Making magic in the kitchen and blessing ingredients and meals is one of the most basic rituals a pagan can do for themselves and their family.
Food has magical properties – both in its nutritional value, but more importantly in how it makes us feel when we eat it.
Living in a magical household means paying attention to the every day activities in our lives.
When we go into the kitchen and prepare food it turns into an act of love for ourselves and our families – and it is magic.
We turn ordinary ingredients into fabulous meals using wooden spoons and spatulas as our wands. We perform simple alchemy to change base materials into “gold”.
All good cooks know they are magicians in the kitchen, but for Pagans this daily work is as important as casting spells in the sacred circle.
Food sustains and nourishes us and plays an important part in our social lives, and does much more than simply comfort us when we are feeling unhappy or tired.
Making magic in the kitchen means preparing our food as an embodiment of the sacred – treating it with respect, considering its origins, and thanking the animals and plants, as well as the harvesters (and yes, even the processors) for their part in bringing it to our table.
Taking time to honour these elements ensures that any negative energy associated with the food is banished, and that the preparation is done with honour and care.
Before beginning to prepare even the simplest of meals take a short time to clear any negativity from your own mind and body.
Wash your hands and visualise any bad energy flowing with the water and down the drain.
Take a few deep breaths and ground and centre yourself.
Gather your ingredients and before beginning any preparation spend a few moments thanking the origins of the food in front of you.
Send positive and healthy energy into the food and the utensils which you will use to prepare it.
These simple rituals will result in your meals being filled with increased energy and positivity, which will flow on through your family, ensuring mealtimes become an harmonious occasion.
It is also good practice, where possible, to make a food blessing at the table once the meal has been served.
You can make up your own simple blessing – simply hold your hands, palm facing downwards over your plate, or over the table, and make a silent wish for blessing, or you may speak your blessing aloud – for example: “We thank the Goddess for our food this day. Blessed Be.”
Here are some examples of other simple blessings:
1. We bless this bread
This food
This table
We thank the harvest
And all that is good.
2. Blessings upon this food
Blessings upon this family
Blessings upon all who need
May no one hunger.
3. Made with love
Blessed with love
Eaten with love
We are one with the earth
And give thanks.
