Beans Bean (Phaseolus spp) Lots of different types of green bean – green bean, runner bean, French bean, garden bean etc. A climbing annual plant with white and sometimes red flowers (depending on the variety) grown for the ‘fruit’ of the plant…the green beans. Also included in this group are the beans that we use just the ‘seeds’ from such a pinto bean, kidney bean and broad bean. Basically a whole load of beans… In ancient Egypt and Greece beans were thought to contain the

Cheese Cheese Oh so many cheese varieties and made from all kinds of different milk and all so delicious! It is an ancient food (I am not talking about that old lump of cheddar stuck in the back of your fridge) pots used for separating curds have been found dating back to around 6000BC. Cheese symbolises everything coming together and a successful outcome. Add cheese to your cooking to bring positive energy in. Brilliant to use in ritual for feasting and if you are feeling i

Chocolate (Theobroma cacao) Now where do I start? I have to tell you I take my writing job seriously and I do a huge amount of research…this particular subject took some time…and involved a lot of practical investigation… Chocolate is made from the cacao bean with a combination of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, fat and sugar then sometimes milk powder or condensed milk. White chocolate contains no cocoa solids just cocoa butter, sugar and milk which in my own opinion should be

Tea (Camellia sinensis) A good ole cup of tea (see previous chapter on The Magic of Tea). Your tea leaves are not only good for divination they also hold excellent magical properties. Tea is ruled by the Sun and the element of fire so it packs a huge powerful punch of magical energy. Tea is lovely to drink before meditation, helping you relax and let go of your worries. Tea leaves can be used in all kinds of magical workings to bring about courage, strength and prosperity. T

Eggs From teeny tiny quails eggs up to huge ostrich eggs they come in all sorts of shapes, the delicate outer casing containing the yolk and the white. Boiled, scrambled, fried, poached or sunny side up…how do you like yours? An egg is a complete neat package of life and is very symbolic of fertility, new life, new beginnings and creation itself. Within they also symbolise long life and immortality. Eggs were considered sacred in many cultures for centuries and a hardboiled

Honey Honey Honey - the glorious nectar of the bees. One of the oldest foods known to man…and woman. Bees are incredibly magical and are often said to be messengers from the gods and the spirit world. Honey is sacred to many gods including the Egyptian god Ra and the Greek goddesses Artemis and Demeter and the Hindu gods Vishnu and Krishna. It is incredibly beneficial medicinally but also brings a good dollop of happiness with it. Honey can be added to any spell work or any

Coffee (coffea) A favourite caffeine fuelled brew made from the roasted beans (seeds) of an evergreen shrub from the coffea genus – usually coffea Arabica or coffea canephora. Now I have to admit I am a bit of a coffee wuss…it has to be a latte and it has to have heap loads of caramel syrup in otherwise I don’t like the taste much but I love the smell of freshly roasted coffee. Our wake me up, pick me up tonic has been drunk since around 800AD. Coffee brings the magical (and

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) The Brussels sprout is another one from the Brassica oleracea family and they look like teeny tiny cabbages. They are a definite love or hate vegetable, I have to admit it…I love them, they are especially good in risotto or raw sliced thinly in coleslaw or sproutslaw as we call it in our house. The tale of the humble Brussels sprout is one of stability, endurance and protection so eat ‘em up for all of those magical energies. Brussels Spr

Beer is made from grain and water (and other stuff obviously) so it brings together the elements of earth and water. Apparently on Samhain Celtic warriors held contests to see who could drink the most beer, believing that the course of action would make them immortal…just like any Saturday night down the pub then… Don’t tell the blokes but according to historical data…women invented beer. Beer is a good liquid to use to purify the body, just add a little to your bath water or

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) A pumpkin is for all year round not just for Halloween… There are a huge variety of pumpkins and all shapes, colours and sizes which can be used in savoury and sweet dishes. Obviously the pumpkin has a Samhain connection and I think with that comes the Crone association as well so it works well in any celebration or honouring dish for either. Pumpkin seeds not only make a yummy snack they also work brilliantly in prosperity magic. Bake pumpkin into pie