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HOMESTEAD

HERBS

HEALING

  reading time: 3 min


Making apple cider vinegar at home has become one of my favourite homesteading traditions for fall over the past three years for several reasons:

1) it's cheap, basically free (all you need is apple scraps from baking, or whole homegrown apples such as the unripe ones shaken down by storms)

2)
it's zero waste because it actually makes use of waste! (apple waste that is)

3)
it's super easy to make and doesn't require much work on your part (you simply have to stir it once a day for a week or two until it "tells" you it's done!)

4) it gives you an excuse to make a delicious apple dish!


So the next time you're making apple pie or apple butter, make sure to save the scraps and make your own organic apple cider vinegar!


  reading time: 3 min






Bright yellow daffodils are popping up here in Northern Germany, the trees are starting to don their greenish spring coats, and the air is beginning to smell like pollen. And, of course, the first wild herbs like goutweed, dandelion and sorrel are spreading everywhere!

This carrot cake recipe is moist, wholesome, and packed with carrots, nuts, and aromatic spices. It came about because I wanted to create a healthier, but still absolutely delicious alternative to
my scrumptious easy vegan carrot cake with cream cheese frosting from last year. "Healthier" meaning three things in this case:

1) it contains significantly less sugar and less fat
2) it uses whole-grain flour and lots of carrots
3) and, most importantly for me personally, it comes with the benefits of hidden wild herbs!

What wild herbs, you ask?

This cake hides the young tender goutweed leaves, also known as ground elder
(Aegopodium podagraria). If you want to learn more about this herb, jump over to my recipe for vegan Dutch apple pie with goutweed flowers where I talk some more about its health benefits and also how to identify it (namely, using the 3 x 3 rule). For example, ground elder leaves can be confused with the young leaves of actual elder, which are poisonous!

The reason why I got the idea to put goutweed leaves in this cake is because their flavour is often described as similar to carrot greens. In this cake, the flavour of the ground elder is very subtle and barely noticeable.

To make this cake even healthier, feel free to skip the frosting!


    reading time: 7 min





I'm officially quitting social media.
(Or more specifically, Instagram.)

The thought of deleting my Instagram account has been on my mind for the past couple of months, and I have now finally decided to permanently uninstall it from my phone. I'm even debating getting rid of my smartphone altogether and switching to a dumbphone or "sillyphone" as I like to call it – but that is a story for another day.



The What

Everyone seems to have their own definition of what the term "social media" includes, and what quitting social media entails.

To cite Wikipedia: "Some of the most popular social media websites, with more than 100 million registered users, include Twitter, Facebook (and its associated Messenger), WeChat, ShareChat, Instagram, QZone, Weibo, VK, Tumblr, Baidu Tieba, and LinkedIn. Depending on interpretation, other popular platforms that are sometimes referred to as social media services include YouTube, QQ, Quora, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, LINE, Snapchat, Pinterest, Viber, Reddit, Discord, TikTok, Microsoft Teams, and more." (source)

In my case, I'm referring to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Tumblr, Snapchat, Twitter and the like when I'm talking about quitting social media. While I don't use (or even know) most of the other platforms listed above, I do currently still use Telegram and Signal for messaging, Pinterest for collecting inspiring pictures (mostly for my personal vision boards), Youtube for watching inspirational and educational videos, and Blogger for sharing my blog posts.


The Why

Honestly, I just grew annoyed and stressed out.

As fun as using Instagram is, it also sucks all of my energy right out of me and leaves me feeling unsatisfied and exhausted, while also making me feel anxious to check up on people's recent posts and more importantly their stories, since they get deleted after 24 hours. Having to scroll through all of the new posts and stories that got posted during my "absence" almost felt like homework! But at the same time, I couldn't stop doing it ...

I recently uninstalled Instagram for a month or so, and I noticed two things: 1) I constantly felt the urge to pick up my phone and check for new posts and messages, kind of like FOMO, the fear of missing out. And 2) After a while I didn't even think or care about any of it! Out of sight, out of mind. Which just proves to me how utterly irrelevant social media really is.

And of course, there's not much social about it all.

For example, I follow a couple of my close friends on Instagram. Watching their stories has
resulted in me not getting in touch with them as often because I felt like I already knew what was going on in their lives – when in reality I only got a superficial glimpse at their (public!) display.
Not to mention that staring at our phones and scrolling through social media while we're on a train or waiting in line prevents us from talking and connecting with the people actually around us.
Combine that with our recent experience of "social distancing", and you've got yourself a social disaster. People having one-way parasocial "relationships" with strangers online or having superficial connections with friends via social media instead of actually talking to them on the phone or in person.

