The

Kitchen Witch
HANDBOOK

Wisdom, Recipes, and Potions for Everyday Magic at

Home

Aurora Kane
 CONTENTS
Prologue
Introduction

PART 1: Kitchen Witchery

Kitchen Magic
The Kitchen Witch & Her Domain
The Kitchen Witch & the Moon
The Magic of the Kitchen Garden

PART 2: The Wheel of the Year

Fall

Winter
Spring

Summer

Epilogue

Acknowledgments
References & Resources

Index
 PROLOGUE

Why, who can take a simple dish and season it to grant your wish?
Or with a sprinkle and a stir, quiet fears to gentle purrs?
For strength or love or money spells, the cupboard’s full, its magic swells.

The kitchen witch has many charms, but chief among them: Do no harm.
She welcomes all with open arms, and revels in this place of charms.
With fire, air, and water, too, what’s born of Earth transforms to food—
to feed the belly, soul, and mind, to bless your heart, cast spells sublime.

With hearth and home as her domain, each kitchen witch can stake her claim
as mistress of this mystic realm, she honors Earth and heeds the Moon.
And with the seasons, as they turn, are lessons ripe we’re meant to learn.
For manifesting magic well, intentions must be true and kind, and space allowed
for you to shine.

Intentions are the seeds we plant, to feed our life, its wishes grant,
to ripen into sweet success, fulfill our dreams, see all are blessed.

Let hunger never enter here, nor thirst, nor want, nor harm, nor fear.
Let laughter, love, and plenty reign, each meal sufficient to sustain.
Bless open hearts and open minds, for deep within the magic shines,
with your first taste, your life can change, so be prepared and unafraid.

Each kitchen witch plants seeds unique, and tends them ’til they reach their peak.
The harvest is Earth’s gift to use for magic cast with gratitude.
 INTRODUCTION

o be a kitchen witch is to see magic and possibility in all Nature offers. To

T be a kitchen witch is to nourish, care for, soothe, and celebrate those who
sit at your table and to share with those who cannot. To be a kitchen witch
is to create magic out of the ordinary and see the ordinary as magic. To be a
kitchen witch is to believe in the power of transformation and intention. To be a
kitchen witch is to choose healing over harm and love over hate.
To be a kitchen witch is to live your best magical life with your kitchen as
altar. It requires belief in your powers, an openness to your intuition and the
messages it receives, and trust in the Universe, which can bring a sense of peace,
calm, and accomplishment. To be a kitchen witch is to engage all your senses to
extract meaning and purpose from everyday rituals—the most powerful of which
is cooking for and sharing a meal with someone.
The kitchen is your sacred place. Nature, the elements, foods, herbs and
spices, utensils, and recipes are your magical tools. Utilizing them in mindful
ways means taking time to be present in each moment, to set goals and
intentions based on your beliefs, hopes, and desires, and to infuse your foods and
your life with the energies to manifest dreams.
 Take a seat at this table and join the conversation. Learn what it means to
create magic in your kitchen as you tend the cauldron of knowledge and
transformation. Take your cues from the Wheel of the Year: honor the seasons
and their gifts, live in rhythm with Nature, matching her ebb and flow to create
space for your magic as you connect to Earth and honor the Moon’s wisdom.
Mother Nature will not be hurried, so delight in the pace she sets and trust that
the seeds you plant will come to fruition.
Celebrate bounty. Listen for the messages these magical foods carry from
Earth to your table. Feed and nourish your friends and family with meals
seasoned with love, hope, luck, beauty, protection, remembrance, and any other
intentions that speak your truth. Twenty-six recipes celebrate the season; add
yours along the way. Use the spells, seasonal blessings, and rituals to amplify the
magic of your messages or create your own. Your heart is filled with the magic
you need. Don’t hesitate to use it.
And remember, plants are living, breathing beings that deserve our care and
respect, for they have much to teach us. They can also be harmful. Never ingest
any food, herb, flower, seed, fruit, vegetable, or plant without proper knowledge
of what you have and never do anything that feels intuitively wrong.
This is your domain. May it be blessed with love, joy, and plenty. May the
fire burn bright and your cauldron be bottomless. May your magic be without
limit.
 he kitchen witch is a powerful being descended from centuries of

T wisdom, lore, and knowledge gleaned from Nature and passed on by

example. Part hearth goddess, part herbal wisewoman, part mother
goddess, and part intuitive being, she lives in harmony with Nature while
tending hearth, cauldron, family, and garden. Her knowledge is vast and her
responsibilities are many, but her purpose is singular: transformation.
This is her domain: honoring the transformation of the seasons and
understanding their influence on life; clearing the cobwebs in spring and fall,
planting the seeds of intentions and transforming Earth to bear fruit; tending and
reaping summer’s harvest, combining foods with the elements of air, water, fire,
and earth as well as energetic herbs and spices to nourish a family’s body and
spirit to live with intention while celebrating achievements made; preserving the
last of fall’s harvest for overwintering, while preparing to rest and renew with
gratitude for the bounty; taking stock of the year to reinforce lessons learned and
plan anew as winter transforms again into spring. And along the way, honoring
the natural energies of the seasons and transmuting their gifts to manifest magic,
to nurture and heal, to ground and connect.
The transformative power of kitchen witchery lives in all our hearts. We just
need to be still long enough to hear its call and brave enough to act. All are
welcome in this witch’s kitchen.
And although more modern kitchen witches may trade foraging at farmers’
markets and grocery stores for planting and tending the kitchen garden, the
purpose is no different and the magic no less magical. Each act is done with
intention for good and abundant love, with love being the most transformative
ingredient of all.
 KITCHEN MAGIC

hat spark. It starts it all. That spark of an idea that lights the imagination;

T that spark of love that never dies; that spark of a match that lights a candle
dispelling darkness; that spark that lights the warming hearth fires or
celebrates traditions over a campfire, or that burns steadily beneath a simmering
cauldron. That spark is transformative, and so is your kitchen magic. Here, you
have the ability not only to transform Nature’s bounty into joy and nourishment
but also to infuse that bounty with metamorphic intentions to manifest magic
everywhere. That spark is magic.
For the kitchen witch, your kitchen is your altar—that place that focuses your
magic and reminds you what you’re working toward. It is also a place to honor
memories and traditions, as well as celebrate and create new ones uniquely
yours.
Practicing kitchen magic is a way to blend magic into your everyday life with
little effort and great reward. It personifies the law of similarity, that like begets
like. It honors the process of preparing and consuming food as well as the innate
magic in every ingredient Nature gives us. It is a way to direct Nature’s energy
to influence magical work on your behalf, to live your best magical life, and to
be your best magical self for those around you.
 WHAT IS KITCHEN MAGIC?
Whether or not you’re a kitchen witch, magic happens in the Earth anywhere
food is grown and in the kitchen anytime food is prepared and shared. The foods
and the elements—earth, air, fire, water—combine to transform ingredients into
delightful flavors and nutrients to feed and nourish our bodies and spirits. When
you add intention in selecting, preserving, preparing, cooking, and sharing, plus
the intentions of your heart and the foods’ innate energies, you have a most
magical recipe for effecting the changes you desire. Season with love, serve with
care, acknowledge the time required, celebrate the bounty, and share with
gratitude. That’s kitchen magic.
For many who practice kitchen magic, the Wheel of the Year provides the
context of living in tune with Nature’s seasons, feeling the ebb and flow of the
changing rhythms. It engages all our senses and affirms our connections to Earth
and others. It is a way to care for our planet as it cares for us.

FOOD AS MAGIC
Food is magic. Throughout history it has even been worshipped and revered for
all sorts of things, including bringing people back from the dead and being given
as offerings to appease or curry favor with myriad gods and goddesses.
It sprouts miraculously from seeds buried in the ground—whether
intentionally planted or blown there by the wind and nurtured by the Sun, rain,
and occasional garden fairy. It comes to us, plucked straight from Earth, full of
vitamins, minerals, fiber, water, protein, sugar, fat, and other things our bodies
need to grow and stay healthy. It delights every one of our senses. It is rife with
ritual, defining special occasions and celebrations. It is energy that can ground,
nourish, heal, delight, transport, entertain, soothe, and excite. Food creates
relationships over which it is shared, memories, traditions, gifts, medicine.
Science has yet to unlock all the magical secrets that foods contain and our
intuition has likely just scratched the surface of their wisdom.
Food as magic adds another layer of meaning to cooking and eating. The law
of vibration tells us everything vibrates as energy—energies interconnected and
influenced by each other. Using food’s energy with simple rituals or intentions
can help send positive energy and vibrations into the Universe, where they’re
manifested as our dreams and desires. Food as magic can bring love, success,
wealth, patience, health, empathy, courage, compassion, intuition, joy,
friendship, sex, fertility and abundance, and more. Its energy is of life.
Because every food has magical properties, deciding which to include is a
purely personal choice! Prepare the food with respect and honor, imbuing it with
your wishes and intentions. Be mindful of the outcomes you desire and stir joy
and gratitude into every spoonful.

KITCHEN MAGIC TOOLS

The most fundamental of all magical tools, the elements of earth, water, air, and
fire are the basis of all kitchen magic. Earth keeps us grounded; water keeps our
energy flowing and our spirits adaptable; air keeps us alive; and fire transforms,
warms, and ignites our passions. Use them with gratitude and give thanks for
their easy access in your life.
Other than these, no special tools are required to unleash your kitchen
witchery. Use whatever you have or whatever speaks to you, but the guide on the
next pages gives some ideas on kitchen rituals and equipment that can be put to
use in enchanting ways.

Apron. A kitchen witch’s ritual garment.

Besom (see here). Symbolically sweep away bad energy and cleanse your
magical space. Use your trusty regular broom to sweep away the actual dirt, and
make it a goal to keep this space clean and tidy so your magic flows freely.
Cauldron. As the vehicle for providing nourishment, it is a symbol of
abundance, as well as knowledge and wisdom, transformation and rebirth, the
home and hearth. Gather a couple of sizes—a small cauldron to keep on your
altar, as well as a Dutch oven (or two) and a cast-iron skillet to conjure your
magical elixirs and potions, combining food and love to feed your family.

Chalice. A favorite wineglass or teacup (see here) will do to sip potions, offer
blessings, and divine the future. You may want to designate specific items used
solely for these purposes to keep their energy clear.

Cookbooks and a journal. Whether holding your favorite recipes or the secret
potions of your ancestors, keep your recipes alive by jotting notes in them of
favorite times they were served, or revisions needed to make their magic more
potent. Store within easy reach to keep their inspiration fresh in your mind.

Fork. Symbolic of the food you prepare intentionally to nourish body and soul.

Knife. A good chef’s knife is an invaluable tool in the kitchen witch’s arsenal. In
the same way it chops, cuts, trims, and prepares foods, savor the symbolic
imagery of it cutting away any unwanted ties that bind or negativity from your
life. It can also scare away an evil spirit or two.

Mortar and pestle. Symbolizing the magic of alchemy and the wisdom of
working with ingredients to heal, the mortar and pestle was also Baba Yaga’s
favorite mode of transportation (see here), perhaps, again, reminding us of the
transformative power of this simple tool.

Spoon. A magic wand, indeed. A spoon can symbolize want; it also symbolizes
air. Keep one nearby to remind you of the bounty you reap and the gratitude you
feel for the blessings in your life. It’s also useful to stir up a bit of magical
energy in anything you make: clockwise to draw things to you, counterclockwise
to protect from unwanted energies.

Teakettle. For making the favorite cuppa and adding a little grounding and
divining ritual into any day (see here).

The elements. Air: The element of air works magic in your kitchen, and kitchen
garden, to help you prepare and preserve food, whether from your oven, fridge,
or freezer, or the breezes of spring, summer, and fall that tenderly encourage
your growing plants. Earth: Whether you grow the food in your kitchen garden
or pluck it fresh from the grocery store or farmers’ market, the grounding,
nurturing element of earth gives birth to it. Fire: This element ignites the magic
and serves as the element of transformation. When the hearth is lit, it signals
your intentions to the Universe. Let its warmth serve as a draw to gather people
to this welcoming space. Water: To cleanse, cook, hydrate, soothe, and give life,
be grateful for easy access to clean water.

MAKING FOOD MORE MAGICAL

The combination of raw materials, the elements, and time creates magically
transformative results, and cooking for others is one of the truest expressions of
love. Food has its own kind of magic—nourishing our bodies with Nature’s
bounty is both healing and life giving.
Although you may wish to incorporate specific foods into your meals for their
particular energies, you can also add a little magic to any food by imbuing it
with your intentions and thanks before dropping it into the pot! Consider the
myriad ways to bring magic to the foods you cook, serve, and share.

Cover the table at which you eat with a tablecloth to establish the table as
a “sacred space” and mark the ritual of sharing food.
 Grow your own foods in your kitchen garden (see here).
Buy local and with intention.
Cook and drink with a grateful heart. Give a short nod of gratitude to the
water you drink or wash or cook food in.
Follow the recipe (if you need to) but cook intuitively.
Prepare foods with purpose and visualization:

Imaging peeling away outer layers to reveal your innermost

thoughts and dreams.
Chop sturdy vegetables with gusto to relieve a little stress and
banish negativity.
Wash vegetables and tender herbs gently to fill them with love.
Discard peels and scraps (if you can’t recycle) with the intentions to
discard bad habits holding you back.
Cut foods into magical shapes.
Season liberally to spread the magic.
Draw sigils on foods with condiments or a knife.
Make extra to share.
Stir with intention.
Save the seeds as offerings to Nature, or to place on your altar to
draw growth and prosperity.
Meditate while stirring the pot, peeling vegetables, or kneading dough.
Give food as gifts.
Say a blessing or dedication before, or after, eating, as you like.
Eat mindfully to appreciate the food and honor its gifts as well as the
ritual of sharing it with others.
Light candles on the table, coordinating colors with intention (see here).
Let the magic manifest according to the Universe’s plan.

EATING THE RAINBOW

Eating the rainbow is a magical way not only to support your health but also to
influence your kitchen magic. And color is energy. Following is a list of colors
and what their innate vibrational energies support. Because colors can be
assigned different or multiple meanings, and we all have memories and
associations with color throughout life, experiment, have fun, and stay in tune
with your intuition. Use the colors as they speak to you—and remember, at the
end of each rainbow is a pot of gold.

Black: detoxifying, grounding, powerful healing, protection, security, support in

grief

Blue: calm, healing, health, kindness, meditation, patience, sincerity, tranquility

Bright orange: happiness

Bright pink: creativity, glamour

Bronze/brown: clarity of thought, common sense, detoxifying, experience,

grounding, longevity, prosperity, stability, strength

Dark blue: peace, spirituality, tranquility

Gold: attraction, balance, creativity, changing luck, elegance, energy, fertility,
joy, prestige, prosperity, success

Green: abundance, children, Earth, feeling grounded, fertility, friendship, good

luck, growth, healing, money, Nature, renewal, success, wealth

Lavender: intuition, peace, protection, spiritual growth

Orange: ambition, attraction, building energy, changing luck, courage,

creativity, emotional healing, health, individuality, joy, personal power, warmth

Pink: calm, clairvoyance, compassion, faith, forgiveness, friendship, harmony,

joy, tenderness

Purple: authority, intuition, prosperity, spiritual awareness, stress reduction,

success, wealth, wisdom
Red/deep red: courage, motivation, passion, power, protection, romantic love,
security, vitality

Silver/gray: clairvoyance, cleansing, healing, moonlight, peace, rest,

sophistication, truth

Turquoise: awakening, awareness, enlightenment

Violet: creativity, dreams, healing intuition, psychic powers

White: clairvoyance, cleansing, peace, protection, security, truth; white can also
stand in for any color you want but don’t have. Simply visualize the desired
color as you light a white candle and take a moment to imagine the outcome you
wish.

Yellow: balance, communication, confidence, creativity, happiness, intuition,

joy, mental clarity, optimism, personal power and self-esteem, realizing and
manifesting thoughts, success in business, warmth
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Because the kitchen witch honors Earth and all her gifts, tending to Earth’s
needs is an important mission. Make it a part of your magic and of your
daily kitchen rituals: Reduce waste anywhere you can, especially of life-
giving foods and clean water. Reuse anything you can. Repurpose glass
jars to use as storage containers or spell jars, transform leftovers, and save
scraps for soups and stocks or kitchen garden compost. Eliminate single-
use plastics. Recycle what you can’t reuse so its useful life continues.
 COOKING WITH INTENTIONS
The law of vibration is the foundation of the law of attraction and tells us every
“thing,” like color and food, vibrates, though each thing, made differently,
vibrates at different frequencies. So, too, do your intentions. This universal
energy means all things are interconnected and influenced by each other, and
like ripples in a pond, they expand outward. Formulating your energy-filled
intentions and releasing them into the Universe allows the energy to influence
the results you desire and come back to you in abundance.
As a kitchen witch, manifesting with Nature’s magic to live your best magical
life depends on setting intentions with the natural rhythms surrounding you: to
know deep in your heart what you want or need, or what needs attention in your
life, understand why you want or need it, and commit to making it happen.
Reaching deep into your soul to acknowledge, without fear or judgment, what is
important to you and what will make you truly happy is the next step. Defining
intentions keeps us focused and living in the present, staying true to our values
and dreams, and can help improve our overall sense of well-being. Draw the
magic to you or send a blessing into the world—but do no harm. May you
receive many blessings in return.

INTUITION
Intuition is our innate ability to tune in to the vibrations around us and sense
their connections in our world. Many refer to intuition as “their gut,” and
learning to hear and trust your gut are important skills. You’ll not only gain
insights into the world around you, but you will also sense when your magic is
working, or perhaps needs a boost. In addition, if your gut is warning you
something is not right, take heed. It’s usually right. Your intuition is the best tool
in your magical bag.

CHECK YOUR ENERGY

All things vibrate with energy, but not all energy is the same. It is when energies
are high, filled with intent, and then released into the Universe that the magic
really starts. When energy is low, you feel off-kilter, maybe from illness, anger,
jealousy, or grief, things that can block the free flow of energy and keep it in a
negative state. If you feel your magic is “less than,” you may want to assess your
energy level. If needed, try these ideas to boost it into the positive realm of
peace, gratitude, grounding, and joy.

Cleanse away negativity or the blues. Open the windows and sweep
your kitchen space with fresh sage branches or a besom broom, focusing
on corners and closets where stagnant energy lurks. Clean the floor and
the counters and clean out the refrigerator. Visualize the bad vibes being
chased away, or do an emotional sweep—pause and feel gratitude for all
that is good. Breathe in the fresh energy while visualizing yourself
releasing any anger, hurt, fear, or negativity.
Set an intention for joy. Sometimes simply recognizing the low energy
state and committing to change it are all that’s needed. Then, act joyful.
Decide what makes you happy. Be honest, nonjudgmental, accepting,
and realistic. You cannot raise your vibrational energy if your actions are
in misalignment with your heart.
Be kind to yourself. Accept who you are. Meditate, or explore other self-
care rituals that make you feel your best. Forgive yourself and others.
Engage with Nature. Take a walk in Nature, or tend to your kitchen
garden, and spend time listening to her musings!
 The
KITCHEN WITCH & HER DOMAIN

istorically, a home’s hearth, or fireplace, was not only the place to light

H the fire to keep the home warm, but also the place to prepare and cook
the family’s food. It was typically the warmest place in the house and so
the place where people gathered. It was the center of activity and the center of
the home, the heart, which beat with the rhythm of the family.
Today’s kitchen, though fortunately no longer the sole source of a home’s
heat, is no less busy. It is still a place where family and friends gather to share
food, create memories, tell stories, and live life. There is an irresistible pull to
this place, as if our heart recognizes another. Your kitchen is the heart of your
home and the place from which your family’s energy flows. It’s the place where
not only are our bodies nourished, but also our relationships, our spirits, our
souls, our histories, our dreams, and our imaginations.
As the domain of the kitchen witch, the kitchen also represents your heart—
tend them both wisely.
 A KITCHEN ALTAR
Though for the kitchen witch the entire kitchen is her altar, that place where the
magic happens, it’s also good and common practice to set up a separate space to
serve as your personal altar—and, in fact, it may not be your only altar. That
space can become a visual and transformative reminder of intentions set and
priorities lived every day, a place to focus your energy and express your
gratitude, and a place to celebrate your status as a kitchen goddess.
The space devoted to this altar does not have to be much, but it should be
placed where you’ll see it and where it is less likely to be disturbed by others
who may also use the space. It can be as simple as a small plate or bowl holding
designated items, such as a statue of your favorite kitchen goddess, or left empty
to receive the changing energies each day brings. Be as fancy, creative, or
minimalist as you like.
Physically cleaning the space where your altar resides and keeping it tidy
removes negative energy and makes space for the good vibes to live. Keep the
elements that make up your altar as natural as possible for their innate and
individual energies, but always use what speaks to you. Other things to consider
adding to your kitchen altar include:

Salt, for its healing and protective abilities.

Something fresh and green, such as a pot of herbs growing (if you have
the sunlight needed) representing the element earth and its ability to
ground you.
A candle, representing the fire element and which you can light to signal
releasing your intentions into the world.
Water, for its life-giving properties and ability to enhance your intuition;
make it Moon water (water infused overnight with the Full Moon’s power)
for extra enchantment.
Something representative of air, such as a wand, spoon, or bell.
A small cauldron.
A besom.
Small offerings, such as found things like nuts, stones, feathers, and pine
cones, to the spirits who led you to them.
A bowl of fresh fruit.
A favorite cookbook (or two or three!).
A mortar and pestle.
Favorite, much-used spices.
Photos of loved ones for whom you work your kitchen magic.
A favorite crystal, or any you like to see or work with to raise the loving
vibrations.
Anything that makes you smile.
A kitchen witch doll for good luck.
And, of course, change what you display on your altar based on the seasons, the
Wheel of the Year, or other celebrations that are important to you. Remember,
your altar represents you—your heart, hopes, dreams, intentions, and life. If you
stay true to those things, it should be ready to help you work your kitchen magic
any time.
 THE GODDESS CONNECTION: KITCHEN GODDESSES
Aside from your kitchen goddess self, there is a pantheon of ancient goddesses
whose responsibilities and powers centered on the kitchen. From the kitchen’s
hearth and its fire to the cauldron of food and knowledge tended there to
individual foods, their harvest, and agriculture as a whole, these deities
understood the importance of this realm to the sustenance of family and
community and the need to tend its spirit daily. And although the work of the
kitchen goddess can feel lonely and unending, these wise and generous figures
are always available to lend support and help boost your intuition, intentions,
and magic when its sparkle dims. Let’s explore a sample to fire up your
imagination.

Airmid (Celtic) One of the mythological Tuatha Dé Danann, this Celtic goddess
of herbs was renowned for her healing powers. Summon Airmid’s healing
wisdom when using any herbs in your kitchen.

Aphrodite (Greek)/Venus (Roman) This goddess of love, renowned for her

beauty, also had responsibility for all vegetation on Earth. When matters of love
are top of mind, turn to her wisdom.
Aranyani (Hindu) This goddess of the forest and all its animal inhabitants also
provided food for humanity. Connecting with her fearless energies can be as
simple as a walk among Nature.

Baba Yaga (Slavic/Russian) This independent figure, whose name may mean
“Grandmother Witch,” dwells in the forest in a hut supported by chicken legs,
guarding the entrance from this world to the next. She spends her days crafting
busily at the stove or sailing the skies on her mortar and pestle, using a broom to
sweep away any evidence of flight. Call on Baba Yaga when the wisdom that
comes with age, and typically without judgment, can offer another perspective.
Bao Gu (Chinese) Her extraordinary kindness and healing skills were legendary,
especially her use of traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including the
natural healing powers of herbs and water. Call on Bao Gu to summon the
kindness that can sometimes cure anything.

Bastet/Bast (Egyptian) Bastet was a passionate protector of cats, women’s

secrets, home, and family. Call on Bastet to add a little catnip to your potions, or
when the claws need to come out in the form of defense and protection.
Berchta (Germanic) This Triple Goddess of abundance and tender of gardens is
celebrated from winter solstice through the New Year with a mother’s dinner. All
work ceases in the home and fish soup is served in her honor. Ditch the
housework, order takeout, and make a toast to Berchta.

Cerridwen (Celtic) This multifaceted goddess was one of the most powerful
witches in Celtic mythology, embodying all three aspects of the Triple Goddess.
Among the realms she ruled were the Moon and Nature. She also watchfully
tended her great cauldron of wisdom, symbolic of transformation and rebirth, in
which her herbal potions transformed into potent potables that delivered beauty,
imparted wisdom, and nourished inspiration. In whatever way you need,
Cerridwen’s magic can nourish when you feel depleted.

Circe (Greek) This goddess of magic and patron of ancient Greek witches held
an enormous amount of knowledge of herbs and ways to use them in rituals,
magic, and healing. When your life, or your magic, needs a little boost, invite
Circe in.

Corn Mother (Native American) Like all goddesses, Corn Mother has
influence over many areas: fertility, children, abundance, healing, fate, and more.
She is credited by Indigenous North American agricultural tribes as being both
the first woman and for giving birth to corn, with its life-sustaining nourishment
and symbolism of sacred knowledge. Call on Corn Mother to nourish you in any
way that sustains. Lammas celebrates the early harvest and Corn Mother.

Demeter (Greek)/Ceres (Roman) Goddess of fertility in agriculture and the

harvest, Demeter rules the seasons—from birth to death and rebirth—among
other things. Ceres, appropriately, lends her name to cereal, from the grains of
the harvest.

Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Hades to his Underworld

to be his wife, which caused Demeter much suffering. In her grief, she forsook
her goddess duties—the crops suffered, the people suffered, but Demeter
continued to mourn. Hades finally agreed to release Persephone—but not
without a compromise: She could return to Earth for part of the year (spring,
summer, and autumn), spending the remaining time (winter) with Hades in the
Underworld. Demeter is worshipped on Persephone’s return in the spring and
again on her departure in autumn.
Call on Demeter for her ability to relieve suffering, her wisdom in tending the
harvest, her undying mother’s love, and when the transition of the seasons might
bring on a change of mood that needs adjusting.

Frigg/Freya (Norse) Frigg—wife of Odin, the most powerful Norse god—is the
chief domestic officer, holding sway over love, home, and family. As nurturing
ruler of the hearth, she is the model of domesticity and hospitality. Seek her
wisdom in matters of hearth and home and invite her in any time your goddess
energies are running low. Winter solstice marks the time to honor Frigg.

