Author: A Solitary Pagan

There have always been vegetarians, and there have also always been omnivores (though most earlier cultures ate far less meat than we do today). Neither way is more “correct” or “ancient” or, indeed, spiritual, although many are likely to disagree with this statement. Those in the West who feel that vegetarianism is necessary for magical and spiritual work are correct—for themselves. If they’ve ma...

Our ancestors worshipped food, seeing it as a gift from the hands of their deities. Food magicians don’t worship food, though we respect it as a life-sustaining substance containing the energies of the earth. Food is a manifestation of divine energies that’s vital to our survival. Approaching food from this frame of mind makes it easier for us to utilize it as a tool of self-transformation.

Planet: Mars Element: Fire Energies: Protection, fertility Lore: In the ancient world, watercress was thought to strengthen the conscious mind. The Greeks (who knew the plant as kardamon) ate watercress to gain wit. Classical Romans munched the spicy green leaves to stimulate their brains. Magical uses: Add watercress to protective diets. The sharp taste and the plant’s habit of growing near flowi...

(Curcurbita spp.) Element: Fire Energies: Spirituality Lore: Squash was cultivated in the Americas as early as 4000 B.C.E. Several American Indian tribes honored this plant. One striking Hopi kachina is depicted with a squash head, and squash-blossom necklaces are modern reminders of the original sacredness of this simple plant. Magical uses: Eat this vegetable in dishes designed to increase aware...

(Psium sativum) Planet: Venus Element: Water Energies: Love Lore: During the Inquisition, peas were thought to be standard food for“Witches.” They have always been sacred to the Mother Goddess. Magical uses: Cook peas with basil, coriander, dill, or marjoram. Cook while visualizing this simple food as a powerful love attractant. Then eat

(Phytolacca americana) Planet: Mars Element: Fire Energies: Protection Magical uses: All parts of this Native American plant are poisonous, save for the young shoots. These are cooked and eaten for protection.

(Cichorium endivia) Planet: Jupiter Element: Air Energies: Physical strength, sex Magical uses: Endive is overlooked today as a salad green. This is a shame, because it can be eaten to promote physical strength (and is certainly safer than steroids). Endive is another of the many foods that are thought to create sexual desire.

(Allium spp.) Planet: Mars Element: Fire Energies: Weight loss, protection Lore: Chives may have been first grown in what is now Siberia, near the shores of Lake Baikal, one of the deepest lakes in the world. Chives were considered to be powerful aphrodisiacs. Magical uses: The great herbalist Gerarde stated that eating chives would surely “attenuate or make thinne,” and these mildly flavoured oni...

(Brassica spp.) Planet: Moon Element: Water Energies: Protection, money Lore: Superstitious persons once placed cabbage leaves on their foreheads on the dreaded Friday the 13th to keep evil far from them—and, most probably, to keep them far from everyone else. Around 621 B.C.E., officials in Greece passed a law calling for the death penalty for anyone caught stealing cabbages, a favoured food. Als...

Planet: Sun Element: Fire Energies: Protection Lore: Pretzels have a long magical history. According to legend, the winter solstice was observed with a special bread in Europe during the Middle Ages. This bread was circular, in honour of the sun, but twisted at the centre to form an equal-armed cross symbolic of the four seasons. This was called a “bret-zel” or “pretzel,” and was a familiar festiv...

(Avena sativa) Planet: Venus Element: Earth Energies: Money Lore: In Scotland, cakes known as bannocks were baked and eaten at Beltane, the old Pagan observance of May Day. Oatcakes are still eaten during some contemporary Witches rituals. Magical uses: Use only whole-grain oats.  We can prepare and eat oatmeal first thing in the morning to bring money and prosperity into our lives. Other magical ...

(Solanum tuberosum) Planet: Moon Element: Earth Energies: Protection, compassion Lore: The potato is a native of Peru, where it was first cultivated by about34000 B.C.E. It was introduced to Spain (and subsequently throughoutEurope) in 1534. It was immediately claimed that the potato was a sure-firecure for impotency. At times, it was sold for the equivalent of 1,000 dollars a pound. Potatoes lost...