This fast-paced, superficial, consumption-oriented way of living is not something I want to support or engage in.

Lastly, there is the aspect of spending – or rather wasting – my time.

Since social media apps are generally designed to keep you hooked and "engaged", they are highly addictive and literally drug us with sensory overload (source). For me, it was almost impossible to stop consuming the endless content once I was sucked into the rabbit hole.

What most people are not aware of, and what Cal Newport talks about in depth in his book Deep Work, is that it takes our brain about 15-20 minutes to reach a productive flow state, so when you interrupt your work task to quickly check your social media or your e-mail inbox, your brain has to start anew and perhaps never even reaches the productive deep work state during your work session! (source)

So basically, I want to get social media out of sight to get it out of my mind. This will automatically lead my mind to fill with other things, like my own thoughts and emotions that I often don't even notice because I'm so distracted by messages or new posts ...

I want to be more intentional with how I use my time and energy, and to be quite honest, I just don't want to be a slave to my smartphone or my computer.


The How

It's not easy to give up on something that is as entertaining and addictive as social media.

I suggest tracking the time you spend on your phone, your computer, and the different apps you use. For me, it was up to 4 or sometimes even 6 hours of consuming content every day, which equated to more than two whole months every year!! Isn't that insane?

I'm also currently doing The Artist's Way program by Julia Cameron, which encourages you to create your life rather than being a victim to your circumstances, or in this case, a victim to consumerism. Focussing on activities that make me feel happy and satisfied helps me to stay on track with living a fulfilling life instead of giving into the temptation of the distraction trap.

Make a list of things you've been wanting to do, but keep putting off. Remind yourself of how you can spend your time instead of wasting it on social media. Here is a list of 25 electronic-free activities to get your mind started.

For now, I have permanently uninstalled Instagram from my phone and set my account to "private". I have also removed the link from my blog to my Instagram account. However, I am not completely deleting my account just yet in case I want to utilize it in the future for pointing to my blog posts
(in which case I would then probably use a platform like Planoly to manage my Instagram posts) because I'm actually thinking about starting a German blog that would go by the same name as my already existing Instagram account, and I don't want anyone else to snatch that account name in the meantime. The only way I can now access my account is my signing in via my computer browser, but I have to type in my password manually which makes the whole affair significantly more cumbersome than just grabbing my phone.

I use Pinterest pretty much in the same way, exclusively on my computer browser.

As for Youtube, I am still trying to find the best way to handle it. I have turned off my Youtube watch history, which has helped a lot. That way, I don't get any recommendations on my Home page, and the videos on my subscription box don't change colour once I've watched them which reduces my urge to watch every single video (even though they might not all interest me) just to make them all the same grey colour, kind of like ticking off a to-do list. I have also reduced the amount of subscriptions to 13 channels that I value a lot. In the past I have also used the app LeechBlock to limit the time I can access the Youtube page during the day, but I'm not 100% happy with the selected times.

The next step for me is figuring out how I will use my smartphone – preferably not at all, but I'm not sure how this is going to work out for me – and how I use my messaging apps (check them only once a day? once a week? but how do I get used to this?), and perhaps one day even live without home internet altogether ... We'll see.
 

Do What You Can


If you aren't ready to commit to ditching social media or even your smartphone or your wifi – or perhaps it's not possible right now because of your job situation –, don't stress about it! You don't have to go cold turkey in order to improve your life.

Start by reducing the time you spend on your phone and/or your computer.
Unsubscribe and unfollow as many people and sites as possible. Only keep those that actually bring value to your life!
Turn off notifications. Don't let the devices constantly distract you and keep you from actually living your life. 
Turn off your wifi at night, if possible. Perhaps switch over to a wireless internet connection altogether. 
Just do what you can in the situation you are right now.

I haven't figured everything out either. I'm just taking one step at a time, doing my best.


More
great input on this topic:
Gently - on leaving social media
Why This Minimalist Doesn’t Have Home Internet
Living social media free as a creative entrepreneur
How I Live Without a Phone as an Author & Entrepreneur
Life without a phone
How to stop using your phone & live a happier life
Organized & minimal phone in 3 steps
How Digital Minimalism Can Make You More Creative

 
♥

Maisy

   reading time: 4 min





I first encountered medicinal wines that use herbs and spices for healing purposes during a 4-day Green Witch Retreat I attended last year. During the retreat we also made this
healing herb infused honey wine, also known as heart wine ("Herzwein" in German) or parsley potion ("decoctum petroselini" in Latin). The recipe originally stems from the medieval German abbess Hildegard from Bingen, who is regarded as an important naturopathic scholar.