Gabija (Lithuanian) Goddess of the home fires and guardian of home and
family, Gabija has a fiery spirit and must be tended to accordingly. When put to
bed at the end of each day, her ashes are neatly swept to smolder through the
night, she is given a bowl of fresh water with which to bathe, and is kindly asked
to stay put. Call on Gabija for protection of the home and family, especially from
thieves and evil forces. Seek her light at new beginnings or when darkness
temporarily obscures your intuition.
Gaia (Greek/Roman) Representing Mother Earth, Gaia is the goddess of
prophecy and the personification of abundance, represented by the cornucopia.
Her specialty was growing plants used in potions to inspire enchantment. Call
her into your world when things seem less than enchanted.

Hestia (Greek)/Vesta (Roman) The original domestic goddess, Hestia was a

virgin goddess dedicated to the hearth, home, family, and community who was
widely worshipped and held sacred in the home. Offerings of wine and food
were typical, with toasts beginning and ending with “to Hestia!” Call on Hestia
to help keep the fires burning within to motivate and spur you to action toward
your goals.

Lakshmi (Hindu) The beautiful Hindu goddess Lakshmi, partner to Vishnu, is

goddess of abundance and is honored during the yearly Diwali festival, the
festival of lights. Call on Lakshmi for help manifesting intentions born of a true
heart and sought with true desire.

Mawu (West African) Mother Earth goddess Mawu is creator of all life; she
inspires passion, creative energy, birth, abundance, and the pregnant possibilities
of hope. Mawu offers the lessons of living in harmony with Nature as well as
savoring the expectant joys that life brings. Call on Mawu when you need help
delivering new ideas into existence or when your burden feels too heavy to bear
alone.

Pachamama (Andean) Pachamama is Earth Mother and goddess of abundance,

whose greatest power is to create, preserve, and sustain life. She embodies the
whole of the divine feminine and is at watch over issues of fertility, crops, and
abundance. As the provider of all we need to live, call on Pachamama for any
intentions, but especially when nourishment is required, whether it be spiritual,
psychological, familial, or bodily. August 1, Lammas (a.k.a. Lughnasadh),
honors the abundance of Pachamama.

Persephone/Proserpina (Greek) Persephone, wife of Hades, was the goddess

of vegetation, particularly grain. Her symbolism is that of the return of spring, as
she was allowed back to Earth, from the Underworld, once a year, when the
world burst again into bloom. When the need for rejuvenation or rebirth is of
import, call on Persephone.

Pomona (Roman) Although Pomona was a protective spirit of the home, her
main responsibility was tending the orchards and gardens, ensuring abundant
harvests. So seriously did she take her work that she neglected to care for
herself. Call on Pomona when issues of abundance, or lack thereof, are at stake,
or when you need a reminder to tend to yourself as carefully as you do those
around you.
Rosmerta (Celtic) This powerful goddess of abundance, fertility, prosperity, and
well-being was known as the Great Provider. She carried an overflowing basket
of fruit or cornucopia, telling us of her generous nature and role as provider of
prosperity. She is often depicted with a butter churn, thought to be symbolic of
abundance, nourishment, and transformation, in the same way as the Celtic
cauldron. Call on Rosmerta to provide a fruitful harvest in whatever activities
you’re invested.

Snotra (Norse) Snotra is goddess of learning, wisdom, and hospitality, and

especially of customs, courtesies, and manners. Snotra can be especially helpful
at any gathering where people may not know each other. Mark the Sabbat
celebration of Mabon to honor Snotra.

The Horai/Horae (Greek) Goddesses of order and the cyclical nature of the
four seasons, the Horai were joyous in spirit and elegantly adorned with flowers
and fruits. Coordinate your intentions with the seasons and the bountiful
treasures of each when working with the Horai.

YOUR KITCHEN GODDESS POWER

You, kitchen goddess, have as much power as any goddess discussed here. For
what is more magical than birthing, raising, and tending to others and making
them feel loved and seen? Than showing up every day to feed, nourish, nurture,
and support others who depend on you? Than sharing your soul and wisdom?
Than caring for Earth?
Whether your kitchen witch journey is just beginning or fully realized, your
magic continues to grow the more you use it and the more you share it. Let
Nature be your guide but know your true power lies in believing and trusting in
your abilities and listening to their pull, intuition, and messages. Each kitchen
goddess is in charge of her own realm. So, don’t compare yourself to others, but
do look to them for inspiration and learning. Your magic is yours to use to make
a difference in the world. As above, so below.

THE ENGLISH ALEWIFE

Evidence suggests beer making dates back to circa 4000 BCE and that beer has
been a beverage of choice since then. Its origins are credited to the Sumerians—
it was the Sumerian women, after all, who brewed the beer; they even had a beer
goddess, Ninkasi, whom they worshipped for this great gift. Through
civilizations, this gift of the goddess, and oftentimes gods, continued to be
highly valued—sometimes even serving as payment for work instead of money.

Beer brewing in its simplest form is a way to preserve fall’s grain harvest for
consumption throughout the winter, and since the kitchen, and the foods
prepared within it, was historically the domain of the women of the house, beer
making was also within their bailiwick. And so it followed that the first official
brew masters were women—called “brewsters”—and as such, the industrious
alewife, and all her ancestors before her, is a prime example of kitchen witchery
and a kitchen goddess in action.
As an important source of calories from protein, carbohydrates, and other
nutrients, beer was consumed by the entire family. It was an important staple in
the household and a significant responsibility for the maker.
In the Middle Ages, beer was flavored with a mix of herbs that were also
valued for their magical and medicinal properties, which transitioned to hops. In
colonial America, colonists made beer from anything they grew, from corn to
tomatoes to pumpkin. They used tree bark, spices, maple sap, fruits, and even
flowers to flavor their concoctions. Beer making also uses yeast, a common
ingredient in kitchen magic that gives us our daily bread, and other flavorings
regularly tossed into the pot on the hearth. And as beer was made from boiled
water, deterring disease may have been a secondary benefit.
Some industrious alewives even turned beer making into a moneymaker,
selling beer at market or from their homes to supplement income and provide for
the family, or helping husbands run the family beer business. Sporting tall hats,
often black (it was the fashion) and often pointed (again, the fashion), so as to be
seen in the crowd, the beer-selling alewife was easily spotted. If selling from her
home, a broomstick placed near the door signaled “open for business,” and cats
nearby kept mice away. Tending the bubbling cauldron holding her secret brew,
her association with today’s image of a witch is striking, though not entirely
reliable.
However, these clever and courageous women, having perfected the craft of
beer making, then went on to perfect their business of selling the brew, and the
men of the market took notice—and were decidedly unhappy about the trend. In
an attempt to right the imbalance of women in the workplace, a place they
shouldn’t have been at the time (!), people circulated rumors and stories that
these broom-wielding, cauldron-tending, cat-fancying, brew-making sorcerers
were, in fact, witches, and their brews were poisoned or hexed. And, at that time
in history and for many reasons, witches were not tolerated and even highly
feared, so the results were dramatic. At the least, a loss of business; at the worst,
jail, even death.
Although the males took over the business of beer making, and still today
dominate the industry begun by creative females, women have been entering the
craft beer business in growing numbers, a sort of returning to their original beer-
making roots, if you will. Cheers!

BREWING MAGIC
Brews don’t have to be just ales. Brewed tea, whether made from true tea leaves
of the plant Camellia sinensis or herbal tea, which is technically a tisane—an
infusion brewed with any edible plant part, such as leaves, seeds, bark,
blossoms, and roots—has a long history of use the world over for health,
healing, and spiritual purposes, dating back to ancient China and Egypt. And the
spiritually soothing ritual of preparing and sipping a cup of tea is observed in
many cultures.
 In addition to the bodily nourishment it provides, tea can nurture the mind
and soul. Simply holding the warm cup in your hands and inhaling the soothing
aroma can provide an instant feeling of well-being.
Herbs and tea leaves carry with them the energies derived from the soil in
which they were grown, the water that nurtured them, and the unique vibrational
energies and healing properties in their essence. When combined with the
healing, soothing properties of water (especially Moon water), a cup of tea is a
magical balm.
Whether you choose to purchase your teas or use fresh herbs from your
kitchen garden (those gathered under the Moon’s light will be even more
inspiring), select a single herb or blend based on intention. As the tea steeps,
close your eyes and inhale the aromas while you meditate, even if for just a few
seconds, on what you wish to influence. Sweeten with dried fruits, spices, or
honey, as desired. All outcomes must be for the good, or your tea will be used in
vain.

DIVINATION—IT’S IN THE LEAVES

In addition to their healing, soothing, refreshing, and energizing properties, tea
leaves (maybe more importantly) hold the mysteries of life.
Reading tea leaves, called tasseomancy, to divine your fortune has been
practiced for centuries. It’s a form of divination, predicting the future, based on
interpreting the symbols formed from the tea leaves remaining in a cup after it’s
been drained.
 Reading tea leaves relies on intuition and observation. As with all forms of
magic, reading tea leaves takes practice, but it’s something anyone can do. It’s
also a chance to incorporate a mini ritual into your day that can be grounding as
well as magical, and to enjoy a cup of tea with a little fun.
Tools needed are simple: Gather a favorite teacup with a saucer (a white-
colored cup and saucer is best so the leaves are easily visible, but don’t use a
mug—you need the sloping sides of the cup and wide rim for best results), a
broad-leafed black, green, or white loose tea, just not from a teabag (Darjeeling,
jasmine, and Earl Grey are good choices), a teaspoon, and boiling water.
In your cup, combine a scant teaspoon of loose tea leaves with boiling water
to fill the cup. Let brew for 3 to 5 minutes. You can add honey or lemon, but no
milk. Sip your tea slowly while you relax and let the magic of the tea’s warmth
and aroma soothe you while your energy infuses the liquid. Use the time to
meditate on any questions you have or issues you’re facing. When you have just
a sip of liquid left in the cup, swirl it three times, counterclockwise, then gently
tip the cup upside down into the saucer to drain the liquid. Tap the bottom of the
cup three times, turn the cup right side up, and hold it in front of you, near your
heart with the handle pointing toward your body, to reveal the secrets within.
 The Key to Your Cup—Past, Present, Future

The handle is like home base, representing you. It’s where you begin the
reading. The nearer the symbols are to the handle, the nearer they are to
appearing in your life. Likewise, symbols at the bottom of the cup
represent the distant future, and symbols at the sides of the cup are not far
into the future.

Let your mind work freely as you examine the shapes and symbols.
Imagine finding shapes in the clouds on a warm summer’s day. What
shapes are represented by the leaves themselves? Or formed by the leaves
together? Or in the white space between the leaves? The shapes may be
more suggestive than literal; let your intuition have free rein. Pay attention
to size, too. The larger the image, the more important or intense the
message. Starting at the handle and working clockwise around the cup
from the rim to the bottom, make a list, then jot down what the symbols
mean to you.
 The Ritual of Reading Tea Leaves

To be fully prepared and present for reading tea leaves, whether for yourself or
someone else, follow these simple steps:

1. Create a calm environment with no distractions where you can focus.

2. Start with a clean cup to ensure the energy it contains is not left over or
contaminated.
3. While boiling the water and brewing the tea, meditate on the question
you’d like answered or the problem you’re yearning to solve.
4. While drinking the tea, don’t rush . . . let the tea’s taste and aroma gently
calm and center you. Feel yourself relax and stress melt away.
5. Keep an open mind. The symbols can have many meanings. Your intuition
will guide you as to the story they’re meant to tell.
6. Let your subconscious work on the meanings if they’re not immediately
clear to you and leave judgment at the door.
7. End the reading with a moment of gratitude for all that life has given you.

A PRIMER FOR READING TEA LEAVES

If you discern the following shapes in your tea leaves, translate them with this
simple key, and let your intuition guide you. Some shapes can have obvious
meanings, like a heart for love, or an initial for a past or future lover or friend.
Relate the shapes and meanings to your life, or the life of whoever you’re
reading for, to reveal what the leaves may be telling you for a more personal
interpretation. And note: The tea leaves only work their magic for good. Though
life has its ups and downs, the leaves can warn but they will not harm. No evil
will be found at the bottom of any teacup.

Acorn: health, strength, and gain through hard work; good fortune awaits if
several acorns appear
Anchor: good and loyal friends, success in business, manifestation of your
dreams

Angel: good fortune in love; happiness and peace, protection

Apple: long life

Bell: news

Birds: happiness and joy, travel

Bones: overcoming misfortune with great courage

Book: if open, you’re open to new information; closed, an indication of secrets

Bouquet: future happiness, love, fulfilled hope, marriage

Broom: a warning to choose friends wisely and be wary of rushing into new
relationships, fresh starts

Butterfly: intuition, transformation

Candle: hope in darkness

Cat: independence, trickery

Cauldron: new opportunities that need careful consideration

Circle: an engagement, faithful friends, money

Clouds: trouble

Cross: obstacles in the way of your desires

Dog: friendship and loyalty

Dragon: unexpected change, perhaps revealing opportunity

Eggs: new plans and ideas, or a birth

Fish: news from abroad; things are going “swimmingly”

Heart: love

Horseshoe: unexpected good fortune

Hourglass: time is running out to accomplish your plans

House: a new home

Initials: suggestive of names of people or places

Knife: danger

Ladder: travel

Lion: a most fortunate signal of honor and fame

Moon: success and happiness; a crescent moon denotes fortune

Mushroom: expect great success from a small risk; or, a quarrel among lovers

Parallel lines: expect plans to go smoothly

Shamrock: good luck

Snake: disloyalty, hidden danger, treachery

Square: comfort and peace

Star: a symbol of luck; if surrounded by dots, wealth and honor are forthcoming

Tree: happiness, good health, prosperity

Triangle: a fortunate encounter

Unicorn: scandal
Urn: illness

Wheel: progress, or forthcoming inheritance

 The
KITCHEN WITCH & the MOON

itches of all types love the Moon and it should have no less importance

W than the Sun. For many, the Moon was the first calendar that guided
planting and harvesting of foods that sustained life. If you’re a kitchen
witch with a kitchen garden, you’re likely already attuned to the Moon and her
phases.
The ritual of mealtime brings lots of opportunity to stir up some magic in our
lives. Using the Moon’s guidance as another ingredient in your kitchen magic
arsenal can be a way to boost your magical intuition and your magical living, as
well as inspire new ways of looking at life.
 THE MOON’S MAGIC
The idea of the Moon as magical stems from the idea that the Moon’s phases, as
well as the waxing and waning of life itself, are all interconnected. The Moon’s
changing phases mean her energies, too, wax and wane over the course of her
monthly journey through our skies, affecting not only our tides on Earth, but also
the tides of our emotions and moods. Whether you choose to be in tune with the
Moon and her magic in your kitchen through all of her phases each month; mark
just the beginning, middle, and end phases with intention; or channel the power
and pleasure of each Full Moon is entirely up to you. Follow your intuition.

NEW MOON
Beginning of the cycle and a time of cleansing; an active phase, a time to set
intentions, plan new beginnings, make new resolutions.

FIRST QUARTER MOON

 Stronger light brings focus to intentions. In this active phase, if you have not already
done so, take appropriate actions to realize your intentions as energies build.

WAXING CRESCENT MOON

Growing light offers a clearer glimpse of your intentions. This reflective phase is a time
to refine intentions and consider the actions needed to manifest them.

WAXING GIBBOUS MOON

Building excitement nurtures hopes and dreams. In this reflective phase, trust that your
actions are aligned with your intentions.
 FULL MOON
This is the time of highest energy, abundance, fruition, and gratitude. It can also be a
time of letting go. This is an active phase, so assess results, celebrate achievements,
and offer gratitude for abundance.

LAST (THIRD) QUARTER MOON

Acknowledge what went well, what didn’t go as planned, and the hard work you’ve
committed to living your best life. This is an active phase, so let go of guilt or judgment
or anything that is not a positive force in your life; indulge in self-care to recharge your
batteries. Forgive yourself and others.
 WANING GIBBOUS MOON
This reflective phase is a time to meditate on lessons learned. Consider where you’ve
grown, request feedback, share your story, and recognize what no longer serves.

WANING CRESCENT MOON

The cycle ends and darkness signals a time to rest and reflect inward on priorities;
appreciate the quiet so you can hear your soul talking as you prepare for the
beginning of a new cycle.

KITCHEN MAGIC & MOON MAGIC: A LOVELY RECIPE

Planting and harvesting with the Moon’s phases as a guide has been practiced
throughout history. For the kitchen witch who also selects and prepares foods
with the phases, it is the chance to multiply the Moon’s power into one amazing
boost to your magic. Thoughtfully cooking and eating with the Moon’s phases
offers another tool to live “seasonally”—following the seasons of the Moon, and
her lead to go with the flow. And, being that much more aware of the intentions
behind what you eat serves as a reminder of the goals you’re working to
manifest, and nourishes your intentions more purposefully.

NEW MOON
As a time of new beginnings, explore new foods or unfamiliar cuisines, try new
recipes, or designate the time to meditate on how freshness can enhance your
life. As a time of darkness and cleansing, you’ll naturally be drawn to lighter
meals. Bitter foods, such as lemon, radicchio, arugula, and dandelion greens,
cleanse the body and spirit. Turmeric, asparagus, avocado, and artichoke are
great detoxifiers as well. As the darkness gives way to light, try some herbs for
inspiration and motivation, such as lemon verbena, lemon thyme, ginger, or
peppermint. Lots of water is important, too—try Moon water flavored with
lemon or cucumber.
WAXING MOON PHASES (WAXING CRESCENT, FIRST QUARTER,
WAXING GIBBOUS)
At the start of these phases, the Moon’s light is in its infancy. Connect with
childhood memories and recreate some favorite family meals or treats, or scour
those forgotten seed catalogs to map out your kitchen garden. This is a time of
nurturing and growing excitement—plan a party or gathering to increase the
vibrations even more.
As energies build in the sky, so, too, do they below as activity picks up in
working your plans. Spicy foods that energize and excite are prime candidates—
think big, bold flavors for big, bold ideas and actions—as well as foods that
make you feel nourished, strong, and excited. Lots of protein from legumes, such
as edamame, peas, beans, and peanuts, as well as almonds, quinoa, broccoli, and
dark leafy greens will keep you on track. Protective foods that will keep you
healthy, like onion and garlic, should be used liberally. Season with herbs, such
as rosemary, thyme, ginseng, or basil, to clear the mind (and cobwebs), nourish,
and restore so you may focus on the job at hand. Share your light and spirit to
help others who are struggling. Consider donating to a food pantry.

FULL MOON
This celebratory time recognizes achievements and should be savored. Bring on
the feasts and special treats as rewards for your hard work. Dish up the carbs, as
you’ll need the energy, and chocolate is without doubt required. Most definitely,
fill your cauldron with fresh water, set it under the Full Moon’s glow, and ask for
her blessing. Use your Moon water, then, for cooking, drinking, bathing, or
brewing a cup of tea and divining your future (see here). And though a time of
emotional highs, a bit of grounding can keep us real. Try cabbage, rutabaga,
beets, kiwi, and salt to stay steeped in reality. Flavor foods liberally with fresh
herbs to kick-start that celebratory feel.

WANING MOON PHASES (WANING GIBBOUS, THIRD QUARTER,

WANING CRESCENT)
The deepening darkness of these final phases signals a time to rest, relax, and
reflect. Order takeout (intentionally, of course) so someone else does the cooking
tonight! Or, break out that special bottle of wine or box of chocolates you’ve
been saving for something special. You’re special.
 Clean out the pantry and refrigerator so your tools remain fresh, relevant, and
meaningful. Accept change as it comes your way.
Cozy foods, like soups and casseroles, have that vibe, especially when they
incorporate relaxing herbs to help you slow down, open your mind and heart,
and boost your intuition so you’re receptive to Nature’s messages and signals.
This is also a time of forgiveness. Try basil, lavender, lemongrass, or ginger,
or a brew of St. John’s wort. In the spirit of caring for Earth, embrace leftovers
to minimize waste and show gratitude for your bounty.

ESBAT
The energies of Esbat correspond to the energies of the Moon’s eight phases, but
because there are eight phases each month, many mark Esbat with the Full Moon
and, sometimes, New Moon.
Celebrating Esbat at the New Moon offers a chance for introspection and self-
reflection; the extra-magical Full Moon reveals a full-on celebration, which also
includes the symbolic Cakes and Ale ritual, a sharing of food and drink in honor
of the Moon as Mother Goddess and giver of all things. The “cake” can be
anything from bread to cookies, crackers, muffins, or actual cake, and is offered
with a blessing, such as “may you never feel hunger.” The “ale” is next, and can
be any liquid you like, or influenced by the season. Examples include lemonade
in summer, cider in fall, or Champagne if celebrating a special occasion. Pair
your drink with a blessing, too, such as “may you never thirst.”
However you celebrate, cast your magic for the good of all and with a healthy
dose of gratitude.
 The
MAGIC of the KITCHEN GARDEN

n extension of the kitchen, really, this special plot of land, often just

A steps from the home and used to grow food to feed the family, has
historically been tended by the women in the household for as long as
there has been a division of labor. Of course, anyone can tend this garden, but it
is an especially powerful place for the kitchen witch—a magical space where
you can be inspired, set intentions, harvest, and manifest, full of nourishing fruits
and vegetables, healing herbs, sacred trees, and secrets to a fulfilling life. There
is much magic to be discovered here each season.
The kitchen garden’s success depends some on luck and weather and lots on
careful planning and tending. Each seed planted represents a seed of intention,
growing to nourish, heal, and delight. With proper and successive plantings as
well as harvesting and preserving, a modest kitchen garden can feed the family
for much of the year, offering the surprise of something different every day—
with little wasted.
 TODAY’S MAGICAL KITCHEN GARDEN
Today’s kitchen garden is just as likely to be a 9 × 12-foot (270 × 360 cm) plot
as it is a windowsill pot or patio raised bed. If space is an issue, use pots, or
create a themed garden, such as a tea garden. Farmers’ markets are ideal
replacements if you’ve no room to grow your own plants. Grocery stores are
fine, too, but freshness may be compromised during the time it takes to get food
to the store and into your home. As the kitchen witch who tends a garden knows,
seasonality is key—so buy what’s in season for the freshest, most magical
ingredients.
A kitchen garden is also a reminder of all we’re working to manifest in life.
It’s a sanctuary where you can escape the noise and commune with Nature’s
emissaries, even if only for a few minutes a day. There, you’ll find a sense of
peace, calm, and accomplishment. Tending Earth soothes the soul and calms the
mind, and provides much-needed meditative time, time to be fully absorbed in
the task at hand and feel connected in a primal way to the Universe. Immersing
your hands and feet in the Earth’s soil transfers her grounding energy to you. The
elements and Spirit are all present and prove valuable allies in this task. And
seeds gathered, sown, and reaped under a Full Moon bring their own energy to
the cauldron. Senses become fully engaged and being present in the moment is a
reward in and of itself.
Lots of vegetables and fruits are covered in this book (see The Wheel of the
Year), so incorporate your favorites into any themed herbal garden suggestions.
As you tend your garden, breathe in its scents and breathe out any worry or
negativity. Your magic, and your magical garden, will be thriving in no time.

MAGICALLY THEMED HERBAL GARDENS

Fresh herbs are Nature’s little miracles. They add flavor to food, scents to
bouquets, magic to intentions, and substance to spellwork. In our magical
apothecary, “herbs” include all types of plants, including traditional herbs,
spices, flowers, and trees—all with the potential to promote soothing,
bewitchery, and charm. Be sure to note, not all herbs wield their magic as edible
plants. Some cast their spell with scent, color, beauty, or texture. Do your
research when planting and harvesting to know what’s safe to consume,
including knowing any contraindications for your circumstances, or what should
just be used as a symbol of your intentions.
And herbs’ magic is not restricted to one thing or issue. So, tuck them into a
wreath based on intentions set, or sprinkle them in food to tend to your family’s
well-being. Sip a cuppa to entice what you desire, garnish a cocktail to boost its
vibrations, or season gifts to share the magic of your kitchen.
Growing herbs is relatively easy. If space or time is an issue, or you’re a
beginner, a small herbal garden can be an ideal way to reap the bounty without a
big commitment. You don’t need a plot of land, just some pots, seeds, soil, water,
and sunshine—inside or out—plus a few tools and a spell for abundance! And, if
growing your own is not in the cards, stock your herbal apothecary with what
you find at the grocers’ or farmers’ market.
Some theme ideas are presented here to get you started. Your themes can also
be built around specific foods or cuisines, like a pizza garden, salad garden,
pesto garden, soup garden, or Mediterranean garden.
ALL-PURPOSE KITCHEN HERB GARDEN
Basil: courage, good wishes, love, wealth

Chamomile: comfort, patience, sleep

Chives: breaking bad habits, guarding against harmful spirits

Cilantro: money magic

Comfrey: repels ghosts, safe travel

Dandelion: wishes granted

Echinacea: inner strength

Fennel: flattery, praiseworthy

Fern: boosts the magical energy of other herbs (Note: Most ferns are not
edible.)

Lavender: cleansing, devotion, peace

Lemon balm: family harmony, sympathy

Mint: increases the power of our words, refreshment, travel

Nasturtium: fosters creativity, releases fears

Oregano: protects the home from evil influences; tranquility, vitality

Parsley: celebration, gratitude

Rosemary: clarity, remembrance

Sage: longevity, wisdom

Thyme: affection and loyalty; courage

Vervain, a.k.a. the enchanter’s herb: clear communication, protection from

evil spells, purification
HEALING GARDEN
Allspice: energy, healing, luck, virility

Aloe vera: beauty, healing, protection, luck (Note: Aloe’s magic is in the
soothing gel contained within the leaves. It is generally not edible.)

Angelica: wards off ills

Caraway: fortifies health and spirit to weather any storm

Chamomile: soothes a troubled spirit

Chives: guards against illness

Cilantro: supports health and healing

Elderberry: helps ease colds and flu

Feverfew (leaf): eases aches and pains, especially of aging

Ginger: boosts immunity

Sage: eases grief

St. John’s wort: brightens mood

Yarrow: strong in healing spells

LOVE GARDEN
Apple blossom: beauty, fertility, joyful love

Basil: fidelity in love, forgiveness

Cardamom: aphrodisiac to some, charm, relaxation

Cilantro: promotes love and lust

Clover: protects friendships

Garlic: aphrodisiac, passion, strength (and repels the odd vampire or two)

Oregano: add to love potions

Rose: speaks the language of love

Spearmint: compassion, love, wisdom

Viola: faithful companionship

MONEY GARDEN
Allspice: for growing your fortune and increasing luck

Basil: especially holy basil (tulsi), said to carry the good fortune of the goddess
Lakshmi

Bay leaf: success

Bergamot: breeds success, which bestows money

Ginger: protects against poverty, attracts new opportunities

Lady’s mantle: beads of dew that form on the leaves are said to transform metal
into gold

Marjoram: show me the money!

