Cooking With Intention
We don’t actually know if herbs and spices have magical properties, but just like crystals, tarot, or runes, it doesn’t hurt to try, right? Herbs and spices have been closely associated with medicine women since the dawn of humanity, so it's only natural that we attach some sort of meaning to them. You certainly don’t have to believe it, but you can learn a couple of new things about your spice rack.
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1. Allspice
Allspice comes from the tropical forests of Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and is popular in both sweet and savory dishes. Metaphysical properties associated with allspice include luck, prosperity, protection, and courage.
2. Basil
Basil is known as “the witch's herb” and is used across many cultures for protection and spiritual work. Incorporating basil into your cooking will imbue your dish with protection, prosperity, purification, or attraction, depending on what you need it for.
3. Bay Leaf
Bay leaves come from the laurel tree, which is most often grown in the Mediterranean. Many magically inclined folks will write their desires on a bay leaf and burn it for manifestation purposes. When used in cooking, bay leaves can help with feelings of love, intuition, purification, or healing.
4. Chamomile
Commonly used as a sleepytime tea, chamomile has strong associations with peace, relaxation, and meditation practices. It’s also used in attraction spells, so if you’re looking for money, luck, or love, it might be worthwhile to pour yourself a cuppa.
5. Cinnamon
This warm spice is most often associated with fall and winter, but it's also been called “the spice of abundance.” When it comes to witchy cooking, cinnamon is a catch-all for vitality, protection, prosperity, balance, and stability.
6. Cumin
It’s no surprise that this strongly flavored spice is all about protection and purification. You can incorporate cumin into your cooking to ward off negative energy, luck, and even to enhance psychic abilities.
7. Dill
Dill has traditionally been used as a ward or protection charm in the home, and as a soothing remedy for infants. It’s also said that dill enhances clarity and concentration, and can be used to amplify any wishes for money, success, love, and goodwill.
8. Eucalyptus
An herb we often enjoy hanging in our shower or using when we get sick, it comes as no surprise that eucalyptus has close associations with purification, cleansing, and healing. Many folks use this herb as a substitute for sage when they want to cleanse their home, but you can also drink eucalyptus tea for better concentration, clarity, and if you need a bit of inner strength.
9. Fennel
The ancient Greeks and Romans used fennel to ward off evil spirits, a tradition that carried through to the Middle Ages. If you incorporate fennel into your cooking, it can help you find courage, confidence, or love and fertility.
10. Garlic
Many folk traditions used garlic as an evil eye, helping to ward off any negative influences. It has an abundance of digestive, circulatory, and respiratory benefits, and it can also be used to intensify one’s desires or libido.
11. Ginger
Ginger acts as a kind of quickening agent for any spell you’re doing, and has close associations with the element of fire. Adding a touch of ginger to your cooking can help move plans along faster, but it's also known to help with passion and love.
12. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is often associated with feminine energy. If you’re looking for a little romance, self-love, creativity, passion, or attraction, it might be worthwhile to sip on some hibiscus tea.
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13. Lavender
Medieval Europeans often burned or hung lavender above doorways to protect their home from evil spirits, while we often use it today to help with sleep or relaxation. The word lavender likely comes from the Latin word “lavare,” meaning “to wash,” so this herb also has close associations with cleaning and purification.
14. Mint
This popular herb can do so much for you if you allow it. Drinking mint tea will help you with healing, purification, protection, prophetic dreams, clarity, and spiritual work. It’s also said that if you place mint leaves in your wallet or purse, you also have a better chance of attracting financial success.
15. Oregano
The root word for oregano comes from the Greek word meaning “joy of the mountains.” It’s said to remove emotional blocks, clear any negative energy or attachments in your life, and also help individuals find love.
16. Parsley
Parsley is a great way to help your body digest and flush out your system. The Victorian era used parsley as a representation of knowledge, and it's said to carry properties of power, strength, passion, purification, and prosperity.
17. Rosemary
Rosemary’s historical associations relate to love and fidelity, often worn by brides during the Middle Ages. Alongside its romantic properties, rosemary can also help you with memory enhancement, cleansing, and warding off negativity.
18. Thyme
This familiar herb has always had close associations with magic and was often worn in amulets and charms for bravery and protection. When used in cooking, thyme is also an excellent source for purification, mental clarity, and enhancing psychic abilities.
19. Turmeric
Turmeric is often used in wedding ceremonies to bless the happy couple with fertility, happiness, and good luck, as it has close associations with the sun. Because it's often seen as the sun in a bottle, you can also use it for prosperity, warding, and purification.
20. Vanilla
Vanilla has always been used in conjunction with love spells, as it is believed to invoke passion, lust, and physical energies. Its familiar scent and taste have also been used to soothe nerves, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
