Kitchen Witchery: All the Magic That’s Fit to Eat

by Cassius Sparrow

Apinch of this, a splash of that, give it a few stirs and it’s done. Is it a magical brew or is it dinner? To a Kitchen Witch, it could be both.

The hearth is where the magic happens in a Kitchen Witch’s home. Every ingredient is a spell component, and every spoon and spatula is a magical tool. Athames come in different shapes and sizes depending on the meat or vegetable, and something always seems to be boiling away on the stovetop.

Kitchen Witchery is an art and a science. It requires that a witch know the properties of every ingredient to cast the perfect spell. A Kitchen Witch must know how long to bake, boil, braise, or saute, and when to do so. Kitchen Witchery also demands a creative mind to concoct such magical recipes and to arrange the final product artfully on a plate, in a bowl, or even in a glass or mug.

Though it seems demanding, Kitchen Witchery can be fun and intensely rewarding.

Tools of the Trade

Before you go out and invest in a brand-new set of cookware, take a good look around your kitchen. Chances are you’re already well-stocked with everything you need to cook up some magic. If you have the essentials to make a home-cooked meal, you have the essentials to begin your Kitchen Witchery.

Besides your hearth—or stove—your most commonly used item will be your cauldron. For the modern Kitchen Witch, this translates to a saucepan, stockpot, or skillet, depending on the spell. Add in a whisk, spatula, and a ladle, and you have the basics. Expand your toolkit with mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, various baking dishes, and of course, more cookware.

There has been some debate in the Kitchen Witch community regarding electric mixers and food processors versus doing it by hand, using whisks and mortars and pestles. It all comes down to taste and preference. If you consider yourself a more old-fashioned, traditional witch, hand-mixing and grinding would be a better fit. However, if technology factors largely into your craft, then by all means use modern kitchen conveniences. As societies and technologies advance, so does withcraft. So long as the intent and energies are there, the results will be the same.

The Kitchen Witch’s Garden

A Kitchen Witch with a green thumb might consider planting a garden box with fresh herbs. Choose herbs that you will use often in your spellwork, as well as herbs with similar soil, moisture, and light requirements. An herb garden is sure to brighten up any kitchen, and the herbs can be dried for later use—and witchy gifts.

If an herb garden is an impractical idea in your kitchen—or if you’ve had bad luck with houseplants—a well-stocked spice rack makes a great alternative. If you’re able, label the spice jars with attributes related to the herbs within them. For example, basil is associated with love, money, and health; sage is associated with purification and protection; and mint with luck, healing, and travel.

Building Your Cookbook of Shadows

The Cookbook of Shadows is a Kitchen Witch’s most important tool. The most basic should include a list of common recipe ingredients such as herbs, fruits, vegetables, and other staples, and the attributes associated with them. As every witch is different, every Cookbook of Shadows is different. It can be organized by spell type, ingredients, cooking method, or a variety of other ways. Include a section for notes and for writing your own spells. From these guidelines, create a Cookbook that is practical to your path. Make it as eye-catching or as secretive as you wish, but most importantly, make it yours.

Turning Recipes into Spellwork

When crafting spells into recipes, it’s important to identify exactly what effect you want to achieve. Select ingredients that correspond to the type of spell you are casting, and look for ways to incorporate symbolism into your recipe. If you are casting a money spell, try for a recipe that allows you to present a dish that is boldly green, with large, leafy greens. Recipes that use whole basil leaves, spinach, or dark, crisp lettuce are ideal. If you are casting a spell for healing, whether physical or emotional, look for heartier dishes such as stews or casseroles with ingredients that include onions, garlic, peppers, and herbs such as thyme or sage.

The presentation of your spell is limited only by your imagination. You can charm a pie, a batch of cookies, or an entire pot of soup. Brew a pitcher of tea that doubles as a personal cleansing spell. A homemade batch of granola bars can serve as a protection charm placed in your child’s lunch. For a Kitchen Witch, the options are limitless.

Kitchen Witchery also provides for discretion. Because the spell ingredients would not look too out of place in any normal kitchen, it allows a Kitchen Witch to be more private with their spellcasting. When you are cooking up some magic in your kitchen, you can embellish the spell as dramatically or as subtly as you choose. If you prefer to speak your intentions over your spells, feel free to whisper, chant, sing, or even shout them. If you prefer a more quiet casting, charge your meal with your intentions, letting the energy flow from you, down your arm and into the food or brew. Give it a good stir, visualizing the end result—the successful casting of your spell. You can even combine the two methods.

Spells, and the recipes that contain them, can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. They can contain a large list of ingredients or just a handful. Here are a couple of simple, easy-to-make spells to get your Cookbook of Shadows started and help you get the feel of Kitchen Witchery.

Charm with Lavender Lemonade

Having trouble with your neighbors? Perhaps you’ve had a disagreement recently, and you’d like to repair the relationship. Brew up this lavender-lemon potion to help things along.

Bring 5 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add ¾ cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and the juice of half a lime. Reduce heat to simmer, and visualize the disagreements or problems between you and your neighbors. Stir in ¾ cup of sugar, charging the brew with your intentions of sweetening the relationship. When the sugar is fully dissolved, add four fresh sprigs of lavender. Allow the scent of the lavender lemonade fill you with peace and feelings of friendship and harmony. Visualize your relationship with your neighbors healed. Remove the potion from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Take out the lavender, and chill the lemonade brew in the refrigerator until you are ready to cast your spell. Invite your neighbors over to talk about the situation, and offer them a glass. For an impressive presentation, freeze lavender in ice cubes and serve the lemonade with the lavender ice and garnish with lemon wedges.

When You Wish Upon a Peach Bar

This is a versatile spell that you can customize depending on your wish. Peaches are associated with wishes (especially love and health), and when combined with other ingredients, they can become a deliciously magical shortbread bar.

Preheat your oven to 375 F/190 C/Gas Mark 5, and lightly grease a 9 × 13 pan. Stir together 1 cup of sugar, 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. If you’re wishing for a raise at work, a promotion, or for some quick cash, add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger at this point. Stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Dice 1 cup (or 2 sticks) of cold, unsalted butter and add to mix, along with 1 large egg. Using your fingers, blend the butter and egg into the dry ingredients, charging the batter with your wish. If you want, speak your wish aloud, visualizing it coming true. The mixture is ready when it is well mixed and crumbly. Pat ¾ of the crumbs into the bottom of the greased pan, pressing firmly.

Pit and thinly slice 3 ripe peaches. Layer them carefully over the crumb base. Wishing for more free time? Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts over the peaches. Casting a spell for love? Add a handful of raspberries, dotting them between the peach slices. Are you preparing to buy a car or a new home? Sprinkle chopped blackberries mixed with allspice over the peaches for success. Charge remaining crumb mixture with affirmations of a granted wish, and crumble over peaches (and whatever other ingredients you added). Bake for 30 minutes, and allow to cool before cutting into squares. Share the bars with family and friends with whom you’d like to share your success. If you’re wishing for that raise or promotion, giving a few to your boss could certainly sweeten the deal. If your wish was for love or a long-lasting relationship, share a few with the object of your affections. Whatever the case, know that change is on its way.