PixiFae

Anything witchy and pagan can be found here. I am active...most time... Norse/Celtic Pagan Witch here!

[ravensrunemarket-deactivated202]

🍯 Hearth Honey Milk — Comfort & Calm🍯

A soothing drink for rest, grounding, and emotional warmth.

You’ll need:

Milk (dairy or plant-based)

Honey or maple syrup

A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

How to Make: Warm the milk gently on the hob. Stir in honey with calm, steady intention. Add spices if desired.

Magical Focus: Calm • Safety • Emotional soothing

Intention Whisper: “Warmth within, peace around, Let rest and kindness now be found.”

📜 Source: Traditional European folk remedy for sleep and comfort; honeyed milk appears in medieval household texts and oral folk medicine.

[requiem-on-water]

Momoire

[tarot-dreams]

🍁 Autumn will bring prosperity.

🎃 Autumn will bring release.

🦉 Autumn will bring wisdom.

🔮 Autumn will bring peace.

[breelandwalker]

Witchy Self-Care Tip: Wash Your Feet

At the end of a long day, there can be a strong temptation to just flop onto the nearest comfortable piece of furniture and just shut down. While it does bring relief, here’s one step I recommend taking first to help you cleanse, de-stress, and disengage from the working portion of your day.

When you get home, put your accoutrements away and wash your hands. Attend to any first-thing-in-the-door rituals you have. Then go to your tub, take off your shoes and socks, get any long garments or trouser legs out of the way, and wash your feet.

It doesn’t have to be a full bath. You don’t have to bend or scrub. It doesn’t have to take more than a minute. The water can be whatever temperature is comfortable for you. Use a bucket or run the tap, whichever is easier. Flex your toes a bit, let the water run between them. Let it flow over your ankles if you can.

As you do, take some deep breaths and consciously let go of the working or schooling or errand-running portion of your day. That’s done with, and you’re home. You might still have some things to do over the course of the evening, but you’re headed for some nice leisure time too. If it helps, you can visualize the stress flowing out through your feet and into the water to be washed down the drain.

If you wish, you can add soothing herbs or bath oils to the water before washing your feet. These can be aligned to whatever magical purpose you like.

When you’re done, rinse the tub, dry off your feet, and go about your evening. I recommend clean footwear like fresh socks or house shoes if you don’t wish to go barefoot.

I do this every day when I get home, with a bucket of cool water in my tub. It’s very refreshing, especially on hot days, and I’ve found it a very soothing way to separate my work day from my evening time. Plus, it cleans my feet and softens my calluses. In the winter, I use hot water and it’s a pleasant way to warm up after tromping around in the cold or sitting in a chilly office all day.

Just a little something to help with your daily cleansing routines. Hope you enjoy!

[space-queen]

you can be a witch if you don't worship deities. you can be a witch if you don't want to cast curses. you can be a witch if you don't come from a family of witches. you can be a witch if you're not AFAB.

you can be a witch regardless.

fuck the stereotypes.

[lurelurk]

How Do I Make an Altar?

In reviewing the content I made over a decade ago I realized that a lot of the differences in both my practice would be beneficial to share to others struggling with foundational concepts. What I have seen in the Community thusfar has lacked this perspective, which is by no means unique, but I think would benefit repeating regardless.

So, lets get to it, how do I make my altar?

Firstly I think it is important to ask yourself additional questions before you even start gathering items or spending money on ill-suited objects.

Some questions worth considering would be: Where will I be doing this work? Indoors? Outdoors? In secret? With others? Can the altar remain up or does it need to be frequently dismantled? What is my realistic budget? What is the most important item or element in order for this to be a workspace? How will I clean this? How will I dispose of items (both magical and mundane) after they've been exhausted or if they break? Will I update this altar seasonally? Will I update it for certain celebrations or feasts? Who will be aiding me in my work (if anyone, like gods, spirits and so on), How will I set a space for those elements of work? Is there a hierarchy? Do I need shelves or tiers or other methods of separating beings that may not agree to work below or above others?

Brainstorming before even doing this work is a crucial step I often see overlooked. People are in such a hurry to throw down candles on a tablecloth with some random bones that they don't even know what they're for.

If you do predominately love magic and work with sea spirits perhaps you don't cover the workspace in plants you associate with baneful magic and fire. Maybe you want to do the work near a specific place that resonates with you so you need something that fits in a backpack. Maybe your altar IS A BACKPACK.

