Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen (8 page)

A wide variety of cookie cutters is available. Specialty cutters available at Yule and Halloween offer a wealth of possibilities. Crescents, stars, brooms, “Witches,” suns, and many other styles are available. Use your imagination (and, if all else fails, a sharp knife) to carve your magical symbols.

Fortune Cookies

Ah yes, those ancient Chinese divinatory devices! Actually, fortune cookies were probably invented to advertise a Chinese restaurant in California during the 1920s. Still, they bear a resemblance to an ancient Roman practice. This method, known as aleuromancy, consisted of writing messages on slips of paper that were enclosed in balls of flour paste. These were mixed together and randomly distributed in order to reveal their receiver's fortunes.

The modern version is more pleasing to the palate. Making your own gives you the opportunity to truly personalize the fortunes,
and it's a good way to spend a rainy afternoon. Try it—your fortune cookies will be the hit of your next party, dinner, or ritual gathering.

Take a large piece of clean white paper. Cut into 48 strips of paper, each about
1
⁄
2
inch wide and 3 inches long.

Sitting before them with a pencil, close your eyes and clear your mind. Contact your psychic awareness. Allow it to send messages to your conscious mind.

Then start writing the fortunes. Write whatever pops into your head. Write neatly. If nothing comes to you, here are some samples that you can use to spark your imagination:

—Those who wait, do not

—Luck lies around the corner

—Speak not to strangers

—Wait until the wind rises

—Happiness is found within

—You will not want

—Love is on the breeze

—Rippling water answers you

—The stars shine upon you

—You are blessed

—Wealth lies before you

—Do it!

Or, if you're as bad at writing fortunes as I seem to be, draw one magical symbol on to each slip of paper.

Now, to making the cookies. The “secret” here is to use soft, clean cotton gloves. These are indispensable (unless you're really into pain) for the process of folding the cookies. Cardboard (
not plastic
) egg cartons are also essential. Here's how to do it:

Fortune Cookies

1
⁄
2
cup melted butter

3 egg whites

3
⁄
4
cup sugar

1
⁄
8
teaspoon salt

1
⁄
4
teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon instant tea

2 tablespoons water

The fortunes

Burn a light blue candle in the kitchen as you work. Mix together the egg whites, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Stir in vanilla, flour, tea, water, and melted butter individually. When well mixed, chill for at least thirty minutes. Heat oven to 350°F (177°C).

Drop a rounded teaspoon of the chilled dough onto a greased baking sheet. Using the back of the spoon, spread the batter until it makes a thin, 3-inch circle. Repeat to form a second circle—but form no more than two at a time. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until the edges turn brown. Just before they're done, put on the cotton gloves. Remove the pan from the oven. Using a spatula, lift one cookie from the sheet. Place on a clean, unfloured surface. Working quickly, lay one fortune across the center of the cookie. Lift one edge and fold over to form a half circle. Holding the cookie at the ends, place the middle of the fold over the rim of the cardboard egg carton. Bend down the ends. Carefully place the cookie into an egg hole in the carton to cool. Quickly repeat this entire process with the second cookie.

Continue until you've used up the dough. Bake no more than two cookies at a time; otherwise they'll stiffen and you'll be unable to bend them.

Pies

Pastry probably originated in ancient Greece.
105
It was learned by the conquering Romans, who spread the art throughout their empire. Pastry isn't used only to hold sweet foods, of course; English pasties and dough-wrapped fish come to mind. The lore of sweet pies, however, is so compelling that I'm limiting my remarks to them.

Pies were once illegal. Oliver Cromwell, that humorless gent who ruined countless English parties in the 1600s, banned all pies in the Commonwealth. Why? Because they gave people pleasure, which was the last thing this tyrannical, fanatical Puritan wanted. Fortunately, Charles II ascended to the throne in 1660 and restored the enjoyment of pies throughout the land. A new royal was rarely so well-received.
105

Why are American pies round and not square? This custom began during colonial times in the United States (I guess our Puritans were open to some forms of pleasure). The deep square or oblong pans used in Europe required far too much precious fruit, so the corners were cut off and the pan was made shallow. Hence, our round pies.
105

Magically speaking, round pies induce spirituality, and square pies promote prosperity. Pies topped with intricate lattice-work crusts are useful in protective diets. The choice of fruits is important when making (or even buying) a pie. Choose them for their magical energies. Here's a quick list of some of the more common pies and their magical qualities (fruit is more thoroughly discussed in
chapter 11
):

Apple:
Love, healing, peace

Apricot:
Peace

Banana cream:
Money

Blackberry:
Money, sex

Blueberry:
Protection

Chess (custard):
Spirituality

Chocolate cream:
Money, love

Coconut cream:
Spirituality

Cherry:
Love

Key lime:
Love, purification

Lemon:
purification, love

Mince:
“Luck,” money

Peach:
Love, health, happiness, wisdom

Pecan:
Money

Pineapple:
Love, healing, money, protection

Pumpkin:
Money, healing

Raspberry:
Happiness, love, protection

Rhubarb:
Protection, love

Strawberry:
Love

This magical information also relates to tarts, cobblers, and turnovers. Visualize as you mix, bake, and eat!