Nutmeg: tuck into your shoe for luck when gambling

Patchouli: attracts money and abundance (Note: The magic is in the plant’s
calming scent. It is not edible.)

Thyme: brings money into the home

MOON GARDEN
Jasmine: reveals beauty in all things (Note: The magic is within this plant’s
glorious scent. It is not edible.)

Lamb’s ear: enhances listening and understanding; healing wounds both

physical and spiritual (Note: The magic is in this plant’s soothing texture, and
the benefit to pollinators in your garden. It is not edible.)

Lavender: calm

Moonflower: divination, dreams, intuition (Note: This plant conjures magic

with its moody vibe and night-blooming flowers. It is not edible.)
Moonwort: encourages honesty, promises prosperity, repels monsters

Sage: grants wisdom and wishes

White bleeding heart: heals grief, opens aching hearts to new love (Note: Let
its beauty enchant you. It is not edible.)

White coneflower: inner strength, protection

White sweet alyssum: calming energy, protection against deception, the evil
eye, and insanity

Wooly thyme: creates a magical carpet for the fairies to dance upon (Note: It is
not edible or suitable for culinary use.)
STRENGTH AND PROTECTION GARDEN
Angelica: prophetic visions, protection

Bay leaf: glory, strength, success

Dill: luck, protection from evil

Fern: protection from evil witches (Note: Most ferns are not edible.)

Garlic: protects health, property, and wealth

Marsh mallow: especially protective of children

Mugwort: able to drive away demons

Tansy: reverses any spells cast your way (Note: This plant is poisonous. Do
not consume.)

Tarragon: inspires courage and confidence

Thyme: courage
TEA GARDEN
Basil (leaves): love, money spells, protection

Chamomile (blossoms): comfort, patience, sleep

Echinacea (blossoms): immunity; inner strength

Hibiscus flower (blossoms): attracts love, intuition, Moon magic

Lavender (blossoms): calm, cleansing, devotion, happiness, intelligence, peace

Lemon balm (leaves): sympathy

Lemon thyme, common thyme (leaves and sprigs): beauty, courage, good
health, prevents nightmares, protection, removes negative energy, sleep

Lemon verbena (leaves and blossoms): inspiration

Mint (leaves): clear and meaningful communication, refreshment, travel

Passion flower (leaves): hospitality, relaxation, soothes strong emotions

Rose (hips, spent blooms): immunity boost, love

Rosemary (leaves): clarity, purification, remembrance, sweet dreams

St. John’s wort (blossoms): eases depression, promotes serenity
WITCH’S GARDEN
Use the herbs of the witch’s garden wisely, for their magic is powerful. They are
best used as stand-ins for your intentions and manifesting desired outcomes.
They are not suggested for culinary use or recommended as edible.

Buttercup, a.k.a. toe of frog: hold one under the chin—a yellow reflection
indicates the truth is being told; add to attract fairy companions, or bring luck
and prosperity

Catnip: attracts luck, for beauty, cat magic

Coltsfoot, a.k.a. horse’s hoof: divination, love spells, money spells, springtime
rituals

Comfrey, a.k.a. ear of ass: protection for travelers

Dandelion leaves, a.k.a. pig’s snout: divination, persistence

False unicorn root, a.k.a. unicorn’s horn: fertility

Foxglove, a.k.a. bloody fingers or witch’s bells: protection (Note: Poisonous.

Do not consume.)

Houndstongue, a.k.a. tongue of dog: increases the ability to blend intellect and
intuition for clear decisions

Moonflower: spirit communication

Moss, a.k.a. wool of bat: luck, protection against evil spirits

Mustard seed, a.k.a. eye of newt: black mustard seeds bestow fertility, mental
acuity, protection, success with court cases; yellow mustard seeds counter
negative energies and bring luck and love

Parsley: rumored to grow profusely when grown from seed by true witches

Witch hazel: protection

 The Magic of Trees

Trees, of course, are magical beings, too. If you have room for them in your
kitchen garden, they are a blessing and can be powerful allies in your magical
work. If not, visualize the tree and its magical properties as you set intentions or
cast spells. Use a tree’s offerings, such as fallen nuts, pine cones, leaves, twigs,
fruit, or flowers, on your kitchen altar, in spellwork, and for goddess offerings.
Get to know the trees in your neighborhood. When you “meet” in real life, give
the tree a hug . . . you’ll feel its heartbeat and energy fill you with joy.

Ash: wide-reaching magical reputation from water spells to spells for protection,
health, prosperity, love, and prophetic intuition; a favorite wood for Druids’
wands

Banyan: Hindus believe this is the Tree of Life, able to make wishes come true
and attract wealth, luck, and abundance to you
Birch: “the wood of choice” for witches’ brooms; new beginnings; cleansing

Dogwood: durability, protection, trust

Elder: called “the tree of music” by some; its branches make lovely recorders,
flutes, and whistles—a favorite of the music-making fairy kingdom; it is said
that to sleep under the elder is to dance among the fairies
Hawthorn: the legendary tree of the fairies—a place so sacred, grave harm may
befall any who deface it. Portals to magical realms are said to exist beneath the
flowering hawthorn

Hazel: these delightful nuts are a favorite among garden fairies

Oak: home to the magical mistletoe (see here)

Pine: adaptability, cleansing, grounding, immortality

Rowan: plant next to the home for the most protection from evil spirits
Willow: healing, inner vision and dreams, learning, loyalty, trust

EDIBLE FLOWERS
Many beautiful herbal and floral blooms, in addition to the magic they carry, are
edible and provide the opportunity to add a bit of glamour and beauty to your
kitchen magic. They add even more meaning when used beyond their eye
appeal, to work a little magic into your meal or send sweet messages to those for
whom you cook and love. Add them to salads, cakes, cookies, platters and
boards, cocktails, mocktails, ice cubes, and anything else you can think of.
Flavors range from mild and sweet to floral, minty, herbal, garlicky, and peppery.
A word of caution: Edible flowers should only be consumed when you know
precisely what the flower is, that it is edible, and that it was grown organically,
without chemicals. If you have allergies, use for decorative purposes only.
Growing your own edible flowers ensures you know what you have and allows
you to set intentions with them from the moment you plant the seeds.

Apple blossom: variously a symbol of immortality, of the dead, of health and

vitality, and of preference

Bachelor button: blessings

Bee balm: friendship, lucid dreams, success

Begonia: protection and watchful warnings

Chamomile: calm, healing, and loving protection

Chive blossom: love, protection, purpose

Dandelion: abundance, adaptation, intuition, wishes granted

Dianthus: true love

Lavender: dispelling fear, serenity

Lilac: a ghost buster for sure; a fairy favorite for its joyful and lucky energies
Marigold: money, protection from evil, a sunny disposition

Nasturtium: victory

Pansy: charm
Rose petals: love and passion

Squash blossom: balance, success, vitality

Sunflower: happiness, personal growth, truth

Violet: honor, intuition, loyalty; also a fairy magnet
 ttributed to the ancient Celts, the Wheel of the Year is a calendar that

A tracks the turn of the seasons and the flow of life, marking them at time-
honored points celebrating the Sun as well as Earth and her bounty, but
with room for personal rituals and magical gatherings along the way.
As seasonality and the transformation it brings are the creed of the kitchen
witch, attuning your craft to the seasons is a must, for each brings a time and
purpose to your work as well as a guiding energy to your life. Embrace the
message.
The Wheel of the Year comprises eight Sabbat celebrations—four
corresponding to the Sun’s solstices and equinoxes, and four to the seasons and
their harvests. Their lesson is gratitude: to acknowledge and be thankful for all
that’s been given as well as remember and honor what’s been lost, a way of
keeping life in balance.
Not technically part of the “Wheel” (though some call it a second Wheel of
the Year) but a part of magical living no less, woven between the Sabbats are
Esbat celebrations (see here), which provide another opportunity to give thanks
and manifest intentions.
Using seasonal recipes, celebrations, rituals, foods, recipes, and spells,
blending magic born of Earth and transformed in your kitchen into everyday life
enhances your connection and communication with Nature, honors Earth in a
positive and sustainable way, and transforms magical energy into intention and
intention into manifestation.
As the Wheel turns, the seasons dance to their own rhythm. Let the seasons
lead you but make the dance yours. The powers of Earth are the tools of your
magical kitchen and the secrets of every kitchen witch everywhere. Savor the
endless possibilities.
 FALL

hough this season on the Wheel of the Year marks the harvest’s end and a

T time for Earth to rest and renew, it’s also the time when Samhain occurs,
which marks the beginning of the witch’s new year and the Wheel of the
Year, so here we’ll start our journey.
Attuned to Nature and its language, the kitchen witch senses that, as the
temperatures decrease and the days grow shorter, Earth signals that it’s time to
gather the last harvest and prepare for rest. She also knows that before rest,
though, comes the work of the harvest and the celebration of its plenty. The
autumnal equinox, about September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (March 20
or 21 in the Southern) marks the beginning of the season, which lasts until
winter solstice (see here).
As though she knows of the celebrations in store, Earth puts on one of her
most colorfully dazzling displays, lifting the spirits and begging you to join the
dance. The crops harvested now tend to be a bit sturdier in personality, with
strong grounding energies and persevering characteristics that help them stay
viable over winter to continue to nourish us, as we reap the rewards that magical
living affords.
 A FALL Blessing

May the blessings of fall feed the wisdom of my soul and teach my spirit
gratitude for each gift.

May the hearth fires warm those who gather nearby and speak “welcome” to
those who return.

For the plenty that sustains us through winter’s dark times I give thanks.
 MABON
The name “Mabon” comes to us from Welsh mythology, telling of a handsome
young god named Mabon who had been held captive in the Underworld as a
baby. The pagan celebration and Wiccan Sabbat of Mabon, generally September
21 (about March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere), corresponds with the autumnal
equinox and is one of four festivals during the Wheel of the Year celebrating the
harvest.
With this equinox comes a balance in our lives: the times of daylight and
darkness, or yin and yang, are equal; we simultaneously celebrate the life-giving
qualities of Earth, yet also acknowledge and plan for the darker times ahead—
life turns to death, yet we anticipate rebirth; a time of hellos and good-byes. It’s
also a time of thanksgiving, for a successful crop (be that whatever you’re
tending: gardens, families, careers, talents, friendships, or relationships), fattened
animals, and manifestation of plans carefully tended to sustain us through winter.
It is space in our lives that makes real the idea of committing to see intentions
through to fruition and the idea that we can manifest the life we choose. It is a
time of transition and transformation.
It is also a time of reflection and letting go of what no longer serves and of
grieving what was lost, so our coming period of rest may be tranquil and
restorative.
If you’re not quite ready for the harvest, that’s okay: Remember, what stays
on the vine of intentions only grows sweeter and riper. Don’t wait too long,
though, to tend to your crops, or they may be lost.
For the kitchen witch, the flavors of Mabon are long-simmering, cozy, and
warm; the energies joyous, grounding, and hopeful. A time of plenty, the
traditional symbol of Mabon is the overflowing cornucopia, as well as the nuts
and seeds, and apple and grapes.

CELEBRATING MABON
There are as many ways to celebrate Mabon as there are revelers. A list of
favorites follows. Give them a try or mull on the suggestions to conjure rituals
and activities to make it your own and express your gratitude.

Go apple picking—then transform those glorious apples into all kinds of

tasty treats (such as Love Charm Apple Butter).
Invite other kitchen witches to a harvest celebration, gather in a circle to
amplify the energy, and toast to your bounty.
Decorate your kitchen altar in colors of red, gold, and brown.
Take a walk and breathe in fall’s energizing aromas.
Meditate on the word “balance” and explore the insight you get.
Fashion a besom broom for a ceremonial clearing of the cobwebs.
Decorate your porch with cornstalks and pumpkins.
Light a fire in your hearth, or a candle on your tabletop, for its cozy
warmth.
Drink wine (responsibly).
Practice the yoga Tree pose for balance . . . with eyes closed for an extra
challenge.
Host a thanksgiving celebration meal to share your gratitude.
Preserve the abundance of foods from your garden (or from your local
farmers’ market) and share them with others as a way to bring joy and
sustain relationships.
Journal about all the things you’re grateful for.
Feed the birds.
Consult your tarot deck.
 Besom Broom Ritual for Cleansing and Protection

The broom is an ancient tool that holds magical roots, with many believing in its
powers to sweep away the bad as well as past evils that still haunt.

When one thinks “broom,” one often thinks “witch,” and the besom broom is
one of the most-associated symbols of witches and witchcraft and is also one of
the earliest types of broom known. These brooms were often hung, bristles up,
near doorways to guard against evil entering a home and to protect all inside. It
will sweep in good luck. It is also a symbolic cleansing tool used to clear away
any negative energies when preparing for spellwork, whether that’s in reference
to people or vibes.
Mabon and Samhain are optimal times for bringing out the besom—to clear
away the old and make way for the new, as well as protecting from rogue spirits.
You can make your own besom broom (there are lots of tutorials online) or buy
one if you prefer. Perform this simple ritual to mark your intention.
Take a moment to breathe deeply to cleanse yourself of any negative thoughts, feelings, or energies.
Visualize what you desire to manifest in the new year and, when ready, say quietly or aloud:

I charge this broom to sweep away the dust and dirt that block my way, To
signal ghosts just passing by, there’s nothing here for you to spy. As what is
old is swept away, I see the space to grow take shape. For what has been
did serve to teach, expand my views, extend my reach. With gratitude I clear
the way for magic to infuse my days.

Then, sweep all the rooms in your home with your household broom—paying
special attention to the kitchen—to clear away dust, debris, and anything
negatively invading your space. Sweep your porch and walkway clear as well, as
you give thanks for what was and visualize what you desire to manifest in the
new year.
Gather your besom and symbolically sweep your altar (if you have one) and
kitchen, since that’s the prime spot for your magical craft. You can spritz a little
cleansing spray while doing this, if you wish (sage, lemon, or pine would be
perfect).
Hang the besom—bristles up, remember—near a doorway for luck and
protection, until needed next.
So mote it be.
 SAMHAIN
One of the most important of the Sabbat festivals, usually October 31 in the
Northern Hemisphere (April 30 in the Southern Hemisphere), Samhain marks
the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and signifies the witch’s new year, also
known today as Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve, and marks the start of the dark
half of the year. The darkness symbolizes rest, but also the excitement of the
unknown and unseen as we step into this new year of the Wheel. And for the
kitchen witch looking to divine a little intel on what the new year may hold,
gather the most sacred of Samhain’s harvest foods, the hazelnut, and be sure to
eat a few before sitting with your crystal ball or teacup.

The traditional symbol of the holiday is the jack-o’-lantern, which arose, as

many tales tell, when a crafty old Irish fellow named Stingy Jack tricked the
Devil into buying him a drink—to Jack’s delight and the Devil’s furious despair.
And, for reasons unknown, Jack gets away with it again!—and is then banished
from both Heaven and Hell by the irate Devil. Poor Jack wanders restlessly
through his remaining days (and nights) with only a lowly carved turnip, in
which sits a lit coal, for guidance. The rest, as they say, is history.
Samhain celebrations, historically lasting three days and three nights, honor
the last harvest of the year, and are associated with fire, with great bonfires
representing the Sun—with a dual purpose to help warn away evil spirits—
traditionally part of the festivities. After the celebrations, the home’s hearth fire
was relit from a torch carried from the bonfire to give warmth and protection
through the coming winter.
You may notice a shimmering shadow as daylight grows shorter and the veil
to the otherworld thins and, according to ancient beliefs, allows the restless souls
of the dearly departed to return to walk the Earth. To protect oneself was to dress
to resemble the ghosts and goblins you might encounter, in a sort of sympathetic
magic ritual, and the hope that they wouldn’t recognize you. Fairies are also
active and mischief ensues. Don’t ignore those impish trick-or-treaters, for they
may be fairies in disguise!
Samhain represents a pause, a breath, in the Earth’s growing cycle as she
prepares to rest and renew. Samhain is also a time to show gratitude for the last
harvest given to us by Earth. It is a time to connect with and remember loved
ones who have passed and recognize death as a part of life.
For the kitchen witch, the flavors of Samhain mimic Mabon and include
rosemary for remembrance and black pepper for protection. Beets are a
traditional food for Samhain, so be sure to include some on the menu. The
energies are slower, of rest and renewal. It is a time of balance, of celebration
and reflection. The traditional symbols of Samhain are many, including the
apple, pumpkin, hazelnut, cauldron, and besom.

CELEBRATING SAMHAIN
Though a time of death—of the land, of sunlit days, of those who’ve passed, of
intentions unrealized—Samhain does not need to be a time of gloom.
Celebrations of gratitude for all we’ve been given, tinged with remembrance for
what or who may have been lost, are in order. Here are a few suggestions to
ignite ideas:
 Bob for apples, an old Samhain tradition in which unmarried people
seeking mates carve their name into an apple before dropping it into the
tub. Whoever successfully retrieves the apple using their teeth alone is
destined to be “the one.”
Tidy up the house, as you tidy up the garden, in preparation for rest.
Decorate your home in the colors of the season: orange for joy, changing
luck, and energy; black for protection and setting boundaries.
Drink warm cider on a crisp, cool day as an act of self-love.
Carve a jack-o’-lantern, including a secret sigil underneath its lid for
protection, then roast the seeds and eat them in acknowledgment of the
abundance in your life.
Create a luminary along your property to guide lost souls safely by and
send wishes of plenty into the world.
Visit a loved one’s grave and leave an offering of their favorite flowers in
honor of how they nourished you in life.
Have a costume party; attend a witch’s ball.
Meditate, then journal on new intentions for the new year.
Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on just about anything your heart desires; its
main ingredient, cinnamon, offers protection and reminds you of the
abundance you have, even on days you don’t feel so blessed.
Have a “silent dinner,” setting chairs, places, and favorite foods at the
table for loved ones no longer with us, inviting them to join you that you
may reconnect and relive their company. Or, leave a chair and a cup of
fresh water on the porch as respite for any wandering souls or restless
fairies who may pass by.
Place your besom across a doorway to invite communication from loved
ones passed. Leave it there as long as you feel the conversation
continuing.
SOUL CAKES
The modern tradition of trick-or-treating seemingly evolved from ancient
Samhain customs. One such custom dating back to the Middle Ages, begging for
soul cakes on November 2 (later, All Souls Day and typically the third day of
Samhain festivities), a tradition called “souling,” may be the likeliest culprit.
With a bit of an opposing strategy to those aimed at warding off lost and
frightful spirits, or restless souls of the deceased, children and peasants went
from house to house begging, and singing, for soul cakes (see here)—sweetly
scented treats, a cross between a scone and a cookie—with the promise of a
prayer for the lost, departed souls to be freed from purgatory on their receipt.
Legend has it that when no soul cakes were forthcoming, ill fates awaited!
 THE MAGIC OF FALL’S BOUNTY: COZY, COLORFUL, COPIOUS
As fall appears, the Earth turns slowly away from the Sun, temperatures dip, and
days grow short. It is a busy time to reap the last harvest, celebrate its success,
and preserve what can be saved for nourishment over winter. It is a time for
assessment and reflection and an inward turning of thoughts and activities, a
time for sharing your abundance, and lessons learned with others. Mother Earth
dons her riotous coat of many colors and the crispness of fall, in her flavors,
scents, temperatures, and sounds, crackles with magical possibilities. Let’s
explore some of fall’s most fabulous gifts.

APPLE
Apples, long associated with magic and witchcraft, have the abilities to tempt,
heal, and hex. The edible apple blossom indicates preference in the language of
flowers; the apple is variously a symbol of immortality, health and vitality (that
apple a day!), love, and fertility.
 Cut an apple through its core, from the stem end down, and you’ll reveal a
five-pointed pentagram, in Wicca tradition representing the four natural elements
plus Spirit. Once halved, share it with your true love. The blossoms are also five-
petaled.
The tradition of polishing an apple before biting into its juicy flesh may
endure from times when the rubbing was thought to rid the fruit of any evil
hiding inside, a belief likely originating from the apple’s association with the
temptation of Adam and Eve, and carried forth on the tales of witches using
apples to hex and poison their victims.
Apple trees were sacred to the Druids, who believed it was one of only two
trees that would support their beloved mistletoe. And the Twelfth Night tradition
of wassailing derives from the ancient pagan tradition of singing to the apple
trees on this night, hoisting a cheerful mug of wassail to drive away demons and
coax an abundant harvest from Earth and her trees in the coming year. The
mystical unicorn is said to dwell in the apple orchard—listen for his song.
Apple blossoms and their fruit, full of fiber, vitamins A and C, and quercetin,
an antioxidant that may help prevent cancer, are joyous tools to use for healing
and love, to bless beauty, boost health and fertility, and spread peace. Apples will
fill you with trust and abundance as well.

BANANA
Bananas bring magical energies of fertility, love, and vitality. Feed liberally to
potential suitors and await fruitful results. Flowers from the banana plant are
sacred in India and bestow good luck on the wearer. Giving bananas to children
encourages their independence and a sweet personality.
BEET
The Greek goddess Aphrodite held beets sacred and used them to maintain her
legendary beauty. Beets promote grounding energies, and can be used for spells
and rituals targeting beauty, love and passion, and long life; the greens bolster
wealth and growth.

BROCCOLI
This mealtime staple is a potent source of antioxidants. When prepared and eaten
with intention, its properties can promote renewal, protection and strength,
prosperity, and a sense of ease.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS
These tiny cabbage cousins, when enjoyed with a heart aligned with actions and
intentions, inspire adaptation, protection, grounding, and peace. They can also
reveal hidden layers of communication when messages seem contradictory.

CABBAGE
Cabbage is protective, in both its mystical energies and its nutritional benefits.
Irish lore holds that a cabbage plucked under a Full Moon on Halloween
foretells of your future mate: When the roots cling to the soil, your mate will
bring wealth. No soil? Sorry. Now for the taste: bitter taste equals sour
temperament; sweet taste equals happy marriage. Its color, too, can tell of
cabbage’s powers: white, like the Full Moon, boosts spirituality and intuition;
red ignites passion for whatever you need; and green foretells money and
growth.
 FALL’S SPICE PANTRY
Whether seasoning foods with a boost of flavor or intentions, a well-stocked
spice pantry is a kitchen witch’s ally in magic. For seasonal fall flavors, these
spices are warming, cozy, comforting, and protective. Add your favorites to
expand the possibilities.

Black pepper: to counter aggression and regain what’s been lost; for adventure,
protection, spice, and wealth

Cardamom: for a clear mind, faithful love, and a sweet temperament

Celery seed: for intuition and potent love potions

Cinnamon: for love, protection, success, and a boost of magic for manifesting
energies
Cloves: eliminates negative energies blocking success; for intuition, love spells,
purification, and protection

Ginger: for healing, love, and warmth

Marjoram: for banishing blues that inevitably arrive as darkness looms; for
cleansing and money luck

Nutmeg: for attracting lucky outcomes in games of chance, happy dreams, and
soothing the mind
Rosemary: for fidelity, mental clarity, remembrance, and protection from
thieves!

Saffron: for happiness; particularly appropriate for any celebrations of the Sun
or Sun magic

Sage: for health and long life

Salt: for amplification of messages and meanings, grounding, protection, and
wealth (all in moderation)

Sugar: for beauty and love

Turmeric: for cleansing and good health

Vanilla bean: for attracting love

CARROT
The first cultivated carrots, thought to go back almost five thousand years, were
likely purple, giving them a distinctly royal vibe. Our old familiar, the orange
carrot, came to be in about the sixteenth century, developed by the Dutch and
subsequently dedicated to Dutch royalty: the House of Orange. In addition to
improving eyesight (including that of your third eye) and helping slow aging, the
(symbolically shaped) carrot can bolster your sex drive and confidence. Draw
out its sweet charms for a beauty boost and seeing the truth in difficult situations.

CRANBERRY
This small, bright-red, tart berry can be worked into any spell or ritual focusing
on love, abundance, or protection. A worthy guest at the “thanksgiving” table, to
be sure.
GARLIC
Garlic is the magical protector and bringer of luck, courage, health, and the inner
strength to set boundaries. Hanging a garlic braid can deter thieves—and
vampires—from entering your home, as well as the plague. In ancient times, the
pyramid builders and Roman soldiers consumed garlic daily for its health
benefits, which extended to guarding against black magic and boosting courage.
It is nourishing, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and has antibiotic
properties.

Consume before bedtime as an aphrodisiac and hang outside the bedroom

door to beckon your suitor. A garlic braid hung in children’s rooms is said to
protect them from evil. Garlic given as a housewarming gift carries heightened
protective energies.

GRAPES
This simple fruit can be transformed in many ways, and help transform your
intentions into reality. Grapes, when turned into wine, symbolize celebration,
luxury, and abundance, and can inspire laughter, lust, truth, and affection. Wine
is often incorporated into rituals where those outcomes are desired. As vinegar, a
splash can protect from harm or inject a bright note to lift the mood. Eaten fresh,
grapes conjure fertility, health, and success. An old Spanish tradition recognizing
grapes’ ability to bear luck and good fortune tells us to eat one grape for each
chime of the clock at midnight on New Year’s Eve—one for each month of the
coming year to ensure health and happiness. Scatter them dried for long life and
perseverance. Utilize the plant’s leaves and vines as well as the fruit to manifest
a fruitful life.

LETTUCE
Lettuce is full of healing water and the associated fluid emotions ruled by the
Moon. Its green color can call money to you, or luck, or both! Lettuce harvested
in fall speaks of rebirth and second chances. Use its magical charm when health
or peace is threatened.
MUSHROOMS
Mushrooms have an evil reputation, not always deserved. Their long association
with superstitions and witchcraft likely stems from their mysterious growth
habits and seemingly spontaneous appearance in strange, oftentimes human
shapes that carry malodorous stinks, as well as hallucinogenic and poisonous
properties, and their quite bewitching ability to glow in the dark—not to mention
kill you. They demand respect in the wild and the kitchen and should never be
used, eaten, or played with if you’re not 300 percent sure of what you have.

