{"id":7318,"date":"2012-12-01T01:10:26","date_gmt":"2012-12-01T06:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=7563"},"modified":"2012-11-25T12:19:00","modified_gmt":"2012-11-25T17:19:00","slug":"one-witchs-wanderings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2012\/12\/01\/one-witchs-wanderings\/","title":{"rendered":"One Witch’s Wanderings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Magickally Potent Potables<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At this time of year, I love warm beverages. In addition to being delicious, they’re good on the throat and warm in the belly. They’re full of healthy stuff to enjoy on a cool autumn night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of those classic images from witchcraft is of the witch, leaning over her cauldron, stirring the brew inside.\u00a0 Given what she’s usually wearing \u2013 warm weather clothes \u2013 I guess that perhaps she’s making something warm to drink on this chilly evening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One by one, she’s gathered the fruits from her kitchen herbs from her cabinet, measuring and preparing them.\u00a0 She blesses each, each its own unique spirit, grown from the body of Mother Earth, nurtured in the soil from seed to leaf to fruit.\u00a0 She describes to each component its purpose, then adds it to the pot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She’s whispering her intent over the herbs and roots she added to the pot.\u00a0 Over and over she chants a short, hypnotic-sounding rhyme, stirring deosil or widdershins, depending on her intent. On the surface of the swirling fluid, she watches her dream manifest.\u00a0 As it solidifies in the potion she brews, she knows that she will soon take that vision into herself, and make it a part of her reality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

————<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Heart of the Hearth mulled apple cider potion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This formula is one I like quite a bit. The ingredients blend together to make a warm, savory and sweet beverage that is a perfect firelight indulgence.\u00a0 I love to drink this on chilly nights as a way to bring in some of that fire and sunlight energy into these long, dark nights.\u00a0 I have a tendency to want to hibernate in the wintertime, but snuggling under covers with a book doesn’t get much done, though.\u00a0 So, this potion brings a little warmth, a spark of the hearth fire into my being, to give me a bit of energy and enthusiasm during the dark days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00bd gallon unfiltered apple cider<\/p>\n

10 cloves<\/p>\n

pinch ginger, or fresh sliced if possible<\/p>\n

one orange (sliced)<\/p>\n

1 tsp nutmeg<\/p>\n

3 cinnamon sticks<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Magickal symbolism:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Apple: (Venus) (Water) \u2013 Love, immortality, sacred to the Isle of Avalon.<\/p>\n

Clove: (Jupiter) (Fire) \u2013 Draws money, removes negative vibrations, purifies<\/p>\n

