copyright © 2008 Gerina Dunwich
It does not require a great deal of time, energy, or money to transform an ordinary kitchen into a magickal workplace. To begin with, there are many simple yet effective charms, such as a rope of garlic, a sun-catcher, or pentagram symbols, that can be placed in the kitchen for protection. Hanging a “Kitchen Witch” doll in your kitchen is said to attract good luck, and drawing an invisible pentagram inside your pots and pans with a wand or athame before using them adds magick to your cooking. A wooden spoon, fork, or knife can also be used for this purpose.
A sunny kitchen windowsill filled with potted plants not only decorates the kitchen but also releases magickal energies into the room. Even the most common culinary herbs found in the cupboards of nearly every kitchen possess strong magickal properties. For instance, basil is traditionally used for exorcism, love spells, protection against evil, and purification. Parsley is used for fertility, protection, and inspiring passion between lovers; sage is used for healing, protection, and prosperity; and thyme is used for clairvoyance, spells to increase one’s courage, and spells of an amatory nature. Other kitchen herbs and spices attract good fairies and repel the bad ones, keep ghosts and demons at bay, act as a magnet for good luck, and bring pleasant dreams, to name just a few examples. For further information, see the complete listing of herbs and spices and their traditional magickal uses at the end of this chapter.
For best results, talk to your plants daily, using a gentle and loving tone of voice. Treat them, and yourself, to some mellow music whenever you get the chance. Studies have shown that plants respond well to music, especially New Age, Jazz, and Classical varieties. In fact, in some cases music therapy has been known to work wonders for ailing plants. On the other hand, some music (such as loud heavy metal and rap music) causes plants to wither and eventually die after long exposure.
Be sure to plant, care for, and harvest all of your herbs whether they are grown for magickal purposes or strictly for culinary use-in accordance with the simple rules of the old Pagan tradition of gardening by the signs and phases of the moon. (For complete information on lunar gardening, see my book, The Wicca Garden, Citadel Press, 1996.) Lunar gardening is by no means foolish superstition or old wives’ tales. I firmly believe in the positive and negative influences that the moon exerts over all plants, as well as all other living things. And having found greater gardening success by working in harmony with the lunar cycles instead of working against them, I can personally attest to the validity of this old agricultural tradition that Pagan country folk have known about for centuries.
A well-stocked Witch’s kitchen should not only contain herbs, but also essential oils, a mortar and pestle, candles of various colors, different types of incense, an up-to-date lunar calendar, and a cauldron for brewing potions. Smudge your kitchen with a sage bundle if you sense negativity. Anoint utensils and appliances with essential oils to bless and charge them with powerful vibrations. Always stir food in a clockwise direction, and be sure to invite the Goddess and Her consort into your new magickal workplace.
