A Killing Frost

 This morning it was 30 degrees, and, as one poet put it, there was "a fur of frost on the field."  I'll have to find the poem that came from.

So, my garden is in a walled in courtyard, so it is protected somewhat from the first frost.  But I need to go out and see how it is.

 

"There comes a time when it cannot be put off any longer.  The radio warns of a killing frost coming

in the night, and you must say good-by to the garden.  You dread it, as you dread saying good-by

to any good friend; but the garden waits with its last gifts, and you must go with a bushel basket

or big buckets to receive them."

-   Rachel Peden

Photo by Sean Lewis

And here's a piece about Samhain rituals:

 

"To all the ancient ones from their houses, the Old Ones from above and below. In this time the Gods of the Earth touch our feet, bare upon the ground. Spirits of the Air whisper in our hair and chill our bodies, and from the dark portions watch and wait the Faery Folk that they may join the circle and leave their track upon the ground. It is the time of the waning year. Winter is upon us. The corn is golden in the winnow heaps. Rains will soon wash sleep into the life-bringing Earth. We are not without fear, we are not without sorrow...Before us are all the signs of Death: the ear of corn is no more green and life is not in it. The Earth is cold and no more will grasses spring jubilant. The Sun but glances upon his sister, the earth..... It is so....Even now....But here also are the signs of life, the eternal promise given to our people. In the death of the corn there is the seed--which is both food for the season of Death and the Beacon which will signal green-growing time and life returning.In the cold of the Earth there is but sleep wherein She will awaken refreshed and renewed, her journey into the Dark Lands ended. And where the Sun journeys he gains new vigor and potency; that in the spring, his blessings shall come ever young!"

-  Two Samhain Rituals, Compost Coveners, 1980 

and here's a poem from the Lore of the Door:

 "Between the heavens and the earth

The way now opens to bring forth

The Hosts of those who went on before;

Hail!  We see them now come through the Open Door.

 

Now the veils of worlds are thin;

To move out you must move in.

Let the Balefires now be made,

Mine the spark within them laid.

 

Move beyond the fiery screen,

Between the seen and the unseen;

Shed your anger and your fear,

Live anew in a new year!"

-   Lore of the Door