Mushrooms are creation and regeneration. They are Nature’s true

transformers, as they can digest and break down nearly anything. Their millions
of spores are like tiny messengers sent into the world to carry on their mission
and ensure the population—and their magic—never dwindles. They are
communicators and relationship builders. They symbolize luck, longevity,
fertility and rebirth, prosperity, safety, change, resilience, learning, intuition,
patience, protection, and introspection. Their watery nature allies them with the
Moon.

NUTS AND SEEDS

These culinary delights hold the keys to life. They are given to us freely as gifts
from the tree spirits and flower fairies. They are tasty, nourishing, and represent
good luck and abundant fertility—of ideas, relationships, and our garden’s
bounty. Gather them with gratitude and use them like fairy dust to spread
blessings and sparkle everywhere and encourage the growth of a magical world.
ONION
Onions have a distinct dual personality. They were regarded as divine by some
and born of the Devil by others. They were a food of the poor, and of the rich.
They can be a supporting cast or shine as the star of the show. They are pungent
and spicy, but when treated with kindness, patience, and care, their sweetness
becomes evident. They are at once whole, and yet reveal individual distinct
layers. Because of these layers, Egyptians held that onions symbolized
immortality—and could even bring the dead back to life! They are a reminder
that life is not always as it seems, and of our role in transforming ours into the
magical existence we desire. Spring onions carry all the same energies—they are
simply onions pulled early in the growing season to thin the rows so those left
have room to grow strong and large—and maybe give us the courage to remove
from our lives what no longer serves our best selves.
PARSNIP
The lovely parsnip will sweeten your life with prosperity and your dishes with a
mild, slightly nutty flavor. Left in the ground over winter, their sweetness
intensifies, perhaps reminding us that instant gratification is not as rewarding as
we might (sometimes) wish. Their hardy personality will boost your
perseverance in working toward long-term goals.

PEAR
Sweet, juicy pears burst with the life-sustaining element of water. Their
hydrating properties instantly lift the mood and impart a youthful glow, even as
they offer the promise of long life and the prosperity to enjoy it. In the witch’s
kitchen, the pear’s versatility is akin to the apple and its use with intention
manifests sweet success.

POTATO
The South American Incas, not the Irish, were the first cultivators of this
nutritious root vegetable, dating back thousands of years. Originally shunned by
Europeans for its association with nightshades—and its ensuing belief to be
poisonous—the potato did not reach Ireland until the sixteenth century, brought
there by Sir Walter Raleigh, who debunked the poison theory by planting them
on his property. Potato’s vibrations are comforting and grounding and its magic
supports perseverance, nourishment, protection, stability, and compassion. An
old British tradition advises carrying raw potato in your pocket to absorb the
pain of rheumatism. Blue potatoes have an otherworldly, calming vibe, and gold
potatoes call in happiness and wealth. Red-skinned potatoes can ignite your
passions and give you the staying power to see them to completion.

PUMPKIN (AND WINTER SQUASHES)

This fairy-tale familiar and symbol of the harvest, the pumpkin, is likely the
most famous squash born of the Americas. Its use as the beloved jack-o’-lantern
traces its roots to the Irish, English, and Scottish ancestors who brought the Old
World tradition to North America, where the native pumpkin took over for the
turnip that was originally used and a new tradition was born. Jack’s original
purpose was protecting hearth and home, by scaring away trickster fairies, evil
spirits, and other restless souls wandering Earth, particularly on Halloween. The
wide variety of pumpkins grown today is a sure indication that there’s a seat at
the table for everyone. It is a celebration of abundance, sustenance, and gratitude
and belongs in all kitchen witch traditions.
 From blossom to flesh to seeds, there are numerous, nourishing possibilities
for the magical orb in the hands of a creative kitchen witch in both sweet and
savory applications (save the stems, too, let them dry, and place on your altar to
boost your spellwork). It also presents a perfect surface for carving sigils or
initials into and, once hollowed out, a place to (safely) burn secret wishes to
release their energies into the Universe. Scatter seeds to cast a circle and feed the
animals and birds at the same time. Those same seeds, a symbol of fertility and
abundance, left as an offering on Samhain, will nourish the wandering souls
who’ve yet to cross over (or are just back for a visit!).
Pumpkin’s magical energies will transport you to the land of your dreams
where wishes come true as well as bring prosperity and attract positive
vibrations. Incorporate this versatile squash into any healing dishes or spells. Its
glorious shape mimics the Full Moon and channels her personality, so let
pumpkin shine in any Full Moon rituals.

SWEET POTATO
Sweet potatoes, actually the root of a vine, share qualities of nourished growth
while maintaining a connection with their support. They speak of loving care,
home, friendship, and expansion. Their sweet taste belies their vast nutritional
benefits, reminding us to look beneath the surface before making any judgments.
Sweet potato’s orange color ignites the sacral chakra and opens you fully to
connecting with others.
TURMERIC
Golden turmeric’s message is of health and healing, as well as ingenuity in
making do with what’s available. It offers protective and cleansing energies,
which are found in its long history of ritual use for purification. Turmeric’s use
as an herbal medicine dates back four thousand years, and many of its health
claims are bearing true under recent scientific scrutiny, including its antioxidant,
antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its potential use in
cancer treatment. As a spice, turmeric is widely used in South Asian and Middle
Eastern cooking. Due to its color, it’s been called Indian saffron. Add to
homemade chicken noodle soup to boost its natural healing energies when cold
or flu season hits. Add a dash of turmeric to ginger tea, and relax into its healing,
warming goodness. Include the root in a healing charm bag or poppet.
 SEASONAL RECIPES and SPELLS for MAGICAL LIVING
This point along the Wheel of the Year is full of gratitude and celebration for
manifesting the harvest of our intentions. The foods gathered, prepared, and
shared foster a communal spirit as well as a cozy atmosphere, for the kitchen
hearth is kept busy with long-simmering cauldrons and hearty baked foods.
It is a time for a mindful pause to reflect on growth and missteps, and a
chance to share hard-earned wisdom with others. Prepare each recipe
mindfully and infuse the ingredients thoughtfully. Shared purposefully, your
life will be richer for it.

Love Charm Apple Butter

Alewife’s Blessings Bread

Hexing Harvest Nuts

Secret Sigil Salted Caramel

Otherworldly Pumpkin Soup

The Rising Moon Cocktail

Traditional Soul Cakes

 ◁ LOVE CHARM APPLE BUTTER
The cozy fall aromas alone are charming enough, but the apple butter itself is
guaranteed to bring your true love to the table. With apples for love and beauty;
cinnamon for abundance, power, and success and a boost to love and lust; and
cloves for an aphrodisiac and the ability to boost intuition (perhaps, to recognize
your intended), this recipe will work some love magic.

Makes about 2 quarts (2.2 kg)

NOTE: This is made in a 6-quart (6 L) Instant Pot, but you can also use a slow
cooker. Combine as directed, cover, and cook on Low for at least 10 hours, or
overnight. Blend as indicated, return to the pot on High, and cook, uncovered,
until it reaches your desired consistency.
6 pounds (2.7 kg) apples (preferably organic; use a mix of types, or just your one
favorite), peeled, cored, and quartered
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1½ cups (340 g) packed brown sugar
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
 1 heaping tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ heaping teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Generous pinch of salt
½ cup (120 ml) water

While washing the apples for this recipe, or any food, visualize any
negativity or self-doubt flowing down the drain and away from you, leaving
only positive vibes to infuse into your food meant to nourish others.

1. As you peel and slice the apples, put them into the Instant Pot and sprinkle
with the lemon juice as you go.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the sugars, vanilla, spices, and salt to blend. Pour
the mixture over the apples, giving them a clockwise stir to call love and
happiness to your life. Pour in the water, giving thanks for its easy access.
Seal and lock the lid with your intentions.
3. Cook on High pressure for 90 minutes. When the cook time is up, release
the pressure manually (carefully, there will be a lot of hot steam and this
can take a few minutes).
4. Ladle the liquid out of the pot and into a medium bowl, reserving it.
Carefully transfer the apples in small batches to a standard blender, filling
it no more than half full, and blend until smooth. Alternatively, use an
immersion blender right in the pot.
5. When all the apples are blended, return the apple butter to the pot and stir
in some of the reserved liquid, if desired, to thin the consistency. If you
like a thicker apple butter, select Sauté/Less on the Instant Pot and simmer
for 15 to 30 minutes, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the
consistency is as you like it.
6. The apple butter will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container or sealed
glass jar, for about 1 month. You can also freeze it (leave enough space at
the top of the container for expansion) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight
in the refrigerator before use.

Just before serving, say quietly or aloud:

 The apple tempts when all else fails; its heady scent a siren call. If you,
indeed, are one who’s true, this apple charm will speak to you. One taste
and you are surely done, for beauty, lust, and luck have won. So, taste my
dear, the sweetness knows two hearts alike can love as one.
 ALEWIFE’S BLESSINGS BREAD
The simple act of combining a few ingredients with ground grains and turning
them into life-sustaining bread, a gift both from and to the gods (and goddesses),
is indeed magic. So important was wheat, many ancient cultures celebrated gods
and goddesses of the wheat harvest. And the sharing, or breaking, of that bread
is a universal symbol of life, peace, and hospitality. Given as a housewarming
gift, bread promises that the occupants shall never know hunger. Here, the
powers of wheat to manifest abundance, and beer (an ancient drink of the gods)
to cleanse and bring joy, are the humble tools of the kitchen witch. Serve plain,
warmed, or with honey butter or Love Charm Apple Butter (here) for extra
blessings.

Makes one 9 × 5-inch (23 × 13 cm) loaf

Olive oil for coating the pan

3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons fresh herbs, or 2 heaping teaspoons dried, plus more for sprinkling (I
use a combination of fresh thyme, lemon thyme, oregano, and rosemary that I let dry
for a few days)
1½ tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 packed cup (115 g) plus 2 heaping tablespoons grated sharp cheddar cheese,
divided
1 bottle (12 ounces, or 360 ml) beer

While the bread bakes, invite the Greek goddess of the harvest, Demeter, to
sit with you in meditation. Bread is a worthy offering for the fertile
blessings she bestows.

1. Place an oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 375°F
(190°C, or gas mark 5). Coat a 9 × 5-inch (23 × 13 cm) loaf pan with olive
oil.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, herbs, 1½ tablespoons of sugar,
baking powder, salt, and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed.
3. Add 1 cup (115 g) of cheese and stir to coat in the flour mixture to keep it
from sinking in the bread.
4. Pour in the beer and stir just until everything is moistened and combined
into a dough ball. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan, infusing it
with your intentions. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2
tablespoons of cheese, and a sprinkle of herbs.
5. Bake the loaf on the middle rack for about 50 minutes, or until the bread is
golden brown and firm to the touch. After taking the loaf out of the oven,
run a knife around the inside edges of the pan and let the bread cool in the
pan for 15 minutes. Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and let cool
completely.

Before taking that first magical bite, say quietly or aloud:

Born of the elements—air, water, earth, and fire—crafted with magic—love,

intention, abundance, and joy—given with gratitude, may Spirit guide my
soul to share my bounty where it will do its most good.
 ◁ HEXING HARVEST NUTS
These nuts, prepared two ways, can nourish a craving for salty and savory
(Woodland Spice Pecans) or salty and sweet (Pumpkin Patch Pecans) as well as
intentions. Whether given as gifts from your magical kitchen, shared at a party
with cocktails or tea, or enjoyed mindfully for their delightful flavors and
textures, these nuts can channel protection, prosperity, loyalty, luck, love,
intuition, and a boost of energy to any other spells you’ve set in motion. Prepare
to be spellbound. With gratitude to The Union Square Café for the inspiration.

Each version makes about 1 cup (140 g)

WOODLAND SPICE PECANS (SAVORY)

1 tablespoon salted butter, melted, or olive oil
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried (fresh is preferred
for its vibrational energies and flavor)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

PUMPKIN PATCH PECANS (SWEET)

2 tablespoons salted butter, melted, or olive oil
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
 ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR BOTH VERSIONS

1 cup (125 g) unsalted pecan halves or mixed nuts of choice

Take a moment to visualize the tree from which these nuts fell and feel the
comfort of its shade, the grounding wisdom of the years it has seen, and
gratitude for what it passes on to you in these gifts.

1. For either version: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter,
brown sugar, herbs or spices, and vanilla (for the Pumpkin Patch Pecans)
until well mixed.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, toast the nuts for about 5 minutes,
stirring frequently, until lightly browned, hot, and fragrant. Keep watch;
they’ll burn quickly, but you want them hot. Transfer the nuts to the bowl
and stir until well coated in the spice mixture (not all of it will adhere to
the nuts; let it sit for a minute or two and stir again). Store in an airtight
container for 1 to 2 weeks.

Just before serving, say quietly or aloud:

I call in the grounding wisdom of truth that I may recognize my true wealth
and welcome the opportunities it offers. So mote it be.
 ◁ SECRET SIGIL SALTED CARAMEL
This secret sauce is a sure sign of your magical powers, especially in matters of
love, friendship, and connection to Spirit. Its sticky nature ensures anything you
call to you while making or using this will “stick.” Sugar’s sweetness attracts
love and happiness; water invokes transformation and the ability to adapt; butter
and cream vibrate with fertility and the comfort of the Mother Goddess’s
embrace; salt helps protect; and vanilla boosts the love. Dip all those freshly
harvested apples and pears into this caramel, or drizzle on oatmeal, ice cream,
cakes for your next Cakes and Ale ceremony, or on crostini topped with cheddar
and apple slices and decipher the symbols you see. Or eat right from the jar to
make yourself sweetly irresistible.

Makes about 1½ cups (about 465 g)

NOTE: The magic in this recipe is that by using just your senses, a bit of
patience, and staying present in the process, the alchemy happening in your
kitchen cauldron will create the most luscious, cozy caramel sauce without a
drop of fuss or the need for lots of equipment or even a candy thermometer.
1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 ml) water
1 cup (235 ml) heavy cream
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
 ¼ cup (½ stick, or 55 g) salted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt

As you tend the simmering pot, reflect on needs you have simmering just
below the surface: the ones you know hold your true intentions.
Acknowledge them as they rise to the surface and be grateful for what they
teach you.

1. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and water.
Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, the liquid
starts to simmer, and the color begins to change. As the liquid cooks and
begins to darken to a deeper caramel color, swirl the pan more frequently.
This could take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 30 minutes, depending
on your stove and the size of pan you use. Keep watch and smell: You
don’t want the caramel to burn—that’s not the magic we’re going for.
2. When the liquid has thickened, smells caramelly, and is a deep amber
color, remove from the heat. Carefully whisk in the cream and vanilla—it
will sputter and bubble (signs the magic’s at work)—then whisk in the
butter until smooth. Stir in the salt. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a glass
jar with a lid and cool completely. Cover and keep refrigerated for about 1
week, if it lasts that long.

To stay mindfully in the process while the caramel transforms on the

stovetop, while waiting, say quietly or aloud:

To savor the sweetness life gives us each day,

I choose to be present in meaningful ways.
For today is a gift we have just for one day,
I promise to live it the best that I may.
 OTHERWORLDLY PUMPKIN SOUP
The kitchen witch knows that transformation is at the heart of her magic. Here,
simple ingredients transform into a warming potion to transport you away from
the everyday and into that mystical place where satisfaction reigns supreme and
wishes come true. Though canned pumpkin is used as a modern kitchen witch’s
convenience (the energies are no less meaningful), you can certainly roast and
mash a peeled, cubed fresh sugar (pie) pumpkin. You’ll need about 2 cups (about
425 g).

Serves 4 to 6

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 sweet yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 to 3 teaspoons curry powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Freshly ground black pepper
1 can (15 ounces, or 425 g) 100% pure pumpkin
4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt
Roasted pepitas, for garnish

Peel an apple in one long, unbroken peel and use it to learn a bit about
your intended mate. Toss the peel over your shoulder; whichever letter it
forms reveals the initial of their first name! If you have a partner, use the
peel to brew a lovely tea and share it to strengthen your bond. Sweeten and
spice as desired.

1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the apples and
onion and sauté for about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sauté for 2 to 3
minutes, or until everything is softened and fragrant, taking care that the
 garlic does not burn. Stir in the spices, adding pepper to taste. Cook for 1
minute.
2. Stir in the pumpkin and broth. Bring the soup to a simmer. Lower the heat
to maintain a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 30 minutes, or until the
apples are soft and the flavors have made friends.
3. Carefully transfer the soup in small batches to a standard blender, filling it
no more than half full, and blend until smooth. Alternatively, use an
immersion blender right in the pot. Return the soup to the pot and stir in
the heavy cream and maple syrup. Taste and season with salt. Taste again:
What secrets are revealed?
4. Serve garnished with the pepitas and a drizzle of maple syrup.

To begin your meal, and open your mind and heart to its magic, say
quietly or aloud:
I bless this cauldron’s healing stew, imbued with magic just for you.
 THE RISING MOON COCKTAIL
The Moon rising in the sky is always a magical sight. Dispelling darkness and
inspiring awe, the Moon can help guide you if you listen with your heart.

Makes 1 enlightening cocktail

NOTE: Ice cubes made with Moon water (water infused overnight with the Full
Moon’s power) lend even stronger kitchen magic vibes to any potion.
Secret Sigil Salted Caramel, for drizzling
Ice
2 ounces (60 ml) vodka
1 ounce (30 ml) Kahlúa or other coffee liqueur
1 ounce (30 ml) heavy cream

If the Moon is waxing, meditate on what’s needed to manifest your

intentions; waning—assess lessons learned; full—celebrate your
achievements. Cheers!

Drizzle the caramel sauce on the inside of an old-fashioned glass,

concentrating it near the rim. Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the vodka
and Kahlúa and stir to combine. Pour the cream over the top.

For an alcohol-free version: Pour the cream into a cup of freshly brewed hot or
iced coffee and drizzle on a sigil with the caramel sauce.

Raise a glass to the awe-inspiring Moon, and say quietly or aloud:

May this potion set in motion a string of magic that’s unbroken.

 ◁ TRADITIONAL SOUL CAKES
According to Irish and Scottish lore, using hazelnuts at Samhain bestows the gift
of divination with sacred knowledge. They’re incorporated into these cakes to
appease the “soulers” as well as the ghosts and goblins, and to boost your
intuition as you peer into the new year.

Makes 9 cakes

¼ cup (½ stick, or 55 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup (115 g) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
3 tablespoons very finely chopped hazelnuts
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of kosher salt
2 or 3 tablespoons milk, divided
⅓ cup (50 g) raisins

Make the crosses on these cakes with intention, each one for a loved one
passed and remembered.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Line a baking sheet
with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, use an electric handheld mixer to cream together the
butter and brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture resembles wet
 sand (it will not be creamy). Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until
blended.
3. Add the flour, hazelnuts, spices, salt, and 1 tablespoon of the milk. Mix
until a dough begins to form. Add another tablespoon of milk and mix.
Mix in the last tablespoon of milk, if needed. The dough will be soft and
sticky. Stir in the raisins.
4. On a work surface, lightly flour a piece of parchment paper and a rolling
pin. With lightly floured fingertips, gather the dough into a ball and place it
on the prepared parchment. Roll the dough into a circle about ½ inch (1
cm) thick, dusting with more flour if it sticks to the parchment or rolling
pin. Cut out 3-inch (7.5 cm) rounds with a floured cookie or biscuit cutter
and transfer to the prepared baking sheet, spacing the rounds about 2
inches (5 cm) apart. The cakes will not spread much while baking.
5. Using a table knife, press the back of the blade into the top of each cake to
create a cross.
6. Bake for about 20 minutes, checking after 15 minutes or so, until the soul
cakes are firm to the touch and lightly golden brown. Let cool. Store in an
airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

To imbue these treats with intention, when forming the cakes say
quietly or aloud:
I offer these cakes so no souls will despair,
as payment for prayers and so pranks I’ll be spared.
I offer these cakes so the restless lie still,
eternally calmed by the force of my will.
I offer these cakes so their sweetness we taste,
for life’s for the living, too precious to waste.
 WINTER

his point on the Wheel of the Year gives us shorter days, longer nights,

T and much time to reflect. For the kitchen witch, it’s a time to ponder ways
to improve next year’s harvest and reason to celebrate the extra time spent
with family and friends, as Earth sleeps and renews her energies.
The harvests have been preserved to see us through this leaner time, but Earth
still offers up delightfully nourishing foods to keep the magic flowing. And,
though we may be deprived of daylight during this period, the kitchen and table
are a place of bounty, foods imbued with the magic of memory, meaning, and
tradition.
The kitchen hearth was extremely important in times past, as the warmest
place in the house to gather and be protected from the cold outside. It’s still the
warmest place in the house, both in spirit and in temperature, and the place
everyone ends up gathering. Embrace the celebration and live joyfully in the
moment. The Sun will return soon enough—cherish the time of peace and joy
now.
 A WINTER
Blessing

Beneath the winter Moon I wait, for warmer days, a change of fate.

Pray, goddess of the hearth and light, do warm my soul and clear my sight;

instill in me the joy to see the bounty you’ve bestowed on me.

 WINTER SOLSTICE (YULE)
Winter solstice, a.k.a. Yule, falls on or about December 21 in the Northern
Hemisphere (June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere) and marks the longest night
of the year. It is the oldest of winter celebrations, lasting twelve days, marking
the festive return of the Sun and celebrating the magic of life. It is a time of
duality: of light and dark; of contemplation and anticipation; of giving and
receiving; of celebration and offerings; of welcome and letting go; of death and
rebirth.
Winter solstice is an anticipatory time—that time when darkness holds its
breath for a moment, and we wonder whether it will ever fade. When the exhale
finally comes, it’s tinged with light as the Sun begins to turn its face back to us,
brightening and lengthening our days and turning the calendar page on a new
year. We, too, can exhale knowing, and feeling, the long winter is over. A sense
of “lightness” and joy displace the dark, gloomy shadows we’ve kept inside
these last months. To many, the Sun is a god to be worshipped and, as such, this
festival has welcomed his return in many cultures around the globe for
millennia.
The festival’s origins are in the Scandinavian and Germanic cultures, and the
festival, at one time, was connected to Norse god Odin, the father of Yule
(perhaps an early precursor to Santa Claus). Others believe the Holly King, who
rules over the dark part of the year, surrenders his reign to his brother, the young
Oak King, who will see us through and into the lighter days of the year.
As Christianity grew throughout the world, the celebration of Christmas on
December 25, which also lasts for twelve days until Epiphany, began to overlap
the ancient Yule festival, and the customs and celebrations have become
intertwined to some degree. Many relate Yule traditions to the Roman festival
Saturnalia, honoring the Roman god Saturn, who ruled over the realm of
agriculture.
It is a time of ritual, and actual, cleansing as we prepare our homes to host
gatherings and celebrations, and a time of feasts, prayers, songs, and blessings in
celebration of the traditions of family. Intentions are set for the calendar’s new
year, and we do all we can to usher in happy, lucky vibes.
Symbols of the season are many, and familiar:
 Bells: to ward off evil lurking in darkness
Candles: to symbolize light and the return of the Sun to our days
Evergreens: as the sacred Yule tree symbolizing life continuing through
the dark and cold, and of healing and joy and bringing the outside in; as
wreaths, symbolizing the circle of life and the Wheel of the Year
Holly: for protection (the prickly leaves were thought to catch evil
spirits); as a symbol of the Holly King, they bring hope
Ivy: for immortality
Mistletoe: to symbolize fertility and life, healing and strength
Sweet treats: to delight
Traditional colors: white, for light; red, for prosperity and rebirth; green,
for Nature and money; gold for prosperity and wealth, giving gifts, and
the Sun
Yule log: traditionally ash, which has a long magical tradition, and claims
a relation to the Norse Yggdrasil, or World Tree, which supports the
entirety of the mythological Norse kingdom. The Yule log was
traditionally lit to keep the world light while the Sun stood still, to banish
evil spirits, and replace them with good luck. If it smoldered for twelve
days, prosperity was guaranteed. Remnants were often kept in the house to
protect it from lightning and fire; ashes were spread over the fields to
ensure healthy crops.

For many a kitchen witch, winter solstice and its associated celebrations and
rituals are a busy time—one filled with love and intention. Traditional foods of
the season include gingerbread, wassail, foods such as ham from the traditional
pig (or boar) sacrificed for the festivities, “plum” pudding and other sweets, and
dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.
 Gingerbread and Christmas

Gingerbread takes many forms, but “bread” is not one of them. The name
derives from ginger’s Latin name, zingiber.

In medieval times, attaining the level of master gingerbread baker within

the European baking guild system was a supreme achievement and
demonstration of unmatched skill and artistry. The status of these bakers
was highly respected (far above the common pastry maker and bread
baker) and their prosperous wages protected from competition by law:
only certified gingerbread bakers were allowed to make gingerbread—
except on Christmas and Easter, when anyone could make it, including
citizens in their homes.

CELEBRATING YULE
Though the long, dark days have given us plenty of time to sit and reflect, it’s
time to turn on the lights and celebrate the return of the life-giving Sun.

Clean your home, and especially the kitchen, with intention in preparation
for guests and celebration.
Create a Yule altar.
Add candles to your décor and light them plentifully and safely (never
leave burning candles unattended).
Make and share recipes passed down from loved ones in an act of
remembrance of the past and rebirth of the future.
Give gifts made in your magical kitchen carrying messages of the season.
 Cut, with thanks and gratitude to Mother Nature, a Yule tree and trim it in
traditional colors of the season.
Decorate a Yule log with evergreens, pine cones, dried berries, and
cinnamon sticks.
Host a Yule feast.
Watch the sunrise.
Hang the mistletoe and a wreath.
String fresh cranberries to decorate the Yule tree or hearth for protection
and love.
Stud fresh oranges, which represent the Sun, with whole cloves, for
prosperity, protection, and purification, in any pattern you like—give as
intention-filled gifts or use to decorate your mantel or altar.
Spend time in meditation to contemplate the gifts of the season, or in
prayer to set intentions.
Donate to others who may not be so blessed.
 HANGING THE MISTLETOE
The ancient Celtic Druids observed mistletoe thriving high up in the branches of
the revered apple and oak trees, and held sacred its life-affirming abilities,
including to stimulate fertility. With no roots to tether it to Earth, mistletoe was
thought to be a manifestation of the Sun god, imbued with magical healing and
protective charms.
Gathering mistletoe was a ceremony in itself, done six days after the New
Moon following the winter solstice. When cut from the tree, it was caught
carefully so as not to touch the ground (else its powers be gone), then distributed
to townsfolk, who hung it in their doorways to ward off evil, and bestow health
and good luck to all who passed beneath it. Keeping it up all year ensured a
love-filled home.
In thanks to Odin for restoring their son, Baldur, to life after being killed by
an arrow made of mistletoe, Norse goddess Frigg declared mistletoe a plant of
love. So, hang mistletoe freely throughout your home, and especially over
doorways, to protect the love nurtured there and any children at home, attract
luck and good fortune, keep hale and hearty, and ward off evil spirits. But be
forewarned: Refusing a kiss under the mistletoe is said to bring bad luck—so
don’t undo all the good you’ve been working to achieve with mistletoe’s
mysterious gifts.