Ginger: (Mars) (Fire) \u2013 Power, good health, success<\/p>\n

Orange: (Sun) (Fire) \u2013 Good fortune and luck<\/p>\n

Nutmeg: (Jupiter) (Fire) \u2013 Good luck, prosperity, draws money<\/p>\n

Cinnamon: (Sun) (Fire) \u2013 Protection, stimulating, good health and energy<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This recipe is heavy on the fire symbolism, but all of that powerful, active energy is balanced out by the base of this recipe \u2013 the cooling and sweet waters of the Goddess, present in the apple cider itself. Thus, there is a nice balance of yin and yang in this recipe, blending together the active and the receptive into the mix.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The process:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Make sure your stove top is clean and free from clutter.\u00a0 Put a few candles on the stove top and around the kitchen.\u00a0 Light the candles and turn out the rest of the lights.\u00a0 Put on some music if desired.<\/li>\n
  2. Ground and center.\u00a0 If you desire, ritually purify the area with salt water and\/or incense.<\/li>\n
  3. Light the burner, saying, \u201cCreature of Fire, create my desire!\u201d \u00a0Take a moment to recognize that this heat source has the power needed to transform your mix of ingredients into a powerful potion.\u00a0 Start out on medium, and reduce the setting to simmer after a few minutes.<\/li>\n
  4. Put a saucepan on the stove and pour the apple cider in.\u00a0 As you do, speak a few words from your heart, thanking the spirit of the apple and extolling its virtues in your potion.\u00a0 I say something along the lines of: \u201cThank you, spirit of Apple, for bringing your loving and magical presence into my potion. May you nourish my soul and body.\u201d<\/li>\n
  5. Add each other ingredients, likewise thanking the spirit of the plant and describing its virtues.<\/li>\n
  6. Stir the potion.\u00a0 The potion should warm for a good ten or fifteen minutes.\u00a0 As it warms, stir it periodically slowly and deliberately.<\/li>\n
  7. All of the ingredients besides the apple cider are based in the element of fire.\u00a0 So, as you are stirring, imagine seeing warm, lapping flames in the pot, feel the warmth of the sun around it. I see in the surface these warm embers of energy stirring into the cider, making the perfect potion to refresh and recharge.\u00a0 You may chant something rhythmic and let that rhythmic chanting help charge the potion with the powers of elemental fire, or you may wish to ad-lib your specific intent, speaking the power into the potion as you stir, stir, stir the cauldron.<\/li>\n
  8. When the cider is sufficiently warm, tap the stirring spoon three times on the edge of the pot and say, \u201cSo mote it be.\u201d<\/li>\n
  9. Pour through a strainer and serve warm.<\/li>\n
  10. Thank the spirits that be, and blow out the candles.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    But the magick is not over yet.\u00a0 It’s not just in brewing the potion that we’re making magick \u2013 it’s in drinking it, too.\u00a0 Sit down in a comfortable spot \u2013 in front of your altar, perhaps \u2013 and light some candles.\u00a0 (Do not burn incense, though, as the scent will possibly distract from the flavor of the potion.) Get into a receptive frame of mind.\u00a0 Be ready to imbibe the magick you poured into the potion.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    First, smell the potion.\u00a0 Open your nostrils wide and take a deep breath of the aroma.\u00a0 Feel the warmth of the steam in your nose.\u00a0 Let the scent fill you, through your nose, down to your lungs, and from there, permeating to every cell in your body.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Take a sip.\u00a0 Let the taste linger on your tongue.\u00a0 Enjoy every nuance. Feel the warmth, the textures, the flavor landscape.\u00a0 Swallow it, and feel the warm liquid roll down your throat, your esophagus, and into your belly.\u00a0 Let that warmth fill your being, starting in your belly, and radiating outward into every cell in your body.\u00a0 Feel the warmth and the power of the potion infusing into your very energy pattern, giving it that energizing fire that you stirred into the potion.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Take each sip with this level of mindfulness and sensory awareness, making sure to finish the potion before it gets cold.\u00a0 When you are finished, say, \u201cSo mote it be,\u201d give thanks to the spirits that be, and blow out the candles.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Magickally Potent Potables   At this time of year, I love warm beverages. In addition to being delicious, they’re good on the throat and warm in the belly. They’re full of healthy stuff to enjoy on a cool autumn night.   One of those classic images from witchcraft is of the witch, leaning over her cauldron, stirring the brew inside.\u00a0 Given what she’s usually wearing \u2013 warm weather clothes \u2013 I guess that perhaps she’s making something warm to drink on this chilly evening.   One by one, she’s gathered the fruits from her kitchen herbs from her cabinet, measuring and preparing them.\u00a0 She blesses each, each its own unique spirit, grown from the body of Mother Earth, nurtured in the soil from seed to leaf to fruit.\u00a0 She describes to each component its purpose, then adds it to the pot.   She’s whispering her intent over the herbs and roots she added to the pot.