The wine is said to strengthen the heart and circulation as well as the immune system. It is also said to improve gastrointestinal and kidney function.

It is easy to make, has a pleasant sweet taste, and makes for a wonderful gift for people who enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. In case you are in need of a quick and easy Christmas present ...

Although this wine is supposed to be used for medicinal purposes, you could just as well replace your "regular" glass of red wine with a glass of this heart wine to enjoy its health benefits!
As the name suggests, this beverage contains alcohol, therefore it should be consumed in moderation.

St. Hildegard (1098 – 1179) apparently said the following about this wine:

»Wer im Herzen oder in der Milz oder in der Seite Schmerzen leidet, der koche Petersilie in Wein unter Zugabe von etwas (Wein)Essig und reichlich Honig und seihe durch ein Tuch (Filter) ab. Den so zubereiteten (Herz)Wein trinke er oft, und es heilt ihn.«
(PL 1159 A)

(Freely translated: "Whoever suffers pain in the heart or in the spleen or in the side body, boil parsley in wine with the addition of a little (wine) vinegar and plenty of honey, and strain it through a cloth (filter). Drink the prepared (heart) wine often, and it will heal them.")

Portrait of Hildegard von Bingen, German Abbess and physician. (source)


The star of this recipe is definitely the fresh parsley. By the way, if you don't normally like parsley – like me! –, you will probably still actually enjoy this wine. Parsley is one of the very few foods I dislike, and I love this wine!

Parsley is high in vitamin C, provitamin A, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron which is necessary for blood formation. It has an invigorating effect and strengthens the entire digestive system. It purifies the blood, helps with rheumatism and gout, has a diuretic effect, stimulates the appetite, promotes metabolism, and supports kidney and bladder activity. For menstruating humans, it stimulates the uterus and promotes a pain-free period.
Honey is an old household remedy and an easily digestible tonic. It increases performance, has a calming effect on the mind and promotes healthy sleep. Its valuable components also have a positive effect on digestive disorders and help with upper respiratory tract complaints and cardiovascular diseases.
Wine, particularly red wine, has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the flavonoids in the skins of red grapes that have a favourable effect on the coronary vessels and blood flow. Red wine is said to have a strengthening and restorative effect. It stimulates the gastrointestinal system and promotes circulation, and might even prevent arteriosclerosis.
(Important: More than 125 ml / 1/2 cup of red wine per day are not beneficial and can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease and even cirrhosis!)

This heart-healing honey wine is a wonderful preventative drink and can also be helpful for aging heart, cardiovascular problems, chronic rheumatism, as well as heartache caused by stress, nervousness, insomnia and fatigue (in addition to and after consultation with medical care!). The Austrian herbalist Maria Treben recommends this wine against cardiac insufficiency, heart disease and angina pectoris.

Please note that in case of sudden chest pains, tightness, shortness of breath or cold sweats, Hildegart's heart wine will NOT be a sufficient treatment for a heart attack, so please see a doctor or call an ambulance!


  reading time: 4 min





Christmas is slowly approaching, and the dreariness and cold of winter lies ahead of us. Today's cookies are meant to provide you with a boost of energy and strength for the coming months.

The nerve cookies ("Nervenkekse") are inspired by the ancient recipe of the 12th century German Benedictine abbess and holistic medical practitioner St. Hildegard of Bingen.
She is still a well-known name in Germany today, and particularly valued for her medicinal writings that focus on holistic methods centred on spiritual healing as well as the healing powers of herbs, tinctures, and crystals.

St. Hildegard (1098 – 1179) apparently said the following about these cookies:

»Diese Plätzchen vertreiben alle Bitternis deines Herzens und geben deiner Gesinnung Ruhe und öffnen dein Herz und deine fünf Sinne und machen deine Stimmung heiter und reinigen deine Sinnesorgane und mindern in dir alle Schadsäfte (noxi, mali, infirmi humores) und liefern deinem Blut eine gute Säftezusammensetzung, machen dich leistungsfähig, stark und froh.«
W. Strehlow „Die Ernährungstherapie der Hildegard von Bingen“, 2003, S. 412 ff

(Freely translated: "These biscuits drive away all bitterness of thy heart, and give tranquillity to thy mind, and open thy heart and thy five senses, and make thy mood cheerful, and purify thy sense organs, and diminish in thee all noxious fluids (noxi, mali, infirmi humores), and supply thy blood with a good composition of fluids, and make thee efficient, strong, and joyful.")

