The recent festival of Imbolc “symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). The word “imbolc” means “in the belly of the Mother,” because the seeds of spring are “beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth” (Dhruti Bhagat). It is connected to the celtic goddess Brigid, who is associated with fire, milk and motherly nourishment. Brigid was traiditionally celebrated with a straw dolly, made of oat or wheat straw. This recipe is offered in the week of the Ice Moon, a toast to the moon and the coming of spring. The ingredients – oat milk and oat straw – invoke the goddess Brigid and the nourishment of Mother Earth as we begin the sowings for the new season.
Recipe for Moon Milk
This recipe for Moon milk is inspired by the ayurvedic tradition and was the final element of Rudimentary Rhythms. The combination of ingredients and flavours weave together scientific and folk knowledge* designed to support the body through these cold months as the sun slowly returns.
Add or change the ingredients** as per your own preferences or needs.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of Oat Milk
2 tbsp Green Oat Straw (you can buy this as a ‘tea’)
1 heaped tsp dried rose petals
6 large leaves holy basil (Tulsi)
2 tsp Honey (or agave syrup/sugar)
1 teaspoon malted barley
Add all ingredients to a pan and warm through slowly till hot but not boiling. Take off the heat and leave to infuse for 10 mins up to 2 hours. Strain and reheat. Toast the moon.
*Oats are rich in beta–glucan, which help to attenuate your circadian rhythm – your internal clock – during seasonal light shifts. Green oat straw helps healthy sleep patterns. Barley contains immune system boosting Selenium. Scents of rose and holy basil are soothing and clarifying.
** Other ingredients could include turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, ashwagandha, nutmeg, black pepper