is then stuffed into fibrous casings. Next the stuffed sausages are gently smoked at low temperature, allow the meat to slowly cook without rendering out the fat. After smoking the sausages are rinsed in cold water to chill them and stop the cooking process, then they are dried and ready to be eaten or stored. They are often sliced and served on crackers, or in sandwiches. Quite delicious.

Of course, one could go with venison steaks or chops, but while they are good, one does have to remember that this meat has little fat on it, so it’s easy to overcook. If you like your steaks rare, then you would probably like venison…otherwise the more you cook it the more it is inclined to start getting (and tasting) tough. Basically you can cook venison much like you would beef – just be a little more careful.

Venison…it’s what’s for dinner.

Posted in Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Beasts and Animals, Food, Music, Nature, Photography, The Yule Series | Leave a Comment »

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