![]() ![]() Explain that healthy families and communities rely on each other and that life’s balance of ebb and flow is a natural way to interact with others. Once everyone has finished eating their egg, tell them that the next step is about giving rather than receiving, two sides of one very important coin. Now, you may eat your egg by dipping it in the sea salt blend. You may choose to keep these thoughts to yourself, or ask that they be shared aloud. Recognize that it was their choice and release any shame you might have about feeling “needy” or “burdensome.” Feel the gratitude for those who were able to and chose to help you. Acknowledge that it’s okay to accept help when you need it, and that nobody should ever have to face challenges completely alone. Ask your guests to peel their egg while considering who has shown them nurturing in the past year. Ask each guest to please rinse their hands in the fragrant water, then dry them on the provided towel.Įxplain that the egg is a symbol of hope and fertility, and often associated with motherhood. Explain that you’ll be doing a short ritual before the main meal as a way to connect more deeply. Gather your guests together around the table. These symbols of fertility are so widespread and ancient as to have become almost archetypes, associations that are important in finding your own metaphorical fertility in this season of blooming. ![]() It’s also no accident that this bread is full of fertility symbols: eggs, bread, honey, and seeds are all associated with springtime’s virility. The eggs baked into this bread were traditionally deep red in remembrance of Christ’s blood, but I’ve dyed mine a cheerful yellow instead as a celebration of our entrance into the light half of the year. I based these beautiful egg-studded loaves on traditional Italian and Greek Easter Bread recipes, though I’ve added a little Pacific Northwest heartiness in the form of acorn flour. It’s perfect for a group of tightly-knit friends or a family to do together to give gratitude and care a little boost into springtime. Below, you’ll find a simple family ritual to celebrate humility and humanity. If you were to describe your own story through edible symbolism, what would you put on your plate? How would you represent the griefs? The triumphs? What story would you tell that affirms who you are down to your core? These questions are just food for thought, but I can tell you honestly that bread (representing nurturing others) would be a big part of mine.įood is indeed a powerful way for us to connect with our histories and our community. It’s a strong symbol of inclusivity today and many families now include it along with the more traditional offerings. Certain new symbols are finding their way into this ritual, such as an orange to symbolize the intolerance of women and homosexuals in Judaism. It keeps them connected to their ancestors.Īnd while the Seder Plate has remained a constant for hundreds of years, it is not immune to change. It reminds them to honor their heritage while also giving thanks for their freedom now. This ritual reminds Jewish people of their history as slaves and the intolerance they have faced for many years. In just six tiny plates of different food is a saga of sacrifice, slavery, bitterness, loss, toiling, mourning, and the strength of God. Not coming from a Jewish background myself, I am always fascinated to hear about the layers of symbolism and storytelling that are practiced by one of my friends and her family. This annual experience reminds those at the table who they are, what they stand for, and what they as a community have endured. This plate has simple, small servings of food, but these foods are presented and then partially consumed in a very specific, ritualized way to tell the history of their people. Take, for example, the Seder Plate shared on Passover in many Jewish households. One of the most visceral ways we relate to our histories - and our humanity - is through food. New to foraging? Learn more about ethical and safe foraging (plus how to get started) here! ![]()
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