The term 'Kitchen Witch' is one which has been gaining popularity over the past few years. You can now find books, websites, and courses dedicated to learning kitchen witchery. But what is a Kitchen Witch, and how does it differ from other types of witchcraft?
It is a path which very much focuses on the home and domestic affairs (although not in a 1930's housewife kind of way). Where as older traditions and systems of belief (such as the Roman's) saw the hearth as the centre of the home, the kitchen witch see's - you guessed it - the kitchen as the centre of the home. It is thought that this is where guests to the house will come as you grab a cup of tea, have a chat, and serve food, and is generally the epicenter of activity in the home.
Now, this isn't the case for everyone. When renting I found that open plan flats were abundant, where there was no kitchen as such. Studio flats were worse - when your bed is just yards away from your fridge it isn't so much a kitchen as just a variety of appliances thrown in wherever they will fit. When you're living in a house share with four other people, one of whom likes to have parties every weekend and the other two will happily leave dirty plates and cutlery all over the place, it is hard to feel like your kitchen is actually a place you want to spend time in. It is difficult, but I have found over the years that one skill all good witches need is the skill to adapt to their environment, and find ways of working that still suits them. It may be difficult, but even in these sorts of environments there are still things you can do to bring Kitchen Witchcraft into your life.
With the kitchen as the epicenter, there are several practices which are prominent in Kitchen Witchcraft, maybe more-so than other practices, that really make it stand out.
It is a path which very much focuses on the home and domestic affairs (although not in a 1930's housewife kind of way). Where as older traditions and systems of belief (such as the Roman's) saw the hearth as the centre of the home, the kitchen witch see's - you guessed it - the kitchen as the centre of the home. It is thought that this is where guests to the house will come as you grab a cup of tea, have a chat, and serve food, and is generally the epicenter of activity in the home.
Now, this isn't the case for everyone. When renting I found that open plan flats were abundant, where there was no kitchen as such. Studio flats were worse - when your bed is just yards away from your fridge it isn't so much a kitchen as just a variety of appliances thrown in wherever they will fit. When you're living in a house share with four other people, one of whom likes to have parties every weekend and the other two will happily leave dirty plates and cutlery all over the place, it is hard to feel like your kitchen is actually a place you want to spend time in. It is difficult, but I have found over the years that one skill all good witches need is the skill to adapt to their environment, and find ways of working that still suits them. It may be difficult, but even in these sorts of environments there are still things you can do to bring Kitchen Witchcraft into your life.
With the kitchen as the epicenter, there are several practices which are prominent in Kitchen Witchcraft, maybe more-so than other practices, that really make it stand out.
Food Magick:
The majority of people keep their food in the kitchen. Food is necessary for us to survive, and a balanced diet is paramount to our overall health and well-being. But don't be fooled - I don't think I've met a kitchen witch yet who didn't love cake (and I was in a coven with a few of them for a while!).
This isn't just about herbs and spices, although they are absolutely a great start. All foods have magickal properties. Strawberries promote love, healing, fertility and good luck. Potatoes can help quell uneasy stomachs and are good for healing (I have also heard of rituals where people use the potato to draw negative energies out of their body). Bread represents kinship.
There is a lot of information out there on the magick of food. Remember when putting food together with a specific intention in mind, it still needs to taste good though! Whilst both bananas and courgettes are symbols of fertility, I can't see a bowl of those two mixed together being that appetising.
If focusing on the specific properties of each food item isn't ideal for you, then you can think quite top level. Are you feeling cold, tired and run down? Something warm and comforting like soup could do the trick. Need something to give your energy levels a boost? Try something spicy.
It isn't just about the food itself. You can infuse any type of food or meal with your intention as you're cooking. As your making a soup, stir it clockwise and focus on bringing healing sickness to an ill friend. Or stir anti-clockwise and visualise it banishing the sickness from their body.
You can also use shapes to represent magickal intention. Bread or cookies baked into crescent moons to represent the Goddess, or the shape of a heart to promote love, for example.
Food magick is definitely a whole article in its own right (which I will get around to writing at some point), but hopefully this illustrates just how much can be done with food magick, and as a Kitchen Witch it will become a core part of your practice.