Maybe you stitch sigils and symbols into the fabric. Maybe you have pockets to denote each area of the the altar. Maybe you have different bags for different work and each is stored in different places when not in use. Maybe you work with planets and have a bag for each day of the week. Maybe you don't.

So once you know what you want to do and figure out what materials you need to do it becomes a question of how you will obtain the items.

I HIGHLY encourage you to scour thrift stores, local artisans, trash pick (figure out the legal and ethical footwork there on your own), trade, create, and build. Altars of the past were both ornate and humble, you do not need any specific items for an altar to "count" aside from being able to do your work at it.

Which is all to reiterate that you do not need a $50 Etsy Witch Box of random bullshit. Buying one out of fear or lack of confidence will not make your workspace "valid" especially if you don't use half of it anyways. What is important is the items resonate with you and serve a purpose. The joy of an altar is that is builds up over time with your craft. If it starts small then it starts small. What matters is if it gets the job done or not.

Some items to consider:

Candle holders: I have several thrifted taper holder varying in ornate material, I use the lids to tea bottles for tea lights, I use bark from my yard, I use thrifted small dishes and plates.

Candles: Beeswax candles supporting local apiaries will always be your best candles (this is my opinion obviously denoting that here so I don't get comments). Soy candles not an option for a majority of work and offerings in my personal approach. That said you can even THRIFT CANDLES if you need to. Be careful using cheap candles because they can burn strange, and be made with unsafe inhalants. I use a majority of my budget for candles and food because that's what matters in my craft. Mileage will vary.

Food: Any offering is valid if it works and suits your needs. If you are genuinely unable to offer any food there are edible items that can be foraged. If you are unable to forage edible items images of food may suffice in some instances but truthfully a few scoops of what you're nourishing yourself with is a valid offering in many workings. In a lot of practices practitioners will also eat offerings after they have been offered. It depends on numerous variables.

Symbols: If you need a statue or a depiction of a God or Being or Spirit you can make it, even if you are not artistically inclined in the slightest. Collage, Sculpture, Paintings, Drawings, Printouts, Poems, Stories, Descriptions, Found Items, you are NOT limited by what you can use. You can use a rock with a Sharpie symbol on it if that resonates with you. What matters more is how you treat the item (with respect or lack there of depending on what work you're doing).

Additionals: Books are great but you don't need them, and if you do you can find them for free I promise you. I agree authors deserve to eat and I think you should definitely support smaller or independent publishers. I also personally have no issues with you ripping a PDF for an occult text written hundreds of years ago. Again those who translate deserve compensation so if you can toss them a couple bucks but if you can't at this time do your best.

Notebooks can be acquired for cheap, check big box stores after Back to School sales and snag some. You can usually thrift some too, and then just decorate them over time if you don't like their aesthetic. Alternatively Notes in your Phone is free in the meanwhile.

Water makes for a great offering all around, whether or not you subscribe to the whole 'Moon Water/Solar Water' or not you can also incorporate other methods of using water in your work such as bathwater or water you used to clean yourself, water from your mouth, water poured from a ritual vessel or water collected form a specific place, on a specific day, while reciting specific words. You can take any item and add layers to it, simply by incorporating additional elements that work within your practice.

Tools: A knife is a knife, use one you've got if you need it. Don't have one? Designate a kitchen knife as tribute (I don't suggest mixing magic and food unless you are specifically set on doing that. Both for magical and mundane sicknesses). Need a specifically Named pen for spells? Use whatever you have, the Naming of the item is the important part. A Sharpie is reliable to write on 99% of items and remains pretty permanent (unless you want it removed). Scissors? Glasses? Needles? Bookmarks? Bowls, Cups, it goes on. The intent and the process by which the items are given a purpose and power is the focal point. You can use a Solo cup and a Index Card if you need to is my point.

In all this I hope I can impart on you simply the idea that thinking about what purpose and item will serve FIRST and then acquiring the item after will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches.

If you thrift frequently having a running list of items you're looking for before you go in will also help a lot.

Feel free to contribute in the reblogs and comments, I think that others who practice similarly have likely come up with other unique and similar solutions to problems we all sometimes encounter.

[khaire-traveler]

🌍 Subtle Gaia Worship 🌱

Pick up trash and litter in your neighborhood, nature preserves, hiking trails, beaches, etc. (please wear protective equipment!!!)