Mince pie is a special case. Throughout England and Europe, mince pies are baked and served on New Year's Eve. Just after midnight, a piece is eaten, with a wish (and attendant visualization). This also bestows money on the eater.

While baking pies, lightly mark a pentagram on the upper crust (if it has one; if not, mark on the lower crust before baking. This guards the pie during the baking process. Or, cut slits. Alternately, lightly trace symbols related to your magical goal into the pie's crusts (
see “Symbols,”
page 341
).

At one time, pastry left over from forming the crusts was baked and left as an offering to the spirits who were thought to inhabit the kitchen. I remember my mother baking these remnants, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, and serving them to us. They often seemed to taste better than the pies themselves.

Pancakes

To close this chapter, a short look at pancakes—those bubbly, light-brown things that fly off the griddle and often hit the bottom of our stomachs like a pound of granite.

Pancakes are “luck” foods around the world. In England, Shrove Tuesday is known as Pancake Day. To eat a pancake on this day ensures a year with plenty of money, food, and luck. This custom stems from pre-Christian roots.

Before the destruction of their folk practices, Russians used to celebrate the coming of spring with a special ritual. They drove an image of
Masslianitsa,
the goddess of butter, on a sledge around the villages, singing and enjoying themselves. The decorated figure was then burned (ouch!) and the celebrants feasted on
blinni
, a traditional Russian pancake, to end this Pagan festival.
79

Today, many groups still call upon the power of this basic dish. They do this by having fund-raising pancake breakfasts that dimly echo the wild feasts of earlier times.

Pancakes are linked with the two most important gifts of the earth—grain and milk. No wonder they've been honored. Here's some of my pancake magic:

For Money

Short on cash? Make up some buckwheat pancakes. Pour them onto the griddle in the shape of a dollar sign. Visualize. Cook, flip, and serve with maple syrup (another money-attractant).

An All-Purpose Pancake Ritual

While visualizing, quickly pour any pancake batter onto the griddle in the reversed shape of some magical symbol (such as a pentagram). Flip, cook, and eat.

A Pancake Divination Ritual

Several years ago, I ran across a simple and delicious pancake divination that I've shared with many friends.

Make the batter from scratch, stirring clockwise and visualizing your question. If you have no specific question, simply blank your mind.

Pour the batter onto the griddle. Push the rounded tip of a wooden spoon into the center of the uncooked pancake against the griddle. Randomly move it, asking your question.

When it's time, remove the spoon and flip the pancake. Symbols will appear on the browned side. Use your psychic awareness. Interpret them to give you a glimpse of possible tomorrows.

[contents]

Chapter Ten

Vegetables

W
ait a minute!” you might be thinking. “Vegetables aren't as interesting as other foods!” Perhaps. These green (red, purple, brown, white, yellow, and orange) foods, however, are just as important as desserts in magic. We've been trained by our society to desire sweet foods and to ignore veggies. Despite our transient desires, we can't limit ourselves to eating only sweets.

That said, read on and enjoy yourself.

Artichoke

(Cynara scolymus)

Planet:
Mars

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Protection

Lore:
Greek legend states that the first artichoke was originally a beautiful woman. Some angry god (frankly, I don't know which) was so jealous of her beauty that he transformed her into an artichoke.
92

The artichoke seems to have originated in the Medi-terranean region and in the Canary Islands. This vegetable was enjoyed in ancient Rome as a luxury food. The Romans preserved it in brine or vinegar (much as we pack artichoke “hearts” in oil).
53, 92

Magical uses:
The artichoke is certainly delicious. Because it is a member of the thistle family, and due to its flower's sharp points, the artichoke is eaten as part of protective diets.

Flavor with garlic or bay leaves for additional protective energy.

Asparagus

(
Asparagus officianlis
)

Planet:
Mars

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Sex

Magical uses:
As you prepare the asparagus to be cooked or steamed, visualize yourself enjoying sex. Eat with power.

Bamboo

(
Bambusa
spp.)