Growing Their Own Foods and Herbs:
Growing your own food and herbs can be a powerful experience. You will automatically feel more of a bond with something you have grown from seed and nurtured, and this will only make your magick more powerful. It also helps us remember how precious food is; for those of us who are just terrible at keeping plants alive, or who don't have the space to grow much, it is a humbling reminder that having access to food 24/7 is a luxury we shouldn't take for granted.
Even if it is just a couple of pots on top of a windowsill, it will help. If you don't have the time, space or money to be able to dedicate to growing herbs or vegetables, even something hardy such as succulents are a great start. Sure, you can't eat them, but they can act as a symbolic gesture and still help you feel more connected with nature. I currently have a couple of Jade plants and a couple of unidentified succulents on my kitchen windowsill, along with some courgette seedlings that have been growing for the past couple of weeks. Plants can be brought pretty cheaply, and they don't need to be huge to make a difference.
Worshiping Deities Of The Hearth And Home:
I spent several years working with Nantosuelta, the Gaulish Goddess of Hearth and Home. I would ask for her blessings upon the house as I cleaned, dedicate food to her, and call upon her in cleansing or protection rituals around the home. To me, she represents the home, harmonious relationships and abundance, which make her an excellent hearth Goddess, and one I recommend looking into if you are just starting out.
Other deities of the hearth and home you could look into include the Roman Goddess Caia Caecilia (you can find out more information on her here), the Greek Goddess Hestia, the Roman Goddess Vesta, or the Celtic Goddess Brigid.
The Kitchen As A Sacred Space:
You will find that the kitchen is the primary sacred space to a witch, for it is here that they do most of their magick. Food magick, grinding up herbs in a pestle and mortar to make loose incense or sachets, etc. Many will put work into turning their kitchens into the ideal space, taking pride in labeling and carefully storing all of their herbs and spices. You will often find small altars to deities of the hearth and home in the kitchen. Protection charms, and other magicks will be present. These don't have to be overly obvious either, especially if you live in a place with a shared kitchen or you are in the closet. I have two bobblehead figurines I bought at Asda one Halloween (a skeleton and a Frankenstein) who sit in my kitchen and protect it. To everyone else, they just look like cool spooky toys I never took down several Halloweens ago.
Remember to cleanse your sacred space regularly, and remember to cleanse the rest of your house too. Whilst the kitchen is the centre of your workings, your whole house is a sacred space, connected to your kitchen. If you ignore the rest of your house and let negative energies build up, it won't be long before you start to feel its effects. Sage smudging, a cleansing ritual, floor washes and carpet mixes (see here for more information), or even just the traditional sprinkling of salt can be effective ways of cleansing and blessing your sacred space.
There are other elements of witchcraft that a lot of kitchen witches adhere to. Moon worship and following the lunar cycles is a big one. As is communing with nature, plants and animals. Using all natural remedies, usually made by hand from fruits and herbs at their disposal, for healing, cleaning and other endeavors is commonplace.
The kitchen witch is resourceful and self-sufficient, and not just in magick. Other activities such as knitting, sewing, being able to to do basic DIY around the house are also skills that whilst not magickal, many kitchen witches find compliment their dedication to their path.
The majority of people keep their food in the kitchen. Food is necessary for us to survive, and a balanced diet is paramount to our overall health and well-being. But don't be fooled - I don't think I've met a kitchen witch yet who didn't love cake (and I was in a coven with a few of them for a while!).
This isn't just about herbs and spices, although they are absolutely a great start. All foods have magickal properties. Strawberries promote love, healing, fertility and good luck. Potatoes can help quell uneasy stomachs and are good for healing (I have also heard of rituals where people use the potato to draw negative energies out of their body). Bread represents kinship.
There is a lot of information out there on the magick of food. Remember when putting food together with a specific intention in mind, it still needs to taste good though! Whilst both bananas and courgettes are symbols of fertility, I can't see a bowl of those two mixed together being that appetising.
If focusing on the specific properties of each food item isn't ideal for you, then you can think quite top level. Are you feeling cold, tired and run down? Something warm and comforting like soup could do the trick. Need something to give your energy levels a boost? Try something spicy.
It isn't just about the food itself. You can infuse any type of food or meal with your intention as you're cooking. As your making a soup, stir it clockwise and focus on bringing healing sickness to an ill friend. Or stir anti-clockwise and visualise it banishing the sickness from their body.
