#kitchenwitchery

I don't know about y'all, but in my corner of the world, this is about the time of year when winter starts to creep in. The days are getting colder, the nights are getting longer, and things are winding down for the end of the year.

I love working with seasonal plants in my practice as a way of connecting with the changing of the seasons. Below are a few plants that are really great for this. I've tried to prioritize plants that are accessible -- these are either easy to forage throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, or can be purchased affordably at most grocery stores.

Pine (Pinus spp.) is the plant I associate most strongly with winter, probably because of Christmas trees. Magically, pine is associated with healing, cleansing, and protection. White pine (Pinus strobus) is used as a cold and flu remedy in Appalachian folk medicine. (Please be aware that not all pine species are edible and that I share this fact for educational purposes only.) Appalachian lore also says that pine trees comfort a troubled mind. Scott Cunningham specifically mentions burning pine needles during the winter to purify and cleanse the home and scattering needles on the floor to drive away evil. Like all evergreens, pine is associated with vitality and resilience. Pine is a wonderful plant ally for all cleansing and healing magic, especially during winter.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is another very wintery plant. Holly is very strongly protective, and planting it outside the home is said to protect inhabitants from evil spirits and witchcraft. Depending on the culture, carrying holly is sometimes seen as good luck and sometimes seen as bad luck. In British folklore, holly is associated with the Holly King, a figure who represents winter. I decorate my home with holly during Yule for protection and good luck, and as a nod to British folk traditions.

Ivy (Hedera helix) is yet another evergreen plant associated with winter. It is associated with protection and healing. Ivy is said to protect from bad luck and to bring good luck when carried. It is also sometimes used in spells for love and romantic commitment. The flexible vines can be used to bind spell bundles and can be incorporated into seasonal decorations. You might consider decorating your home with holly and ivy together for strong protection during the winter.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is THE winter flavor, at least here in the United States. Once pumpkin spice season ends, peppermint season begins. Like pine, peppermint is strongly associated with healing and with cleansing. It is specifically associated with healing headaches. Peppermint is also used in love spells and spells to strengthen psychic abilities. Author Rebecca Beyer says that mint was associated with the dead in ancient Greece and can be worn as protection against witches. Peppermint can be used in any spells related to improving happiness and loving feelings. (Kitchen magic is a great option here!)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) brings warm, fiery solar energy into our winter spells. It is associated with spirituality, healing, protection, sexuality, wealth, and love. Cinnamon is also strongly associated with success and is said to lend power to spells. It is considered a solar plant, meaning it is ruled by the Sun in Western astrology. Because the Sun is an important part of many pagan winter solstice traditions, cinnamon may be used in these celebrations. If you are someone who finds your energy levels are lower in the winter, you might work with cinnamon for an energy boost.

These plants can be added to spell candles or charms, used to decorate a seasonal altar, or given as offerings to spirits associated with winter. Some, like pine and peppermint, can be burned as incense while others, like peppermint and cinnamon, can be used in kitchen witchcraft. As always, you should research drug interactions and talk to your doctor before using any herb internally.

Further Reading:

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Wealth Boosting Fettuccine

Ingredients

One serving fettuccine pasta for grounding

A spoon full salt for cleansing

A handful of fresh minth for attracting money

Thyme for wealth

Butter for smooth money flow

Rosemary for boosting the spell

Few cloves of garlic for protection

First, boil the salted water in a big pan and add your pasta. Stir for around 8 minutes, check and strain them if they are cooked. You know the deal, basic pasta making. For charging with intentions, stir clockwise and occasionally draw a pentacle with your stirring tool.

These cookies can be charmed for love of any kind (my favorite being self love when I’m in the need of a pick me up), or for peaceful rest when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Me and my husband are on day 8 of isolation. The dreaded delta variant entered my home on Sept 11th 2021. It affected me like the common cold but my husband has moderate covid that can quickly turn severe. He couldn't breathe he wouldn't eat and he could barely stay awake for more then a few hours. His fever was 103 for 5 days and I'm happy to report today is the first day he didn't need medication to bring down his fever. I thought I would share some of the Kitchen Witchery and Healing potions and herbs that my ancestors whispered in my ear in my moments of high desperation and anxiety.

Healing Teas

#1 Lemon and Ginger with a bit of Honey

#2 Rosehips, Elderberries, Cinnamon and Orange Peel

#3 Green tea with Eucalyptus Leaves

#4 I call this one the breathe Decongestion Tea

Mullein leaf, eucalyptus leaf, peppermint, and orange peel.

Inhalation Steam Therapies

For this you will need a pot and bring the ingredients to a boil cover the person with a towel over their head to avoid letting the steam out and let them breathe interchangeably through the mouth and nose for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this 3 times a day being careful not to burn yourself.

Method #1 bring to a boil 2 cubes of camphor you can also add vicks vapor rub if you don't have camphor. Once it's boiling remove from stove and add 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Serve to sick person to inhale.

Method 2# add grinded garlic 1 whole onion, fresh orange peel, and sea salt you can also add vicks vapor rub if u wish to do so bring to a boil and inhale steam.

Aromatherapy Diffuser

In a blue bottle mix 10 drops eyucatlptus essential oil 10 drops rosemary EO 10 drops tea tree EO 10 drops lavender and 1 teaspoon of seasalt.

Shake and add 4 drops of this mixture to a diffuser with water.

You can also inhale deepy the contents of the blue bottle 3 times.

Healing Spell Incantation

Power of wind

Strength of the trees

Energy of the earth

Salts of the sea

I call upon you to keep me well and strong. Fill me with health so I can be myself. With harm to none Ashe.

Non magical home remedies:

I'm not a fan of tylenol and I try to avoid it as much as possible but with covid it's a must have to bring down fever. I used the extra strength pills.

If you don't have an ice pack you can use a small wet towel and put it in the freezer for 1 min. Use it on forehead to bring down fever. Don't leave the towel in the freezer for more then 1 min!!! You don't want freezer burns.

Also jello, unflavored pediyalite, prebiotic yogurt drinks and victims D, B, and Zinc will become your best friends.

I am a disabled witch; I have a few chronic illnesses and disabilities, I find practising magick difficult at times because I rarely have the energy to large rituals or spellwork. I find myself more drawn into the kitchen where I can add magick into everything I do. Here are some ways I add magick into my everyday life:

stir your intentions into your drinks/cooking, clockwise attracts, anticlockwise banishes. 

listen to music which you feel a strong connection to in regards to your magick. music has been a part of magick forever, it’s so intrinsically linked to emotions and power. It’s used in every religion I know of, be that hymns, chanting, calls to prayer or prayer itself. Make (or find) a playlist that you can listen to while doing things like chores or getting dressed that empower you, comfort you or just makes you feel extra witchy.

multitask! when I shower or bathe I find I feel much better after when I try incorporate magick into it, as the water runs over you visualise it cleansing your body and spirit. In the bath add things to it you wish to soak up, use the time of day too, I normally do my more relaxing baths in the evenings for example. 

Talk to and care for plants, it does take much time or energy to water some houseplants but its so rewarding

Take your time, don’t worry about missing a certain date etc, if you celebrate a few days early or late it makes little difference. If you don’t have the energy to plan/cook a big feast, order your favourite take out, or ask a friend/family member to cook. I like cooking a couple days in advance if I can, things can always be frozen or kept in the fridge.