The time of abundance.
By Lisa Jarmain; Our Life On The Prairie
Summer, how I longed for you and the life that you bring, during the long, cold days of winter. To step outside and be greeted by birdsong, to feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and smell the scent of fresh blossoms on a passing breeze.
To walk through the garden where the seeds that were planted in spring, and have been lovingly tended to since, are now starting to produce the wonderful bounties of summer. To spend my time weeding, watering and caring for the plants that over the past few months, I have built a relationship with. Through them, I find a connection back to mother nature, to the earth beneath me, and to those who came before me.
And, as I envelope myself in the glory of summer and enter into the new moon phase that will bring on August's Sturgeon Moon, I breathe in deeply, and I am thankful to have a place where I can slow down and live within the rhythms of nature.
Originating from Indigenous communities, the Sturgeon Moon was so named by those that relied on the rhythm of, and relationship with the sturgeon so much that they gave its name to the moon that rose when their numbers would be highest. Of course, over time, the Sturgeon Moon has been given other names, as well - Corn Moon, Grain Moon, Ricing Moon - different names given to one moon by various original caretakers of the land, based on their place and relationships. Yet, each name carries the same message: the time of abundance is here. And so, after days, months or even years of hard work, dedication, and nurturing, we fill our baskets as Mother Nature offers us her thanks with full gardens, hives, lakes and fields.
We take what is needed, thankful for the bounty as it fills our pantries, shelves, bodies, and spirits alike.
But, always, we leave some behind as a parting gift to summer as she begins to ebb away. Some to be shared with those who also patiently await the gifts of summer, and still, some to fall back down to the earth, where next season they may once again take root and provide for us, so that we ourselves can continue to root ourselves in our place, and give our thanks.
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Lisa is a woman, wife, and mother who is passionate about slow, intentional, and sustainable living. Together, with her husband, they are raising their family in rural Alberta where they are working on cultivating a small homestead as a way to connect themselves back to nature. Lisa can often be found in the garden, where she finds her inspiration for her creative side.