You can also use shapes to represent magickal intention. Bread or cookies baked into crescent moons to represent the Goddess, or the shape of a heart to promote love, for example.
Food magick is definitely a whole article in its own right (which I will get around to writing at some point), but hopefully this illustrates just how much can be done with food magick, and as a Kitchen Witch it will become a core part of your practice.
Growing Their Own Foods and Herbs:
Growing your own food and herbs can be a powerful experience. You will automatically feel more of a bond with something you have grown from seed and nurtured, and this will only make your magick more powerful. It also helps us remember how precious food is; for those of us who are just terrible at keeping plants alive, or who don't have the space to grow much, it is a humbling reminder that having access to food 24/7 is a luxury we shouldn't take for granted.
Even if it is just a couple of pots on top of a windowsill, it will help. If you don't have the time, space or money to be able to dedicate to growing herbs or vegetables, even something hardy such as succulents are a great start. Sure, you can't eat them, but they can act as a symbolic gesture and still help you feel more connected with nature. I currently have a couple of Jade plants and a couple of unidentified succulents on my kitchen windowsill, along with some courgette seedlings that have been growing for the past couple of weeks. Plants can be brought pretty cheaply, and they don't need to be huge to make a difference.
Worshiping Deities Of The Hearth And Home:
I spent several years working with Nantosuelta, the Gaulish Goddess of Hearth and Home. I would ask for her blessings upon the house as I cleaned, dedicate food to her, and call upon her in cleansing or protection rituals around the home. To me, she represents the home, harmonious relationships and abundance, which make her an excellent hearth Goddess, and one I recommend looking into if you are just starting out.
Other deities of the hearth and home you could look into include the Roman Goddess Caia Caecilia (you can find out more information on her here), the Greek Goddess Hestia, the Roman Goddess Vesta, or the Celtic Goddess Brigid.
The Kitchen As A Sacred Space:
You will find that the kitchen is the primary sacred space to a witch, for it is here that they do most of their magick. Food magick, grinding up herbs in a pestle and mortar to make loose incense or sachets, etc. Many will put work into turning their kitchens into the ideal space, taking pride in labeling and carefully storing all of their herbs and spices. You will often find small altars to deities of the hearth and home in the kitchen. Protection charms, and other magicks will be present. These don't have to be overly obvious either, especially if you live in a place with a shared kitchen or you are in the closet. I have two bobblehead figurines I bought at Asda one Halloween (a skeleton and a Frankenstein) who sit in my kitchen and protect it. To everyone else, they just look like cool spooky toys I never took down several Halloweens ago.
Remember to cleanse your sacred space regularly, and remember to cleanse the rest of your house too. Whilst the kitchen is the centre of your workings, your whole house is a sacred space, connected to your kitchen. If you ignore the rest of your house and let negative energies build up, it won't be long before you start to feel its effects. Sage smudging, a cleansing ritual, floor washes and carpet mixes (see here for more information), or even just the traditional sprinkling of salt can be effective ways of cleansing and blessing your sacred space.
There are other elements of witchcraft that a lot of kitchen witches adhere to. Moon worship and following the lunar cycles is a big one. As is communing with nature, plants and animals. Using all natural remedies, usually made by hand from fruits and herbs at their disposal, for healing, cleaning and other endeavors is commonplace.
The kitchen witch is resourceful and self-sufficient, and not just in magick. Other activities such as knitting, sewing, being able to to do basic DIY around the house are also skills that whilst not magickal, many kitchen witches find compliment their dedication to their path.
So what practical steps can you take to bring kitchen witchcraft into your life?
Tidy your space. Ideally this would be a kitchen, but sometimes that is not always possible (living with other people, or not having a kitchen as such). Wherever in your home you choose to make the 'centre' of your magickal working, clean it, tidy it and cleanse it. Keep it in a state that brings peace and serenity to your being; for some people this may mean bright colours and various decorations, but others may prefer a minimalist approach. It doesn't need to just be confined to this one space. You can use protective charms by a door for example, or make a dreamcatcher to place in your bedroom to help ward off nightmares.
