Friday 1 February 2013

Review: Pagan Portals - Kitchen Witchcraft

I've often described myself as a kitchen witch and then found people are a little confused by that, thinking a kitchen witch is a term for someone who is a good cook. Anyone who has tasted my attempts at baking should realise that I'm no MasterChef!

In the Craft, a kitchen witch is actually a witch who is happy to use the everyday stuff she has around her kitchen, home and garden for spellwork, rather than requiring specially made and often expensive magical tools.I first heard the term when I was training in circlework - a long while ago - and I was delighted to be sent a copy of a new book on the subject that is due in the shops this month.

The book is Pagan Portals - Kitchen Witchcraft: Crafts of a Kitchen Witch and is by Rachel Patterson, co-founder of the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft.

In her new book, Rachel says: "As a witch you can have all the right equipment – wands, athames, pentagrams etc, but you will find a kitchen witch tends to prefer to use what is to hand. A finger serves purpose as a wand, a feather for the element of air, a pebble for the element of earth… you get the drift."

Pagan Portals - Kitchen Witchcraft is intended as an introductory book, but is so full of useful stuff that even an experienced witch should find plenty in it to add to their magical repertoire.

Publisher Moon Books says on its website: "This little book will give you an insight into what a Kitchen Witch is, what they do and how they do it. It gives an overview of the Sabbats, working with the Moon, the elements and candle magic. Packed full of ideas for crafting such as washes and smudges for your home and your body, witch bottles, incense, medicine bags, magic powders and offerings. Take a stroll through a Kitchen Witch's garden and discover what you will find there and finish up with some lovely meditations."

The book has plenty of instructions for spells and recipes - all using things you are likely to have around the house such as old bottles, candles, herbs and spices as well as seasonal garden produce. There are great ideas for ways to celebrate the pagan festivals and a delightful series of meditations to take you through all the Wheel of the Year.

Pagan Portals - Kitchen Witchcraft would be a great addition to any witch's bookshelf, whether that shelf is in the kitchen along with the recipes - or in the temple with the magical tomes.

Links and previous related posts
Pagan Portals - Kitchen Witchcraft: Crafts of a Kitchen Witch
http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-kitchen-witchcraft
www.rachelpatterson.co.uk
www.kitchenwitchhearth.com
www.kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-green-wiccan-book-of-shadows.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/07/review-hedge-witchcraft-pagan-portals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/review-hedge-riding-pagan-portals.html

1 comment:

Serenity Yoga said...

sounds like a great book. I've never heard the term kitchen witch before but it definitely applies to me, so thanks!