The History of Cinnamon Goes Back Almost 5,000 Years

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), sometimes called true cinnamon, has a long history. 

It originated in Asia, mostly Sri Lanka and India. 

Now, cinnamon shrubs are grown in almost every tropical region of the world.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known.

Ancient Egypt. Cinnamon was used in ancient Egypt not only as a beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. 

It was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold.

Ancient China. About the same time, cinnamon also received much attention in China. 

It is mentioned in one of the earliest books on Chinese botanical medicine, dated back to around 2,700 B.C. Cinnamon’s popularity continued throughout history. 

Cinnamon was often added to food to prevent spoiling.

Ancient Rome. Cinnamon was used on funeral pyres in Ancient Rome. In 65 AD, Nero burned a year's supply of cinnamon at his second wife Poppaea Sabina's funeral in order to show the depth of his grief.

History of Cinnamon: Medieval Europe. Due to its demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe. 

It became one of the most popular spices in medieval Europe.

During the Bubonic Plague, sponges were soaked in cinnamon and cloves and placed in sick rooms, and it has also been burned as an incense. 

During the explorations of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, cinnamon was the most sought-after spice.

In the Middle Ages, cinnamon was only affordable by the wealthy elite of society. 

A person's social rank during that time could be determined by the number of spices they could afford.

From the 16th to the 19th centuries, there were power struggles among European nations over who would control Ceylon and the lucrative cinnamon industry. 

In the early part of the 19th century, other countries began growing cinnamon and it became available to everyone.

History of Cinnamon: Modern Cinnamon Production. Today, Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean, while Cassia cinnamon is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Most cinnamon sold in supermarkets in North America comes from the less expensive variety, Cassia cinnamon.

Halloween to Build Bridges

Halloween is special, it originated as a Celtic pagan festival when the souls of the dead roamed their old homes and evil spirits played tricks on the living.

But it isn't Satanic and it doesn't mean it can't be fun...for everyone.

We think Pagans have a great opportunity to remove barriers and build bridges with the rest of the world by inviting friends and neighbors to join in on the fun.

The Pagan Kitchen celebrates Samhain with our own rituals, but we also have a good time with Halloween. 

We don’t know any Pagan who celebrates Halloween conjuring up evil spirits like the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus, you probably don't either.

Yes, Halloween has pagan roots, just like most holiday’s and we're proud of that.

But these holidays can be celebrated and enjoyed by all.

LifeWay Research conducted a survey and found that 59 percent of Americans think the dark day is “all in good fun.” 14 percent will celebrate but “try to avoid the pagan elements.” 

There are those who are concerned with the holiday’s pagan roots, where  21 percent of Americans and 23 percent of Christians “try to avoid Halloween completely.”

“As popular and pervasive as Halloween has become, there is still a sizeable minority that avoids at least some elements,” says Scott McConnell, vice president of Nashville-based LifeWay  courtesy of LifeWay Research

Maybe the activities below aren’t for everyone, pick and choose the ones that interest you and have fun.

Halloween Samhain Two Weeks Away

Regardless of what you call this day, we offer our greetings...

We love Halloween/Samhain for all the obvious reasons that Pagans and non Pagans celebrate. We also love it because it brings the best out of us. 

Fewer people worry about being lonely, abandoned, heartbroken, or alienated on Halloween. 

There isn't as much emotional tension surrounding Halloween that surrounds other holidays.

On Halloween you don’t have to wear the emotional mask one many people put on for other holidays.

Along with the traditions of Halloween, Samhain is the night when the old God dies, and is mourned by the Crone Goddess for the next six weeks until he is reborn at Yule.

The popular image of her as the old Halloween hag menacingly stirring her cauldron comes from the Celtic belief that all dead souls return to her cauldron of  life, death, and rebirth to await reincarnation.

Pumpkin Creations From Ray Villifane

The latest pumpkin creation from Ray Villifane and Villafane Studios. 

Ray’s talent of pumpkin sculpting is beyond outrageous and yes, he carves real pumpkins.

Ray creativity is on display here and his pumpkins have gathered a cult-like following.