Sabbat Altar And Celebration Ideas For The Solitary Witch

Anti-Inflammation Tea: orange slices, cloves, cinnamon stick, finely chopped ginger root, rosemary and blueberries. Simmer these for 10-15 minutes, then remove and steep a green tea bag in the liquid for 3 additional minutes. Strain and serve warm or chill.

okay y’all, take it from a southern queer kitchen witch: biscuits ‘n gravy IS indeed a witch meal (as is any meal you make, not just traditionally “healthy” food)! you’d be surprised what can nourish your body and spirit when you work from scratch and share your energy with your kitchen and ingredients. 

below is my recipe, inspired by the spicy-fennel gravy my Appalachian grandma always seemed to have on her stove when we visited. i use to call it “glop,” xo

*to my weed witches, this is the perfect wake-n-bake w/ friends or lovers on a Sunday morning kindof meal* 

🍴 Easy Biscuits: makes 6-8 

*2c all purpose flour, plus more for dusting   *2 tbsp baking powder

*sugar, 2 large pinches (think thumb + index)  *1 tsp salt   *1c whole milk

*5 tbsp COLD (!!) unsalted butter, cut into small chunks (i cut it then put it back in the fridge until i’m ready to blend) 

-If using food processor, add flour / baking powder / sugar / salt and cut in butter (~7 pulses), until it resembles rough crumbs. otherwise, add the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and use a fork or dough blade to cut in the chunks of butter. your dough should look like a crumble, with no visible butter. 

-if using food processor, transfer crumble to a mixing bowl. add milk and stir with fork until it resembles a sticky, rough ball. turn-over onto flour surface, sprinkle top with flour and begin patting into a round disc, gently pat it down, and fold over. do this once more. bond with ur dough, it loves you!

-rest a kitchen towel over the dough for 30 minutes. when you return, dust a cup’s rim to cut-out biscuits. return to fridge until ready to bake. 

-preheat a cast iron skillet in the oven at 425°F. when preheated, add cold biscuits and brush with melted butter / oil. bake for 10-15 minutes, until the dough doesn’t give to your finger when you press the tops. if you don’t have a skillet, simple bake on a baking sheet according to the instructions above!

🍳 Grandma Irene’s Gravy: makes plenty for ur biscuits, plus a lil extra!

*peppercorns (lots!) + garlic, 2 cloves (protection, intuition)  *red chili (cleansing)

*fennel seed (confidence, self-love n growth)  *oregano (joy, fulfillment, health)

*1 lb ground sausage (or substitute)  *2+ tbsp AP flour  *3c whole milk

-toast ground peppercorns, fennel seed, garlic, dried red chili, and oregano (preferably fresh from ur plant bb) in a large cast-iron skillet or other deep frying pan. 

-add sausage (or substitute), pinched off into smaller chunks and cook over medium-high heat until brown. sprinkle generous salt.

-add 2 heaping tbsp flour and mix into sausage until combined. add milk and mix well, bring mixture to a boil then return to medium - stir lots during this process. the gravy will begin to thicken, be patient and cook it down for about 10-15 minutes as the biscuits finish.

-serve to your liking, though i enjoy w/ a sunny-side up egg on top!! 

Litha Altar Decorations

- lots and lots of flowers that grow native in your area this time of year

- sunflowers, roses, lavender, dandelions

- flower crowns and flower garlands

- a bowl of fruit and vegetables, especially anything citrus like oranges 

- lots of candles (Litha is a fire sabbat)

- colours like yellow, gold, and orange

- you could have a vase of sticks with fairy lights in it to represent a bonfire

- maypoles are still a thing for Litha

- a cute offering dish to leave out sweets for the fae

- a jar of local honey

- anything that represents the sun

- incense (sandalwood, rose, lavender, frankincense, dragon’s blood)

- oak leaves and acorns

- anything that reflects the sun like suncatchers, glass beads, and mirrors

When do you stop being a BABY-WITCH?

If you're hoping for a smooth reply... you'd be disappointed about this post LOL. This is just a personal opinion.

First thing first I'd prefer to use the term "beginner" instead of "baby" but let's go with the flow for a moment.

The more you know...?

I honestly don't think that the amount of info you know defines if you're a baby witch or not, but it does help for sure. Why?

In my humble opinion...you stop being a baby witch when you're able to fully explain the aspects of Your own ritual.

Easy? No. In order to do that you have to:

🔺Know how to set intent.

🔺Know how to focus properly on what you're doing.

🔺The ingredients correspondences.

🔺Be able to give a personal meaning to words/gesture/timing etc

🔺Be prepared for the consequences and eventually know how to nullify your spell or correct your mistakes

🔺If you work with a deity or another being... you should know about culture/pantheon/offerings/proper EVERYTHING.

To add your own touch to a certain ritual you have to know the general basics, the history behind your practice and mostly...Yourself, your reasons, what pushes you to grow or holds you still. Who you are...

Quick Project: Associations

Take a sharpie pen, and write associations on the back of your spice jar labels. 

This will help for quick reference while cooking as to what intentions are going into the pot, so it were.  You can reinforce them by focusing on them, and just being generally aware of what is going in.  