Gather your mistletoe carefully and mindfully.

When ready to hang it, say quietly or aloud:
This mistletoe I hang today, keep evil spirits far away.
Everyone who shall pass beneath, I pray their health you kindly keep.
Each berry does reveal a kiss. I eagerly await the bliss.
Add luck and love and friendship dear, sweet mistletoe, do bless this year.

NOTE: Mistletoe can be poisonous to children and pets, so please do not

leave it anywhere they can access it.
 IMBOLC
Though the impending return of the Sun is met with much joy during Yule,
spring is still a ways off. Imbolc, also known as Candlemas (a day when
Christians brought their candles to church to be blessed) and typically celebrated
on February 2 in the Northern Hemisphere (August 1 in the Southern
Hemisphere), is another festival in honor of the returning Sun and a day of
feasting, reminding us that winter’s departure is imminent and warmer days are
ahead. It is a celebration of Earth’s reawakening and a time to anticipate the next
planting as we feel Earth’s fertile stirrings begin, perhaps reflected in a bit of our
own restlessness. It is a time to assess progress on intentions and do the work
needed to make them grow. The word imbolc means “in the mother’s belly,”
making it an ideal time for new beginnings.
On Imbolc, farmers worked their fields, fishers tended their boats, and
predictions were made regarding the coming weather and family fortunes—the
activities of daily life and the work of manifesting it.
In Gaelic tradition, Cailleach, goddess of weather, spent Imbolc gathering
wood for the hearth to see her through the remaining winter. If spied on a sunny
day gathering lots of wood, she was stocking up for winter’s long march. If the
weather was foul and prevented her from gathering any wood, all knew she was
sound asleep and winter would soon be over.
Another symbol of the season is milk. An alternate name for Imbolc is
Oimelc, which means “ewe’s milk.” This is the time when the first lambs are
born and the ewes are producing milk, both symbols of hope and new life.
In Celtic traditions, the date also honors the Triple Goddess Brigid, said to
descend to Earth in her maiden form as the Sun, goddess of fertility, keeper of
the flame, and guardian of the hearth and home. Tradition held that the woman
of the house, while performing the nightly chore of putting the fire to bed,
pleaded with Brigid for protection of all who dwelt within. Brigid, perhaps the
original kitchen witch, also represents the fires of creativity. Huge bonfires in her
honor were a traditional part of the Imbolc festivities, and lit with the intention
of amplifying the Sun’s power.
For the kitchen witch, the flavors of Imbolc are rich, sweet, and satisfying;
energies are growing and inspiring. Traditional foods honoring Imbolc are from
dairy, such as butter, cheese, and milk; other foods include eggs, honey, oats,
pancakes, early spring greens and herbs, the traditional Irish dish colcannon,
dried fruits, seeds, and nuts, as well as anything spicy to honor the warmth of the
Sun and ensure a swift return to the promise, and blessing, that is spring.

CELEBRATING IMBOLC
Signifying fresh starts and a bounty of possibilities, punctuated with the work
needed to bring them to life, Imbolc celebrations are simple and rewarding:

Light a fire in the hearth, or candles for the dining table, to imbue the
home with warmth.
Serve a cheese board with spiced wine.
Drink eggnog sprinkled with nutmeg.
Plan your garden (even one of intentions) and gather seeds for planting
(even if only in a windowsill pot!).
Decorate your Imbolc altar in colors of green, silver, and white.
Fashion St. Brigid’s crosses and hang them over doors and windows to
protect the home.
Journal about old and new intentions.
Take a walk to feel the Sun on your face.
Get up with the Sun to predict when spring will arrive!
 THE MAGIC OF WINTER’S BOUNTY: WARMING, SOOTHING,
HOPEFUL
As winter begins, Earth has given us her many gifts to be preserved for winter
nourishment, but there are some plants that prefer or continue to thrive as colder
temperatures set in. These gifts can be especially sweet in actual flavor as well
as intention, as food supplies can become spare during this season. Let’s explore
some of winter’s most fabulous gifts.

AVOCADO
Believed to be native to Mexico, the avocado became part of a nutritious diet
more than ten thousand years ago. In addition to nourishing the body, the Aztecs
believed consuming the avocado bestowed great strength and power—both on
the battlefield and in the bedroom! The word avocado derives from the Aztec
Nahuatl word ahuacatl, meaning (ahem) “testicle.” And although a symbol of
luxury, the avocado was not always the iconic superfood it has become, teaching
us that sometimes we need time to grow into our destinies. With avocado in your
magical kitchen, life is fertile and full of possibilities. It will fuel your intuition
to know which are ripe for the picking and creativity to make them happen.
Savoring avocado’s luxurious texture is a delicious act of comforting self-love.
Its ability to nurture beauty inside and out is a bonus.

CAULIFLOWER
Cauliflower has definitely come into its own. Once the supporting cast for a sad
vegetable tray, it is now touted as a superstar: one of the most nutritional
vegetables on the planet, high in fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories, and
low in calories. Magical indeed. Its (typically) white color and full, round shape
channel the Moon and lend protective vibes when needed.

Cauliflower also has a bit of a trickster vibe. It can stand in for rice or steak or
blend seamlessly into a sauce, so be sure your intentions are rooted in reality
before calling on cauliflower to help you manifest them.

CITRUS FRUITS
Mother Nature gives us citrus just when we need it most. Coming into season in
winter months, when the gloomy weather is about to take our mood under, their
sunny colors and fragrance cheer us, and holding a piece of juicy citrus is like
holding the Sun in your hand. When consuming citrus, visualize the sunny rays
shooting from your fingertips and toes. Citrus is also full of vitamins and
minerals, timed perfectly to counter the myriad winter ills battling our immune
systems. Citrus is a magician’s helper in the kitchen, too, lending that certain
abracadabra that makes everything taste brighter and more flavorful—from
sweet to savory and hot to cold, there’s a use for citrus.

Grapefruit delivers an instant pick-me-up and unsticks blocked energy.

Lemon is always welcome for its uplifting aura and abilities to cleanse
our mood as well as negative vibes in our environment, easing stress and
the blues, stirring fresh, clean energy, bringing joy and clarity of purpose,
and heightening confidence, intuition, and self-esteem.
Lime is cheerful and fresh, cleansing, purifying, and renewing the spirit.
Orange represents the Sun and encourages happiness, healing, growth,
love, and friendship. It is cleansing and attracts prosperity. Oranges given
as gifts create close, easy friendships.
 WINTER’S SPICE PANTRY
Whether seasoning foods with a boost of flavor or intentions, a well-stocked
spice pantry is a kitchen witch’s ally in magic. Many of the same herbs and
spices we turn to in fall (see here), such as nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and
cloves, are stars in the winter kitchen. Some additional winter flavors are listed
here—they are spicy, homey, and even bright, and many are thought to have
protective, and lucky, properties. Add your favorites to expand the possibilities.

Allspice: for attracting good health, good luck, and healing

Caraway seed: for true and faithful love

Cardamom: for faithful love; it also calms and clears the mind
Coriander: to promote healing, health, love, and lust

Fennel seed: for protection against harmful vibes, as well as an aid to cast off
the old to make way for the new
Mustard seed: for protection against hexes and to strengthen your focus and
intuition (black seeds); to keep evil spirits from your door, conjure love, and
increase your lucky vibes (yellow seeds)

Oregano: to strengthen courage, bring happiness, foreshadow justice, stir love,

boost luck, transform stress into tranquility, and help relieve the grief of losing a
loved one; Aphrodite grew oregano to grow joy

Parsley: for protection against ill fates; to gain good health and honor; if in love,
do not cut parsley for it will cut your connection, but when used to entice
romance, it is said to promote lust and fertility

Peppermint: for clearing the mind, boosting concentration, and increasing

intuitive focus

Saffron: for its universal healing energies (including hangovers!), mood-lifting

capabilities, and aphrodisiac qualities (Cleopatra was said to soak in a saffron
bath)
Star anise: for luck, psychic intuition, and happiness; also aids in purification

COLLARD GREENS
Collard greens, and greens in general, have a long tradition of ushering
prosperity into our lives when eaten on New Year’s Day. This staple of the
American South grows in abundance and was a simple yet sustaining food for
many. The greens’ earthy flavor and dark green color are also soothing and
grounding, so don’t save them for just one day a year. The long cook time
required to make them soft and sweet allows plenty of space for meditating on
what’s needed or most important in life, and serves as an apt metaphor for
accepting the changes life and age bring, softening us in many ways. Toss in
some pomegranate seeds for even more abundant energy.

CRANBERRY
This jewel-toned gem of the bog is native to North America and a traditional
food from Samhain through Yule. Its association with the American
Thanksgiving meal is long rooted in tradition, but there is no historical evidence
proving it was actually served at that first Thanksgiving celebrated by the
Pilgrims.

Its festive color fits perfectly with the season and signals energy, passion,
courage, rejuvenation, and rebirth. Cranberries also lend abundance, love, and
healing to any kitchen spell you’re crafting, so use with abandon. Being born of
the bog, a place typically feared for its evil spirits and petitioned with offerings
for protection, the cranberry is also protective by association.
This healthy little powerhouse is packed with vitamin C, fiber, and
antioxidants, so it is a welcome addition to the plate. Its makeup is about 90
percent water, meaning a magical boost of intuition is assured when consuming
this beautiful berry.
One pound (454 g) of cranberries contains about 333 cranberries. Whether
divine or coincidence, the number 3 is full of luck and good fortune and
represents harmony, wisdom, and understanding; past, present, and future; the
Triple Goddess; and many more magically inspired ideas.

GINGER
Ginger has a long history of use as a medicinal herb and offers reassurances of
safety and comfort in soothing, warming tones. Find a piece of fresh ginger that
resembles a hand and picture its energies as an all-healing touch. This lovely
culinary herb can be used to spice up everything from curries to gingerbread.
Ginger’s fiery energy increases magical powers and helps speed spells to
manifestation. It is especially potent in summoning love, luck, and success. It is
a warming, healing herb, noted for its immune-boosting powers.

KALE
Kale (or cale or charis) in Greek mythology was one of the Three Graces—of
charm and beauty. The ancient Egyptians believed kale had the power to cure a
hangover. The Irish thought it, along with its cousin the cabbage (see here),
could foretell your future in love by pulling it up by the roots—though legend
has it this worked best if the kale was stolen from someone’s garden on
Halloween.
 As a plant, it is a prolific producer, sprouting energies of abundance,
confidence, creativity (what to do with it all?!), luck, and money. Kale loves
cooler temperatures and turns sweeter after a frost, signaling it’s time to resolve
any (frosty) disputes, let go of grudges, and move on to the goodness life has to
offer. It’s also one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables, supporting our health in
magical ways—and we all look more beautiful when we’re healthy.

KIWI
Originating in China and known as the Chinese gooseberry, the kiwifruit didn’t
arrive in Australia until the beginning of the twentieth century. Brought there as
seeds by a missionary who gave them to a farmer who planted them where they
grew into fertile trees bearing fruit seems a story of luck and divine providence.
With its combination of slightly prickly and rough brown skin, guarding soft,
sweet green fruit bearing abundant black seeds, a kiwi seems like it was just
made for magic. This small but mighty fruit reminds us to look beneath the
surface for true beauty and meaning. It also holds powers of grounding,
protection, abundance and fertility, connection to Earth, money, luck, happiness,
and an oversized dose of vitamin C for good health.

PERSIMMON
The persimmon’s bright orange color is like the Sun returning at the winter
solstice! The American persimmon’s magic, aside from its sweet taste when
fully ripe (Diospyros, the genus name, means “food of the gods”), is in its shape-
shifting abilities. Its uses are many and varied. Persimmons (locally grown) can
help foretell winter weather. When you split open a seed, you’ll see the image of
either a fork, knife, or spoon—a fork means a mild winter; a knife predicts
cutting, bitter winds; a spoon (more like a shovel!) means lots and lots of snow.
American pioneers used this fruit to make persimmon beer and wine.
Medicinally, its cures were wide-ranging, from diphtheria to hemorrhoids. An
old folktale even suggests that simply walking by the tree could cure you of what
ails! And the seeds, over time, were variously used as buttons or to make coffee,
especially in the American South during the Civil War when everyday
necessities were in short supply.

They’re delicious in jams, puddings, pies, cookies, and muffins. The fruit was
also an important food source for wildlife in winter. The wood is beautiful,
similar to ebony, and any found fallen wood would make lovely magic wands, as
well as magic kitchen wands, a.k.a. spoons. Because the real beauty in the
persimmon is only truly appreciated when the fruit is fully ripe, it reminds us
that instant gratification is not always a reward. Sometimes, waiting and working
for what we really desire are the truest, sweetest rewards in life. Neither Mother
Nature, nor magic, can be rushed.

RUTABAGA AND TURNIP

Rutabagas (yellow-fleshed), or Swedish turnips (named for their extreme
popularity in Sweden, the reputed land of their “birth”), and turnips (white-
fleshed) are often treated interchangeably, but they are two distinct vegetables,
although the rutabaga has long been thought to be the result of a cabbage and a
turnip getting cozy. Both belong to the Brassica family, which also includes
cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Rutabagas and turnips were both carved as jack-o’-lanterns on Halloween,

before pumpkins were introduced to the custom, to scare away evil spirits and
welcome the roaming spirits of those passed. Their distinct flavor can do the
same to diners—some are repelled and some are drawn to them.
These sturdy root vegetables are both hardy and nourishing, and their flesh
becomes sweeter once it makes it through a hard frost before harvest, reminding
us that we can withstand the tough trials in life, which do, indeed, sweeten the
happy times. These root vegetables are grounding and protective in their
energies, and when eaten intentionally, can help heal impostor syndrome,
restoring our true sense of self and worth.
 SEASONAL RECIPES and SPELLS for MAGICAL LIVING
The element of fire is evident in your kitchen magic right now. Long-simmering
foods that warm and soothe dominate this time of the Wheel, and in batches big
enough to be shared to create bonds and memories. Hearty spices ensure life’s
never dull and sweet treats lighten the mood. A glass of good cheer toasts warm
days to come and colorful foods deliver wishes for great joy—as well as nutrition
to keep us healthy and happy. Traditions dominate, connecting us to times past
and loved ones passed. Honor the old but celebrate the new as you cook up a
magical season for all.

Hot Buttered Rum

Pomegranate Jewels Salad

Gratitude Granola

Holly and Ivy Gingerbread with Sunny Lemon Sauce

Witch’s Wassail

Boar’s Head Festival Mustard Caviar

 HOT BUTTERED RUM
Rum celebrates love and can enhance spirituality. Brown sugar ensures sweet
outcomes, and spices offer abundant, creative, and protective energies. Butter
eases change and makes a great goddess gift. A sip of this on a cold winter’s day
will channel the warmth of the emerging Sun and awaken your dreams. Double
the batch for a group celebration, such as when welcoming the coven to your
home.

Batter makes enough for 5 warming drinks; recipe makes 1 drink

FOR THE HOT BUTTERED RUM BATTER

¼ cup (½ stick, or 55 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup (60 g) packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of kosher salt

FOR THE HOT BUTTERED RUM

1½ ounces (45 ml) dark rum
6 ounces (180 ml) very hot (not boiling) water

While waiting for the water to heat, contemplate who may need a bit of
extra love shown to them at this time.

1. To make the batter: In a medium bowl, combine all the batter ingredients.
Using an electric handheld mixer, or a sturdy spoon, mix on medium speed
until well blended and creamy.
2. To make the hot buttered rum: Place 1 tablespoon of batter into a mug and
pour in the rum. Stir in 4 ounces (120 ml) of the hot water until the batter
dissolves. Stir in the remaining 2 ounces (60 ml) of water.
3. The remaining batter will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up
to 6 months (but why wait that long to celebrate?).
FOR AN ALCOHOL-FREE VERSION: Omit the rum and water and stir 1
cup (240 ml) of hot apple cider or apple-spiced tea into the batter.

When ready to toast to good cheer, say quietly or aloud:

With one sweet sip this warming brew does melt my fears away. And in their
place I wish for dreams that conjure happy days.
 POMEGRANATE JEWELS SALAD
An average pomegranate contains up to six hundred deliciously juicy seeds.
Imagine the lift to your intentions if you imbue them into this delectable fruit
before eating!

Serves 4

½ cup (50 g) pecan halves

1 teaspoon Boar’s Head Festival Mustard Caviar or Dijon mustard
Pinch of kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large head curly endive or green leaf lettuce, trimmed and coarsely chopped
1 Honeycrisp apple or other sweet apple, cored, halved, and thinly sliced into half-
moons
½ cup (90 g) pomegranate seeds
Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Before tossing the pomegranate seeds into the salad, make a wish, eat three
seeds, and prepare for your wish to come true.

1. In a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pecans, stirring

frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant.
When cool enough to handle, roughly chop the nuts.
2. In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the mustard, salt, a few
grinds of pepper, thyme, maple syrup, vinegar, and oil. Seal the lid and
shake well until blended and emulsified.
3. In a large bowl, combine the greens, apple, pomegranate seeds, and toasted
pecans. Pour half the dressing over the salad, giving thanks for the fresh
foods on your table, and toss to coat and combine. Garnish with Parmesan,
as desired, and serve with the remaining dressing on the side. Let the
beauty of this salad be an offering to all at your table.
 When ready to make your wish, say quietly or aloud:
These seeds I hold bring wishes bold, with wealth enough to share.
Sweet ruby jewels, my magic tools, grant riches beyond compare.
 GRATITUDE GRANOLA
This gracious granola makes a great gift from any kitchen witch. Add each
ingredient to the batch with intention and give each gift with the accompanying
“recipe” (or spell), with gratitude for friendship and to share a bit of magical
living.

Makes about 10 cups (1.2 kg)

½ cup (120 ml) vegetable or olive oil, plus more for the pan
4 cups (360 g) old-fashioned oats
1 cup (85 g) unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup (95 g) unsalted sliced almonds
1 cup (100 g) unsalted pecan halves
½ cup (70 g) salted sunflower kernels or (65 g) pepitas
6 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
½ cup (120 ml) maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup (70 g) diced pitted Medjool dates
1 cup (145 g) golden raisins

In the traditions of the kitchen witch, the magical oven stands in for the
Sun, or the bonfires of Yule and Imbolc, transforming the individual
ingredients into a singular message: gratitude.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Lightly coat a large
rimmed sheet pan with oil.
2. To begin the spell, in a large bowl, stir together the oats, coconut flakes,
nuts, seeds, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well distributed and imbued
with your intentions.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until well
combined. Stir the liquid ingredients into the oat mixture until all is well
coated and protected. Spread the granola in an even layer on the prepared
 sheet pan.
4. Bake for 15 minutes; stir. Bake for about 15 minutes more, or until the
granola starts to look toasted, keeping an eye on it so it does not burn. Let
cool for 15 minutes. Take the time to absorb the fragrance and let it fill you
with joy.
5. Stir in the dates and raisins. Let cool. Store in an airtight container at room
temperature for up to 2 weeks.

When ready to assemble and nourish the spirit, say quietly or aloud:
Oats create the foundation that supports happiness
and nourishes family and abundance.
Dates and raisins honor the life-giving Sun and breed fertility.
Almonds bring luck and love; coconut, for new beginnings.
Vanilla opens the heart.
Cinnamon grants abundance, love, power, and success.
Pecans bestow wealth; sunflower seeds ensure wishes are granted.
Maple syrup grounds us, supporting health and longevity.
Oil guards against evil and salt protects.
Brown sugar’s sweetness boosts the energy of this spell that all who
enjoy it know a flavorful life.
 HOLLY AND IVY GINGERBREAD WITH SUNNY LEMON SAUCE
The sticky nature of molasses is perfect for bringing together and binding two
things; its slow-moving habit tells us not to hurry—magical things will happen
in their own good time. Celebrate the flavors of the season with this rich
gingerbread, and give a nod to the emerging Sun with the bright lemon sauce
ladled over the top. If you prefer, serve with a dollop of whipped cream in honor
of Imbolc.

Serves 9, plus about 1¼ cups (300 ml) sauce

FOR THE GINGERBREAD

¼ cup (½ stick, or 55 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
½ cup (115 g) packed dark brown sugar
½ cup (120 ml) molasses
1 large egg
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

FOR THE LEMON SAUCE (OPTIONAL)

1 cup (240 ml) water
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
As you make this cake, reflect on whatever darkness in life is bothering you
and what you would like to replace it with. As you make the lemon sauce,
inhale the uplifting aroma and let it dissolve the darkness.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Generously coat an 8-
inch (20 cm) square baking dish with butter.
2. To make the gingerbread: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking
powder, baking soda, salt, and spices to blend. Mixing counterclockwise
will help banish anything unwanted from your orbit. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, using an electric handheld mixer, cream together the ¼ cup
(55 g) of butter and brown sugar on medium speed until well blended. Add
the molasses in three additions, blending well after each addition until the
butter mix is smooth. Add the egg and blend until well mixed.
4. Alternating the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, add to the butter
mixture in three additions, ending with the buttermilk, and mixing well
after each addition until the batter is fully blended and no flour streaks
remain. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out
clean. Let cool.
6. To make the lemon sauce (if using): While the cake bakes, in a small
saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk the water, granulated sugar,
cornstarch, nutmeg, and salt. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce
starts to boil. Remove from the heat and whisk in the 2 tablespoons of
butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the butter melts. Let cool.
7. The gingerbread will keep, covered at room temperature, for 3 to 4 days.
Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let the sauce
come to room temperature before using.

Drizzle the sauce over the cake in any shape, or sigil, symbolic of your
intention. While drizzling, say quietly or aloud:
Of Sun and light and smiles bright, enchant us with your tales.
Of sweet and tart, do fill my heart with hope that never fails.
Of heat and spice, let love entice the wind to fill our sails.
 WITCH’S WASSAIL
Wassail, from the Old English word was hál, means to be of hale, or good,
health. The original tradition of wassailing revelers out and about to ensure the
good health of the coming year’s apple harvest is brought inside here: a toast
from the bowl is full of abundant cheer and wishes for everyone’s good health
and success, plus the magical energies of cinnamon and clove’s prosperity and
protection. Scale the good cheer up or down depending on the size of your
gathering and let the songs begin.

Makes about 6 cups (1.4 L)

2 oranges
Whole cloves
4 cups (960 ml) apple cider or apple juice
2 cups (475 ml) cranberry juice
9 cinnamon sticks
6 ounces (180 ml) bourbon or rum (optional)

As you insert the cloves into the orange, visualize each as a step closer to
the success you desire.

1. Stud one orange all over with cloves in any pattern you like. Thinly slice
this orange, then cut the slices into half-moons.
2. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the apple cider, cranberry
juice, and the juice of the remaining orange—breathe in the uplifting
aromas; let them fill you with warmth and ease. Add 3 of the cinnamon
sticks and let the wassail warm for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it;
you don’t want it to boil. Transfer the wassail to a heatproof punch bowl,
or a slow cooker to keep warm, and stir in the bourbon (if using; or let
everyone add their own—or not—to their wassail cup). Float the orange
half-moons in the wassail and serve each cup with a cinnamon stick for
fragrant stirring, clockwise, of course.

With filled glass in hand, say quietly or aloud:

A drink to one’s health, a toast to next year;
I see wealth in all forms reaped with wassail’s good cheer.
 ◁ BOAR’S HEAD FESTIVAL MUSTARD CAVIAR
Mustard originally grew as a weed, until it was cultivated for its own sake in
classical Greek times. Since then, mustard seed has been made into and used as a
condiment for thousands of years, and has even been served as a medicine. In the
traditional English Yule log festival, the presentation of the boar’s head was
accompanied by mustard for serving. Try this delightful condiment anywhere
you’d normally use mustard, especially on pork, hamburgers, or sandwiches,
blend into vinaigrettes, or stir into sauces to brighten the flavors. Brown mustard
seeds invite protection and strengthen intuition, whereas yellow mustard seeds
keep evil from your door and increase lucky vibes.

Makes about ½ cup (135 g)

2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds

2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons honey
1 bay leaf
Pinch of kosher salt
Few grinds of black pepper

Set your intentions for this mustard caviar with care. The tiny mustard
seeds burst with a bit of joy, and are a tangible reminder of the intentions
you’re working to manifest every time you bite into them.
In a small skillet over medium-high heat, combine all the ingredients. Bring
the mixture to a boil. Decrease the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook
for about 45 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly reduced and the seeds are
tender but still pop. If the caviar looks dry, add 1 tablespoon of water at a
time to keep from burning. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Let cool,
transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and keep refrigerated for 2 to 3 weeks.

When ready to serve, take a moment to visualize your intentions

coming to fruition, then say quietly or aloud:
With each seed is the chance to heed that which my heart desires.
 SPRING

s the Wheel of the Year begins to turn its face to the Sun, this new season

A of hope and renewal is full of magical living. For the kitchen witch,
there’s a simple joy to trying new foods, recipes, or potions and, perhaps,
a reawakening of spirit that comes with a renewed closeness with Earth,
especially if tending a kitchen garden. The air, soil, water, and sunshine seem to
burst with energy and beckon you to them.
The warming Sun eases Earth back into motion, and the foods that will grace
our table in months to come begin as the seeds of intention planted in Earth as
she seduces you near.
There is an unmistakable feeling of joy, optimism, and energy vibrating as the
world begins to shake off its winter coat and bursts into its springtime best.
Possibilities are endless and life is a celebration.
Foods are fresh, clean, light, and hydrating, as if they know just what our
bodies need after a long winter’s nap. Green dominates, but then so does
creativity and the ability to see newness in every glance. Fertility and abundance
are at work, and manifestation is yours for the asking. What does your heart
desire?
 A SPRING Blessing

May the change that is spring renew hope in our hearts; may the change be a
joyful rebirth.