Planet:
Sun

Element:
Air

Energies:
Protection, psychic awareness

Lore:
Bamboo is an ancient symbol of longevity in China and Japan.
3
It is also planted around homes to guard them. Hawaiian religion is rife with bamboo lore.
7

Fresh bamboo shoots are poisonous. They must be cooked before they can be safely eaten.
71

Magical uses:
Bamboo shoots are added to protective diets. To further empower them with protective energy, mark a small pentagram on each shoot with a knife before adding it to food.

Bamboo shoots are also eaten to enhance psychic awareness. Use in salads with fresh sprouts to open your deep mind.

Bean

(
Phaseolus
spp.)

Planet:
Mercury

Element:
Air

Energies:
Money, sex

Lore:
Beans were a major part of the diets of many Mesoamerican cultures, including the Maya and the Aztecs. They're still an important food throughout Latin America.

Plutarch states that beans were given in sacrifice to Harpocrates (the Graeco-Roman deity) in the month of Mesore. Apollo was also offered beans in sacrifice. The Egyptian king Ramses III offered 11,998 jars of shelled beans to the deities on one occasion.
23
Several ancient religions forbade priests and priestesses to eat beans.

The Romans offered beans to the dead at certain festivals. The Greeks and Romans also used beans for ballots: white beans for yes, black beans for no. Apollo was offered beans in sacrifice.

Beans were long thought to promote sexual desire if eaten. The famous English herbalist Culpeper recommended them for this purpose, while a father of the Church, Saint Jerome, forbade nuns to eat beans because they “tickled the genitals.”
71

In England, insanity was thought to be the result of sleeping overnight in a bean field.
99
The white flowered beans, however, have long been sacred to the Goddess and were revered by many peoples.

Colonists learned the art of cooking Boston baked beans from American Indians.
29

Magical uses:
Add beans to diets designed to increase wealth. If you make your own baked beans, add a touch of ginger, maple syrup, and other money-attracting foods during their preparation, and visualize as you mix and cook. Or, eat beans with the appropriate visualization to increase your interest in sexual activity.

Hot chili with beans is a protective dish.

Beet

(Beta vulgaris)

Planet:
Saturn

Element:
Earth

Energies:
Love, beauty

Lore:
Beets have been eaten for centuries by persons wishing to lengthen their life spans. Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, was said to have used beets to maintain and increase her beauty.
56

The redness of this food dictates its use during harvest and for winter religious festivals such as Lughnasadh (August 1) and Samhain (November 1).

Magical uses:
Folk magic states that if a man and a woman eat from the same beet, they'll fall in love with each other. While this may not be the case (love is far more complex), beets should be added to love-attracting diets.

Cook and eat beets while visualizing yourself enjoying increased beauty. Remember: beauty is internal as well as external.

Broccoli

(Brassica
spp.)

Planet:
Moon

Element:
Water

Energies:
Protection

Magical uses:
Broccoli is a fine addition to protective diets. Season with basil, garlic, and mustard seed for increased power.

Brussels Sprouts

(Brassica
spp.)

Planet:
Moon

Element:
Water

Energies:
Protection

Lore:
Legend has it that brussel sprouts were created from wild forms of cabbage growing in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar relied on cabbage to prevent or to cure the hangovers that usually resulted from his fabulous, excessive feasts. He was naturally disturbed that no fresh cabbage was available during the winter.

According to this myth, he ordered his head gardener, Brussel, to devise a method of growing cabbage year-round. By hybridizing, Brussel eventually succeeded in creating today's brussel sprouts, which, indeed, are small cabbages and belong to the cabbage family.
56

Magical uses:
Eat Brussels sprouts as a part of protective diets. Adding a bit of salt to them is fine, since salt is also a protective substance, but too much of anything (especially salt) results in ill health. Ill health leads to a lack of our body's normal psychic protections. As an alternative to salt, try basil, dill weed, and mustard, all of which are protective flavorings.

Cabbage

(Brassica
spp.)

Planet:
Moon

Element:
Water

Energies:
Protection, money

Lore:
Superstitious persons once placed cabbage leaves on their foreheads on the dreaded Friday the 13th to keep evil far from them—and, most probably, to keep them far from everyone else.
56

Around 621
b.c.e.
, officials in Greece passed a law calling for the death penalty for anyone caught stealing cabbages, a favored food.
56
Also, in Greece, the sad idea arose that eating several heads of cabbage everyday would cure insanity and nervous conditions.
56

Magical uses:
Cabbage is a fine lunar food. Serve it by the light of the Full Moon after magical and spiritual rituals.

Like brussel sprouts and broccoli, cabbage is eaten to internalize protection. Flavor it with basil and mustard for this purpose. Or, eat salty sauerkraut for protection.