Use the white spaces of the labels to your advantage.  This doesn’t have to be pretty, after all, most people just have regular run-of-the-mill plastic spice containers. 

This isn’t a substitute for a more practical list in your Grimoire/BoS, but it can be a quick and dirty trick. ;)

Author: Elizabet Wynnter Blog: The Spiral-Path Please do not remove Author or Links

Yule ball

Ingredients:

🌙 salt/sea salt, pine needles, dried rose petals, rosemary, dried orange peel, lavender, star anise, *coffee beans

Process:

🌙 First add the salt, then your herbs. After this you can add *optional items like crystals, ribbons, sigils, ...

As you add your items, state your intent and the purpose of each one.

Now you can decide, were to hang youre Yule ball - I prefer it in the corners of the room or near the window.

Please feel free to put other ingredients in it and hang the ball wherever you like. ❤ Try to collect some ingredients outside. 🌙🌲

Have fun. 🌙

Pasta Shapes Correspondences

I love to make meals with pasta and sometimes it can be good to slip your intention in with the very shape of your pasta pieces and not just the toppings.  Here is my list of personal correspondences and uses, feel free to use them!

Acini di pepe- This is pasta in tight tiny balls- For temporary spells

Agnolotti- Little pasta parcels- Gifts, money

Alphabet pasta- This is pasta that is in the form of letters- Writing, studying, research

Anelli- This is pasta in the shape of small rings- Bonding, relationships/friendships

Calamarata- This pasta resembles squid rings- Good for hiding/invisibility glamours

Campanelle/Gigli- This pasta is in the shape of a frilly flower- Relaxation, tranquility, peace

Casarecce- The name of this pasta is from the Italian word for ‘homemade’- Family, warmth, hearth magic

Conchigle- This pasta is made in the shape of a shell- Communication, sea magic, water magic

Crest di galli- Pasta shaped a bit like the pipette but had a frilly edge like tripoline on top. I had it a lot when I was very young and I think looks like the Loch Ness monster- Imagination, creativity

Elbow Macaroni- I think this pasta looks like rainbows- Welcoming, affection, bonding, comfort, hope

Farfalle/Farfalline/Corbatta- This pasta is in the shape of butterflies- Transformation, renewal, changes

Fusilli/Cavatappi/Rotini- This pasta looks like a corkscrew- Celebrations, festivals and holidays

Gemelli- Means ‘twins’ in Italian but many think it looks like a unicorn’s horn- Good for fae work

Lanterne- Though the name means ‘lantern’, I think they look like waves- Sea magic, turbulance, change

Lasagna- Flat sheet like pasta- Protection, safety

Linguine/Fettuccine/Pappardelle- These are all flat, ribbon-like pasta shapes- Beauty, self love and acceptance

Maltagliati- Meaning ‘badly cut’ as it is made from scrap and left over pasta- Resourcefulness, creativity, adaptivity

Mezza Luna- This pasta is shaped like crescent or half-moons and is stuffed with meats or vegetables- Lunar magic, celebrating points of the lunar cycle

Nuvole- This pasta is shaped like little clouds- Good for weather magic

Orecchiette- This shape is named after ears- Communication, understanding, listening

Penne- The name of this pasta means ‘pen’ in Italian- Writing, long distance relationships/friendships

Pipe/Pipette/Lumache- These all look like closed ended pipes or snail shells- Good for slow acting but stubborn spells

Radiatori- This pasta is named after radiators!- Warmth, affection, friendships

Ravioli- Little pillows stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables- Dreaming, rest, good sleep

Rigatoni- Wide and ridged tubes- Memory, retaining information

Rotelle/Ruote- This pasta is shaped like wheels- Safe travel, exploration

Spaghetti/Angel Hair/Bucatini/Vermicelli- Thin lengths of pasta- For long-lasting spells

Spighe- This pasta looks like an ear of cereal- Harvest, fertility, plenty, money

Sorprese- Meaning ‘surprise’ in Italian due to not having filling and they resemble fortune cookies too- Luck

Stelle- Often given to children and are shaped like stars- Adventure, discovery, finding spells

Tagliatelle- Little nests of flat ribbon pasta- Hearth magic, family, affection

Tortellini- Little stuffed rings of pasta- Bonding, relationships/friendships

Tripoline/Mafalda- Both are frilly edged long pastas, but tripoline only has one frilled side and they look like jellyfish tentacles- Good for curses, banishing

Trofie- Twisted up pasta- Reliving stress, relaxation

Vesuvio- This twirled pasta has a flattened and domed end and is named after Mount Vesuvius- Destruction, power, good for curses

Ziti/Tubini- Smooth sided tubes- Forgetting, fading, disappearing

This list is not for every single pasta type, just types I have came across and have used and think I will use/make in the future. Please, if you have an interesting pasta shape, add it on!

Witchcraft for the Home: Herbs and Spices

Kitchen and Cottage witchcraft is really what I focus on and I love to do little things to encorperate little things into my every day practice and a great way to do that is in the kitchen. So I’m going to list some of my go to herbs and spices that I use. A page straight from my Book of Shadows DISCLAIMER: NOT ALL HERBS FROM YOUR LOCAL WITCH SHOP ARE FOOD GRADE. MAKE SURE TO ASK FIRST. USING HERBS THAT AREN’T FOOD GRADE TASTE AWFUL AT THE LEAST AND CAN MAKE YOU SICK AT THE WORST.

