Cooking Up Protection Magic
This article originally appeared in our April 2023 edition of Witch, What?, a newsletter for witches of all experience levels which you can pick up in person at our stores or receive for free with an online order. It includes information like that month's full moon, any Wheel of the Year holidays coming up, what is in bloom that month, and helpful articles like this one! These articles will not appear on our blog until the following month (or later), so if you want to get them right away, make sure to drop by our booth at the 400 Market, at our shelf at Little Shoppe Treasures in the Oshawa Markets, OR buy a digital copy through our online store!
“Kitchen Witchcraft” or “Kitchen Magic/k” are modern terms for traditional and folkloric practices in which the production or consumption of food was meant to enact a certain spell or magical result. Since we are currently covering protection magic, we thought we might show you how to gain or gift protection in a more subtle way with ingredients you might have in your own kitchen: clove and anise.
Generally, “anise” tends to refer to aniseseed (Pimpinella anisum) or star anise (Illicium verum). But it can also refer to anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) or Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata). We will be referring to star anise here, but the same information applies to other forms, though hyssop & Cicely are weaker in strength.
As an herb that works both as a pest repellent and as a digestive aid, star anise is a powerful protective and cleansing herb. It is also commonly associated with luck, psychic ability, and vitality. It is associated with the element of Air, the planet Mercury, and the sign of Gemini.
In contrast, “clove” refers only to the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum. The word “clove” originates from the Latin word “clavus,” which means “nail.” This name reflects the clove’s shape but also its strong protective nature. Not only is it also a pest-repellent aromatic, like most protection herbs, but it has even been traditionally used to expunge parasites and infection from the body. While it can be a digestive aid, like anise and many other aromatics, it is also helpful in pain relief, especially when applied directly to the area of pain in a concoction with other herbs.
Along with protection and cleansing, clove has also been used in workings related to love and money. It is associated with the element of Fire, the planet of Mars, and the sign of Aries.
There are quite a few ways in which one can use these two herbs in kitchen magic. To create a kitchen incense, sprinkle the powder of these two spices onto a cast iron pan and place on stove on a low setting. Do not leave unattended. You can also add these herbs to a simmer pot, which can be left unattended for a little while if using a crock pot. There are also many soups, red meat dishes, snacks, and sweets the spices can be added to. But my personal favourite is masala chai.
Everyone who likes masala chai (or “spice-mix tea”) has their own way of making it, so all I say is that whether you are making your own blend or buying pre-made, ensure that both anise and clove are present in the blend. I also think it best to use either a black tea blend or a blend without any tea leaves for this particular purpose. Make it with intent and serve it while informing the drinker of its purpose. The drinker should imagine themselves being cleansed of negativity and infused with protective energy as they drink it. To add the additional protective energy of your love for the person who is drinking it, add rose petals to the mix or a splash of rose water at the end. Rose compliments these spices very well.