About TerraSpirit.Ca

If you found this blog by typing in TerraSpirit.Ca, I apologize. If you are/were a member of Terra Spirit, and did not receive an email update, I'll share here as well.
Although I love TerraSpirit dearly, it has SLOWED to a crawl. The past few months have been the same. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that Social Networking sites are becoming more popular, and people use things like Facebook as a way to stay in touch.I had thought of moving terraspirit to a Facebook group, but it isnt very customizable, and not everyone wants to share their real names.
If you are Canadian and Pagan/Wiccan, http://wiccanweb.ca is a fantastic site. I can't recommend it enough.
For myself, I can not really identify myself as Pagan anymore. And although I am quite interested in magic, it is more from a Hermetic angle. As of late I am also very interested in Gnosticism and am immersing myself in Gnostic Gospels. I love the earth, and I see the earth as a reflection of my inner self through the elements etc. But to run a message board for Pagans/Wiccans, it just isn't my prerogative anymore, and I can not give it the attention it deserves.
If you are interested in joining us at TerraSpirit.Org (terraspirit.ning.com), and you were previously a member of terraspirit.ca, then feel free to check it out. It is non-denominational, and is primarily a site for The Society for the Celebration of Earth and Spirit , and our friends. Pagan, Christian, Jewish, etc... anyone is welcome, as long as they are open to the fact that there is more than just their path. There is more than just their views. If one is a literalist when it comes to their religious dogma, then the Society & Friends site may not be the correct place.
But if one can be focused on the purpose of honouring our earth, and celebrating our indwelling spirit, then it could be the right place!

November Round up

Well, we re-racked our first batch of mead yesterday. It is pretty much done. Down to 1.000 and DRY as can be. Really no sweetness to it whatsoever. Just about time to add a finishing agent to it and then into bottles to age.
TerraSpirit.ca is going to be no more. The decision has been made.
We will keep in touch with those members who want to keep in touch via http://terraspirit.ning.com . It works better for the size of group that we have. It can be more personalized than a general forum, more social. For the most part our forum was just a place where we'd pop in and say 'hi' from time to time and that's about it. The same old threads over and over... just time to move on.
I think Ning will work fine. Granted its odd to go back to an advertising supported platform, but oh well. It's nice to share pictures and interact more socially.
I missed the Open House for the Medicine Lodge at Chilliwack River today. Family came over though, so it was a good enough reason to miss it. Definitely would have liked to go though. Hopefully there is another opportunity.

1 gallon batch of mandarin/clove

Nov 20th

about a half gallon of water heated and 2.5-3lbs honey.
1 mandarin orange , pinch of cloves,drop of vanilla extract (pure)
pinch of yeast energizer (had no prepared nutrient)
1packet of lalvin 1118 yeast, rehydrated and added to cooled must.
Shook it like crazy.
Tossed it into a 1 gallon glass jug and put a piece of cheesecloth over top to allow air for fermentation.
SG.. app 1.120 (I think)


By the second day I noticed an odd smell, not BAD necessarily, but the non citrusy aspect of the mandarin... an aftersmell of sorts.
Today, day 4, I decided to get it off the fruit and into a plastic one gallon milk jug.
The syphon hose wouldnt fit, so unfortunately I had to POUR it in, through a sieve.... a big no-no I know due to the air... hopefully because of the rapid fermentation at this point, all will be ok.
Today's reading was 1.070, but this was not de-gassed first, so it could have possibly been even a tad lower.
Upon tasting, it actually tasted nice. Certainly did not taste as it smelled.

An Idea for Spring

I had hoped we could do this for Winter, but time is short and therefore it isn't going to happen. I was thinking that come spring, SCES should put on a craft fair/flea market with a 'celebration of earth and spirit' theme. Natural products, handmade items, canned goods, used things that fit into the theme, crystals, used books on spirituality etc. This could be open not just to local crafts people, but independent business/proprietors also, home based businesses.
We could procure a hall or venue, and rent out tables. A portion of the table rental can go towards a charity or local cause. Maybe hubby could entertain with his music and perhaps we can get some other pagan/folk type musicians to play, or perhaps some who are proficient on the hand drums.
The vendors can make and keep their own money and at the same time, SCES can help support a worthwhile cause. Vancouver has Pagan Pride,and that is a bit of a trip for most of us Upper Fraser Valley folk, and there is the local farmer market in Chilliwack, but something out here, that focuses more on our emotional , physical, and spiritual well being would be great.
If anyone reading this is interested, email me, or join us at Facebook. (search Society for the Celebration of Earth and Spirit).

Well, in my internet journey today, I found a great site. In The Wack. This site is found at-of course- www.inthewack.com. It's like a social networking site for the peeps in the area, with multiple blogs, and more. It is from a platform called Wordpress Mu , and added to this is a nifty thing called Buddy Press. All in all, it makes for a very nice site.
Lots of local info about stores and there are blogs/articles written by locals. I came across it while searching for Chilliwack wi fi for a friend.
And, while browsing through, I found a link for some Fraser Valley moms who make laundry soap and diaper wipes for an awesome price. Green Gals. Check them out!

Mead and More

Well, today the reading was at 1.085, so it is SLOWLY dropping down. I wish I knew what caused this really slow fermentation! We must get it into the secondary asap.
I was thinking that a Spring fair/market might be a good idea. Keeping the theme on celebration of our earth and spirit. Home made items, or used items such as books, art, or new items such as crystals and incense. Eco-friendly products, natural products etc. This would take place near the Spring Equinox as a Welcome in the Spring sort of thing... maybe some drummers and musicians. I would like for it to take place in the Chilliwack area, as it is easily accessible by our neighbouring communities in Mission, Agassiz, Hope, Abbotsford. There is not enough of that sort of scene out here, and this could be a starting point :)
I've posted it to fans at our Facebook page, so hopefully some others will have some ideas also.

More Mead!

Yes indeed!
Started a 3 gallon batch yesterday.
I must say, the five gallon batch we made was a bit short of water. Should have been 2 gallons (8 litres) of water with the honey, then after it had been poured into the bucket another 2-3 gallons added ( 8-12 litres) to bring the total water to about 4.5 gallons. I added far too little with the last bit of mead and ended up having to add another gallon when it came time to put it into the secondary.
This time the recipe is as such.
3 gallons of water (2 with the honey and then another gallon, previously boiled , added to it when it was poured into the bucket)
orange and lemon sliced.
pinch of cloves
split vanilla beans (from the home made vanilla extract from Shannon)
5kg - 11lbs of honey (heated with the 2 initial gallons of water in enamel hot-water bath pot)
6tbsp of bee pollen
6tbsp of strong, earl grey tea.
1 package of Lalvin 1118 Champagne yeast.