Research the magickal properties of foods and herbs that you use regularly, and start a recipe book. It doesn't have to be fancy; mine includes a basic rosemary bread recipe, lasagne, and various cakes and biscuits for example. I also keep a separate book for 'other' recipes, such as healing salves, loose incenses, tea mixtures, cleaning solutions, etc.
Actually use these recipe books! Witchcraft isn't just about knowing, it is also about doing. Experiment with tea; for example, I find a ginger and lemon tea helps when I'm cold and need a bit of comfort, a spearmint and chamomile tea helps gently wake me up in the mornings, whilst a tea made of passionflower will help if I can't sleep. Use beeswax and essential oils, natural butters and other ingredients to make your own beauty products and soaps. Collect flowers from the garden or when out on a walk, dry them and use them to make a loose incense to burn as you clean. There are so many opportunities, and getting creative can be a lot of fun!
Find a hearth deity to work with and create a little shrine to them. If you are still in the closet, or living with others you can make it something conspicuous such as a wall hanging or decorative cross-stitch.
Build up your herb collection. Dried herbs can be bought fairly cheaply in supermarkets or the internet. I personally love putting them in glass bottles and printing out vintage apothecary style labels for them.
Write a meal blessing, something short but meaningful you can recite before you eat to remind you to be grateful for the food on your plate. For example, 'Great Nantosuelta, I give thanks for this food and the blessings you bestow on me. May I be able to share this bounty with others. May we never hunger.'
Keep a plant or two (or many!). Even small succulents, hardy plants, will help you connect with the earth and the nature around us, and help you bring those positive energies into your home.
Kitchen witchcraft is an interesting path to follow, and with it becoming more and more popular there is a wealth of information out there. Make the most of the free resources online as well as some of the fantastic books and workshops out there (I highly recommend anything by Rachel Patterson), but most importantly if you are wanting to see if Kitchen Witchcraft works for you then dive in and give it a go!
Tidy your space. Ideally this would be a kitchen, but sometimes that is not always possible (living with other people, or not having a kitchen as such). Wherever in your home you choose to make the 'centre' of your magickal working, clean it, tidy it and cleanse it. Keep it in a state that brings peace and serenity to your being; for some people this may mean bright colours and various decorations, but others may prefer a minimalist approach. It doesn't need to just be confined to this one space. You can use protective charms by a door for example, or make a dreamcatcher to place in your bedroom to help ward off nightmares.
Research the magickal properties of foods and herbs that you use regularly, and start a recipe book. It doesn't have to be fancy; mine includes a basic rosemary bread recipe, lasagne, and various cakes and biscuits for example. I also keep a separate book for 'other' recipes, such as healing salves, loose incenses, tea mixtures, cleaning solutions, etc.
Actually use these recipe books! Witchcraft isn't just about knowing, it is also about doing. Experiment with tea; for example, I find a ginger and lemon tea helps when I'm cold and need a bit of comfort, a spearmint and chamomile tea helps gently wake me up in the mornings, whilst a tea made of passionflower will help if I can't sleep. Use beeswax and essential oils, natural butters and other ingredients to make your own beauty products and soaps. Collect flowers from the garden or when out on a walk, dry them and use them to make a loose incense to burn as you clean. There are so many opportunities, and getting creative can be a lot of fun!
Find a hearth deity to work with and create a little shrine to them. If you are still in the closet, or living with others you can make it something conspicuous such as a wall hanging or decorative cross-stitch.
Build up your herb collection. Dried herbs can be bought fairly cheaply in supermarkets or the internet. I personally love putting them in glass bottles and printing out vintage apothecary style labels for them.
Write a meal blessing, something short but meaningful you can recite before you eat to remind you to be grateful for the food on your plate. For example, 'Great Nantosuelta, I give thanks for this food and the blessings you bestow on me. May I be able to share this bounty with others. May we never hunger.'
Keep a plant or two (or many!). Even small succulents, hardy plants, will help you connect with the earth and the nature around us, and help you bring those positive energies into your home.
Kitchen witchcraft is an interesting path to follow, and with it becoming more and more popular there is a wealth of information out there. Make the most of the free resources online as well as some of the fantastic books and workshops out there (I highly recommend anything by Rachel Patterson), but most importantly if you are wanting to see if Kitchen Witchcraft works for you then dive in and give it a go!
