The Magic of Corn
Behold the mighty corn, a verdant grass tamed by mortal hands and a sacred cereal crop cherished through ages. Its golden tassels dance in the breeze, releasing pollen, while its ears cradle the bounty of kernels. While modern commercial varieties of corn adorn fields only in hues of white and yellow, its true self comes in a myriad of colours. Corn begins blossoming in the warmth of July, reaching ripeness in September or October. It cannot grow in the shade or in soil that is too water-logged or too arid, but can otherwise grow in a variety of environments.
Origins
The story of corn begins around 7000 BCE, when the people who lived in the southern part of what is now called Mexico — the Olmec and the Maya — domesticated corn from teosinte. Early corn featured a single, small ear per plant and was processed by nixtamalization, which is the process of adding very alkaline substances like ash to a food in order to break down very complex, indigestible proteins into simpler, digestible ones. Corn spread across the Americas from there through agricultural trade, hitting Ecuador around 6000 BCE, Central America around 5600 BCE, and the Andes around 5-4000 BCE. Corn then started moving further north around 2500 BCE, and hit what is now New Mexico and Arizona around 2100 BCE. By 1000 BCE, corn was central to Olmec culture and myth.
Adoption of corn as a staple crop in eastern North America seemed to have happened around 900 CE. It became incredibly popular in what is now the SE USA between 1000 - 1500 CE, leading to the decline in fresh water mussels, which are sensitive to environmental changes. First Nations peoples generally grew it in a Three Sisters style with beans and squash, while the Mapuche grew it alongside quinoa and potatoes. Corn continued being refined and bred for improvement, continuing even now into the modern era where a majority of it is genetically modified. Following the Columbian Exchange, it became extremely popular in the Old World for its ability to survive in a variety of climates. It is now a staple food in much of the world for both human food and livestock feed, with total production surpassing wheat and rice.
Corn requires human intervention to propagate, as kernels do not fall away from the cob on their own, like they do with teosinte. The oldest surviving varieties of corn are still grown in the Mexican highlands.
The word “corn” actually refers to a large range of grains in traditional English, and thus it is usually called “maize” by English speakers outside of North America. In North American English, “corn” has come to solely refer to maize due to a shortening of the historical name “Indian corn,” which meant that it was the type of grain typically grown by First Nations peoples. The word “maize” is from the Spanish “maíz,” which descends from the Taíno “mahis,” which descends from the Proto-Arawak “marikɨ.” It is cognate with the Lokono “marisi” and the Wayuu “maiki”.
Food Usage
Corn has an incredible diversity of food uses. Again, it can be eaten as “sweet corn,” plucked before ripeness for delicious fresh flavour. Special varieties are even bred for a future as fluffy clouds of popcorn. Corn starch has long been used to thicken or add substance to a variety of foods. Corn is very popular in the form of tortillas and polenta, but is most nutritious when served alongside beans. Most do not know that the Three Sisters were not just to be grown together, but also eaten together.
Even the cob of the corn can be used to make jellies, wines, and broths. Corn kernels can be ground and pressed for corn oil, and even the protein-rich pollen can supplement any food. The pith of the stem can even be chewed like sugar cane or boiled for syrup.
Corn kernels are said to be diuretic and mildly stimulant, while corn silk is said to be anti-depressant, anti-fatigue, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and cholagogue as well as mildly demulcent, mildly diuretic, and mildly stimulant. Corn shucks have been traditionally ground and boiled into a mush for infants and convalescents. Cornmeal is similarly used for convalescents. Corn silk has been used for acute chronic cystitis and bladder irritation. Cornstarch has traditionally been used by the Cherokee to powder babies and to treat dry feet.
Corn Spiritual Beliefs
There are various spiritual beliefs about corn across the Americas. Maize in Aztec mythology was brought by Quetzalcoatl and linked to the Pleiades. Chicōmecōātl is an Aztec goddess of agriculture, considered the female aspect of corn. Centeōtl is the male aspect of corn in Aztec mythology, associated with subsistence. In the Popol Vuh, man is created from corn. The Maya believe that corn seeds are hidden within Maize Mountain. They also personified maize as a woman during the Classic period along with two male maize gods. Among the Cherokee, corn is used in ceremonies for uniting couples together. Mandaamin is a maize deity in Anishinaabe and Miami traditions. Placing corn in a baby's crib is believed to protect the baby. Cornstalks hung over a mirror can bring prosperity.
In the Iroquois version of myth of the Three Sisters myth, Sky Woman falls to the world and gives birth to Earth Woman. Later, Earth Woman births two sons, Sapling and Flint, but Flint is so eager to emerge that he tears his way out through her side, killing her. It was Earth Woman’s dying with that her body sustain the people, and so Sky Woman sewed her body with seeds. Tobacco came from Earth Woman’s head, Strawberries from her heart, Sunflowers from her legs, and Potatoes from her feet. Meanwhile, Corn grew from her breasts, Beans grew from her hands, and Squash grew from her belly. These Three Sisters were the closest of the siblings, and their crops are unable to fully thrive when grown apart, and should also be eaten together.
Additionally, there is a story that Corn Spirit gifted the Corn Husk Doll to First Nations children. Originally, the doll had a beautiful face, but she spent all her time admiring herself instead of playing with the children, so Corn Spirit took her face away, which is why the dolls are always blank-faced. There is some confusion among some magical authors which conflates Corn Husk Dolls with Corn Dollies. Corn Dollies are different, traditionally made from the straw of European grains such as wheat and barley, and they were rarely made in humanoid shape. They were usually made as decor or gifts for spirits instead of toys meant to be played with daily by children.
In modern witchcraft, any part of the corn can be used spiritually. Corn seed makes a lovely offering to nature, especially to animals that eat corn or to the earth itself. Most parts of the corn connect to fire, though corn tassels and corn silk connect to air. Corn connects to all four directions. Corn connects to Litha and to the Corn Moon especially, but also all the summer moons and to Mabon and Lughnasadh. It connects to the sign of Leo and to the Sun and Venus. Corn connects to the numbers 7, 9, & 5, to the card of The Empress, and to the rune Jera. It connects with the stones Citrine (esp heat treated amethyst), Nephrite, and Bloodstone and the metal Gold. It is believed to have power over Action, Animal magic, Childbirth, Cycles, Fertility, Pregnancy, Wealth, and Wit/Guile. Corn silk has those powers as well as powers of Lust and Passion.
Corn is connected to Corn Spirit (also called Corn Sister or Corn), the Maya Hero Twins, the Maya maize gods, Chicōmecōātl, Centeōtl, Quetzalcoatl, Mandaamin, Earth Woman, and Sky Woman. However, many modern witches and pagans also connect it to European agricultural deities and spirits. However, out of respect to a history of colonization that has suppressed its original spiritual context, we encourage corn and corn silk to only be used for European grain deities when no other grain product is available, and to ALSO give thanks to the local spirits which have blessed us with so much corn that we are able to use some for this purpose.
Suggested magical uses for corn:
- Offering to birds
- Offering to local land spirits
- Grinding & placing in the soil beneath any plant you have taken things from in order to offer nutrition back to that plant
- Casting a circle outdoors
- Planting the seed and taking care of the seedling as a fertility spell
- Sprinkle some in your purse to bring abundance
- Casting corn to see what shapes it makes as a way of helping you come to a decision