Take a walk/hike outside; nature environments would be great, but it's ok if you don't have that option

Open a window in your home; breathe in some fresh air

Support organizations focused on climate control, the environment, or the well-being of wildlife/plant life

Support organizations that are against domestic abuse or aiding domestic abuse survivors

Plant a tree if you can

Try gardening or own a houseplant

Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)

Wear jewelry that reminds you of her

Keep a picture of her or the earth in your wallet

Fall asleep to nature sounds, such as birds singing, forest ambiance, or comforting animal noises

Try to spot something beautiful in the natural world around you every time you go outside; take a moment to appreciate it if you can

Learn about your local flora and fauna; learn about invasive species to look out for

Watch a nature documentary or educational video about nature

Learn about foraging; try your hand at it (SAFELY!!!)

Try eating organic fruits and veggies; if you can't, try eating fruits and veggies in general

Spend extra time making a tasty meal for yourself or loved ones; add natural ingredients to it, like fruits, veggies, meats, eggs, etc.

Drink tea made from herbs and the like; add honey to your tea

Try communing with plants and their spirits, if you're open to that practice; give thanks to local nature spirits; this includes nymphs

Have imagery of the seasons, lightning, fruits, the earth, the ocean, the sky, mountains, natural environments (like forests and jungles), plant life (especially very green plants), ash trees, pine trees, olive trees, rosemary, motherhood (however you choose to interpret that), scorpions, snakes, dragons, bats/bat wings, sea creatures, centaurs, nymphs, and flint sickles (or generally sickles)

Have a stuffed animal snake, dragon, bat, or scorpion; have a stuffed animal of an animal you associate strongly with motherhood

Lend a hand to any new parents in your life; offer to help babysit, if you can

Be kind to children (or disengage, just don't be beefing with a child)

Play with or spend time with any kids in your life

Donate child supplies, such as diapers, baby food, and toys, to a homeless shelter or organization that helps parents/single mothers

Engage in random acts of kindness towards a stranger; make someone smile

Allow yourself to rest when you need to; rest is productive

Treat yourself with kindness and love; practice self-love

Try to encourage yourself when you're having a hard time, or otherwise be gentle with yourself

Give compassion to others, especially those who are struggling

Embrace being the "parent friend", if you are one (someone who always has snacks, bandaids, etc.; someone who is always checking in on everyone in the group; someone is always taking care of the group, etc.)

Practice grounding techniques; give meditation in nature (or to nature sounds) a try

Engage in relaxing activities, especially when you're feeling overwhelmed; this can include drawing, painting, crocheting, writing, etc.

Take an herbal/salt bath (USE BATH SALTS; MAKE SURE HERBS DON'T GO DOWN YOUR DRAIN!!!)

Take frequent breaks from your phone/technology; make sure you're not straining your eyes

Exercise/stretch; move your body in some way

-

For now, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Gaia! I'll likely add more later on. May Gaia embrace you in her loving arms, if you wish her to. 💚

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[stereotypicalwitch]

Witch Tip

Dont deny yourself the right to write curses. Down the line they may evolve into excellent healing and protection spells. It’s silly to deny the human and neutral aspects of magic. Sometimes great things come out of the worst of times.

[stormbornwitch]

And one day you might actually need that curse. Not because you can turn it into a healing or protection spell but because this curse was designed exactly for the situation you’ve found yourself in.

Curses have their place. They’re not pretty spells created in happy times. They’re the thing you turn to when nothing else has worked or when no other punishment fits the crime that was committed…

So write those curses. You may need them one day.

[chimaeraundying]

at the request of @cryptotheism

[breelandwalker]

The Sisters Grimmoire - A Bellyful of Stones

When the wolf at length had had his sleep out, he got on his legs, and as the stones in his stomach made him very thirsty, he wanted to go to a well to drink. But when he began to walk and to move about, the stones in his stomach knocked against each other and rattled. Then cried he,

“What rumbles and tumbles Against my poor bones? I thought ‘twas six kids But it’s naught but big stones.”

And when he got to the well and stooped over the water and was just about to drink, the heavy stones made him fall in and there was no help, but he had to drown miserably.

- The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids —–

Greed is a curse unto itself, and this spell turns that malice back onto a person whose greed is harming the people around them.

Make or acquire a cloth poppet. You’re going to be stuffing the poppet, so make sure it’s a decent size, with plenty of room in the stomach area.