\u00a0 Over and over she chants a short, hypnotic-sounding rhyme, stirring deosil or widdershins, depending on her intent. On the surface of the swirling fluid, she watches her dream manifest.\u00a0 As it solidifies in the potion she brews, she knows that she will soon take that vision into herself, and make it a part of her reality.   ————   Heart of the Hearth mulled apple cider potion:   This formula is one I like quite a bit. The ingredients blend together to make a warm, savory and sweet beverage that is a perfect firelight indulgence.\u00a0 I love to drink this on chilly nights as a way to bring in some of that fire and sunlight energy into these long, dark nights.\u00a0 I have a tendency to want to hibernate in the wintertime, but snuggling under covers with a book doesn’t get much done, though.\u00a0 So, this potion brings a little warmth, a spark of the hearth fire into my being, to give me a bit of energy and enthusiasm during the dark days.   Ingredients   \u00bd gallon unfiltered apple cider 10 cloves pinch ginger, or fresh sliced if possible one orange (sliced) 1 tsp nutmeg 3 cinnamon sticks   Magickal symbolism:   Apple: (Venus) (Water) \u2013 Love, immortality, sacred to the Isle of Avalon. Clove: (Jupiter) (Fire) \u2013 Draws money, removes negative vibrations, purifies Ginger: (Mars) (Fire) \u2013 Power, good health, success Orange: (Sun) (Fire) \u2013 Good fortune and luck Nutmeg: (Jupiter) (Fire) \u2013 Good luck, prosperity, draws money Cinnamon: (Sun) (Fire) \u2013 Protection, stimulating, good health and energy   This recipe is heavy on the fire symbolism, but all of that powerful, active energy is balanced out by the base of this recipe \u2013 the cooling and sweet waters of the Goddess, present in the apple cider itself. Thus, there is a nice balance of yin and yang in this recipe, blending together the active and the receptive into the mix.   The process:   Make sure your stove top is clean and free from clutter.\u00a0 Put a few candles on the stove top and around the kitchen.\u00a0 Light the candles and turn out the rest of the lights.\u00a0 Put on some music if desired. Ground and center.\u00a0 If you desire, ritually purify the area with salt water and\/or incense. Light the burner, saying, \u201cCreature of Fire, create my desire!\u201d \u00a0Take a moment to recognize that this heat source has the power needed to transform your mix of ingredients into a powerful potion.\u00a0 Start out on medium, and reduce the setting to simmer after a few minutes. Put a saucepan on the stove and pour the apple cider in.\u00a0 As you do, speak a few words from your heart, thanking the spirit of the apple and extolling its virtues in your potion.\u00a0 I say something along the lines of: \u201cThank you, spirit of Apple, for bringing your loving and magical presence into my potion. May you nourish my soul and body.\u201d Add each other ingredients, likewise thanking the spirit of the plant and describing its virtues. Stir the potion.\u00a0 The potion should warm for a good ten or fifteen minutes.\u00a0 As it warms, stir it periodically slowly and deliberately. All of the ingredients besides the apple cider are based in the element of fire.\u00a0 So, as you are stirring, imagine seeing warm, lapping flames in the pot, feel the warmth of the sun around it. I see in the surface these warm embers of energy stirring into the cider, making the perfect potion to refresh and recharge.\u00a0 You may chant something rhythmic and let that rhythmic chanting help charge the potion with the powers of elemental fire, or you may wish to ad-lib your specific intent, speaking the power into the potion as you stir, stir, stir the cauldron. When the cider is sufficiently warm, tap the stirring spoon three times on the edge of the pot and say, \u201cSo mote it be.\u201d Pour through a strainer and serve warm. Thank the spirits that be, and blow out the candles.   But the magick is not over yet.\u00a0 It’s not just in brewing the potion that we’re making magick \u2013 it’s in drinking it, too.\u00a0 Sit down in a comfortable spot \u2013 in front of your altar, perhaps \u2013 and light some candles.\u00a0 (Do not burn incense, though, as the scent will possibly distract from the flavor of the potion.) Get into a receptive frame of mind.\u00a0 Be ready to imbibe the magick you poured into the potion.   First, smell the potion.\u00a0 Open your nostrils wide and take a deep breath of the aroma.\u00a0 Feel the warmth of the steam in your nose.\u00a0 Let the scent fill you, through your nose, down to your lungs, and from there, permeating to every cell in your body.   Take a sip.\u00a0 Let the taste linger on your tongue.\u00a0 Enjoy every nuance. Feel the warmth, the textures, the flavor landscape.\u00a0 Swallow it, and feel the warm liquid roll down your throat, your esophagus, and into your belly.\u00a0 Let that warmth fill your being, starting in your belly, and radiating outward into every cell in your body.\u00a0 Feel the warmth and the power of the potion infusing into your very energy pattern, giving it that energizing fire that you stirred into the potion.   Take each sip with this level of mindfulness and sensory awareness, making sure to finish the potion before it gets cold.\u00a0 When you are finished, say, \u201cSo mote it be,\u201d give thanks to the spirits that be, and blow out the candles.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/177"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7318"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7318\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}