Kitchen Magic

The practice of folk magic utilizes a variety of tools to empower simple rituals. These tools include visualization, candles, colours, words, affirmations, herbs, essential oils, stones, and metals. Other tools, fashioned by our hands, are also used, but these are merely power-directors. They contain little energy save that which is provided by the magician.

Another magical tool is at our disposal, a tool that contains specific energies which we can use to create great changes in our lives. This tool is all around us. We encounter it every day without realizing the potential for change that exists within it; without knowing that, with a few simple actions and visualization or two, this tool can be as powerful as the rarest stone or the costliest sword.
The Source of Power in question is Food

This isn’t a new idea. From antiquity, humans have honoured food as the sustainer of all life, a gift from the unseen deities who graciously provided it. Food played an important role in religious rituals for most cultures of the Earth as they entered the earliest stages of civilization. Its essence was offered up to the deities that watched overhead, while its physical portion, if not burned, was shared by the priestesses and priests. Food became connected with rites of passage such as birth, puberty, initiation into mystical and social groups, marriage, childbirth, maturity, and death.

Not only was food linked with all early religions; it was also understood to possess nonphysical energy. Different types of food were known to contain different types of energy. Certain foods were eaten for physical strength, for success in battle, for easy childbirth, for health, sex, prosperity, and fertility.

## Neglected in the Western World

Though food magic was born in an earlier age, it hasn’t died out. Foods are used in magic in both the East and West, though the rationale for including them may have changed. Birthday cakes are an example. Most birthday cakes contain iced wishes of good luck. Why should we eat words? Originally, the words were thought to contain the energies associated with them. So the birthday celebrant was believed to enjoy both the cake and the energy of the words. Birthday cakes are a contemporary form of food magic, whether or not those who perpetuate this ritual are aware of it.

While food magic has suffered from neglect in most of the Western world (outside of religious connections), there are many places where food is still viewed as a tool of personal transformation. In Japan and China, specific foods are eaten to ensure long life, health, love, even a passing grade on an examination. Such rituals have continued for 2,000 to 3,000 years because they are effective.

## Can not be Evil

Visualization is the most advanced magical technique necessary for the successful practice of food magic. Food magic consists of choosing foods, cooking or preparing them with a purpose, and eating them. Since we all have to eat to survive, why shouldn’t we make our meals more than nourishment rituals?

It’s obvious that the energies involved in magic aren’t supernatural. On the contrary, they’re the energies of food and our own bodies— and of life itself.
Magic itself, let alone “Food Magick” can not be evil, except to a minority of folks who, for religious reasons, have decided that it is. These same folks often consider exercise, psychological analysis, self-improvement, and many other aspects of personal growth to be evil as well. Though their bias is clear, it’s meaningless to those who don’t accept their religious views.

Is magic dangerous? No more dangerous than any other part of life, from taking a shower to using a ladder. The idea that this ancient practice is dangerous stems from the concept that “magic is evil.” Magicians don’t contact demonic energies, perform sacrifices or worship fallen angels.

The fourth statement, that magic is an illusion, is also false. This idea is accepted by most of those who haven’t practised it and who don’t belong to a fundamentalist religious group. It is difficult or impossible to prove to these cynics that magic is effective precisely because magic utilizes energies that these cynics haven’t yet fully investigated.

Still, the effects can be seen. Magic doesn’t produce miracles; it produces needed changes. Disbelievers usually discount the fruits of magic as coincidence, as accidents, or as pure psychology. These three explanations are quite handy, but if magic produces the desired results time and time again, and if its practitioners find within its simple rituals ways of improving the quality of their lives, then it isn’t an illusion, no matter what others may say.

The only way you can discover this is by practicing it. Don’t believe that magic works. Try it, so that you’ll know that it does.

## Tools

These are the various tools and equipment used in Kitchen Magic

OvenCauldronPantryPlatesKnivesForksSpoon
## Grains

Bread & GrainsPretzelTortillaWheatBarleyRyeRiceMilletBuckwheatOatLentilsCornBeanPeaSoySunflower
## Leafy Vegetables

In general: Greens are linked with fairies in Scotland and Ireland. This may be one reason why green has long been thought to be an unlucky colour. Additionally, greens were once rarely found at wedding feasts and receptions for the same reason—the celebrants didn’t wish to offend the little people.

In folk magic, greens of all kinds are eaten for money.

ArtichokeBroccoliBrussels SproutsCabbageCauliflowerCeleryChervilChivesEndiveLeekLettuceRhubarbSeaweedSpinachWatercress
## Vegetables

AsparagusMushroomOliveSpirulinaSproutsTruffle