Your kitchen might not be the first place your mind goes when you think about magic,
But in many ways,
It's the very heart of magical workings.
It's been estimated that the average person spends about an hour a day in the kitchen preparing meals,
Cleaning,
And so forth.
That's noteworthy enough to take a look at how we spend our time in there.
We'll often find ourselves hurriedly preparing meals before taking off to an event or obligation.
On weekends,
The pace usually slows a bit,
And more care and attention is given to what we are cooking,
And how we are cooking it.
This is especially true for holidays.
When we prepare our meals carefully and mindfully,
It shows,
And it's tasted.
This is because of the energy we're putting into it.
For practitioners of magic,
That statement is a call to attention.
Things change for the better when we look at cooking through this lens and recognize that our food pantry is the altar,
The meals we prepare are spells,
And the ingredients we use are our spiritual allies.
With those things in mind,
I invite you to join me for some magic in the kitchen.
Let's begin with the altar,
Your pantry.
This is where we typically store canned goods,
Pastas,
Seasonings,
Rice,
And grains.
This is where most meal preparation starts,
But mindfulness should be practiced long before then.
I've said that magic is all about setting intentions.
We don't just cast spells on a whim.
We shouldn't,
Anyway.
No,
We spend time considering what or who the spell is for,
How we wish to carry it out,
And what we will need for it.
Food is no different.
In this case,
Intention starts with making a grocery list.
Think about who you will be cooking for,
And why,
As you jot down the things you want to shop for.
When you physically go to the store,
Having a positive mindset is a must.
Do everything you can to fill this outing with happy and constructive energy.
The same applies to coming home with your purchases and putting them away.
With both,
It's tempting to do so hurriedly,
But doing so risks adding vibrations you don't want in your food,
Whether you're aware of it or not.
As you shelve your groceries,
Do so in a loving way,
While keeping in mind those who made everything possible.
Farmers,
Delivery drivers,
Cashiers,
And stock attendants.
Welcome your purchases home.
When it's time to cast a spell by preparing a meal,
Be mindful of the fact that you're doing just that,
Casting a spell.
Again,
You will want to have a positive and loving mindset as you begin.
What's in your heart will go into your pot.
As you send positive and loving energy to those you're cooking for,
Stir what you're cooking in a clockwise direction.
You might also wish to use a utensil to trace an invoking pentagram atop your meal.
Always consider who you are cooking for.
Is that person a bit under the weather?
If so,
You can add your intention for healing,
Or any intentions,
During meal prep.
Now for your magical allies.
All of the ingredients you have on hand contain magical properties,
Especially herbs.
Spend a little time each week reading up on the various associations.
When it's time to cook,
Flavor your dishes with what tastes good,
As well as whatever herbs and spices correspond to your intentions.
If you are able to do so,
Consider growing at least some of your own food.
You needn't have a garden large enough to be your sole source of sustainability.
By planting seeds and raising your own herbs and vegetables,
You will find yourself becoming even more connected with your food and the wheel of the year.
Even having just one or two herb plants in your window is beneficial,
And you will literally feel it.
So will those consuming the meals you prepare.
Everything we grow is touched by the elements of earth,
Air,
Fire,
And water in some way.
Take a hands-on approach to harnessing these energies by doing a little gardening.
You might find that your plants are taking as much care of you as you are of them.
Many traditions will offer a blessing right before mealtime,
And there's certainly nothing wrong with that.
I would like to add that doing so shouldn't be the first blessing when it comes to kitchen magic.
To start,
I recommend blessing your kitchen itself.
Each time you are cleaning is a great time to add in a kitchen hallowing.
You might choose to say something like this,
Smoke of air,
Fire of earth,
Cleanse and bless this kitchen and hearth.
I drive away all bane and fear.
May peace and love be present here.
So mote it be.
Do this whenever you clean the counter,
Mop the floor,
Or wash the dishes.
Blessings extend to your food as well.
Again,
Having a blessing before meals is fine,
But you will also want to energetically cleanse the food coming into your home.
This is because we simply don't know what energies our food was exposed to on a farm,
During transit to the grocery store,
And while it was patiently waiting for us in the produce aisle.
You will want to cleanse your food of past energies and charge it with your own.
This is just as important as washing your vegetables before cooking.
And this definitely extends to having takeout delivered or bringing in drinking water for the same reason.
An example is saying something like this.
Here do I cleanse thee,
Gifts of nature,
Of all energy both seen and unseen.
May these gifts be filled with positive energy to bring health and long life to all who enjoy them.
So mote it be.
Finally,
We typically allow what we've taken from the oven to cool before it goes on our plates so that it won't be too hot to eat.
There's a magical reason for doing this as well.
When I was first studying Wicca and learning spell work,
I was taught that spell work is a process of set it and forget it.
This means allowing your working time to settle.
With cooking being a form of spell work,
The cooling process allows for the same thing.
With the intentions,
Herbs,
And magic you put into your dish,
Time to mingle and settle before beginning their work.
May you and your kitchen be abundantly blessed with good times,
Laughter,
Love,
Peace,
And an extra helping of magic.
May you and your kitchen be.
