The Real Witches’ Kitchen: Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth
Includes around 100 spells and recipes – many revealed for the first time – for eating, drinking and making your life merrier, along with plenty of practical advice on witchy subjects such as potions to improve your looks without ruining your bank balance!Traditionally much of the work of the Witch took place around the hearth, where, herbs, plants and other ingredients were specially blended to create medicines to mend the body and heal the spirit, and foods and wines were created to celebrate the festivals of the Wheel of the Year. Today's hearth is the kitchen, and for many Witches it is the work-centre where they make the recipes and other 'tools' of their trade.The book includes:Oils, lotions and ointments, for magical and healing purposes• Soaps and bathing distillations, to prepare for Magical undertakings.• Brews and teas, using herb lore to heal the body and mind.• Soups, stews and other foods to sustain the sick and aid healing.• Candles and incenses, for use in Rituals and Magic.• Cakes, biscuits and breads, to honour the Goddess and the God.• Sabbat foods and wines to celebrate the Wheel of the Year.• Sachets of herbs to be given to those seeking protection, healing, confidence and many other problems
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THE
REAL WITCHES’ KITCHEN
SPELLS, RECIPES, OILS, LOTIONS AND
POTIONS FROM THE WITCHES’ HEARTH
KATE WEST
Element
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF
Element is a trademark of HarperCollinsPublishers Limited
First published by Thorsons, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 2002
This edition published by Element 2002
© Kate West 2002
Kate West asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
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Source ISBN: 9780007117864
Ebook Edition © FEBRUARY 2016 ISBN: 9780007387588 Version: 2016-01-06
Contents
ONE: Witchcraft, and Empowering your Herbal Work
TWO: Guidelines for Buying, Using and Storing Herbs and Plants
THREE: Soaps and Bathing Preparations
FOUR: Oils, Lotions and Potions
SIX: Feasting around the Wheel of the Year
SEVEN: Breads, Cakes and Biscuits to Honour the Goddess and the God
EIGHT: Soups and Foods to Strengthen and Heal
TEN: Looking Good, Feeling Fine
Introduction Merry Meet!
And welcome to The Real Witches’ Kitchen. The image of a Witch as a ragged-haired woman, dressed all in black, throwing strange ingredients into a bubbling cauldron in the dead of night is somewhat outdated! These days she, or he, is far more likely to be someone you know, dressed in normal clothes, working in their own kitchen. Witchcraft (or the Craft) is a very practical path, so who is going to forego the convenience of a modern cooker, the cleanliness of a decent work surface or the comfort of their own home for the environment that our predecessors were obliged to make do with? A herbal remedy, candle or incense is not going to be any less effective because you created it in the kitchen at lunchtime rather than in the woods at night. Witches of old may have needed to work furtively without modern power and water supplies, but that was because of the times they lived in, not because it makes for better Magic.
This book, however, is not just about Witchcraft or just for Witches. More and more people today are looking for natural remedies to enhance their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. They are seeking ways of enhancing their health, bodies and lives in ways which do not involve chemicals but rather make use of the herbs and plants which are all around us.
The Real Witches’ Kitchen is a book for everyone who wants to start making use of nature’s healing store. Here we look at the ways that common herbs and spices, and even some unlikely-sounding plants, can not only enliven our diet but also be used to heal the body, soothe the mind and enliven the spirit. Whilst this is not a cookery book, there are recipes and menus which can be used to celebrate the seasons, help our bodies to combat common ailments and even enhance romantic moments. There are teas, brews and even alcoholic beverages for celebration and for healing. There are soaps, oils, lotions and potions to smooth the way in daily life, as well as dietary advice and guidance, grooming and cosmetic tips to help you make the most of what nature has given you and candles and incenses to create a mood or focus you in the direction you need. There are even ideas for gifts for those who are dear to you.
Those who practise the Craft will find new ideas for celebrating the Wheel of the Year and ways of honouring the Goddess and the God. There are ways of feeding the elements within and working towards balance. Here you will find soaps and bathing preparations to ready yourself for the Circle, anointing oils for yourself and for Magical work, candles to carry your intent and incenses to please the Gods. There are sachets and charms, wards of protection and ways of enhancing your fortunes.
Those of you who are reading this without any previous knowledge of the Craft or who find the term ‘Witchcraft’ disturbing will find a very basic introduction to this largely misunderstood belief system in Chapter One, ‘Witchcraft, and Empowering your Herbal Work’. This chapter will also provide guidance on using Magic to enhance the effectiveness of your work if you are new to the Craft. If you would like a more in-depth understanding, then I recommend that you also read