Green cabbage is added to money-drawing diets. For this purpose it is cooked with a solid silver coin. Or, flavor with dill seeds to attract prosperity. Cabbage soup is a tasty way to bring money energy into your life. The Roman naturalist Pliny recommended cabbage before sleep to prevent nightmares.

Carrot

(Daucus carota)

Planet:
Mars

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Sex

Magical uses:
Carrots have been consumed since the days of ancient Greece to induce the desire for sexual contact. Prepared and eaten with the correct visualization, carrots may play a part in overcoming psychological impotency.

Cook them with parsley and caraway for the best results.

Cauliflower

(Brassica
spp.)

Planet:
Moon

Element:
Water

Energies:
Protection

Magical uses:
Eat fresh or cooked cauliflower as part of a protection diet. To increase its effectiveness, cook cauliflower with dill, mustard seeds, or rosemary.

Celery

(Apium graveolens)

Planet:
Mercury

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Sex, peace, psychic awareness, weight loss

Lore:
Roman women ate celery to increase their sexual appetites.

Magical uses:
This plant's aphrodisiac powers have long been celebrated. Celery soup was one of Madame de Pompadour's favorite dishes for this purpose. Curiously, heated celery seems to emit a type of pheromone, the chemical sex-attractant naturally secreted by humans and animals. This could be why celery has been favored for this use for 2,000 years.
52

If you make celery soup, cook it with visualization. Such sex-stimulating foods are, of course, only effective if
you
eat them. They will have little or no effect when served to others.

With a different visualization, eating fresh or cooked celery is soothing and brings peace.

Add celery seed (as a seasoning) to foods to strengthen psychic awareness. Celery is also a part of weight-loss plans.

Chervil

(Anthriscus cerefolium)

Planet:
Mercury

Element:
Air

Energies:
Weight Loss

Lore:
Folk magicians once boiled chervil with pennyroyal. The resulting brew was thought to cause its drinker to see double.
56
The plant was named
cerefolium
to honor its ancient use in festivities directed to Ceres, the goddess of grain and vegetation.
94

In earlier, rougher times, many died from combat wounds due to infection. In the 1500s, wounded men were given chervil juice to drink. If they kept it down the chervil predicted that they would live. If they “cast it up,” the wound was mortal.
56

Magical uses:
Chervil can be hard to find, but is well worth seeking, especially as it can be of help when trying to lose weight. Juice a bit of this plant every day, visualize, and drink to maintain or to regain your desired figure. For added power, eat in a salad with chickweed.

Chili

(Capsicum
spp.)

Planet:
Mars

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Protection

Lore:
From archaeological evidence found in Mexican caves, chili peppers seem to have first been cultivated 9,000 years ago.
29, 90
The Aztecs are said to have used chili peppers in rituals designed to exorcise spirits from possessed persons.
100

Chili peppers were recently banned from one state's prison system because the burning vegetables could be used as weapons. Curiously enough, during the seventeenth century, Spanish invaders were repelled in some parts of South America by the smoke from burning chilis.
29
In contemporary New Mexico, the core of a red bell pepper is still burned on a Friday night to prevent evil from harming humans.
80

Magical uses:
Though there are dozens of varieties, the most commonly seen in U.S. markets are jalapeno, cayenne, and “bell” peppers. Add any of these to diets designed to guard against negative energies. Chile rellenos, stuffed (vegetarian or otherwise) peppers, and jalapeno jelly are three examples of protective foods.

By the way, all peppers (except black pepper) are members of the same family. If you don't like extremely hot peppers, try the milder pepperoni (the ones served in Italian restaurants), a dash of cayenne, pimento, or the sweet, firmly fleshed bell peppers in your magical protective diet.

Chives

(Allium
spp.)

Planet:
Mars

Element:
Fire

Energies:
Weight loss, protection

Lore:
Chives may have been first grown in what is now Siberia, near the shores of Lake Baikal, one of the deepest lakes in the world.
56
Chives were considered to be powerful aphrodisiacs.
56

Magical uses:
The great herbalist Gerarde stated that eating chives would surely “attenuate or make thinne,” and these mildly flavored onions are worth trying if you're adopting a weight-loss way of life. Though they are difficult to find fresh in grocery stores, they are easily grown at home. Chives even grow well in containers.

For protection, tie a chive into a knot, add to food, and eat. Do this with visualization!

To be rid of a nasty habit or some personal problem that has been vexing you, tie the problem into a chive with a knot and bury. Do not uncover it.

Cucumber

(Cucumus sativus)

Planet:
Moon

Element:
Water