May the warmth of the Sun ease the darkness within; may my light be the
beacon for others.

With great thanks for new life that emerges from Earth, may it feed bodies as
well as our spirits.

May the awe of it all as the beauty unfolds reveal life’s magic and glorious gifts.
 OSTARA
As Earth wakes from her winter’s rest, an aura of green, with its sweet scent,
begins to shimmer to life. At this time of heightened fertility on Earth, Ostara
celebrates the spring equinox, generally March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere
(September 21 in the Southern Hemisphere), and its energies of rebirth, renewal,
and new possibilities. Ostara (or Eostre), the Teutonic goddess, was goddess of
springtime and mother of the dawn, who brings with her warming winds and the
joy of newness. It is a time to plant seeds in the garden and nurture those seeds
of intention germinating since Imbolc. It is a time to celebrate fresh starts and
the winds of change, and to seek balance in life as light and dark in our days
become equal.
Ostara was originally celebrated on Easter, which occurs nearby, on the
Sunday following the first Full Moon after this March equinox, marking it on a
different date each year, and so you can find influences of Ostara in its
celebration today.
Symbols of Ostara include the egg and hare, both with recognizable histories
as symbols of fertility and life, as well as fairies, fresh flowers, and butterflies.
How all the symbols and the festivities and the goddess become so intertwined
and, eventually, birthed the legend of the Easter Bunny is a topic of much debate,
but one simple version goes like this: The goddess Ostara came upon an injured
bird who could no longer fly. To heal the bird and ensure it survived the winter,
she turned it into a hare. To thank Ostara, every year on her celebration day, the
hare, in bird-like fashion, lays beautifully colored eggs in her honor. Bonfires
and feasts were also part of the traditional celebrations.
For the kitchen witch, flavors are simple and fresh; energies are vibrating
with change and expectation. Traditional foods include baked goods, eggs,
honey, asparagus, peas, lettuce, and sprouts. Baskets are also symbolic of this
celebration.
 Connecting with Plant Energy

In addition to the energy of the elements—fire, air, water, and earth—you

have the power of plant energy to harness for your kitchen magic. Plant
energy combines the four basic elements plus the individual nature of the
plant itself, including its color correspondence. This is particularly
energizing in spring, when vibrations are running high everywhere, but is
something you may want to do each season, to really attune to Nature’s
rhythms.

When your kitchen garden, a local park, the potted plant by your doorstep,
or a favorite tree begins to bloom and grow, step among Nature and use all
five senses (taste, wisely, if something is available) to tune in to the plants’
energy.

What do you see? Are you drawn to any particular plant by its smile?
Gently touch that plant, or any other: What do you feel? How does it
make you feel?
Softly brush the plant or turn your face to the breeze. What do you smell?
Listen. Can you hear the plants’ soft hellos? What messages pop into your
mind?
Are there fresh berries, herbs, fruits, or vegetables you can sample (with
permission)? What do you taste? (If not, that’s okay; there will be another
time.) What does that taste conjure in you?

Take a few moments to just “be” with the plants. Let their energy inspire you.
You may be surprised by what you learn from them.

CELEBRATING OSTARA
Signifying change and a restoring of balance, try the following to celebrate
Ostara:

Refresh your altar with daffodils and something green.

Do some spring cleaning.
Make quiche filled with asparagus or sprinkled with chives.
Dye some eggs, then organize an egg hunt.
Cook over an open fire.
Rise at dawn to welcome the new day.
Plant some seeds in your kitchen garden or in a pot.
Take a walk and identify as many returning birds as you can.
Feed the returning birds.
Eat some chocolate!
 BELTANE
Occurring on May 1 in the Northern Hemisphere (November 1 in the Southern),
also known as May Day, this ancient pagan Celtic festival of flowers, fires,
fertility, and sensuality celebrates the coming of summer and Earth’s nascent
fertility. This time on the Wheel of the Year is a time of planting and an
acknowledgment of the cycle of birth, growth, and death that defines life.
Beltane, which means “the fires of Bel” (referring to the Celtic Sun god,
Belenus, thought to be the Celtic equivalent of Apollo, and often associated with
the Celtic god Lugh, see here), signals the strong presence of the Sun and its
influence on lush crop growth. And like Samhain, this is a time, especially on
the Eve of Beltane, also known as Walpurgis Night, when the veils between
worlds is thin, and witches and fairies are most active. Revelers beware!
Huge bonfires were lit as symbols of celebration (and to protect against the
spellbinding witches and fairies) and were festive gathering places for the locals,
where much dancing and merrymaking ensued. The fires, too, symbolized
cleansing and a chance for the community to renew itself as they emerged from
the dark winter months. Even the cattle were released from their barns and put
out to live and grow in the pasture, being driven there between the bonfires to
symbolically cleanse them of disease and ensure their fertility.
In ancient times, the homes’ hearth fires would have been extinguished before
the festival and relit with the flames of the bonfires.
Dairy, oats, breads, fiery foods, and honey are traditional foods for Beltane
feasts. And, as it is a time when the Sun god joins the Earth goddess in a
wedding of sorts, any celebratory foods found at weddings are welcome.

CELEBRATING BELTANE
Celebrating fertility, beauty, and love, in all its manifestations in life, to mark
Beltane:

Dance like no one is watching.

Roast marshmallows over an open fire.
Drink milk, as an offering to the mischievous fairies known to sour it on
Beltane; you might offer them a sip, too.
Pick a bouquet of fresh flowers and weave them into a wreath to wear on
your head.
Decorate a Maypole, or make mini Maypoles as magical wands.
Wash your face and hair in the morning dew (especially gathered from
lady’s mantle), ensuring goddess-like beauty and a glowing complexion.
Indulge in a spa treatment or ritual beauty bath.
Fill May baskets with foods and gifts for those in need.
Host a Beltane feast.
Propose a toast to the happy couple, Sun and Earth, with May Wine.
Plant sweet woodruff in your kitchen garden for that pitcher of May
Wine.
Light a candle.
Leave an offering of clean water for the fairies’ refreshment.
Cast a love spell.
Perform a fertility ritual.
 THE MAGIC OF SPRING’S BOUNTY: FRESH AND AWAKENED
Is it any coincidence that many of spring’s most beloved foods bring energies of
abundance and fertility? This is the time of fresh starts, new ideas, unbridled
optimism and excitement, and dreams of “What’s next?” You’ll find all that and
more in spring’s harvest, along with some options to keep you grounded in
reality (while continuing to dream), protect your energy and successes, and
bolster courage and perseverance to see things through to the end. There is no
lack of flavor here, so savor all life gives you and feed your magic accordingly.

ARTICHOKE
This member of the thistle family is native to the Mediterranean region. Greek
mythology tells us we owe the artichoke’s origins to the duplicitous Zeus falling
in love at first sight with the maiden bathing beauty Cynara, whom he promptly
seduced, promoted to goddess, and installed in his pantheon on Mount Olympus.
But this simple girl missed her family and so snuck off the mountain to visit
them. On discovery, this so enraged Zeus that he hurled her off the mountain and
turned her into an artichoke, which has been gracing tables ever since, both as a
delicacy and as an aphrodisiac.
 As you prepare artichokes, relish the process of removing each protective
layer to reach the true and perfect heart and imagine the joy you’ll feel on fully
opening your heart, without defenses, to life around you. Those prickly petals
can be perfect for defensive magic as well, when protection from harm is
needed. Considering its origins, the artichoke can also heal a broken heart,
restore balance after a storm of emotions, expose the truth, and promote love.
Savor each delicious leaf.

ARUGULA
Though the ancient Romans enjoyed arugula, also known as rocket, on their
tables, it took a while for its popularity to gain a foothold elsewhere in the world.
All this is said to remind us that good things happen to those who wait and
magic can’t be hurried. Its earliest fans favored the green for its ability to stir the
heart and loins (though methinks almost any food can be assigned this ability if
you like it enough . . .) and its peppery flavor can certainly spice up a salad.
Arugula can also give a boost to your intuition and help repel any negative
influences you may detect.
ASPARAGUS
From ancients to royals and everyone in between, asparagus is much loved in the
kitchen. This “magic wand” of the vegetable kingdom is full of spells—as well
as vitamins, fiber, and minerals—and just waiting for you to pick it up. It is one
of the first spring vegetables to stretch its face to the Sun, confirming spring,
indeed, has sprung, signaling rebirth and all the hope that comes with it. Its
suggestive shape puts it squarely in the aphrodisiac category and its seeming
ability to grow right before your eyes speaks of abundance and fertility. Eating
asparagus instills us with the patience to work toward our goals: The first harvest
does not happen until the plant is four years old, and only then for a brief period,
letting the roots develop more fully. This also reminds us of the importance of
self-care, and tending to our roots to keep them strong, whether that’s family,
religious beliefs or traditions, or whatever supports us in our day-to-day lives.
Your rewards will multiply quickly!
 Coming in shades of green (wealth), purple (authority, intuition), pink
(compassion, joy), and white (peace, protection), asparagus is associated with
cleansing and can be infused with your intentions for such, as needed.

CELERY
Historically, celery is touted for its alluring aphrodisiac qualities—perhaps its
provocative shape is to blame. Its watery nature and preference for cooler
climates are naturally calming and restful and help cleanse the mind of
worrisome thoughts to stay focused on priorities and maintain a cheerful
outlook. Its flavor and texture make it a standard go-to as a base layer for soups,
salads, casseroles, and more. The ancient Romans believed celery cured
headaches—especially the nasty hangover type, as it cured the hangover, too.
Bloody Mary, anyone?
 SPRING’S SPICE PANTRY
Whether seasoning foods with a boost of flavor or intentions, a well-stocked
spice pantry is a kitchen witch’s ally in magic. For seasonal spring flavors, dried
spices may begin to take a lesser role in your kitchen magic as fresh herbs
appear in the garden. When the spice pantry is used in spring, the flavors are
brighter, letting the taste of the fresh foods shine with energies of health, joy,
love, luck, and protection. And, of course, don’t forget fresh citrus as part of
your spice pantry. It’s especially good at this time of year to add a splash of
sunny flavor. Add your favorites to expand the possibilities.

Basil: to breed courage, forgiveness, good wishes, love, and wealth

Cilantro: for health and healing, love and lust, money magic and abundance

Coriander: to promote healing, health, and love

Garlic: to give courage, health, inner strength, love, luck, and protection

Mint: to magnify the power of our words, refresh our spirits, and protect
travelers

Oregano: to strengthen courage, bring happiness, foreshadow justice, stir love,

boost luck, transform stress into tranquility, and help relieve the grief of losing a
loved one; Aphrodite grew oregano to grow joy
Parsley: for protection against ill fates; to gain good health and honor; if in love,
do not cut parsley for it will cut your connection, but when used to entice
romance, it is said to promote lust and fertility

Rosemary: for fidelity, mental clarity, remembrance, and protection from

thieves
Tarragon: to inspire courage and confidence

Thyme: to imbue courage, activity, health, and healing; attract affection and
loyalty; and remove negative energy
CHIVES
Chives speak of usefulness and practicality, and this spring delight can add a bit
of magic to just about any savory dish—and the lovely purple blossoms are also
edible and dry beautifully. In the early history of chives’ use, they eased
melancholy and banished evil spirits. Chives season life with joy and courage as
well as guard against illness and harmful spirits when hung in the doorway—
they’ll even deter pests when planted in your garden. They’re effective at
helping break bad habits, especially concerning weight loss. Chives are easy to
grow, even in a pot, so they can be part of every kitchen witch’s garden.
CILANTRO
This generous plant is two in one—in the United States, the fresh leaves are
known as cilantro and the seeds (berries), when dried, are the slightly sweeter
coriander. Its language of flowers speaks to hidden worth. The herb is said to be
an aphrodisiac and it is thought that the Chinese used it in love potions,
believing it also bestowed immortality. It was so sacred in Egypt that it was
buried with the pharaohs. This ancient herb—thought to have been grown in the
Hanging Gardens of Babylon—has long been used to promote healing, health,
love, and lust. Its green color makes cilantro appropriate for money magic, too.
If grown in your home or kitchen garden, it brings about peace and cooperation,
which may be apt, as this fresh herb is either loved or reviled!
EGG
This symbol of fertility and the circle of life comes naturally packaged in a
perfectly protective shell and reminds us of the importance of nurturing life in all
its forms as well as setting boundaries to keep away what harms. Perhaps the
most mythical of all foods, eggs symbolize spring and rebirth, freshness and
opportunity. Variously, eggs have hatched gods, Earth, the heavens, the Sun, and
the entire Universe all at once. Imagine, even, the mystery of a tiny bird hatching
from an egg.

Eggs have been used to accompany the dead into the afterlife, divine the
future, diagnose illness, banish the evil eye, and boost fertility (in people and
Earth). After eating a cooked egg, the shell should be crushed to avoid bad luck
—or the random witch from using it as a boat in which to travel the world
wreaking havoc wherever she goes.
Decorating eggshells, a tradition that goes back some sixty thousand years,
remains a popular practice today, often to celebrate new life and resurrection.
The egg is an almost perfect food, offering a combination of proteins, fats,
vitamins, and minerals that sustain life. For the kitchen witch, the egg is a
symbol of not only Ostara but also pure magic. It can be eaten on its own or
made into hundreds of other dishes, both sweet and savory. Before cooking
them, imbue the raw eggs with your intentions. As a symbolic womb, the egg
will incubate your messages and, once broken, release them into the Universe to
be heard and acted upon.

FIDDLEHEADS
Long an early spring tradition, gathering fiddleheads (the young, unfurled, edible
tips of the ostrich fern), some of the first greens to emerge from winter’s grip,
with a quiet request for approval from Mother Nature, is a joyful celebration of
new life emerging from Earth. The time to gather them, before they open, is
fleeting, reminding us that life is as well and we should live each moment fully
and mindfully.

NOTE: The ostrich fern grows in parts of Canada and the United States,
Central Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Asia, Great Britain, and Ireland.
However, most fern species are poisonous, so unless you’re well versed in
identification, consider adding them to your kitchen garden, or foraging from
your local grocer or farmers’ market instead of the woods or wild.

Ferns are at once prehistoric (having been around longer than dinosaurs) and
enchanting. Because of their (then) mysterious propagation—the fern produces
neither flower nor seed—it was deduced that the seeds of a fern must be
invisible. Legend tells us that anyone carrying fern seeds in their pocket will also
be invisible! And (logically?) that invisible seed must be born of the invisible
flower, which is said to bloom but once a year at midnight on the summer
solstice. Should you be lucky enough to spy said flower, you will be happy and
rich for eternity.
Ferns have been used to heal, promote longevity, symbolize rebirth and new
beginnings, and increase one’s luck in love. They also represent humility.
Burning ferns or pulling them up by the roots (ouch!) will also bring on
cleansing storms. The lovely fern can also boost the energy of other magical
herbs, protect from evil witches, and improve mental clarity.

KOHLRABI
Like its cousin the cabbage, kohlrabi is protective, both in its mystical energies
and in its nutritional benefits. The alien appearance of this vegetable may hint at
its ability to enhance otherworldly connections. It is a versatile vegetable in the
magic kitchen, offering up both stems and roots to be eaten, either raw or
cooked.

PEAS
Peas have such sweet magical energy . . . all nestled like babes in their protective
cocoon of a shell, they evoke family, friendship, growth, and protection—or of
lucky coins tucked into a purse and the vibrations to pull money and success
your way. Their vining growth habit gives them tenaciousness and confidence to
reach beyond their comfort zone, while their roots keep them firmly grounded.
 Peas have been around so long that even their origins seem magical, certainly
mystical. And for every recalcitrant, pea-hating child, they might relate to the
tale that the Norse believed peas were a punishment sent by Thor to rebellious
worshippers.

PINEAPPLE
A longstanding symbol of wealth and welcome, the pineapple’s sunny hue is
sure to bring a smile. Once a scarce luxury afforded by few—hence its early use
as purely decorative rather than to eat—pineapples can now be enjoyed at will.
Pineapples exude strength and power. They bring wealth, good fortune, and good
luck and can increase confidence and personal magical energy as well as
strengthen psychic information flow and intuition. Among the pineapple’s most
magical attributes are youthfulness, immortality, and regeneration.

RADISH
The radish originated in China thousands of years ago, where it has a long use in
traditional Chinese medicine to help balance energy and improve digestion, and
was one of the first vegetables introduced in the New World. The Greeks offered
golden replicas to Apollo, signifying their importance, and Egyptian pharaohs
enjoyed the vegetable long before the pyramids were constructed. Planted in
spring under the New Moon, it’s said, will produce the best harvest. Both the
familiar root of the plant and the leaves are edible. Their innate heat and quick
growth cycle boost manifesting energies of any spellwork. An old Germanic
superstition tells that wearing a crown of wild blue radish flowers gives one the
ability to detect witches.

SPINACH
For the kitchen witch looking for magical ingredients, spinach reaches superfood
status and can do the kind of magic in our bodies that keeps us strong and
healthy. Its green color speaks of abundance and money magic, and as one of the
first vegetables ever frozen for commercial use (thank you, Mr. Birdseye), it
brings strength to take risks and reap the rewards. And though spinach leaves are
quite delicate looking and easy to cook, this plant can survive, even thrive, over
cold winters, teaching us we’re tougher than we look and that rough times can
only make us stronger and more forgiving.
STRAWBERRY
In the language of flowers, the sweet strawberry speaks of perfection,
intoxication, and delight. It is said to be a favorite fruit of the goddess Frigg (see
here), for whom guarding marriages was a duty, and served as an apt symbol of
Venus, goddess of love, because of its heart shape and red color. Its abundance
of seeds—borne proudly and uniquely on its exterior—has long represented
sexuality. Its tenacious vining habit and ability to grow in even adverse
conditions teach us that perseverance is key to success.

An old Bavarian custom, still honored today, says that baskets of strawberries
tied to cattle’s horns will please the elves, and they, in return, will bless the cattle
to ensure health and an abundant milk production. Perhaps the origins of
strawberries and cream?!
The strawberry’s three-part leaves are interpreted as the Holy Trinity, making
it a preferred adornment of churches and crowns during the Middle Ages. In
Tudor England, Anne Boleyn was said to have been marked as a witch by the
strawberry birthmark she bore on her neck, causing widespread avoidance of the
fruit by pregnant women all over England. The English nobility distinguishes
some of its rank, namely Duke, Marquess, and Earl, in their coronets by the
number of strawberry leaves and the type of material (gold or silver) from which
they’re made, perhaps as a reminder of their humble origins.
Where there are strawberries, there is love, creativity, fertility, and success.

SWEET WOODRUFF
Also known as “kiss me quick,” this delightful herb lives up to its sweet name.
This fast-growing herb is a beauty in the garden, where its delicate white flowers
light up shady spaces. It was widely used as a room freshener in times past,
whether strewn on the floor, hung in a room, mixed into a potpourri, or used to
stuff a lady’s mattress with its sweet scent.

Medieval soldiers believed sweet woodruff brought them protection in battle,

which may have been due to its mildly anesthetic properties and ability to induce
joy. It is also known to have antioxidant and anticoagulant properties. Wreaths of
sweet woodruff frequently adorned churches, as a symbol of humility.
A traditional component of May Wine, the flowers and leaves are edible, and
make a lovely tea, or a delightful enchantment to fruit salad.
Call on sweet woodruff for money issues, especially when abundance is
desired, as well as strength to face any battle looming, or to invite that quick kiss
you may desire (along with love)!
 SEASONAL RECIPES and SPELLS for MAGICAL LIVING
This season on the Wheel of the Year infuses newness into your kitchen magic.
Although tried and true gets the results you’re after, shaking things up a bit with
new cuisines, new foods, or new recipes may be just the energy you need to
manifest intentions. Whatever you cook up, it’s easy to get the best results using
the freshest ingredients, and that is what this season is all about.

Witching Hour Cocktail

May Wine

Green Man Guac

Love and Abundance Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Celebration of Spring Soup

Chocolate-Covered Pineapple
 WITCHING HOUR COCKTAIL
This lovely libation is just the thing to encourage a little introspection. The
influence of violet here promotes honest communication, in this case with
yourself, and its springtime scent can soothe and uplift.

Makes 1 bewitching cocktail

Ice
1½ ounces (45 ml) citrus vodka
1 ounce (30 ml) crème de violette
1 ounce (30 ml) sour mix (preferably homemade)
3 ounces (90 ml) Champagne or other sparkling white wine
Lemon peel, for garnish (optional)

When shaking this cocktail, do so with purpose to harmonize your

intentions and ready them to be released to work their magic.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, crème de violette,
and sour mix. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds to chill. Pour in the
Champagne, stir lightly, and strain into a Champagne flute. Squeeze the
lemon peel over the drink and drop it into the cocktail (if using). So mote it
be!

FOR AN ALCOHOL-FREE VERSION: Combine 1 ounce (30 ml) violet simple syrup
with 6 ounces (180 ml) lemon-lime soda. Add ice, and adjust the syrup to taste.

When ready to receive the messages meant for you, say quietly or
aloud:
Each sip pulls back the curtain some and what I see is yet to come. Each
ripple in the glass defines what’s in my heart and yearns to shine. Each
violet drop does shimmer new, its light reflecting all that’s true.
 ◁ MAY WINE
This traditional Beltane drink—hope and happiness in a glass—originating in
Germany with their Maypole celebrations, is infused with the delicate scent of
sweet woodruff, resembling a cross between vanilla and honey or sweet hay.
Although dried herbs are called for, you can use fresh: double the amount and
dry the leaves and flowers (no stems) in the oven on its lowest setting for about
30 minutes, or until it begins to smell fragrant. Drying the herbs brings out their
sweet fragrance. May Wine is meant to be drunk while dancing in flower-filled
fields, so raise a glass in celebration of youth and young love.

Serves 8

CAUTION: Some people are sensitive to sweet woodruff and it can cause
headaches, nausea, and even illness in large amounts. Proceed sensibly and with
caution.
½ cup (10 g) dried organic sweet woodruff leaves and flowers
1 bottle (750 ml) light white wine, such as Riesling
1 cup (145 g) fresh strawberries, hulled
1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne or sparkling white wine, chilled
Honey, for sweetening (optional)
 While hulling the strawberries, absorb the energies of the seeds that bear
success in abundance and imagine where you’ll manifest your success. If
lucky enough to find a double berry, share it with the one you’d like to fall
in love with you.

1. Place the sweet woodruff in a 1-quart (1 L) Mason jar with a lid. Pour in
the white wine (save the bottle and cork), seal the jar, and refrigerate
overnight.
2. Strain the wine through a fine-mesh sieve back into its original bottle
(either using a funnel or glass measuring cup with a spout). Discard the
solids.
3. Place a strawberry into each wineglass, filling the glass with intentions of
love, fertility, and delight. Fill each glass with 3 ounces (90 ml) of the
infused wine, then top off with 3 ounces (90 ml) of Champagne.
4. If you like things a little sweeter, add a drop of honey to taste.

FOR AN ALCOHOL-FREE VERSION: Use a nonalcoholic white wine for the infusion
and substitute sparkling water for the Champagne. Note that nonalcoholic wines
often still contain a small bit of alcohol. If avoiding alcohol completely, use a
sparkling grape juice and top off with sparkling water as needed.

When ready to signal your openness to love and happiness, say quietly
or aloud, while sipping the wine:
Each sip of wine breeds love divine; when said three times, the heart will
shine.
 ◁ GREEN MAN GUAC
The ancient Green Man sprouts his leaves each spring as a symbol of rebirth,
clearing the way for new growth and the realization of new opportunities. His
presence also reminds us to honor Earth in all we do. In recognition of his great
wisdom, dish up this Green Man guacamole during your next spring celebration.
The avocado supports fertility and possibility; the jalapeño adds a bit of the fire
element.

Makes 1 cup (240 g)

2 ripe Hass avocados, halved and pitted

1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed and minced
1 Roma tomato, halved, seeded, and finely diced
Juice of 1 lime, plus more as needed
1 teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
Tortilla chips, pita, jicama slices, cucumber slices, and/or red bell pepper strips, for
dipping

Feel the energy contained in the avocado pits—enough to birth a tree! Let it
seep into your arms, hands, legs, and feet. Visualize roots and branches
growing from you, and imagine how you can use the energy to birth
 something new in your life.

1. With a grateful heart for the wonder that is Nature, scoop the avocado flesh
into a medium bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth,
but still a bit chunky. Stir in the jalapeño, tomato, lime juice, honey,
coriander, and salt. Taste and add more lime juice or salt, as needed. Serve
with your preferred accompaniments.
2. This is best eaten the day it’s made, but you can refrigerate it in an airtight
container, sprinkling a bit more lime juice on top to help prevent browning,
for up to 1 day.

When ready to honor the possibilities of each new day, and each new
leaf it sprouts, say quietly or aloud just before serving:
When leaves do sprout and life turns green, the sight of watching Nature
preen,instills within a peacock’s pride and stirs a joy I just can’t hide. For
blessed is each day that brings the chance to plant new seeds again.
 ◁ LOVE AND ABUNDANCE STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
WITH POPPY SEED DRESSING
The green and red colors, strawberry seeds, and poppy seeds in this salad signal
love and abundance ahead. Poppy seeds, particularly, stir the imagination, setting
the mind to dreaming, and can ease the pain of grief. This delightful salad carries
all the energies of spring’s optimism and will enrich your kitchen magic as well
as your health. The slightly sweet dressing will have you counting your
blessings.

Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a side

FOR THE DRESSING

¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar or unseasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided
½ teaspoon dried minced onion
½ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
2 teaspoons poppy seeds

FOR THE SALAD

2 cups (40 g) fresh baby spinach
 2 cups (110 g) chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup (170 g) sliced fresh strawberries
½ cup (45 g) thinly sliced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

As you prepare the ingredients for this salad to draw abundance to you,
place an almond slice in your pocket for an extra boost of good luck.

1. To make the dressing: In a blender, combine the vinegar, sugar, onion,

mustard, and salt. While processing, slowly pour in the oil and blend until
emulsified. Add the poppy seeds and pulse to combine.
2. To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, romaine,
strawberries, and bell pepper. Pour on a generous ¼ cup (60 ml) of
dressing and toss to coat and combine. Sprinkle on the almonds—they’re
the magnet that will attract what you desire. Serve the salad with the
remaining dressing on the side.

