Cheshire Dec 17
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YourHEALTHandWelbeing<br />
MAGICALMIDWINTER<br />
BY:DomingaDevitt<br />
WearecominguptothemostmagicalandatmospherictimeoftheyearastheWinter<br />
Solsticeapproacheson21st<strong>Dec</strong>ember.Thisturningpointoftheyearmarksthe<br />
shortestdaywhenthehoursofdaylightareattheirleast.Italsoheraldsthestartothe<br />
increaseinhoursofdaylightuntiltheSummerSolsticewhendarknesbecomesascendant<br />
oncemore.<br />
WovenintoourChristmasfestivitiesisthetimeoftheancientcelebrationofYule;thelongest<br />
nightofthewinterandtheshortestday;thetimewhenthedarkhalfoftheyearrelinquishesits<br />
holdtothelighthalf.Startingtheverynextmorning,theSunclimbsjustalitlebithigherinthe<br />
skyandstayswithusalitlebitlongereveryday.Forthousandsofyears,thefestivalofYulehas<br />
involvedsymbolsoflighteverywheretohelpcelebratetherebirthoftheSun,suchaslighted<br />
candlesandtheburningofaYulelog,andthereturnoftheSunismarkedwithmerymaking<br />
andfeasting.<br />
Ancienttraditionalsmelsandtasteswhicharestilwithustodayandareinstantlyevocativeof<br />
thisfestivalseasonincludedrinkingmuledwineandspicedcider.Thiscomesfrom wasailing<br />
whenthespiceddrinkwaspasedaroundwithtoastsandsinging.Theworditselfisderived<br />
from theAnglo-Saxonweshál,meaning'bewhole',or'beofgoodhealth',orOldNorsevesheil.<br />
Wasailcarolswouldbesungaswasailerswentfrom housetohouseinthevilagebringing<br />
goodwishes.<br />
TheoldrecipeforYuleWasailis3redapples,3ozbrownsugar,2pintsbrownale,applecider<br />
orhardcider,halfapintofdrysheryordrywhitewine,quarterteaspooneachofcinnamon,<br />
nutmeg,clovesandgroundginger,twoorangessliced,andthechoppedpeelofalemon.<br />
Dependingonyourtaste,youcansubstituteredwineandbrandyforthesheryandwhite<br />
wine,andaddmoresugar.Youpeel,coreandslicetheapples,putintoalargepanonthestove<br />
onaveryslowheatwithapintoftheliquidtosoftenthem forabout30minutes.Thenaddthe<br />
spicesandlemonpeelandsimmerfor10minutes.Halfanhourbeforeservingaddtherestof<br />
thealcoholsoitheatsupbutdoesn’tevaporate.<br />
Onacoldanddarkmidwinternight,justthesmelofmuledwineorciderinstantlycheersyou<br />
up,andyoufeelevenbeterandmuchwarmerafteranogginortwo!Snuggledupbythere,<br />
suroundedbythesmelsofpine,cedarandcinnamonfrom yourChristmascandles,holyand<br />
mistletoe,yourealydofeelthatthisisthetimeofpeace,harmony,loveandincreased<br />
happines.<br />
PleasecontactmeforaKarmicPathspersonalconsultation(ChesterorHeswal).<br />
Telephone:01516013081.Emaildominga@karmicpaths.co.uk.<br />
KarmicPaths
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