HearthBeats: Notes from a Kitchen Witch

Kitchen/Cottage Witchery

Kitchen witchery or Cottage witchery is a special kind of magick. Many times you can be in the home of a kitchen/cottage witch and never know it. You may never see a pentacle or any other sign of witchery. We are just your normal every day people. If you sat at our table you would see many of the same things you would see in your home… only we may use them differently.

But the earmark of a kitchen /cottage witch’s home is the “feel” of it. Here you will be at peace. Calm, centered, comforted. That is what many of us infuse our homes with. For Kitchen/cottage witchery is the sort of magick that puts welcomed guests and family at ease.

These are subtle types of magick: think handmade and homegrown-a sheave of dried herb from our garden, a flower grown in the yard, herbs and spices dried and sitting in jars, candle spells and color magick. The magickal household accessories, charms, and spells may not be obvious, but they are there nonetheless. Many of the ingredients kitchen/cottage witchery calls for are, for the most part, already readily available to you, probably sitting in the spice rack or cupboard or outside, compliments of good old Mother Earth.

Home is where the hearts is, and remember that the most powerful magick always comes from the heart. That makes a Kitchen/Cottage Witch’s home a powerful magickal place. There is actually a spiritual connection between us and our homes. When we use the energies of nature and bring them into our homes, they become blessed with magickal purpose, they become sacred spaces.

Much of our magick is done in our kitchens… not because we are all culinary wiz’s but because much of our lore is centered around the “hearth” For generations the hearth is where the family prepared herbal remedies, cooked their food, and gathered together. It was the natural place for magick, as the hearth exuded light and warmth and was literally the heart of the home. We extend that now to our kitchen as many of us no longer have “hearths and fireplaces”… Think back to any family gatherings… where do you congregate?? Where do you wander when you have guests… do you end up having all of your Coven/circle members crammed into the kitchen… well then … think now how much energy you have placed there. So while you’re thinking about this, get up and take a walk around your place. Close your eyes after you enter the rooms and cast out your senses. Really try to get an impression for what type of energy you have going on in there. You will often find a couple of places that pull both visitors and family members alike.

Periodic cleansing and blessing of your home is a good Idea… it helps to remove negativity that may be brought in as well as keep some of the future negativity from entering.

I borrowed this Blessing from another source… but it has been a while since I have read the original as well as having read about a billion other things since… I really cannot say where I got it… so if anyone knows… let me know so I can give credit in the future. I have modified it a bit from the original… so it is not illegal… but I would like to know anyway…

Here is a natural magick blessing to try out.

Pick the room or rooms that you feel are the heart of your home and gather these simple and elemental supplies.

* A small dish of salt to represent the earth and prosperity

* A stick of incense (your choice of scent) and a holder; the scented smoke represents air and knowledge

* A red candle and a coordinating candleholder for fire and passion

* A small bowl of water for water and love

* Matches or a lighter

* Small white “birthday” candle to place a protective symbol on the window

* Small purple candle and candle holder for spirit

Straighten and clean the room or rooms to be blessed.

Then light the candle and the incense.

Place the candle in the center of the room.

Beginning in the east, and moving in a deosil (clockwise) motion, work your way slowly around the room. First mix a bit of salt in the water., Then carry the incense around, waving a little of the smoke to help it flow, Next sprinkle a bit of the water around the perimeter of the room. Visualizing prosperity and love

Then carry the incense around, waving a little of the smoke visualizing passion and knowledge

Take the white candle and at the windows and doorways place a small pentacle at one corner. This represents all of the elements including Spirit

Then settle in front of the purple candle and visualize the blessings from each of the four elements and spirit.

There is the gift of prosperity from deep in the earth.

Knowledge is sent along a fragrant breeze from the air.

Passion is rewarded to you from the bright, dancing flames of fire,

And love embraces you from the emotional element of water.

Spirit is in everything you touch and connect with… it entwines all the elements into you.

Picture these elemental gifts in your mind and then visualize both you and the people or pets that live with you receiving an equal share of these offerings.

When you are ready, center yourself and repeat this blessing:

Elements all I call, release now your power,

As I bless my home in this magickal hour.

No negativity can enter, no spirits shall roam,

As I consecrate and protect the heart of my home.

As you finish the charm, draw a circle in the air above the candle flame with your

finger. Spiral it up faster and faster, higher and higher, until you fling the energy off

and out into the room. Then close up the spell by saying,

This home is now blessed by my will and desire,

I close this spell by earth, air, water, and fire.

You may allow the candle and the incense to burn themselves out.

Does the house feel different.. better .. or just balanced? I bet if you

pay attention, you’ll notice a subtle change in people’s reactions as they enter the

heart of your home, your energy will radiate out to the rest of the place.

Now you may think that because you do not live in a huge sprawling cottage in the woods somewhere you cannot be a Kitchen/cottage witch… but that is sooo not the case. Your Hearth is where you make it. No matter where you live, in the city or a rural area, kitchen/cottage witchery can successfully but you will need to be creative. For example, if you can’t decorate the outside of your door, then decorate the inside of the doors. The energy and the intent are there. So then will the enchantment be there as well.

Many apartments have a deck, patio area, or even a little fire escape. Set a few pots of flowers or herbs out there; see what you can conjure up. How about a few houseplants on the windowsill? Use your imagination! Don’t be afraid to take what you have to work with and adapt it to make it uniquely your own.

You do not need a cauldron… not when you have pots and pan, wooden spoons and other such utensils..

Kitchen/Cottage witchery is about using modern ways to creatively turn the place where you live into one of comfort, happiness, to use those things you have to bring balance and magick.

Kitchen/Cottage witchery embraces a magickal style and atmosphere in the home that is

down to earth and definitely hands-on. It is all about nature and energy and magick… and how to use it in YOUR life and YOUR home.

I know that this has had nothing to do with the Sabbats.. Either Yule or Mid-summer / Litha. But it has to do with the every day. The fact that we do these things because they are natural… second nature. Not due to a holiday or a sabbat. We Kitchen / Cottage witches work year round to use the season and the world to our advantage, to make a warm safe place out of our Home and Hearth. Now if you look for the Recipe column, I will have some Yule/ Litha recipes for you all.

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

The Hearthkeeper