While preparing, and serving, this salad, say quietly or aloud:

With each slice and chop I clear the way for magic’s glow to fill the day.
Each stir and pour, and sprinkle, too, pulls luck and love and wealth galore.
Each bite, when made with loving care, ensures rewards beyond compare.
 ◁ CELEBRATION OF SPRING SOUP
This simple soup can be made with either spring’s lovely asparagus or peas and
is a celebration in itself of the ease that spring brings, along with the fresh,
delicate vegetables now gracing our tables. Its bright green color and eagerly
anticipated spring vegetable energy will add a breath of fresh air to any meal it
starts. Serve with your favorite crusty bread as an offering to Ostara.

Serves 6

3 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter

1 large sweet yellow onion, diced
8 cups (1.9 L) chicken or vegetable broth, plus more as needed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds (1.4 kg) fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed, tips removed and reserved,
and stalks roughly chopped, or fresh or frozen peas, thawed
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Fresh herbs for seasoning (basil or thyme with asparagus, or thyme or mint with peas,
all for double money luck)
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Whether asparagus for its sunny optimism and the patience to await
fulfillment of your goals, or peas for family, protection, and abundance, add
each to the pot knowing your intentions are heard and trust that the
Universe is working on your behalf.

1. Place a soup pot over medium-low heat and pour in the oil (or butter) to
warm. Add the onion and cook for 8 to 10 minutes to soften without
browning.
2. Pour in the broth, increase the heat, and bring to a boil, then lower the heat
to maintain a simmer. Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the asparagus stalks (or the peas) to the pot and let the liquid return to
a simmer. Turn the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer the soup for 20
to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
4. Carefully transfer the soup in small batches to a standard blender, filling it
no more than half full, and blend until smooth. Alternatively, use an
immersion blender right in the pot. Return the soup to the pot.
5. Add the reserved asparagus tips, lemon zest, and herbs, stirring clockwise
three times. Taste and season again with salt and pepper, as needed. Let
simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until the tips are crisp-tender.
6. Serve with a sprinkle or two of Parmesan, as you like, for increased
powers of intuition.

As you ladle the soup into each bowl, say quietly or aloud:
I fill this bowl to nourish that your life be filled with abundance, your soul
be filled with joy, your house be full of laughter, and that what’s old may
seem new and what’s new never cease to spark wonder.
 ◁ CHOCOLATE-COVERED PINEAPPLE
These delicious pineapple treats, when shared, strengthen the bonds of love and
friendship, and combined with chocolate that speaks directly to the heart, ensure
happy results.

Makes 6 rings or 12 half-rings (half-moons)

NOTE: If your chocolate seizes when melting, use this kitchen witch hack:
Slowly stir in some very hot water, about 1 teaspoon at a time, until you have the
consistency you need to dip the pineapple.
1 peeled, cored, and sliced fresh pineapple (from your grocery store’s produce
section) or trimmed, peeled, cored, and chunked fresh pineapple
1 bag (12 ounces, or 340 g) semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Kosher salt, for decorating
Unicorn sprinkles, for decorating

Before beginning, clean and tidy your workspace, sharpen your knife, and
 sample the chocolate to create just the right atmosphere to work your
magic.

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Cut the pineapple into six 1-inch-thick (2.5 cm) rings, then halve the rings
to form half-moons, if desired, or cut the pineapple rings into chunks.
Enjoy any leftover pineapple to snack on.
3. Line a cutting board with a clean kitchen towel. Lay the pineapple pieces
on the towel and cover with a second towel. Let sit for 30 minutes, gently
pressing and blotting the top of the pineapple occasionally. You want to get
the slices as dry as possible without pressing out the water. Transfer the
pineapple to a plate.
4. Gently melt the chocolate and oil in a double boiler until smooth and
liquid.
5. One slice at a time, dip the pineapple in the melted chocolate, covering as
much of the slice as you like, then place on the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle immediately with a pinch of salt or sprinkles (the chocolate will
begin to harden quickly). Repeat with the remaining pineapple slices and
chocolate.
6. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, or until hardened. Refrigerate leftovers in
an airtight container for up to 2 days.

While dipping each piece of pineapple, say quietly or aloud:

Feel welcome all, here you’re covered with love. Friendship’s pure, sweet
joy is a gift from above.
 SUMMER

his point on the Wheel is full of celebration for the power of light that has

T triumphed over darkness, but with the knowing truth that darkness will
return, and so the need to bask in the Sun’s warmth while we can.
Celebrating the fleeting joys of summer is a recognition of simple pleasures and
living mindfully so as not to miss anything.
The kitchen witch revels in a world filled with choice as Earth offers up her
delights. Freshness abounds and breeds excitement and experimentation. For
many, life moves outdoors, where we can stretch our limbs and our spirits.
Energies are high. A riot of color, flavor, and scent greets us and the
manifestation of intentions is everywhere.
Blessings are abundant. Life is good.
 A SUMMER Blessing

As giver of life and all that’s new, bright Sun, this blessing honors you.

May warming rays and brilliant light ensure our lives are full and ripe.

The blooms you coax into your gaze bear fruit that yields abundant days.

Each day you rise provides the chance to praise you with our grateful thanks.
 LITHA (MIDSUMMER)
This spot on the Wheel of the Year, directly opposite Yule, is fully in the Sun’s
life-giving focus. Celebrating the longest day of the year, Litha generally occurs
about June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere (around December 21 in the
Southern), corresponding to the summer solstice when the Sun is at its most
powerful, nourishing and nurturing Earth’s crops to their full potential. The
shadows of Midsummer’s Eve, however, foretell that the fairies, newly
awakened at Beltane, are now fully active and most mischievous. Protective
measures are in order.
Some recognize Litha as a celebration of the Sun King; others, as the time
when the Oak King, who represents light, is defeated by his older brother, the
Holly King, representing darkness, where he’ll rule until winter solstice when
the Oak King takes up his reign again. The Catholic Church adopted Litha as the
feast day honoring St. John the Baptist. It is also the first official day of summer,
which brings a psychological freedom and ease and a sunny optimism—a time
when all things are possible.
The element of fire is an important component of midsummer rituals, whether
a bonfire, campfire, electric lantern, or other. Following tradition, toss some
lavender onto the fire to drive away evil spirits. Growth, expansion, cleansing,
and protection, as well as gratitude, are themes of this time on the Wheel of the
Year.
For the kitchen witch, it’s time to move the kitchen outdoors to enjoy the
weather and harness the element of an open flame to cook. If that’s not possible,
simply move the meal outside, or even open a window wide near your dining
table. A hog roast over a bonfire was the traditional culmination of this day of
celebration. Other Litha foods include honey, just-picked fresh fruits and
vegetables, fresh herbs, and anything spicy and hot. Wherever you eat, the
garden is bursting with freshness and your choices are many. Let the gratitude
flow for the riches bestowed.

CELEBRATING LITHA
This celebration is all about the Sun, growth, and ease. Channel it in any way
that brings you light, joy, warmth, and peace. Some suggestions to get you
started:
Smile, and light someone’s day.
Get outside.
Make a batch of Sun tea, with herbs from your kitchen garden for extra
charm.
Hang a suncatcher in a window.
Attract fairies to your garden by incorporating shiny objects, wind
chimes, or fresh water.
Admire the sunset and make a wish—it’s sure to come true.
Evaluate and shine a bit more light on those intentions that are not
growing so well.
Gather fresh herbs to keep the plants producing and honor their efforts by
placing them in a vase on your altar, drying them for later use, or
incorporating them into your everyday meals.
Garnish your food and drink with edible flowers in honor of the fairies.
Walk barefoot . . . in the Sun-warmed grass, on the beach, in your
garden . . . and let the protective, grounding energies fill you.
Watch the busy bees pollinating the trees and plants, then stir a bit of
honey into your tea.
Host a barbecue.
Have a picnic.
 Popping Intentions

Popcorn, one of the oldest forms of corn, is definitely filled with magic,
transforming from small, hard kernel to fluffy treat with a little heat and its
inherent water: Bam! Inside out in an instant with a burst of energy
released into the ether. Why not use that energy to release your intentions
to the Universe?

When that popcorn craving calls, make it your preferred way, and don’t
waste the magical opportunity. While the corn pops, recite your intentions
aloud for all to hear and feel them release from your heart into action.
Garnish with anything you like to boost the energy.
 LAMMAS
Although the temperatures are still quite warm and the Earth is busily producing,
you can detect a slight change in the angle of the Sun at this point on the Wheel
marking Lammas, as the fall equinox draws ever closer. A celebration of the
early harvest and the first of four harvest Sabbats, Lammas (from the Old
English hlaf, “loaf,” and maesse, “mass”), August 1 in the Northern Hemisphere
(February 1 in the Southern), celebrates the grain harvest. Grains, including
corn, were such a critical source of food that festivals, as well as gods and
goddesses, were devoted to this sacred gift.
Lammas (alternatively, Lughnasadh, honoring the Celtic god Lugh, guardian
of arts and crafts and worshipped as the Sun god) is a day of gratitude for the
abundance we reap, marked by a timely harvest to ensure continued sustenance
through lean winter months, and brought to life by the first loaves of bread
produced that same day, which were then brought to church for blessing. One of
the loaves was traditionally broken into four parts, with a piece placed in each
corner of the home, or barn, for protection. Symbols of the season represent the
harvest, as Earth is full and heavy.
Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, community gatherings were typical, to
celebrate, feast, bargain, and trade goods. Interestingly, the tradition spills over
today in the typical appearance of craft festivals and agricultural fairs at this time
of year.
For the kitchen witch, the flavors of Lammas are warm from Earth, ripe,
juicy, and abundant; the energies thankful, plentiful, and sustaining. During this
time of reaping what’s been sown, the traditional symbol of Lammas is the
scythe or wheat stalk. Traditional foods include bread, beer, berries, corn,
rosemary, grapes, sunflowers, and anything cooked over an open flame.

CELEBRATING LAMMAS
There are many ways to celebrate Lammas, but let gratitude be the inspiration
behind whatever you choose. A grateful heart leads to mindful living and a
happy life that knows no want.

Use corn kernels to cast an eco-friendly circle to mark your sacred space
when practicing your magic outside, such as while cooking or tending
your kitchen garden.
Place a jar of popcorn on your altar to help manifest intentions, along
with other seasonal flowers and symbols, using the colors of gold, orange,
red, and yellow.
Write in your gratitude journal about where your intentions have
manifested abundance.
Bake bread.
Imbue intentions with securing abundance.
Harvest from your kitchen garden with an offering to Earth, or tidy a
patch of Earth in thanks for her gifts.
Embrace summer’s ease before it’s gone.
Craft a corn dolly.
Share your abundance with others.
 THE MAGIC OF SUMMER’S BOUNTY: GLORIOUS,
OVERFLOWING, POSSIBILITY
Sweet, juicy, ripe, luxurious. Summer’s bounty is a time to indulge in the
freshness and flavor that abounds. Picnics, parties, barbecues, impromptu
celebrations, and informal meals are all the rage as the plenty that exists leaves
no room for worries or lack. Spirits are as high as the Sun in the sky as the
kitchen witch magically transforms all that’s available into a symbol of love, life,
friends, and family. The gratitude paid in return is the sweetest blessing.

APRICOT
A member of the rose family, making it appropriate for all love spells, the
delicate apricot was cultivated as far back as 2000 BCE in Central Asia and
China, where it was believed to bestow the gifts of prophecy. Called “seed of the
Sun” by the Persians, apricots spread via travelers along the Great Silk Road and
made fans of everyone they met. Mentioned in A Midsummer’s Night Dream,
apricots were a sought-after aphrodisiac in Shakespeare’s time. This seductress
tempts with juicy sweetness and rewards with a kiss of good luck, success, and a
sunny disposition. Because of its delicate nature, perfectly ripe fruits are hard to
find. Don’t pass them by when you do.
BELL PEPPER
The trusty bell pepper, no matter the color, often plays a supporting role in the
kitchen for building flavor and character in a dish, such as part of the holy trinity
in Cajun cuisine. Let sweet bell pepper support any intentions you imbue into
your cooking for delicious results. Their overall energy is of positivity and
health. Additionally, use green for abundance, good luck, growth, healing,
renewal, success; red for courage, passion, power, protection, romantic love, and
vitality; yellow for communication, confidence, creativity, happiness, intuition,
optimism, personal power, self-esteem, success in business, and warmth; orange
for ambition, attraction, building energy, changing luck, courage, creativity,
emotional healing, health, individuality, joy, and warmth; purple for authority,
ease, intuition, wealth, and wisdom; and hot chile peppers for change, initiative,
and protection from negative energy.

BLACKBERRY
The blackberry is a part of the rose family, so never pick them without first
asking permission of the plant’s spirit, or those thorns will get you every time.
And those thorns are doubly protective against vampires, who supposedly
become sidetracked with counting the berries on the bush and forget their evil
agenda. Passing under a blackberry bramble arch was said to cure all manner of
illness. Blackberry vines, predictably, can be woven into wreaths that grant
protection; including rowan and ivy in the wreath seals the deal. The berries
represent abundance and prosperity and can be used in all types of culinary
applications and traditionally are baked into pies to celebrate Lammas (a.k.a.
Lughnasadh). But know it’s traditional to leave the first and last harvests on the
bushes for the fairies.
 SUMMER’S SPICE PANTRY
Whether seasoning foods with a boost of flavor or intentions, a well-stocked
spice pantry is a kitchen witch’s ally in magic. Much like spring’s pantry,
summer’s pantry may see spices taking a back seat in your kitchen magic in
favor of letting fresh herbs exploding in the garden shine. When the spice pantry
is used in summer, the flavors are bright and light with energies of the Sun. Add
your favorites to expand the possibilities.

Coriander: to promote healing, health, love, and desire

Cumin: to support emotional strength and new beginnings

Dried chile peppers: to drive change and initiative, instill faithful love, and
protect from negative energy
Paprika, sweet or smoked: to boost any spell

Poppy seed: for dream work, intuition, and prosperity

Saffron: to conjure all-purpose magic for what your heart most desires,
especially wealth
BLUEBERRY
Blueberries are native to North America, and the blossom end of the fruit forms
a perfect pentagram, imbuing it with magic from the start. Some Indigenous
Peoples of northeastern North America believed the Great Spirit sent the “star
fruit” to ease hunger, especially for children, during famine.

Blueberries’ gorgeous blue color corresponds to the throat chakra and can
ease your spirit as well as all manner of communication, instilling it with
empathy and honesty. The leaves and the berries are both highly protective and
can ward off negative energy attacks. Use blueberries in Moon magic and
healing spells. Blueberry tea calms the mind and opens its psychic pathways. Let
that blueberry muffin bring peace to your day.

CANTALOUPE
Cantaloupe, called rockmelon in Australia, can be traced back to ancient Greek
and Roman times. Because of their fast growth rate, these melons are symbols of
fertility and abundance. Cantaloupe’s high water content, almost 90 percent, is
soothing to the body and spirit, invoking a “go with the flow” attitude that lends
ease to our days when they’re not going smoothly; its overall energy is of
comfort, joy, and sweetness.

CHERRY
Cherries have a lovely reputation for being able to draw love, and are best used
for that purpose in any kitchen magic recipes. Sipping a tea made from cherry
can open the intuitive pathways and expand your powers of divination. In Japan,
the blossoming cherry tree is a reminder of the impermanence of life and a
universal nudge to stop and appreciate the moment or pay honor to memories of
times or loves now lost from our lives. To ensure your love is an ingredient in
any recipe, use cherrywood spoons to stir and serve. However cherry is used, it
creates a peaceful, loving energy.

CORN
The word corn originally was used for any grain. Corn, also called maize, as in
corn on the cob or the sweet corn we know today, was first grown in Mexico
more than five thousand years ago and became so important as a food crop to the
Indigenous Peoples of the Americas that there were gods and goddesses devoted
to and worshipped for this sacred gift, such as Corn Mother (here), who is
credited with giving her people sustenance as well as giving them life. Some
legends even tell of people being fashioned from corn. As a sacred food and
cultural symbol, corn was part of many rituals and offerings.

Corn, much like people, does not grow wild; it must be planted, tended
carefully, and cultivated to produce a harvest, and so life revolved around its
planting, nurturing, and harvesting. August’s Full Moon is variously called the
Green Corn Moon.
So, too, was corn’s importance worldwide, spreading via the Spanish
explorers, that myths and traditions abound:

In Kentucky, blue grains found among those of a red ear signify great
good luck.
British customs hold that the spirit of the corn lives in the last sheaf
harvested, which is then turned into a corn dolly that is kept until the next
planting season, when it is returned to Earth to ensure a fruitful crop.
If corn husks are thicker and tougher than usual, prepare for a harsh
winter.
Hanging ears of corn in your kitchen, or bedroom, conjures good, sweet
luck.
The Aztecs believed popping corn released angry spirits.

Corn is a traditional component of the Three Sisters crop—corn, beans, and

squash—always planted together, in an early form of companion planting, a
technique first used by the Indigenous Peoples of North America, particularly in
the northeast. The three plants created synergies, where each plant supported the
other in its growth, much as in the happy families this trio suggests.
Though called a vegetable, corn is actually seeds of a type of grass, and
symbolizes life, fertility, and spirituality. Its energies are of growth, abundance,
grounding, luck, and transformation. It grows in colors of yellow, blue, black,
red, and white—even multicolored—and carries the correspondences of each
shade. Used in love charms, it calls your beloved to you.
For the kitchen witch, corn offers tremendous versatility in how it can be
used. It can be eaten raw or cooked, ground into meal, flour, or starch, made into
oil—even popped (definitely magical!). A cob on your altar calls the spirit and
strength of Corn Mother.

CUCUMBER
People have been enjoying cucumbers, believed to have originated in India, for
at least three thousand years. They were originally thought to be poisonous, and
the skin was removed to release the poison. In reality, they’re loaded with
healthy vitamins and minerals, and this immensely hydrating fruit (not
vegetable!) is great for all manner of beauty spells and potions. Cucumbers are
an easy-to-grow addition to your kitchen garden, but any stress during growth,
just as with people, can cause them to be bitter. The inside temperature of a
cucumber can be up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius) cooler than
the ambient air temperature. So, when you feel your internal temperature rising,
take a break and eat some cucumber slices, or down a refreshing glass of
cucumber water (combine unpeeled cucumber slices and fresh water in a pitcher
and refrigerate until chilled), to regain your equilibrium.

EGGPLANT
A native of India, where it grew wild, this member of the witchy nightshade
family was originally much feared, and called the mad apple due to its
(perceived) ability to cause insanity—among other maladies. The deep purple
color gives eggplant a regal air and can invite success, wealth, wisdom, and
spiritual awareness. The original fruit (yes, it’s a fruit, actually a berry) was
smaller than those we now know, and incredibly bitter, but, just as with humans,
some kindness and attention to raising it and preparing it properly gives us the
lovely versatile vegetable we enjoy today.

GREEN BEANS
One of the oldest cultivated vegetables, giant beanstalks are not the only magic
thing you can grow with green beans. Bolster some money magic with them to
increase your wealth, as well as fame and good luck. The plant, with its vining
growth habit, represents a tangle of protection. Richer in iron than spinach, green
beans will boost your energy so you can tackle all the tasks on your magical to-
do list. When planted under a Full Moon, a lush crop is guaranteed. And, much
like good intentions left unmanifested, don’t let the beans hang on the plant too
long or they become tough and difficult to manage.

HERBS
Fresh herbs are at their height of production, flavor, and magic during the
summer months. Use them liberally in your kitchen magic to manifest almost
any wish.

Basil: Once a sacred herb that women were not allowed to pick, basil has a
warming, slightly spicy flavor that makes it a favorite in the kitchen garden, and
it’s easy to grow indoors if you do not have space for an outdoor garden. In the
language of flowers, basil offers good wishes. Let its sweet fragrance waft
through your home, spreading a veil of protection from bad energies, while
simultaneously stirring fidelity in love and opening the heart to forgiveness.
Basil breathes a touch of luck into money spells.

Dill: Love is in the air when dill is in the house. It softly whispers spicy words of
lust. The Romans thought it was good luck and fortifying, and covered the foods
fed to gladiators with it. The Egyptians used it to repel witches. The Greeks saw
wealth in this prolific plant. Dill is doubly magic, giving us both leaves and
seeds to use in the kitchen. It is also a vigorous grower and prolific self-seeder,
indicating powers of fertility, and its popular use in pickling speaks to its ability
to preserve and protect. Female swallowtail butterflies will lay their eggs on dill,
which helps feed the caterpillars. What could be more magical than birthing
butterflies? Embrace this truly transformative herb.

Lavender: Lavender’s timeless scent evokes a sense of calm and happy

memories. Its message is of loyalty. When using lavender in culinary
applications, such as brewing tea or garnishing iced tea, or baking into cakes and
cookies, use only culinary-grade lavender to manifest relaxation, calm, ease, and
happiness. Lavender also increases attraction.

Mint: A cleansing herb, mint clears the mind and is said to bring on prophetic
dreams, boost concentration, and increase intuitive focus. It can relieve
headaches, ease troubling thoughts, and promote renewal.

Oregano: Oregano is said to have been planted by Aphrodite so she could grow
joy in her garden. Its flavor is of cozy family meals. Oregano’s magical energies
can strengthen courage, bring happiness, foreshadow justice, stir love, boost
luck, transform stress into tranquility, and help relieve the grief of losing a loved
one.

Parsley: Parsley brings invitations of festivity (the ancient Greeks were known
to wear parsley crowns to banquets), and just as parsley can cleanse a palate, it
can also cleanse unwanted energies from the air and offer protection against ill
fates. Parsley presents a conundrum in the romance category: If in love, do not
cut parsley for it will cut your connection, but when used to entice romance (if
you dare), it is said to promote lust and fertility! Parsley is also associated with
good humor, health, and honor.

Rosemary: It is believed that rosemary grows where the sea can be seen, where
the righteous abide, or where a woman rules the house. A favorite in the kitchen
garden, rosemary promotes love and remembrance, provides clarity, boosts
cleansing, increases alertness, fosters fidelity, and repels thieves.

Sage: This is an herb with a long history of healing use and, as its name
suggests, sage will bring you wise counsel. A Provençal proverb boasts that any
gardener who grows sage will never have need of a doctor! Sage also speaks of
all things domestic and the virtues thereof. When sage blossoms in your garden,
it beckons hummingbirds to join. From your kitchen apothecary, choose sage to
ease grief from the loss of a loved one, promote health and longevity, and grant
wisdom, protection, and wishes.

Tarragon: Tarragon is from the French estragon, or “little dragon”! In the

language of flowers, tarragon communicates affection and loyalty. Its anise-like
flavor is highly prized in French cuisine and it is part of the classic fines herbes
seasoning. True to its dragon nature, tarragon inspires courage and confidence
and creates feelings of warmth. It can help attract love, keep secrets, and afford
protection.

Thyme: Thyme’s presence indicates courage, activity, health, and healing. This
common garden plant is a workhorse in any witch’s kitchen and a favorite of
fairies—and rabbits, which are said to smell especially delicious when cooking if
they’ve been eating it. Thyme attracts affection and loyalty. It brings out beauty
and courage, protects health, removes negative energy, and promotes sound
sleep.
 Preserving Summerʼs Herbal Bounty

Blend your finely chopped fresh herbs of choice with a bit of olive oil to
form a paste. Freeze the paste in ice-cube trays. Once solid, transfer to an
airtight freezer bag and keep frozen for up to 6 months. Toss into sauces,
soups, and stews with a simple nod to their magic.

LIMA BEAN
The story of the lima bean, also sometimes called butter bean, begins in Peru
(and, yes, is named for its capital, despite the different pronunciation), and it
may be one of the oldest beans known to the Americas. The lowly lima bean,
though, is actually a superfood, loaded with fiber, iron, and protein and an array
of micronutrients to boot. These beans are not only good for the body, but they
also enrich the soil and surrounding plants with nitrogen they extract from the
soil. Part of the Three Sisters of Indigenous North American culture—corn,
beans, and squash—they were always grown together for their synergies,
proving that a supportive family can get you through rough times with ease. The
plant is also able to protect itself from predators and can send signals to other
plants nearby that harm is approaching. In that vein, throw a few spare beans on
the ground to protect you from negative energies or lurking ghosts. Phaseolus
lunatus, the scientific name for lima bean, speaks of its lunar shape, telling us of
its expansive possibilities. Lima beans can appease our emotions by reducing
stress. They are also useful for money magic and can boost creativity (which can
certainly help with prosperity!).

MANGO
The sweet, juicy mango is a magical eating experience, enough so to have
become the subject of myth, legend, and poetry. Its red and green coloring bursts
with passion and abundance. In Indian culture, the mango is revered, and has
been for many thousands of years, and was a gift fit for royalty and diplomacy.
There, it is known as the King of Fruits and represents happiness and prosperity.
It is a symbol of love in Vedic myths. Buddha, it’s said, meditated beneath a
mango tree in a shady grove given to him purely for that purpose. A mango leaf,
placed in a home’s entrance, will absorb any negative energy before it enters the
home. Whatever your intentions, enchant the mango with them and await your
sweet, juicy rewards. When unsure, meditate on it while eating this most
delicious fruit.

PEACH
The peach is a cultural icon far beyond Georgia—the Peach State—in the United
States. Culturally significant in China (where its origins go as far back as 6000
BCE), Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, peaches are revered for their ability to banish
and protect against evil spirits, instill vigor, induce happiness, bestow riches,
grant immortality, and invite love—and even deliver babies floating on a river
cocooned within a giant peach! In the language of flowers, the peach blossom
swoons, “I am your captive!” The fruit bears the message that none is your
equal, and when given as a gift delivers quite the compliment. Fallen apricot
wood can be carved into a magic wand—or kitchen spoon.
PLUM
The blossoming plum tree, one of the earliest to bloom in spring, marks the
turning of the Wheel of the Year and is a sign of beauty, hope, prosperity, and
perseverance; its lovely summer fruit, in Japanese lore, is the culmination of the
blossom’s potential and so, rightly, protects against evil. Its dark purple color
speaks of spiritual wisdom and patience.

RASPBERRY
Raspberry’s brilliant red color speaks of love and passion in all its forms. Its
time to fruit, which only happens after the canes are established for a year,
teaches us that patience and careful preparation yield sweet rewards, which, in
this case, are carefully protected by thorns (like its cousin the rose), allowing
only those who work hard, or approach with respect, to reap. With each plant
producing hundreds of berries, sharing the fruits of its labor, the gentle raspberry
reminds us that kindness costs nothing and means everything.