It is not necessary to have any hair or nails from the target in order to make the spell work, but it can help. In the absence of such things, you can name the poppet thus:

“Poppet, I name you [NAME]. Your limbs are their limbs. Your flesh is their flesh. As you suffer, so shall they suffer.”

With scissors or a small sharp blade, open a slit in the belly of the poppet. If there is pre-existing filling, remove some of it. Into the cavity where the stomach might be, place a whole chili pepper (any kind will do), seven small pebbles, and seven tacks or thorns. Carefully stitch the poppet closed and whisper to it:

“Rumble and tumble, A pepper and stones. Swallow your greed, And choke on the bones.”

Take the poppet to a deep body of water, such as a lake or pond, and drop it into the deepest part you can reach. If such a body of water is not available, you can “drown” the poppet in a bucket of water for three nights and then discard it with your garbage.

-from The Sisters Grimmoire: Spells and Charms for Your Happily Ever After, (2nd ed) © 2017 Bree NicGarran

Want more fairy tale spells? Check out the masterpost here.

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, subscribe to my monthly show Hex Positive, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊

[cunningcelt]

Cunning Celt's Ritual to Acknowledge the Land

Day 11 of shipping-the-gods’ Spell-a-day Challenge: write a spell based on your favourite poem.

“The love of field and coppice, Of green and shaded lanes. Of ordered woods and gardens Is running in your veins, Strong love of grey-blue distance Brown streams and soft dim skies I know but cannot share it, My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me!

A stark white ring-barked forest All tragic to the moon, The sapphire-misted mountains, The hot gold hush of noon. Green tangle of the brushes, Where lithe lianas coil, And orchids deck the tree-tops And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country! Her pitiless blue sky, When sick at heart, around us, We see the cattle die - But then the grey clouds gather, And we can bless again The drumming of an army, The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country! Land of the Rainbow Gold, For flood and fire and famine, She pays us back threefold - Over the thirsty paddocks, Watch, after many days, The filmy veil of greenness That thickens as we gaze.

An opal-hearted country, A wilful, lavish land - All you who have not loved her, You will not understand - Though earth holds many splendours, Wherever I may die, I know to what brown country My homing thoughts will fly.”

Dorothea Mackellar

I live in what I think is the most beautiful part of the world, Australia, where in the space of a single day I can travel from crystal clear oceans and white sandy beaches, to lush rainforest, forested and misty mountains, golden grassed farmland, and into the red earth of the Outback. So much of the magic that we see and use is about taking power or using power for our own ends, but it is important to give back, to acknowledge where and what we come from. This is not a spell so much as a simple yet powerful ritual to acknowledge the land and to give back to it.

Ideally performed either at dawn, midday, sunset, or midnight, but can be performed at any time. Make sure you wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes made of natural fibres. This ritual may be performed solo, or by a group.

Sit upon the earth comfortably, and place your hands flat on the ground. Close your eyes and meditate for a while on the land, in what it has given you: your life, your home, your sustenance, your power.

Now, in a similar way you would to ground yourself, begin to raise and direct your energy into the earth. But this is no grounding; direct your energy to heal the land, to feed it, to thank it. You are not ridding yourself if excess energy or negative emotions, but are contributing to the well being of the land and honouring your connection to it. See the beauty and magnificence of the land in your mind’s eye, and feed your own power to it. Let your love of the land swell and flow through the energy you are directing, feel it flow through the earth beneath you like the roots of a giant tree.

Do not rush this, allow yourself a good amount of time to perform this ritual. Once you have completed it, return home and be sure to eat and drink something to ground yourself.

[cursecuelebre]

Top Recommendations for Norse Pagans that aren’t Problematic.

There is a lot of books by people who are racist and part of far right side of Heathenry and I’m going to try my best and list the books I have that helped me on my path that isn’t problematic and have questionable intentions. Books and YouTube channels.

Anglo Saxon Socerery and Magic by Alaric Albertson. He is very knowledgeable in his work and path especially on runes which includes the rune poem to make your own interpretation and witchcraft side of things. He even talks about the Elves which I appreciate because not a lot of Norse authors talk about them. It’s more Germanic than Norse but I can’t see any problem adopting certain aspects since they are very similar. I will say he does take himself a bit serious at times but his information is so good and worthwhile. I have not read his first book on Travels through middle earth but it focus on more the pagan side.

