I wandered lonely as a cloud

 That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

It must have been Easter when Wordsworth’s self preoccupied mooch was broken by this redemptive sight of daffodils, because while they can grow from February onwards up until May, it is between early to late Easter that such glorious crowds of them flourish and are at their pigmented best.

To paraphrase him – a never ending line of twinkling stars.

It is their joyful symbolism here and the sheer worship of nature that can uplift us and put us into our wonder and awe state, the phenomenon of healing and rebirth that they stand for, their perennial nature that makes them such a happy and exuberant flower. (Which reminds me of our wonderful market and its offerings at all times!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course it is this symbolism that is associated with Easter, rebirth, renewal and passion.

The Passion of Easter

Easter is a time of new beginnings. rebirth and renewal. Passion is a word that conjures up several interpretations. It can be an ardour for something or someone, it can be an ongoing immersion in an activity or endeavour, something that brings light and energy. It can mean a real interest, a burning zeal. It can in the religious sense indicate an ordeal, a longing, a heartache.

Certainly it was a conflagration of these traits commingled with circumstance that ignited the Easter Rising which this year we celebrate the centenary of.  The 1916 Easter Rising enacted by patriots whose passion mandated them to win us our liberty and our sovereignty as a nation. Reflecting on it, we see from our vantage point of modern Ireland that they ably proved that nothing is set in stone and we can control our destinies (though not always the consequences.)

Of course every year, in many parts of the world, Easter is celebrated as a religious festival whether specifically Christian commemorating the passion of Christ. As our beautiful renaissance detail shows. Or as a Spring/Equinox rite. Both contain the central message of determining our own free will and spotlight salvation and redemption as powerful truths whether you are Christian or not.

We here at Supernatural have all our passion on display (as we do every week) for all that is true and pure, renewable and our commitment to community both in respect to our artisan producers and the wonderful circle formed between organic food prodcuction and the shoppers who support it and benefit from it. 

For those of us who are actively involved in Irish independent business, as well as, supporting and promoting the truth and liberty inherent in the artisan and organic ethos, food production and consumption, we would also like to consider how very important this is in a world becoming increasing colonised by market forces and unsustainable methods that have nothing to do with community or liberty or the independent health and wealth of people.

So this Easter assert your independence and celebrate the beautiful, the renewable, the rebirth and bounty of nature. And the passion of those who work closely with her and be the change you want to see the world.

Easter is a great time to think about your commitment to what you support. The perfect time to regenerate truth, passion and joy in your life. Let the spirit of this infuse your Easter table this year and while we’re inspiring you there’s a few recipes below and the goodies to make them awaiting you this Easter Saturday at SuperNatural. Our wonderful producers will have everything you need for an Easter celebratory meal of heart and mind. 

It is no mistake the daffodil and blossom abound now at this Eastertide, one of the most sacred and miraculous time of year in the calendar. A time of: 

• Creativity
• Inspiration
• Renewal and Vitality
• Awareness and Inner Reflection
• Memory
• Forgiveness

And with these thoughts in mind, we thought we’d give some inspiration for recipes with Eastertide attributes. The main course Roast Easter Lamb with White Wine and dessert Bolognese Easter Cake are from Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cookery and both specifically Easter dishes containing all the joy of the Easter zest that comes our way at this regenerating time of year. The Spelt Salad with Red Peppers is a variation on one for farro from the great Ottolenghi.

As always we say pair these dishes with lovely organic white and red wines and compliment the dessert course with lovely Muscat Beaume de Venise or dessert wine of your choice, great coffee and sacred thoughts. From all us here at SuperNatural, enjoy the unique and special celebration of Easter this year.