The Ritual Master Now if the book could be considered the main course, the side dishes, the salad, pairing the appropriate wines and putting on the right music, is just as important for me.
While reading The Virgin Blue, my mind wandered off to some pretty interesting subjects.
Blue
Let’s talk colours. Too bright, too dull, the perfect shade or just not quite… like perfume, the sense of colour is incredibly personal. Neuroscientists agree that it is impossible to match someone else’s perception of a colour, as our brains have unique ways of linking the signals received through our eyes. But in this infinite possibility situation, how is it that the colour blue seems to be the World’s favourite color ?
A survey conducted in 2017 showed that from a panel of 30 000 people, across 100 countries, the majority chose a specific shade of blue as their favourite colour. One explanation could be the fact that most of the things we associate with the colour blue are positive or neutral, like the sky, clear water, blue jeans or ink. Psychologists have many interpretations possible, including the calmness that blue seems to induce.
In China, blue represents immortality, while in Japan indigo blue is often used in art and clothing to symbolize the vast ocean surrounding its islands. In Iran blue is the colour of mourning. And the German group of painters called The Blue Rider thought blue symbolized spirituality and eternity.
The book made me reflect about my personal feelings towards the colour, and even though it is not my absolute favourite, I do have some favourite blue items…
Lapis-lazuli
Art historians have long studied the types of pigment used in different eras. And when it comes to blue, extracting the rich and deep shade of lapis-lazuli and putting in on a canvas is fascinating. It just so happens that lapis-lazuli is a semiprecious gemstone I particularly like. The most notable extraction mines are found in Afghanistan, where the quality of the gemstones is remarkable, but you can find lapis-lazuli in many parts of the world.
The delicate lines of pyrite that cross such a unique dark blue are an eternal mystery to me.
As all blue crystals, lapis-lazuli is very useful for your throat and thyroid, as it gently rebalances an energy center so easily disrupted. It can improve your communication skills and by calming the general vibration of the body, it can help with headaches and mild stress induced symptoms.
I, for one, enjoy meditating in the evening with a lapis-lazuli in my hand. I find that it connects me to the night sky, and brings me calmer dreams up there, between the stars.
Cream of butternut
Tracy Chevalier’s novel is not very big on food in general, we either learn about the lack of food in the 16th century, or the simple boulangerie in a little village in the south of France. So on this one, I let myself be inspired by the general atmosphere. And what I seem to be craving while reading, is a warming, creamy, butternut squash soup.I have tested many recipes throughout the years, and I ended up combining a South-Asian vibe, with a classic French herb. The step-by-step recipe is, as always, in the Recipes menu.
My time-travel ends here for today. I hope that you’ll give The Virgin Blue a try, and if you already have, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram. Until next time, enjoy your reading and your rituals !
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