SWISS CHARD
Swiss chard is an old soul, perhaps even having grown in the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon. This vegetable is relatively easy to grow, not being too
temperamental, and can even survive a frost. It’s colorful—a veritable rainbow
that can activate all the chakras—and some gardens even feature it just for its
lovely countenance. It adds flavor to any pot you introduce it to. What more
could you ask for in a faithful kitchen companion? Though a member of the beet
family, chard is grown for its leaves, not its root, and so making it a good vehicle
for spells to bring about change, and quickly, too, or where you need the direct
energy of the Sun to instill the stamina to achieve your goals.

TOMATILLO
The tomatillo, also known as the Mexican husk tomato, began its journey to our
table in Mesoamerica thousands of years ago, where it was a staple food of the
Aztec and Maya peoples. Though its name means “little tomato,” it is not
actually a tomato, though it is a member of the nightshade family, like the
tomato. The tomatillo grows in its own protective cloak, sort of an invisibility
cape to protect it from garden predators, and carries strong defensive energies,
also evident in its slightly tangy taste.
TOMATO
Another fruit that masquerades as a vegetable (though the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled, in 1893, that tomatoes are vegetables, arising from a lawsuit regarding the
fact that vegetables, but not fruits, were taxed as imports), the tomato is native to
Peru and surrounding areas in the Andes. Despite its astounding popularity and
widespread use today, the tomato encountered slow acceptance as a food when
first introduced to Europe in about the sixteenth century. Owing to its association
with other—decidedly witchy—plants in the nightshade family, it was deemed
poisonous, until proven not so, then proclaimed to be an aphrodisiac—and even
lucky.

Because of its nightshade relationship, plants known to be used by witches to

conjure werewolves, its original scientific name, Lycopersicon, translates to
“wolf peach.” The Italians called it the golden apple, pomi d’oro, as early
tomatoes were yellow; the French called it the love apple, pomme d’amour. The
British, who also called it the love apple, took longer to warm up to this lovely
than most, and in 1597, herbalist John Gerard scorned it as rank and stinking!
Even the French did not adopt the tomato until 1783.
Italy did not know the tomato until the early 1500s, when they eagerly began
concocting innumerable uses for it. Aware of its reputation as both poisonous
and able to make one mad (and, variously, cause your teeth to fall out), they just
boiled the heck out of it, for hours on end, to release the poison, then seasoned
liberally with vinegar and spices. (Hmmm, marinara, anyone?!)
The wide variety of colors that tomatoes come in lends a rainbow of magical
energies to them. In addition, tomatoes are Sun-loving plants and are infused
with that happy correspondence. Tomatoes are associated with Venus and
Aphrodite, and so are bountiful in love potions, and they adorn the tables at the
first harvest festival of the year. Incorporate into any dish, and watch your
money grow. Placed on the mantel or windowsill, the tomato will absorb any
negative energy trying to invade the home before it can do you harm.
You need to prune the “suckers” from tomato plants so the plant directs all its
energy into producing fruit, not foliage. It’s a direct reminder that we need to
prune that which no longer serves from our lives to make room for what’s new
and meaningful to grow.

WATERMELON
Though an ancient fruit, the watermelon’s ancestry is a bit murky. Through all its
permutations, the sweet juicy fruit we know today is universally loved and
reminds us that, although it’s good to look back, staying in the moment to
appreciate what’s in front of us now is equally, if not arguably more, important.

Watermelon is both cleansing to the body and spirit. Its watery properties tie
it to Moon magic and intuition. Use in healing spells and to manifest peace.

ZUCCHINI
Zucchini, and other summer squash, are a traditional component of the Three
Sisters crops. Cooperation and support are key energies of this magical
vegetable. Zucchini plants are prolific producers, giving us both edible fruit and
flowers, and are prime ingredients when abundance is the issue. Its green color is
incredibly grounding, yet its watery nature stirs the imagination. Summer
squash’s edible, thin skins leave them more vulnerable to injury than their thick-
skinned winter relatives and remind us that self-care and protection are as
important as caring for others.
 SEASONAL RECIPES and SPELLS for MAGICAL LIVING
Fresh, easy, informal, and spontaneous are the vibes in the magical kitchen this
season. Though the bounty of Earth’s gifts would seem to invite a multitude of
intentions to manifest (and the opportunity is there to support most any need),
remember that your magic works best when focused on those priorities that
spring from your heart and will truly make you happy.

Chillingly Good Vibes

Charmed Chimichurri

Blackberry Bourbon Besom Cocktail

Succotash Salad

Basil Balsamic Vinegar

Coven of the Moonbeam Ravine’s Chili Sauce

Soothing Lavender White Chocolate Shortbread

 CHILLINGLY GOOD VIBES
Edible flower-studded ice cubes can raise the magic when added to your favorite
cheer-boosting beverage. These charming cubes infuse any cold beverage with
floral wisdom and good cheer. For fun, and some additional flavor and intention,
pair flowers with herbs and pieces of fruit, such as citrus, berries, pineapple, or
cranberries. The language of flowers can speak of whatever your heart desires
and a toast to those intentions sends your message out to the Universe to be
heard and manifested. Cheers!

Makes a varied amount

Edible flowers and blossoms, herb blossoms and sprigs, and leaves to
honor your intentions
Wishes whispered to the flower fairies who’ve donated their flower petals to
this endeavor are likely to be granted. Leave a gift of clean water in
gratitude.

1. Make sure the foliage you’re using is free from dirt and debris. Give it a
quick rinse, if needed, and dry well. Arrange edible flower heads and
petals, and whatever complementary pieces you’ve gathered, decoratively
in ice-cube-tray compartments.
2. Gently fill the trays about one-third to one-half full of water (use Moon
water for more magic!). Use a chopstick or wooden spoon handle to
reposition the flowers, as desired, if the water disturbed your arrangement.
Carefully transfer the trays to the freezer and freeze for about 1 hour.
3. Fill the trays the remaining way with water and freeze until solid.

As you drop each ice cube into your glass, say quietly or aloud:
Each “clink” does clear the air of harm; each “clang” a call to do no
harm. Each jangle of the cubes does send “three cheers” back to what I
intend.
 ◁ CHARMED CHIMICHURRI
Chimichurri’s main ingredient, parsley, has a bad reputation as an evil herb—one
only grown successfully, especially from seed, by witches. However, it’s easy for
anyone to grow in a sunny spot and is revered for its fresh, bright flavor and
healthy dose of vitamin C. This herbal sauce has origins in Argentina, but when
made from fresh herbs you’ve grown (or foraged in the grocery store) and
imbued with your intentions, its origins are truly magical. Delightful atop beef,
chicken, pork, bruschetta, eggs, or even as a dip for vegetables, this lively
condiment spreads your intentions far and wide.

Makes about ¾ cup (170 g)

1 cup (60 g) packed fresh parsley leaves

1 tablespoon packed fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon packed fresh oregano leaves
1 or 2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Honey, for drizzling (optional)

Working always with gratitude and intention for whatever your heart
desires . . .
1. In a food processor, combine the herbs, garlic, and jalapeño. Pour in the
oil, vinegar, and lemon juice and add a pinch of salt and a few grinds of
pepper. Pulse to chop, then process until a thick paste-like sauce forms.
2. Transfer the chimichurri to a small bowl. Stirring clockwise with intention,
add a drizzle of honey, as an offering to your favorite goddess, if you wish,
and a bit more oil to thin the chimichurri to your desired consistency.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Before taking that first bite, inhale the uplifting aromas and say quietly
or aloud:
To keep my magic fresh and bright, I live each day with pure delight.
Each and every simple thing can lift my soul and make it sing.
Each song bears hopes and dreams, I pray,
that manifest in Nature’s way.
For as above, then so below, this grateful heart reaps what it sows.
 BLACKBERRY BOURBON BESOM COCKTAIL
Blackberries are a tradition at harvest celebrations, and this concoction will
definitely help clear the cobwebs and tidy up the attitude. This perfect sipper will
ease you into celebration mode and can be an effective way to enhance
spellwork: the blackberries will help draw money to you; bourbon, being mostly
corn, symbolizes life, fertility, and spirituality; and basil enhances both luck and
love. Drink (responsibly) with intention and celebrate the bounty that is yours.

Makes 1 transportive drink

5 or 6 large fresh blackberries, or frozen and thawed

2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon
2 large fresh basil leaves
Ice
1 ounce (30 ml) Cointreau
1 ounce (30 ml) sour mix (preferably homemade)
Lemon peel, for garnish

Muddle the ingredients while visualizing crushing any obstacles preventing

you from reaching your goals.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lucky blackberries, bourbon, and basil to release
the juice and essential oils. Fill the shaker with ice and pour in the Cointreau and
sour mix. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds to chill. Double strain into a
rocks glass over ice. Twist the lemon peel over the glass and add it to the drink.
Take a sip and count your blessings.

FOR AN ALCOHOL-FREE VERSION: Muddle the blackberries, basil, and sour mix.
Double strain into a rocks glass over ice and fill the glass with ginger ale.

Before you sip, say quietly or aloud:

O’ sweet elixir, bring me luck that manifests in threes: sip once, and twice,
and then again that what I seek does come to me.
 SUCCOTASH SALAD
This simple salad celebrates the height of summer’s bounty. The name derives
from the Narragansett word msickquatash, meaning “corn.” The Indigenous
Peoples of North America introduced this food to the colonists as a gesture of
friendship and offer of sustenance. It is a magical dish filled with love,
friendship, protection, and abundance.

Serves 4

1 cup (175 g) fresh shelled or frozen lima beans

3 ears sweet corn, shucked, or 2 cups (270 g) frozen kernels, thawed
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
Honey, for seasoning
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
¼ cup (10 g) fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
Juice of 1 lime, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

As you prepare the vegetables and herbs, savor the fresh aromas and
vibrant colors and let them lift your spirits. Take stock of where some
“freshness” may be a good addition to your life.

1. Cook the lima beans according to the package directions. Drain and set
aside.
2. While the beans cook, carefully cut the kernels from the corncobs.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the corn and a
drizzle or two of honey to boost the prosperity of the dish and honor the
community of bees that created it, and cook, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8
minutes, until the corn begins to soften and take on some brown color from
the sugars caramelizing.
4. Turn the heat to medium, add the bell pepper, and cook, stirring
occasionally, for about 3 minutes, or until the pepper softens a bit. Stir in
the lima beans, clockwise, and remove from the heat.
5. Gently stir in the tomatoes, basil, juice of 1 lime, and pepper to taste. Taste
and add more lime juice or a drizzle of oil, as needed. Serve warm or at
room temperature.

While preparing this food, when ready, say quietly or aloud:

Earth, Sun, wind, and rain produce this bounty that sustains. Abundance
speaks and calls us home, that all within do cease to roam. For bounty
grows in many ways when love and friendship lead the way.
 BASIL BALSAMIC VINEGAR
Add a dash of magic to any meal with a sprinkle of basil balsamic vinegar.
Basil’s magical properties are good for, among other things, fostering family
love and boosting luck, and the vinegar bears grapes’ energies of stress relief and
the fluidity of the Moon’s influence to adapt and change. This magical elixir is
for more than just salads—dress grilled meats or vegetables, drizzle over fresh
tomatoes and mozzarella or pizza, or dip in a crusty bread or fresh vegetables for
a flavor-filled appetizer and a peaceful family meal.

Makes about 2 cups (480 ml)

1 cup (40 g) packed fresh basil leaves, gently washed and thoroughly dried (water
promotes bacterial growth)
2 cups (480 ml) good-quality balsamic vinegar, plus more as needed

The act of sprinkling this vinegar on your food is as important as the act of
sprinkling water on your altar as a form of blessing and intention. Food is
sacred.

1. Wash and thoroughly dry one 28-ounce (840 ml) Mason jar and one pint-
size (475 ml) Mason jar and their lids.
2. Gently bruise or crush the basil to help release the oils. Place the basil in
the larger jar, leaving 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of space at the top. Pour
the vinegar over the basil, making sure the basil’s covered. Cover the jar
with a lid and set aside in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks to infuse the
vinegar with the basil’s sweet touch. After 3 or 4 days, taste the vinegar to
judge how intense the herbal flavor is. You may want to taste it each day
until it develops the flavor you like.
3. Place a fine-mesh sieve over the pint-size (475 ml) jar and strain the
vinegar into it. Discard the basil. Seal the lid tightly. Store in a cool, dark
place for up to 1 year. If the vinegar shows any signs of change or
deterioration, such as mold growth, discard immediately and do not use.

While charging any meal, or individual ingredients to satisfy

everyone’s taste, with this vinegar, say quietly or aloud:
 A dash of basil for great courage when rocky roads prevail. A cleansing
splash of vinegar to keep safe along life’s trail. So, taste and stir and add
some more, meant just for flavor’s sake—my wish for you, a seasoned life,
is there for you to take.
 COVEN OF THE MOONBEAM RAVINE’S CHILI SAUCE
An ancient (and secret until now) recipe passed down from the great-
grandmother of the coven’s founder, this savory sauce is a must to spice up any
gathering. Whether used to awaken the flavors of foods or reveal your heart’s
true desires, this sauce speaks with the loving-kindness of the hands that have
made it. It can dress any protein with its magic, like pork, beef, chicken, or eggs,
and vegetables delight in its attention. Stir it into sauces for even more dazzle. Its
versatility will enchant and its wisdom will be absorbed with every bite. Use
wisely, for its magic is powerful.

Makes about 6 pints (about 454 g each); recipe can be halved but may require less time to cook

16 large, ripe tomatoes (8 to 9 pounds, or 3.6 to 4 kg, total)

3 large green bell peppers, cored, seeded, and chopped
2 large sweet onions, chopped
1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed and diced
2 cups (480 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground mustard
Dash of ground cinnamon

Always stir clockwise to bring what you desire to you and utilize the
inactive time to set your intentions and plan your actions to align.

1. Utilizing the transformative power of fire, bring a large pot of water to a

boil over high heat. While the water boils, fill a large bowl with water and
ice, about half and half. With the tip of a sharp paring knife, carefully cut
an X into the bottom of each tomato. Drop the tomatoes, 2 or 3 at a time,
into the boiling water. Boil for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the skin starts
to peel back at the X. Transfer to the ice bath, let cool, and remove. Repeat
 with the remaining tomatoes.
2. Slip the skins off the cooled tomatoes, halve them, and gently squeeze out
the seeds. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and transfer to a large pot or Dutch
oven. Add the bell peppers, onions, and jalapeño. Place the pot over low
heat.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, and
spices. Bring to a boil while stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and
spices. Pour the vinegar mixture into the tomato mixture and mix well.
Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the chili sauce to a boil, stirring
occasionally.
4. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, place the lid on the pot slightly ajar,
and cook for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until reduced and
thickened to your liking.
5. Let cool completely before transferring to clean jars with tight-fitting lids
or airtight containers. Keep refrigerated for about 2 weeks (discard if any
signs of mold appear), or freeze for up to 6 months (leaving at least 1 inch,
or 2.5 cm, of headspace in the jars for expansion). Thaw in the refrigerator.

As you stir the mixture, say quietly or aloud:

Into this cauldron do I wield the fruits and seeds of harvest’s yield:
Tomatoes will bring love and grace, while peppers grant a change of pace.
Sweet onions clear the mind and nose and help you see the path you chose.
The yin and yang of sweet and sour bring balance to the witching hour.
With salt and spices to protect, these potent charms do intersect, and
brewed to grant your sacred wish, a blessed life you can expect.
 SOOTHING LAVENDER WHITE CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD
There is nothing “short” on flavor—or magic—here. These buttery, sweet,
slightly floral treats are the perfect accompaniment to a quiet cup of tea and a
divination ritual. Let the lavender soothe your mind and spirit and awaken your
intuition as you prepare to take a peek into the future. White chocolate keeps
things light and happy. When given as a gift from your kitchen, lavender
signifies friendship and peace.

Makes 16 shortbread wedges

1½ teaspoons dried culinary-grade lavender buds

1 cup (2 sticks, or 225 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup (100 g) plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
½ cup (50 g) confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (175 g) white chocolate chips

Breathe in lavender’s heady aroma and let it mix with your breath,
absorbing and carrying away any negativity or tenseness you feel and
centering you fully in this delicious moment.

1. Line a 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan with a removable bottom with a parchment
round.
2. Finely crush the lavender between two sheets of wax paper with a rolling
pin, or in a mortar and pestle, and transfer to a large bowl. Add the butter.
Using an electric handheld mixer, whip the butter and lavender on medium
speed for about 2 minutes, or until well blended and fluffy.
3. Add ½ cup (100 g) of the granulated sugar, the confectioners’ sugar, and
vanilla and beat on medium speed until well blended and light, stopping to
scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Add the flour and salt and beat, starting on low speed and increasing to
medium, until blended. Mix in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
The dough will be crumbly. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan (it will
 be full), then use a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup to press it evenly
into the pan. Using a sharp knife, lightly score the shortbread into 16
wedges. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C, or gas mark 2).
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until firm and just a touch of golden color
forms around the edges. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the shortbread
with the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Let the shortbread
cool completely, remove the rim of the pan, and cut the shortbread along
the score lines. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Though probably not potent enough to bring world peace, these cookies
can bring a little peace to your world. Before taking the first soothing
bite, take a deep breath in and release it slowly, then say quietly or
aloud:
I breathe in peace, I breathe out woe,
and welcome calm, my pulse to slow.
The moment now is rich and full, its sweetness like a soothing lull.
In lavender’s rich scent you’ll find
your dreams revealed, a life sublime.
 EPILOGUE
The Wheel has turned its final turn, to end this year where much was learned.
We’ve sown and grown and reaped galore, but have no fear: much more’s in
store. For what was once a pot, a pan, conjures magic in a witch’s hand.

I hope you see each fruit, each seed, as something more than just to feed. Each
vegetable, each herb, each tree, invites the chance to really see that magic lives
in everything—just waiting for your summoning.

But the end is not the end, my sweet, for born again, the Wheel repeats. Each
season, then, a chance anew to manifest with all you do; each celebration ripe for
change with echoes of time-honored ways.

Don’t hide your magic—let it shine, for life is short and you’re divine. With fire,
water, earth, and air, your powers grow beyond compare. When handled by the
kitchen witch, those powers can grant any wish.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Each book has its own recipe for success and I owe great thanks to the talented
“kitchen brigade” who helped bring this one to fruition.
To Quarto publisher Rage Kindelsperger, my immense and heartfelt thanks
for lighting the fire from which these words do spring and nurturing their growth
with faith and expert guidance.
To Elizabeth You, for carefully tending the cauldron to ensure the manuscript
was seasoned properly and finished on time. And to Karen Levy, for adding just
the right garnishes.
To all the teams at Quarto, for their dedication to supporting authors and their
incredible talents to bring beautiful books into the world.
To all my friends and family who cast magic into my life, and kitchen, daily,
thank you for your love and support.
To John, for the spice that keeps life fun and the love that keeps it real.
Finally, the world would be such a dull place without the magic of books. It is
a magic multiplied exponentially each time a reader opens one and brings their
own magic to it.
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Chadd, Rachel Warren. “The Folklore of Eggs: Their Mystical, Powerful

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Civitello, Linda. Cuisine & Culture: A History of Food and People. 3rd ed.
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Unit. www.herbsociety-stu.org/gingerbread.html. Accessed October 26,
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Culpeper, Nicholas. The Complete Herbal. London: Thomas Kelly, 1850. The
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MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1985, 2000.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen.

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Dugan, Frank M. Hidden Histories and Ancient Mysteries of Witches, Plants,

and Fungi. St. Paul, MN: American Phytopathological Society, 2015.

Farmers’ Almanac: farmersalmanac.com.

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Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy. New York:
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Herbst, Sharon Tyler, and Ron Herbst. The New Food Lover’s Companion. 5th
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Kent, Cicely. Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves: How to Read Your Fate in a
Teacup. The Project Gutenberg ebook #6964, March 21, 2013.
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Meyer, Danny. Union Square Cafe Cookbook: 160 Favorite Recipes from New
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The Practical Herbalist: https://thepracticalherbalist.com.

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 INDEX
A
alewives, 36–38
altars, 28–29
apples, 42, 57, 64, 72, 77, 80, 91–93, 100–101, 126–127, 133–134
apricots, 174, 184
artichokes, 48, 144
arugula, 144
asparagus, 145, 162–163
autumnal equinox, 69, 71
avocados, 48, 116

B
bananas, 80–81
basil, 49, 50, 56, 57, 58, 60, 146, 162, 180, 192–193, 193–194, 195–196
beer, 36–38, 94–95, 122, 172
beets, 49, 76, 81, 185
bell peppers, 158, 160–161, 174, 193–194, 196–198
Beltane celebration, 141–143, 156, 169
besom broom, 16, 24, 29, 37, 42, 62, 72, 73–74, 76, 78, 192–193
blackberries, 174–176, 192–193
blueberries, 176
brewing. See beer; tea
broccoli, 49, 81, 123
broom. See besom broom
Brussels sprouts, 81, 123

C
cabbage, 49, 81, 121, 123
Cakes and Ale ritual, 50–51, 98
cantaloupe, 176
carrots, 84
cauliflower, 116–117, 123
celery, 145
cherries, 177
chives, 56, 57, 65, 148
cilantro, 56, 57, 146, 148
citrus fruits, 117, 189
collard greens, 120
corn, 37, 171, 172, 177–178, 183, 192, 193–194
cranberries, 84, 112, 120–121, 133–134, 189
cucumbers, 48, 158–159, 178–179

D
dill, 59, 180

E
edible flowers, 64–65, 170, 189–190
eggplant, 179
eggs, 43, 103–104, 115, 130–131, 139, 141, 148–149, 190, 196
Esbat, 50–51, 67

F
fiddleheads, 149–150
First Quarter Moon, 46, 49
Full Moon, 28, 45, 47, 49, 50, 54, 81, 89, 102, 139, 177, 179

G
garlic, 49, 57, 59, 84, 100–101, 146, 190–191
ginger, 48, 50, 57, 58, 82, 100, 121, 130–132, 196–198
gingerbread, 111, 130–132
goddesses
Airmid, 30
Aphrodite, 30, 81, 119, 147, 181, 186
Aranyani, 30
Baba Yaga, 17, 31
Bao Gu, 31
Bastet/Bast, 31
Berchta, 31
Brigid, 114–115
Cailleach, 114
Ceres, 32–33, 95
 Cerridwen, 32
Circe, 32
Corn Mother, 32
Cynara, 144
Demeter, 32–33, 95
Eostre, 139
Freya, 33, 113, 152
Frigg, 33, 113, 152
Gabija, 33
Gaia, 33
Hestia, 34
Horae, 35
Horai, 35
Lakshmi, 34, 58
Mawu, 34
Ninkasi, 36
Ostara, 139
Pachamama, 34
Persephone, 32–33, 34
Pomona, 35
Proserpina, 32–33, 34
Rosmerta, 35
Snotra, 35
Venus, 30, 152, 186
Vesta, 34
grapefruit, 117
grapes, 71, 85, 172
green beans, 179

H
healing gardens, 56–57
herb gardens, 54–55, 56

I
Imbolc celebration, 114–115, 128, 130
intuition, 23

K
kale, 121
kiwi, 49, 122
kohlrabi, 150
L
Lammas celebration, 32, 34, 171–173, 176
Last (Third) Quarter Moon, 47, 50
lavender, 50, 56, 58, 60, 65, 169, 180, 199–200
lemons, 48, 56, 60, 91–93, 117, 130–132, 155, 162–163, 190–191, 192–193
lettuce, 85, 126–127, 139, 160–161
lima beans, 182–183, 193–194
limes, 117, 158–159, 193–194
Litha celebration, 169–170
love garden, 57

M
Mabon celebration, 35, 71–74, 76
mango, 183
mint, 56, 60, 146, 162, 181
mistletoe, 63, 80, 110, 112, 113
money garden, 58
moon garden, 58–59
mushrooms, 43, 85–86

N
New Moon, 46, 48, 50, 151

O
onions, 49, 86–87, 100–101, 160–161, 162–163, 196–198
oranges, 112, 117, 133–134
oregano, 56, 57, 94–95, 119, 147, 181, 190–191
Ostara celebration, 139–141, 149, 162

P
parsley, 56, 61, 119, 147, 181, 190–191
parsnips, 87
peaches, 184
pears, 87, 98
peas, 49, 139, 150–151, 162–163
persimmons, 122–123
pineapple, 151, 164–165
plums, 184
pomegranate, 120, 126–127
popcorn, 171, 172
potatoes, 87–88
pumpkins, 37, 72, 76, 77, 88–89, 100–101

R
radishes, 151
raspberries, 184
recipes
Fall, 90–105
Spring, 154-165
Summer, 188–200
Winter, 124–135
rosemary, 49, 56, 60, 76, 83, 94–95, 96–97, 147, 172, 181
rutabagas, 49, 123

S
sage, 24, 56, 57, 59, 83, 181
Samhain celebration, 69, 73, 75–78, 88, 103, 120, 141
spinach, 152, 160–161
strawberries, 152–153, 156–157, 160–161
strength and protection garden, 59
sweet potatoes, 89
sweet woodruff, 143, 153, 156–157
Swiss chard, 185

T
tarragon, 59, 147, 182
tasseomancy, 39–43
tea, 17, 38, 39–43, 49, 89, 153, 170, 176, 177, 180
tea garden, 60
Third Quarter Moon, 47, 50
thyme, 48, 49, 56, 58, 59, 60, 94–95, 126–127, 147, 162–163, 182, 190–191
tomatillos, 185
tomatoes, 37, 158–159, 185–186, 193–194, 196–198
tools, 15–17
trees, 43, 62–63, 80, 110, 112, 113, 122, 170, 177, 183, 184
turmeric, 48, 83, 89
turnips, 75, 88, 123

W
Waning Crescent Moon, 47, 50
Waning Gibbous Moon, 47, 50
waste management, 22, 50
watermelon, 187
Waxing Crescent Moon, 46, 49
Waxing Gibbous Moon, 46, 49
winter squash, 88–89
witch’s garden, 61

Y
Yule celebration, 109–112, 114, 120, 128, 134

Z
zucchini, 187
For John
© 2023 by Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

First published in 2023 by Wellfleet Press,

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