The kitchen is where I end up spending most of my free time. It’s of choice. I thoroughly enjoy cooking and making my space clean, but not just in a physical sense. Sometimes, after an especially hard day, I need to feel that my space is safe from those negative emotions. Basically, I drop my bad feelings at the door and make sure they don’t come in behind me.
I’ve come across a few spells, rituals, and habits in my life that just work for me. Some include Italian Folk Magic, some are just twists on everyday habits. Regardless, practicing witchcraft is fluid, and can be personalized how you see fit. Say you don’t really like rosemary; then maybe use thyme or oregano based on what your preferencial outcome is.
In this post:
Salt Sweep
Salt has been used for protection and cleansing for centuries. It was valued, traded, and viewed as very significant across history. For Italian Folk Magic, it was used for warding off evil, cleansing areas, and so much more. My favorite read thus far for a personalized history, has been Mary-Grace Fahrun’s “Italian Folk Magic: Rue’s Kitchen Witchery.”
Everybody sweeps. (Or vacuums!)
This old tradition is simple and effective.
First, you will need to gather about a tablespoon of salt in the palm of one of your hands. Have your broom handy for after this next step.
- Starting with the far left corner of your kitchen, move clockwise around the room and sprinkle some of the salt onto the floor. Yes, on the floor. (Don’t worry, this is actually really fun.)
- As you sprinkle the salt on the floor, you can say:
- I bring in protection to the hearth of my home.
- Next, you will take your broom, and sweep. But not just sweep . . . really sweep. All of the stagnant and negative energy will leave your kitchen, and your home.
- As you sweep, think about all of the foot traffic in your home. Imagine the dirt, the dust disappearing. Imagine the negative emotions vanishing.
- North, east, south, and west, take the negative and leave the rest. Only love can reside here, protect this home from anger, grief, and fear. So mote it be.
- Finally, if you can gater the swept dirt to throw outside, do so. Otherwise, throw it in the trash.
Incense or Candle Lighting
Incense or candle lighting can always improve the aesthetics of your home. When it comes to kitchen / home magic, it can boost your spellwork or cleanse your space. When I am going to cook a big meal for the family, I usually light a small white taper candle to represent protection and peace in the home. If I’m planning Chris and I a romantic meal, I might light a red or pink candle for love and passion.
Whatever your intention, there is an associated candle color. Or, using incense may act as a cleansing tool before you prep the meal.
Basic Candle Color Associations
There is a quick guide found here at The Pagan Grimoire – a fantastic blog for learning about the craft, Wheel of the Year, etc. To break it down to our basic colors:
- White: Purification, protection, divination
- Black: Banishing / removing negative energy, also strong protection
- Brown: Grounding, focus, earth energy
- Purple: Spirituality, Psychic / Intuitive work, meditation
- Blue: Calm, healing, wisdom, justice
- Green: Prosperity, abundance, growth, fertility
- Yellow: Confidence, creativity, clearing blocks
- Orange: Joy, playfulness, attracting positivity
- Red: Love, passion, strength, power
- Pink: Self-love, romance, friendship, emotional healing
Cleansing with Incense
Incense can be used for something as simple as a home scent or as complex as a seasonal ritual. First, you will want to make sure to light the incense stick with intention. I usually allow the smoke to slither around a bit to make sure it doesn’t go out.
To cleanse your kitchen:
- First, Light the incense stick
- Next, ensure it is lit and blow the fire out while thinking of your intention
- Is this to purely cleanse, remove negative energy, or to attract energies associated with your planned meal? This is a good time to start thinking about the outcomes you desire.
- Starting at the entranceway, slowly walk around your kitchen, allowing the smoke to trail like a streamer behind you
- Finish at your doorway and settle the incense stick safely in a holder, allowing it to burn while you cook
General Kitchen Blessing
There is no requirement to use candles, salt, or anything really. Magic and positivity resides in each one of us. You can simply stand at the doorway of your kitchen and speak a short blessing or prayer into your space.
"Benidici il cibo davanti a noi,"
(Italian) Bless the food before us.
Always use a blessing that is powerful to you. Copying an incantation or poem is fine, as long as you have emotional draw to it. I personally recommend creating something, as it comes from your heart and mind. Or you can always tweak an existing saying to incorporate yourself into it that way.
I usually do a blessing around the full moon of each month, or before preparing a large family meal for a holiday. I love knowing I can comfort my loved ones with a warm meal.
Slow down and think about all the nourishing elements of the meal. That alone can assist in boosting your mood. Blessing your kitchen is about wishing happiness and prosperity upon those who enter it or benefit from your cooking. For anyone in the “broom closet,” a gentle wish in your mind is just as powerful as any incantation. Positive intent is key.
For me, I do like following some of the old Italian Folk Traditions. I do tend to take a pinch of salt and throw it over my shoulder from time to time if things are feeling heavy. Italians would string together pepperoncini or chili peppers and hang them from their doorways to ward off negative energy. I don’t quite have that yet, but do like adding a pinch of red pepper flake to almost every meal I make. When I crack eggs, I crush the shells before throwing them away to avoid bad luck. Maybe these are more superstitious beliefs, but they have been part of my life for years, even before diving into full witchcraft.
Concluding Tips & Tricks:
- Instead of using products with heavy chemicals for counter or window cleaning, opt for more natural products with protecting elements such as rosemary or lemon oils.
- Put a drop or two of essential oils into your mopping solution. Rosemary, lemon, orange, even frankincense will allow for some protective and purifying energies to flow throughout your kitchen.
- Dance it out. I usually play music while I make a big meal. Sometimes slowly swaying or moving to the music is what the body needs to release negative energy.
- Get your family involved. I have my son help in the kitchen often. Time to bond with him over something I’m passionate about is enough to stop any bad feeling. Often we are creatures of habit. Having a family member help roll out dough or spice up the soup is absolutely a boost if you’re normally a solo-chef. Even having them help you salt the floor might seem outlandish, but can open conversation about the unknown, or produce a few giggles.
Thank you all for the follows and love. I so appreciate it! More to come.