Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(9)

... because this dough uses so little yeast and wants a long rising, a goddess can work its preparation into her busy American schedule by making the dough at night . with cool water and refrigerating it immediately after it is mixed. Next morning, place it in a cool spot to rise slowly at room temperature al day. Then simply shape and bake it for dinner...

Lina ran her eyes down the list of ingredients. Dry yeast, water, flour, salt, olive oil - yes, of course she had every-thing on the list. She could make the dough that night, let it sit al the next day, then she and the "baby birds" could sample it tomorrow night. Delighted, she began reading the preparation directions.

Before beginning, you wil need a green candle, to represent the Earth. The Goddess we honor with this recipe is She who breathes life into the flour with which we create our dough, Demeter, Great Goddess of the Harvest, and of Fruits and the Riches of the Earth.

Lina's eyes widened.

As you start preparation, light the green candle and focus your thoughts on Demeter. Then you may begin.

Lina's eyes scanned the recipe. Sure enough, interspersed between instructions for stirring the yeast, and mixing the flour and salt, were otherworldly instructions. Lina read a line and her brow furrowed.

Was it a spel ?

Lina read another line.

It seemed to be more of an invocation, or maybe a prayer. But whatever she cal ed it, the supernatural directions were definitely a part of the recipe. Lina couldn't help but smile. La magia del 'Italia. Her grandmother would approve.

Humming to herself, she went in search of a green candle.

Chapter 4

Lina looked around the counter and nodded in satisfaction, she had assembled al of the ingredients and kitchenwares she would need to make the dough. She had even found a smal green candle that gave off a vaguely piney scent. It was a relic from the previous Christmas, and she'd had to dig through two boxes of ornaments before she discovered it. Lina opened the cookbook and set it on the counter next to her favorite stainless steel mixing bowl. Then she began:

First, light the green candle and focus your thoughts on Demeter, Mother of the Harvest.

Ever the consummate chef, Lina fol owed the directions precisely. She lit the candle and let her thoughts drift to the long-forgotten Harvest Goddess. She wondered briefly what lovely, eccentric cooking rituals had been forgotten along with the Goddess.

Lina continued reading:

Stir the yeast into the warm water in a smal bowl; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Lina felt relaxed and happy as her experienced hands stirred and mixed.

While the yeast is standing, center your thoughts and take three deep cleansing breaths. Imagine power filtering up the center of your body and traveling along the path of your spine al the way through your head and then pouring out in a waterfal around you to be reabsorbed into your core again. When you feel invigorated, you may begin Demeter's Invocation.

The directions reminded her a little of a new-age relaxation class she had taken once. With a selfamused smile, she set the kitchen timer for ten minutes before beginning the steps of the centering exercise.

She had to admit that in no time she was feeling... well ... if not invigorated, at least very awake and self-aware. Lina went back to the recipe.

When you feel ready, please read the fol owing aloud.

"O most gracious and magnificent Demeter, Goddess of al that is harvested and grown, I ask that some portion of Your presence be here with me now. I summon You to enrich the bounty You have already so plentiful y provided. I ask also that You breathe a breath of magic and wonder into this kitchen."

The timer chimed and Lina jumped, surprised that ten minutes had passed so quickly.

Mix the flour and salt in a large wide-mouthed bowl while invoking, "Come, Demeter, I summon you with this salt and flour, which are the riches of Your Earth."

The rhythm of the invocation melded harmoniously with the recipe, and Lina found herself eager to read the next lines.

Make a well in the center of the flour; then pour the dissolved yeast, PA cups plus 1 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon oil, and the lard into the well . Speak to the Goddess as you gradual y stir the flour into the liquid and work to a soft dough that can be gathered into a bal . "I cal upon You, O

Goddess of the Harvest, and bid You welcome here in the midst of that which You created." Then knead on a floured surface until soft, smooth, and elastic, 10 to 15 minutes, sprinkling with additional flour as needed. As the dough takes form, recite the fol owing to Demeter: "Power be drawn, and power come, and make me one with thee, O Goddess of the Harvest. Make me greater, make me better, grant me strength and grant me power.

Lina's hands fel into a rhythm as she effortlessly plied the dough against the floured countertop. Her eyes were locked on the words that seemed to come as easily to her lips as the familiar kneading motion came to her hands.

"O Demeter who is my guardian and sister, I give You thanks. May my summons fal lightly on Your ears, and may Your wisdom and strength remain with me, growing ever finer, as grains ripe for the harvest."

Lina kneaded the dough while her mind drifted. What an incredibly intriguing thought - to couple the magic of an ancient goddess with the perfection of a recipe that had been passed down from mothers to daughters and preserved for generations. It was such a wonderful, natural idea. To cal upon the strength of a goddess through baking! Whether it actual y worked, whether or not a goddess real y listened, was beside the point. It was a lovely, empowering ritual -  one that, if nothing else, could serve to focus her thoughts on the positive and remind her that she should take a moment to enjoy the rich femininity of her chosen career.