Portrait of Hildegard von Bingen, German Abbess and physician. (source)


The main characters starring in these cookies are nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and almonds.
Nutmeg
has a warming, antispasmodic, pain-relieving and nerve-strengthening effect. It also stimulates menstruation, and is used for stomach cramps, flatulence, and diarrhoea. In folk medicine, it is considered an aphrodisiac and a hypnotic. In high doses, nutmeg has a hallucinogenic effect, and can even be deadly poisonous when overdosed (but don't worry – you would have to eat about 3 whole nutmegs for them to be deadly! For cooking and baking, you usually only use a pinch, so you don't usually need to worry about it.). It is recommended to avoid nutmeg during pregnancy.
Cinnamon is not only a classic winter spice, it is also a powerful healing spice with warming and calming properties. As such, it promotes circulation and improves digestion. It is also antibacterial and antifungal. Since the more common Cassia cinnamon (cinnamomum cassia) contains a blood-thinning component called coumarin which can cause kidney, liver and lung damage when used regularly and/or in large quantities, it is recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) instead which contains significantly less coumarin.
Cloves are known to be powerful pain-relievers, such as for toothache pain. In the Middle Ages, cloves were considered to strengthen the liver, stomach and brain. They also have a stimulating, mood-lifting and energising effect.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and protein. Magnesium and protein in particular are great for your nerves.

These cookies are meant to strengthen the nerves and increase the ability to concentrate. According to Saint Hildegard, the cookies are to be consumed as medicine, not as dessert. Let food be thy medicine, right?

For that reason, it is advised to consume no more than 5 cookies a day for healing effects.

 reading time: 2 min


Hey friends! I hope you are doing well 💛 Not gonna lie, I feel a bit out of practice with blogging after my
unexpected "autumn hiatus". How do you use a camera again?!

After visiting friends last weekend and being surrounded by a very sick kid and his equally sick mum for an entire day, I looked around in our fridge and decided to try my hand at homemade ginger shots. I made them again a couple of days ago, and wrote down the measurements to share here on my blog in case you could also use some!

This immune-boosting recipe is super easy to make, sugar-free, and uses only 4 ingredients:

Ginger: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, warming, strengthens immune system, provides relief from cold and flu, reduces blood sugar and blood pressure, improves digestion, soothes nausea and morning sickness.

Apple juice: natural sweetener, improves gut health, increases hydration, good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Turmeric: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, boosts immunity, promotes digestive health, balances all Ayurvedic doshas.

Sage: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-strengthening, aids in digestion, helps control blood sugar levels, improves oral health, high in vitamin K, antidepressant.

(I'm happy to report that after an entire week has gone by, we're still healthy and fit as a fiddle! yay for homemade ginger shots! 🥳)


 
IMMUNE-BOOSTING GINGER SHOTS

Preparation time: 3 mins
Main ingredients: apple juice, ginger, turmeric
difficulty level: easy
serves: 2-4
suitable for
: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, oil-free, sugar-free, yeast-free, nut-free

Ingredients

400 ml (or about 1 and 2/3 cups) organic apple juice, naturally cloudy
a walnut-sized chunk of organic fresh ginger (or more for more fire!)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
a few fresh or dried sage leaves
(optional) a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Roughly chop the ginger, leaving the skin on. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend for about 1 minute until smooth. If your blender isn't as high-power as mine, you might want to strain everything with a fine colander.

Serve immediately.

The ginger shots can be stored in the refrigerator in air-tight containers for up to 48 hours, but should be consumed as quickly as possible for maximal nutrient retention.


TIPS:
- Use a pea-sized piece of fresh turmeric instead of powdered turmeric.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to enhance the turmeric's bioavailability.
- Add a fresh orange for a more citrusy flavour and more vitamin C.
- Add a spoonful of local raw honey for more sweetness and some additional antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits. To keep it vegan, use vegan dandelion honee instead.



♥

Maisy





  reading time: 2 min


He had stopped noticing the fantastic cloud shapes now and was thinking longingly of the train miles below, where you could buy ice-cold pumpkin juice from a trolley pushed by a plump witch.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J. K. Rowling


Along with chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, one of the most popular "treats" in Hogwarts and the Hogwarts express is pumpkin juice, a beverage that is usually served chilled.

