The Magickal Lunchbox, Part I

Note: I don't have any children, but if I did, this is something I would do. The inspiration for this came from The Urban Primitive, a book I enjoyed reading. I'll have to do a review one of these days. The book is back in the States somewhere, though.


Lunchbox Magick

(Yes, it’s magick with a “k”. I know people debate this spelling, but it’s kind of a habit for me.)
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s summer and the kids are out of school, but this way the parents out there have time to think and plan.

Every day, most of us who have children send our little kiddoes off to school, often with a packed lunch. Sending a prepared lunch to school with your children, whether it’s in a brown bag or a reusable container (which is, as we all know, preferable to disposable), you can take this opportunity to send a little extra magick to school with them.

For the younger set, choose some stickers that represent things you want them to carry with them. Choose pictures of an animal with which they identify – a bear, a big cat, or even a mythological being such as a unicorn or dragon. This could be a power/totem animal, or one that represents certain qualities such as swiftness (to outrun bullies), strength, peace (dove stickers), or wisdom
.
Designs such as sigils for protection or love can be drawn onto the inside or outside of the lunchbox with a marker, or even painted on. Runes can be drawn onto the outside or even etched into the handle of the box. Choose something you are all comfortable with ,and let the children help.

Older children may not want their lunch containers decorated with stickers or pictures, but some of them may feel comfortable with runes. S/he may wish to decorate her/his own box or bag with other pictures and stickers as well, such as pictures of celebrities or musicians. A special design can be drawn on first, then covered with the other pictures, or, if s/he prefers, simply trace the design on with your finger. Dip the index finger of your (or whoever is doing this) dominant hand into salt water and, visualizing, trace a design or word into the container. The water will evaporate, but the intent will remain.

Small slips of paper with runes or chants can also be tucked inside the containers. Even a ‘love’ note (for the younger ones, as we all know teenagers would be absolutely mortified) can give your child a sense of peace and well-being and help strengthen their spiritual defenses. You can charge the lunchbox (as well as your child's backpack and other supplies) with all of the love of protection you would normally bestow in person, to help him/her get through the day safely until s/he is back at home.

A Charge of/Prayer to the Kitchen Goddess

One thing I would like to include in my book is a small section on prayers and chants of thanksgiving. I welcome submissions from friends and will gladly credit anyone who has anything s/he wishes to share.

This is not quite the Charge of the Kitchen Witch (hopefully one is forthcoming); rather more of a Charge of the Earth Mother, She who provides us with food:

Listen to the words and whispers of the Great Mother,
She who hath provided us with Her bounty
She who has been and is known as Hestia, Vesta, Annapurna, Brigid, Ut
Whenever you are hungry,
you shall find Her at the sacred hearth
Go there, and be nourished
Our first meal came from Her breast
Her body sustains us
Sit by the sacred fire and stir the sacred cauldron
Feed yourself from the Earth Mother’s bounty
And know that all that comes from Her must one day return
Give thanks for this meal in this time and place
Give thanks to all that She has provided
Know that the meal in which you partake
Will warm your body and soul
Know that this is an expression of love
May your hunger and thirst be banished with this act of love
From this day until your last

New recipes tested

While I was in the United States visiting friends and family, I took the opportunity to get into my mother's kitchen and test some recipes for my kitchen witch cookbook. I need to get off my lazy you-know-what and get some real writing done so I can submit it. Bad Z! Someone light a fire under me, por favor.

Anyroad, the blueberry lemonade recipe a few posts back is going into the summer section of the book. It's delicious, refreshing, and perfect for Lughnasadh.

I also taste-tested a recipe for grilled pork with a marinade made up of fire- or Sun-ruled ingredients, in honor of the summer sun and gods of the harvest. I was trying to create a recipe that balances the golden sun and warmth of late summer as well as the promise of a later harvest, going into a time of darkness.

Another recipe that I want to finalize is one for blueberry-cardamom bread. The first time I made it it came out too moist and fell apart. I need to adjust the liquid ingredients. Anyone want to help out with this one?

I plan to do more cooking in the coming months and complete/create recipes and start reworking the introduction to the book, as well as introductions to each section. We'll see what happens. Wish me luck!

I've been interviewed!

Thanks to the Domestic Witch for the interview. Check out the interview and the rest of her great site here:
http://domesticwitch.blogspot.com/2009/07/witchin-in-kitchen.html#comments

Thanks for interviewing me. I really enjoyed it. :) (I'd post an actual link, but for some reason I can't. Might be my own ineptitude.)

Thanks, Mrs. B!

My parents, bless them, only have dial up, so I didn't get to check my mail or my blog very much. I didn't see the wonderful graphic Mrs. B made me until recently. Here it is, and it's great!





Thanks again :) Check out her Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom blog here: http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/

Fruits of the Season - Berries

One of my favorite summer activities as a child was picking berries. My mom and I would gather wild black raspberries, and my pap-pap grew blueberries and red raspberries. I would eat almost as many as I put in my bucket! Berries of all types are all the rage these days. Blueberries, acai berries, and cranberries are being touted as super foods. Berries are not only delicious, but also traditional foods for Lughnasadh.

I love blueberries and red raspberries. In late summer, my hands, mouth and clothes were often stained purple from Pap-pap's blueberries. They've been used in muffins and pancakes for years, and in recent years have been added to teas and blended with pomegranate juice for an antioxidant-rich treat.

Before we get to the recipe I want to share with you, I will share some of Scott Cunningham's information on the blueberry.

Blueberry

Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Energies: Protection

Blueberries can be used to enhance our magical defense system. The color blue has long been used as a protection against the evil eye and other harm. Baby boys are dressed in blue to protect them, and blue eye charms are seen everywhere in Turkey.

In this recipe, blueberries are mixed with lemons, another moon-ruled, water fruit.


Blueberry Lemonade

This recipe begins with a berry- and lemon-infused simple syrup.

You will need:

1 1/2 pints blueberries, washed (raspberries or strawberries can also be used for this recipe)

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

5-6 lemons + zest of 2-3 of the lemons

Using a peeler, remove the zest from the lemons in long strips.

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve, then add the berries and strips of lemon zest. Allow the sugar to dissolve and simmer the fruit for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Discard the zest.

Place a mesh strainer over the mouth of a pitcher or jug. Pour the berry syrup into the strainer, mashing the berries against the mesh with a spoon or spatula.

Using a juicer or a reamer, extract the juice from the lemons and add to the syrup. Stir to combine. Dilute the mixture with 3-4 cups of cold water, depending on how strong you want the drink. Taste for sweetness and tartness and add more lemon juice or sweetener if needed.

Chill before serving. Serve with ice and slices of lemon or more strips of lemon zest.