Basil- Good for Protection. A favorite for pasta dishes. Use pesto as a good way to incorporate it. It’s also really good in soups.

Bay Lead- My favorite use for Bayleaf is healing, but not really physical wellbeing. I use it motly for emotional and spiritual healing. Really great after a long, stressful day. Cooks best in slow cooker meals like soups, stews, and pulled meats

Cinnamon- Protection and passion. I always find that it always brings a sense of warmth to whatever I’m making. I use it in a lot of sweets or whenever I’m making Chai.

Clove- Brings in warmth and casts out negativity. Clove is my favorite spice so I’ll add it to just about anything that’s “spicy”

Nutmeg- Strengthens divination. Nutmeg is really good in fall flavored baking and warm flavored stews, like those with a tomato base.

Pepper- Used for protection. I like to think of it as sort of a ‘bite’ at the things you need protection from. Actively expelling instead of putting up a “wall” like cinnamon.

Poppy seeds- Prosperity. Lemon poppy seed muffins are an amazing good luck charm to use before a a big test or meetings.

Rosemary- Purification, intellectual protection. Rosemary is a sort of go all herb. It goes great in roasts and traditional English and American cooking. Use a spring of rosemary on roast veggies, chicken, or steaks.  It’s also good in homemade bread and can be used during Sabbats and Holidays as part of the feast.

Thyme- Divination and clarity. This is another sort of ‘old school’ herb. You can find it in a lot of simplistic cooking (three or four ingrediant meals) and in a lot of italian food. It pairs great with marinara, eggplants, and peppers. Roasted egg plant with olive oil and thyme is one of my favorites.

Vanilla- Love. I put a drop of vanilla in my coffee almost every morning to try and bring love into my day. It works great if you have a stressful job you need to remember to stay caring and level headed at (childcare, health care, support lines). I also like to use it in small short bread or sugar cookies and use those as offerings (particularly to Aphrodite)

This is probably the witch advice you didn’t ask for, but I’ve found it’s much easier to remember to do general periodic maintenance that’s otherwise easily forgotten or put off when tied to milestones such as solstices, equinox, new, or full moons. 

For example: Stow your winter blankets or clothes on the Vernal Equinox and take them out again on the Autumnal Equinox. Replace your air and water filters on solstices and equinoxes (every 90 days). Begin new 30-day challenges or do reset/cleaning of your living space on the new moon (every month). 

Living cyclically breaks life down into manageable little blocks of time and helps us live in the moment by paying attention to the ebb and flow of the Earth.

Khaire 💫💀🖤

I hope it’s ok to ask, if not feel free to just delete, lol, but I was wondering how do you motivate yourself to do things with your craft? I’ve just lately felt comfortable calling myself a witch, but right now it seems like it’s in name only. It’s like I want to do things, but I’m just so tired after work I just sit and watch netflix. :/ Right now isn’t the best time, everyone who can work is over worked, but if you have any tips I’d appreciate it. Thank you for your time! :)

Keep in mind we live exceptional dire times, and cut yourself some slack. I don’t know what it is you are doing, but if you are one of these workers who are forced to be, as they call it, on the front line - whether you are a doctor, a postman, a driver, a cashier, a nurse... - then your mundane life sure must be hectic right now. That being said, if you are a proficient magical practionner as you claim to be, then I suppose you already know separating the mundane and magical parts of yourself and your life is delusional. They will, and they shall, overlap.

When you wake up in the morning, what offerings do you put out for your spirits - be it house spirits, land spirits, gods and allies ? What prayer and hymn do you whisper, what bond do you acknowledge and strengthen ?

What talisman, what jewelry, what oil or what charm do you carry into your purse, pocket, or about your persona ? What for ?

What blessings, what protections, what blastings and curses do you bestow upon yourself, your loved ones, your enemies, when the night is dark and the moon hiding ?

How do you keep your magical hygiene going, how do you keep your senses sharp ? How do you train your eyes to see beyond, in smoke, cards, dreams, bones or mirrors ?

What do you read in your downtime, what podcast do you listen to in the subway, on your way to and back from work, on your lunch break, and before going to bed ? Do you follow any course ? Do you look for the ciphers in the stars, the glyphs in the ground ? What omens do they portent ?

How often do you take a walk in nature, when is the last time a plant or animal taught you something ? When is the last miracle you performed just for the sake of it, just because it’s fun and exhilarating ?

Are you good with your hands, do you craft or create, do you brew, cook, weave, all in attunement with your practice ?

It is about making the time, not because this is something you should do, but because this is something you are. Magic is not always rituals and fireworks, no, it is about constance, it is about kindling and tending an inner Fire. So make sure those embers don’t die out, amidst the ebbs and flows, growths and recessions of power. There is a fine line between laziness and indulgence that we all must learn to walk, so do not coddle your weaknesses. Respect your tides, for we all wane and waxe, but ride them.