Tomorrow is the 1st of September, aka the day that Harry, Ron, and Hermione catch the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and enter Hogwarts for the first time. Pumpkin season is also about to begin, so I thought it was only fitting to celebrate this day with a glass of ice-cold pumpkin juice like the one sold by the Trolley Witch on board the Hogwarts Express.


Harry spilling pumpkin juice. (source)


Most recipes I saw online used apple cider as the base for their copycat version, but since it's called pumpkin juice I thought it would be more authentic to use apple juice and orange juice instead. (Also because pumpkin juice is considered to be basically the OJ of the wizarding world.) See notes below on how to make this beverage even more juice-like!

This recipe for homemade pumpkin juice is super easy to make and great for a summer get-together. You could, however, even serve this warmed up with some more spices and a bit of whipped cream on top for a Halloween party. Kids will love it too!

It's refreshing, naturally sweet, bright orange, and tastes best on a hot day, served over some ice.

So make your own pumpkin juice and get aboard the Hogwarts Express asap!



HARRY'S VEGAN PUMPKIN JUICE

Preparation time: 3 mins
Main ingredients: apple juice, orange juice, pumpkin purée
difficulty level: easy
makes: 4 cups of juice
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, yeast-free

Ingredients:

3/4 cup pumpkin purée (I make my own, see notes below – it is more flavourful than store-bought canned pumpkin purée)
2 cups apple juice
1 cup orange juice (or sub pineapple juice)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp honey, maple syrup or agave
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

ice, to serve

Instructions:

Add all the ingredients to a blender, and blitz until all incorporated. (Or use an immersion blender to blend, which won't be as smooth though.)

Taste test, and add some more sweetener, or more spices, or even more pumpkin if you're into that.

Pour into a pitcher and chill until required.

Serve over ice.

TIPPS & NOTES:
- I make my homemade pumpkin purée by scooping out the seeds of 1 medium hokkaido pumpkin, chopping it into chunks, steaming it for about 15-20 minutes until soft, and then blending it into a smooth purée using an immersion blender or a stand mixer. I leave the skins on for hokkaido, but make sure to remove the skins when using butternut squash.
-
The consistency of this drink is very juice-like and not thick like a smoothie. If you want your juice even more runny, strain everything through a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth like I do with my green juice in a blender.
- If you, however, prefer the juice to be creamier, more smoothie-like, feel free to skip the water and also add some more pumpkin purée, if you like.




Looking for more nerdy recipes? Check out some of my other Harry Potter inspired creations:

Hagrid's Rock Cakes (vegan)
Mrs. Weasley's Christmas Fudge (vegan)
Madam Rosmerta's Butterbeer (vegan)
Butterbeer Fudge (vegan)



♥

Maisy

  reading time: 2 min





I call this my ZuBaChoSo. Short for "zucchini banana bread with chocolate chips and sourdough" also known as "Carrie's chocolate chip zucchini bread but make it vegan and sourdough", lol. Since both of these names aren't that great, ZuBaChoSo it is!

It is basically Carrie Rad's chocolate chip zucchini bread but – like I said, the plant-based version, and with sourdough added to it.

This recipe is perfect for the infamous zucchini flood that usually hits you around July/August in the Northern hemisphere where you don't know what to do with all those zucchinis popping up in your garden beds, and your neighbours are practically hiding from you because they don't want to be showered with zucchinis (again).

That's when this recipe comes in handy.
(Along with vegetable lasagna where you can swap out most of the lasagna noodles for zucchini slices!)

It's sweet and definitely more on the cake side than on the bread side, but not too sweet. It's moist (in a good way), and filled with chocolate bits that will melt in your mouth. And the best thing: It has vegetables in it, and you won't even notice!

So what are you waiting for?


Grab your zucchinis, and let's start baking!


  reading time: 4 min





Have you ever wondered why Monday is called Monday? Or Sunday is called Sunday?

The latter already hints at it – the seven days of the week were originally named after the classical planets in Hellenistic astronomy which in turn derived from the contemporary deities.

For example, the weekday Friday was originally called ἡμέρα Ἀφροδίτης (hēméra Aphrodítēs) in Greek, or diēs Veneris in Latin, meaning "day of Aphrodite / Venus", and referred to the planet / goddess Venus. The English name Friday means something like "Frigg's Day" (or "Freya's Day") and is named after the Germanic goddess Frigg (or Freya) which is basically the Norse equivalent to the Roman Venus.

It's quite fascinating!

So, in today's blogpost I want to give an overview on the seven days of the week and their planet rulers as well as the corresponding themes and recommended activities for each day.


