Yule is the celebration of hope, returning light and life. At the Winter Solstice, we acknowledge that the darkness is defeated by the light once more and that the days will grow longer each day from here. Wassail (pronounced “waes hael”) is traditionally prepared and shared around Yule as a means invoke the sun, and bring us cheer as we face winter’s cold darkness.
The earliest versions of Wassail was a warmed mead into which roasted crab apples were dropped and burst. This drink was called ‘lambswool’ and was drunk on Lammas day. Later, the drink evolved to become a mulled cider made with sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, topped with slices of toast as sops and drunk from a large communal bowl called the ‘wassailing bowl’.
Many of our best known “holiday” spices (cinnamon, orange, nutmeg, ginger, allspice) all have solar and fire associations. Drinks such as Wassail, not only heat you up physically but also bring you into resonance with the newly returning solar energies of the Winter Solstice.
This recipe can be prepared in either a crockpot (lowest setting) or in a stockpot on the stovetop (med-low heat).
Ingredients:
2 quarts apple cider
2 cups orange or cranberry juice
2 cups spiced rum
1 tablespoon allspice
2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
1 small orange, sliced into 4-5 rings
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
1 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Honey (optional)
Turn your heat source on high and pour in the juices. Stir in allspice, then add the cinnamon sticks (We crushed them with a rolling pin). Slice the orange into rings and stud the peel with the whole cloves.
Cover the pot cook on high for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Turn heat to low and allow to simmer for 3 more hours or until the liquid starts to foam. The orange slices and cinnamon will have settled to the bottom. Sweeten with honey to taste. Add rum 5-10 mins before serving. Serve warm.
Tip: For a bubbly Yule party punch, try substituting champagne for the rum! Ginger ale is also a great non-alcoholic alternative.
1 Garlic Clove, chopped (OR ½ teaspoon garlic flakes OR 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder OR ½ teaspoon garlic salt)
5 Potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 Large Carrots, sliced
2 ½ Cups of Water (approx. will depend on how large your pot is)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Bay leaves
1 Teaspoon of Tarragon
1 Teaspoon of Thyme
½ Teaspoon of Rosemary
Salt & Pepper to taste
Large Pot
Something to stir with
How to Prepare:
Heat the oilin the large pot, then add the chopped onionandgarlic. Saute over medium heat for a few minutes until garlic is fragrant, then add the cubed potatoes. Cover the potatoes with the water. Add the sliced carrots next, followed by the bay leaves,tarragon,thyme,rosemary,salt, and pepper. Stir once to combine. Continue cooking for 25 minutes, stirring gently every once in a while, until the veggies are tender. Enjoy!
Not exactly witchy, I know, but cooking IS witchcraft! :D
For anyone interested in more than just the art, here’s the synopsis and link to where you can read it:
Juniper Savine has three goals: first, to clear her father’s name. Second, to win the competition to become the king’s head chef. Third, to get revenge. As a sensari of Taste, Jun’s got magical cooking on her side–and that’s about it. If she fails, she faces sacrifice to a wrathful god…but that’s the least of her worries. Dark secrets and the people entangled in them hound her every step. The cherry on top? She’s pretty sure she’s falling for one of her most bitter enemies…the daughter of the man she intends to kill.
Oh, and her burly guard, too.
~A polyamorous tale of love, revenge, and magical food wars set in a world with a magic system based around the five senses~
We may often think of the color red and it’s association with the summer season in our magical workings. It’s very fiery and energetic and feels right at home in this high intensity season. Along with it’s inherent power to motivate us, increase our confidence, and stimulate our passionate side; the color red may also be able to help protect us from sunburns and skin damage this summer!
Red produce often get their color from the antioxidant lycopene which can help reduce our susceptibility to sunburns. Here are some red foods you can work into your kitchen magic or Litha meals to draw on the power of RED this season!
TOMATO
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that tomato consumption resulted in skin that was 33 percent more protected from sun exposure. The lycopene giving the fruit it’s red color also neutralizes harmful molecules produced in skin exposed to the sun’s ultra-violet rays.
Damage inflicted by the free radical molecules on skin structures and DNA can lead to premature ageing and skin cancer so eating more tomatoes also keeps your skin looking young and beautiful!
Research showed that cooked tomatoes were higher in lycopene than raw tomatoes and tomato paste is chalk full of the good stuff. So, next time you feel like a pizza night this summer, know that it’s actually helping your skin!
Watermelon typically contains about 40 percent more lycopene than raw tomato! This antioxidant also absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation. It may take a few weeks to build up enough in your diet to notice significant solar protection benefits, but who doesn’t want refreshing watermelon on a hot summer day!
A study in the Photochemical and Photobiology journal found that beta-carotene—a plant pigment and precursor to vitamin A—provides protection against sunburn. And sweet red peppers are a stellar source of beta-carotene, clocking in at 42,891 micrograms per 100 grams (or about 3.5 ounces)! Add some of this red magic to your Litha celebration this year with some of these delicious recipes!
Of course you should still make sure to wear sunscreen and take other practical measures to protect your skin this summer. If you want to learn more about the science behind these powerful red foods, please check out the links to the studies below. Stay hydrated and safe this summer, Love and Light - LUMI
a simple and quick kitchen witch spell to kickstart a good mindset, inspired by usagi’s cute little breakfast
what you’ll need:
eggs | renewal
bacon | abundance
bread | health
salt | cleansing
rosemary | memory
thyme | positivity
black pepper | banishing negativity
butter | nurturing
tea or coffee (any type) | energy, various intent
sugar | manifesting
steps:
say a little bit of a dedication or prayer over each of your ingredients, assigning them their intent (you can do this the night before if it’s easier)
if you’re making tea, boil some water; if you’re making coffee, start your coffee maker
cook your eggs and bacon in a lightly buttered pan over the stovetop (make your eggs however you want, it doesn’t really matter)
put two slices of bread in your toaster (again, any kind of bread, however you want it)
when all the food is finished cooking, butter your toast slices and top them each with a few strips of bacon and one egg
sprinkle with salt, pepper, dried rosemary, and thyme
add sugar to your coffee/tea
eat your breakfast while you visualize restoring your energy, alertness, and positivity to start your day
To celebrate the new moon and focus my intentions for the coming cycle, I decided to make some brown sugar and cinnamon sigil cookies!
To make the cookies, combine two cups flour with one teaspoon cinnamon (abundance and luck), two teaspoons baking soda, and one teaspoon salt and set aside. In a different bowl, cream together ¾ cup butter and 1 ¼ cup packed brown sugar (attraction) Add in an egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until light and fluffy. Make sure to stir clockwise to help attract your intentions!
Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and combine together until a dough forms. It will be slightly soft, but not sticky. Form into a ball and cover, and refrigerate for a half hour. Once cold and slightly firm, roll into a log. Refrigerate again for at least an hour. You can leave the dough in the fridge overnight as well!
Once the dough is very cold and firm, slice into cookies. Draw sigils into the cookies that represent your intentions for the coming cycle! I drew my own sigils, feel free to use these or your own, whatever suits your needs best.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes and enjoy! The cookies do spread a bit when baked, so you may not be able to see the sigils you drew, but the intent and magic is still there. My whole apartment smells so good after making these!
A busy day in the kitchen today! Prepped for tomorrow’s Easter feast, made fresh blueberry and lemon muffins for breakfast, some gorgeous Italian bread and chicken and rice soup with homemade stock after cleansing and purifying my kitchen space!
