Magic from the Pantry - Rice

Rice is to Asia what corn is to America, or what wheat is to other cultures. It is a staple of food, one of the main sustainers of life. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and many, many varieties are grown.

Rice is linked with gods and goddesses of the kitchen and of the harvest, with fertility, protection and prosperity. More than half of the world’s population eats rice at least once a day, and in some cultures rice is served at every meal, including breakfast.

Because of its importance as a food source, there are many customs and rituals associated with rice. Numerous gods and goddesses are honored with offerings of rice in one form or another. As a symbol of fertility, rice is commonly featured in marriage ceremonies, and not just by being thrown at the newlyweds. In some countries, eating out of the same bowl of rice is as good as a wedding!

In some countries, especially Japan, wasting rice is an offense for which there is no excuse. Every grain must be consumed from one’s bowl. In feudal times, salaries were paid with rice, so wasting rice is like throwing money away.

Another bit of rice lore from Japan is the use of rice to scare away evil spirits. These spirits were thought to startle babies in the middle of the night and make them cry. A bowl of rice left near the infant was thought to solve this problem.
If you’re having a problem with those pesky vampires, scattering a bit of rice at the entrances to your home will keep them busy (because the Count loves to count!) until sunrise.

Scott Cunningham recommends pouring your uncooked rice onto a clean surface and using the index finger of your dominant hand to trace an image of your goal into the grains. Visualize and trace symbols such as dollar signs or the rune Fehu for money/prosperity, hearts or male/female symbols for love and fertility, and so on.