Weekly Schedule
According to the Planet Rulers



Monday: Moon

Monday, the "Moon Day", is associated with the Goddess Luna or Selene, who is often represented as the female complement of the Sun. The reason why many people feel like a train-wrack on Mondays might not be that it marks the beginning of another work week, but perhaps it actually has to do with the lunar energy of the day. The Moon invites us to look after our emotional needs and to nurture ourself (and others). Take it slow. Be gentle with your emotions and your potential mood swings. This is not the best day to initiate something permanent, such as a new healthy habit.

Themes: emotions, intuition, psychic awareness, compassion, nurturing, healing, caring, peace

Activities: rest, meditate, journal, surround yourself with water (lake, sea, bath ...)

 
Tuesday: Mars
 
If you have a chance to postpone any important work tasks or household chores from Monday to Tuesday, do it! The ruler of this day is Mars, the planet of activity, stamina and ambition. As it is associated with the god Mars or Ares (aka the god of war and courage), it provides you with the necessary power to slay your enemies (our your overwhelming workload)! It also invites us to get a good workout in – that reminds me: Mars also rules sexuality and sexual energy ;)

Themes: action, passion, drive, determination, courage, assertiveness, ambition, competition, protection

Activities: get sh*t done!, tackle (challenging) projects, get active, exercise


Wednesday: Mercury
 
Speaking of postponing work-tasks – if you can, schedule your meetings and calls for Wednesday. This day is ruled by Mercury, named after the god Mercury or Hermes, which is the god of communication, eloquence, commerce and financial gain. This is a great day for answering e-mails, catching up with an old friend, having an important conversation, brainstorming ideas for a project, making a to-do list, or giving a lecture.

Themes: communication, study, curiosity, intellect, quick thinking, wisdom, transportation, travel, movement

Activities: communicate, express your thoughts, read, brainstorm, analyse, make lists, make decisions, take short trips
 

Thursday: Jupiter

Named after the king of gods, Jupiter or Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, this day is associated with both intellect and spirituality. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and abundance, inviting us to grow and flourish. Sports and games of any kind would be fitting. This is a great day to assess our ethical and moral values. You might find yourself feeling more confident on a Thursday, doing something a little more adventurous perhaps.

Themes: expansion, growth, learning, optimism, good fortune,
generosity, money, prosperity, success, leisure, travel

Activities:
learn something new, begin an exciting project, set intentions, read, play, do something outside your comfort zone, travel (especially long-distance)


Friday: Venus
 
As the planet Venus and its eponymous goddess Venus or Aphrodite are associated with love, beauty, pleasure and possessions, this day is great for engaging in something pleasurable, beautiful, comforting and sensual – though not necessarily sexual. How about some delicious food, silky clothes, music, scents, a beautiful home, and good company. Follow your desires! This is also the perfect day for a date night, a party, or even a wedding! This day is also ideal for making an extravagant purchase or financial investment (especially on a day where the moon is in Taurus!).

Themes: (self-)love, friendship, romance, beauty, desire, pleasure, prosperity, money, sex, harmony, emotions, reconciliation

Activities: beautify yourself and/or your home, indulge in your senses, enjoy the arts (music, dance, literature ...), revel in the beauty of the world, socialize


 
Saturday: Saturn
 
Saturn is the ruler of discipline and responsibility, named after Saturn or Cronus, the god of time, agriculture, abundance, and renewal. He reminds us to work hard, but maintaining order and moderation. We can use this disciplined, steadfast and structured energy to clean up and organize our homes (and our overall lives), set realistic goals, and use our time in a reasonable way.

Themes: responsibility, discipline, perseverance, structure, order, authority,
boundaries, wisdom, longevity, home

Activities: set goals, organize, put things in order, repair, run errands, meal prep



Sunday: Sun
 
The "Sun Day" is associated with the god Sol or Helios, the personification of the Sun. It represents light, life force, the self, the ego, and our creative power. The powerful solar energy invites us to shine our light, to take the lead, to express ourselves and to spread warmth and cheer. It also reminds us to look after our well-being and make sure we're using our energy in a vitalizing instead of a depleting way.

Themes: vitality, creativity,
identity, authority, leadership, willpower, strength, success, health, healing, spirituality

Activities: have fun,
create, soak up sunlight, shine your light


♥

Maisy
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Well, hello! My name is Maisy (pronounce: macy) and I’m the creative spirit behind this blog. You are welcome to join me on my journey to a more natural, slow-paced & healthier life!

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