Poetic Edda and Prose Edda: it’s what every Norse pagan needs. It’s the foundation of Norse paganism not bibles but myths and tales that can help along our journey. There is tons of translations, but my favorites are Dr. Jackson Crawford Poetic Edda and Anthony Fawkes Prose Edda. But look into other sagas as well like Volsung which Dr Jackson Crawford also wrote about.

Beowulf. More of a Germanic tale but again includes it has roots of Germanic sorcery, traditions, religion like the concept of Wyrd (Fate), the runes, and values within his society like loyalty and mythical creatures. Again there is many translations even Jrr Tolkien did a incompleted version of Beowulf but I think Tom Shippey finished that version I could be wrong. Nonetheless explore more than one, the oneI have is by Seamus Heaney.

Grimm Fairy Tales this mostly German Folklore but it’s still quite important to learn about in German folk magic, creatures and entities in German folklore tends to be very real to the practitioner in their spellwork.

The Way of Fire and Ice by Ryan Smith a very progressive outlook in Norse paganism, he talks about creating communities in Norse paganism and calling out and denouncing Nazis in the community how Norse Paganism is inclusive and how to be open to all types of people. But he has a beginner approach to the deities, beliefs, values within Norse paganism.

Look into a lot of academic sources that’s where you will find a lot of information on Norse paganism and religions.

Tacitus Germania - A Roman historian talking about the Germanic tribes their culture and customs.

Saxo Grammaticus history of the Danes

The Viking Way by Neil Price it goes good in depths about magic in Scandinavia like Seidh

Dictionary of Norse Mythology a quick guide to northern myths, if you are trying to find a specific god and you don’t have time to look up in a book it’s in there with great information to each one.

Children of Ask and Elm: History of Vikings by Neil Price on Scandinavian culture during the Viking age

Some YouTube Channels

The Norse Witch: Bente lives in Germany and their channel encompasses all of Norse paganism more around magic. They do interviews with other Norse witches of folk magic like Icelandic and Danish. Even gives good book recommendations and advice on general spellwork as well!.

Dr Jackson Crawford he is an author but he also has a YouTube channel. He was a professor in Colorado on Norse culture, mythology, and language and now is a full time YouTuber. He did a series of videos on the runes which are more historically accurate. Discusses the myths and the language and what do they mean. Jackson Crawford isn’t a Norse pagan nor he doesn’t care if you are one but just letting you know he isn’t coming from a pagan perspective.

The Welsh Viking also like Jackson Crawford but still has really great knowledge on Viking culture.

De Spökenkyker who is a channel that focus on German Folk magic living in Germany who is a practicing German Folk Witch.

Please feel free to add on any recommendations that are helpful and useful to the Norse pagan Community!

[stormofthesea]

🍂 Seasonal Reminder for Witches and Pagans 🍂

Many animals are currently migrating in many areas around the world because it’s autumn. With the changing temperatures and weather, many may be searching for warmer or even colder climates. If you’re seeing groups or just many of them, it’s more likely that they’re migrating and that it’s not necessarily a sign. I’m seeing a lot of witches and pagans on here thinking they’re getting a grand sign by seeing flocks of birds, deer, butterflies, etc. In other words, nature just being nature. That’s not to say that it’s not possible that some of these occurrences may be signs- this is just a reminder that not every occurrence is a sign. It’s important to consider mundane explanations as well as spiritual explanations. Mental health can be more vulnerable in the colder months, so it’s important to remember things like this to prevent issues like spiritual psychosis. I say this not to put down anyone’s practices or beliefs, but as a way of looking out for each other 🫶

[breelandwalker]

Recipe Roundup in Review

In years past, I posted a two-month series of recipes suitable for the autumn season, which everyone seemed to enjoy very much. I’ve been too busy this year to make up a new queue, so I thought I’d compile a big long list of links for anyone who’s looking for recipe ideas this fall.

Update: I’ve posted more recipes since the original roundup and I’ve added those additional links to the list below. I’ve also done my best to mark which ones are vegetarian (🌿) or could be easily altered to be so. (Some could also be altered for a vegan diet using egg, milk, or butter substitutes.) Recipes which may include alcohol as an ingredient are also marked (🍷).

Some are fall-themed, others are for more wintry occasions. But all are designed to make the most of the season and keep our hearts and bellies full as we face the coming cold. Enjoy!

Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks

A Pair of Stuffing Recipes 🌿

Asparagus Salad 🌿

Baked Apples 🌿

Beets with Cloves and Cinnamon 🌿

Bree’s Cheddar-Garlic Mashed Potatoes 🌿

Bree’s Homemade Colcannon 🌿

Carrot Fritters 🌿

Cheese & Bacon Pinwheels

Cheese Toasties 🌿

Cranberry-Orange Sauce 🌿

Fish Cakes

Irish Stout Apple Fritters 🌿🍷

Oatmeal & Potato Bread 🌿

Parsnip & Apples 🌿

Pumpkin Seeds 🌿

Sprouts au Gratin 🌿

Soups

Butternut Squash and Pear Pottage 🌿

Cheese Soup & Dumplings 🌿

Chestnut Soup 🌿

Garlic Soup 🌿

Gingered Pumpkin Soup with Molasses Cream 🌿

King’s Arms Tavern Cream of Peanut Soup 🌿

Mashed Potato Soup 🌿

Mushroom Soup 🌿

Entrees

Acorn Squash with Cinnamon and Honey 🌿

Bree’s Baked Ziti

Bree’s Crockpot/One-pot Chili 🍷

Bree’s Fried Chicken Parmesan

Bree’s Honey Baked Salmon

Bree’s Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole 🍷

Bree’s Roast Chicken with Apples and Potatoes 🍷

Bree’s Sesame Ginger Chicken

Bree’s Turkey Hash Casserole

Dill-Crusted Salmon

Irish Stew 🍷

Meat Patties in Crust

Michaelmas Goose with Sage & Onion Stuffing 🍷

Pan Haggerty

Pumpkin Plenty 🌿

Roast Pork Tenderloin with Orange & Onion Sauce

Rosemary-Orange Beef

Savory Yuletide Pie 🌿

Spiced Pot Roast 🍷

Stuffed Acorn Squash 🌿

Stuffed Braised Beef

Surry Sausage, Squash, & Apple Bake with Savory Streusel Topping

Xanodrian Beef Stew 🍷

Welsh Potato Pie 🌿

Welsh Trout in Bacon

Baked Goods

Applesauce Buttermilk Biscuits 🌿

Barm Brack 🌿

Beer-Bacon-Onion Muffins

Caerphilly Scones 🌿

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern Sweet Potato Muffins 🌿

Drop Scones 🌿

Gingered Pumpkin Muffins 🌿

King’s Arms Tavern Apple Cheddar Muffins 🌿

Tea Table Goodies

Apple & Potato Cake 🌿

Apple Raisin Cider Teabread 🌿

Bree’s Cranberry Pumpkin Bread 🌿

Faerie Cakes 🌿

Irish Apple Cake 🌿

Irish Apple Teabread 🌿

Irish Whiskey Cake 🌿🍷

Isle of Wight Farmhouse Cake 

Marmalade Loaf 🌿

Porter Cake 🌿🍷

Seed Cake 🌿

Shortbread 🌿

Welsh Crumpets 🌿

Desserts

Apple Fritters 🌿

Baked Apples 🌿

Bramble Dessert 🌿

Bree’s Easy-Peasy Molten Chocolate Cake 🌿

Bree’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Chocolate Liquer Glaze 🌿🍷

Chranachan 🌿

Christmas Plum Pudding 

Beverages, Jams, and Sauces

Eggnog 🍷

Hot Buttered Rum 🌿🍷

Mulled Cider 🌿🍷

Samhain Wine Cup 🌿🍷

Wassail 🌿🍷

Blackberry & Apple Jam 🌿

Irish Whiskey Marmalade 🌿🍷

Bree’s Dad’s Sauce Recipes 🍷

Delectable Dressings 🌿

Sources

Celtic Folklore Cooking (Asala)

A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook (Telesco)

A Witch’s Brew (Telesco)

Kitchen WItch’s Guide to Brews and Potions (Telesco)

The Kitchen Witch (Soraya)

Witch in the Kitchen (Johnson)

The Colonial Williamsburg Tavern Cookbook (Gonzalez)

Favorite Meals from Williamsburg (Turgeon)

Holiday Fare: Favorite Williamsburg Meals (Gonzalez)

The Very Best of Irish Traditional Cooking (Lennon and Campbell)

An Irish Country Cookbook (Taylor)

And of course, a selection of family recipes, shared with all of you for the joy of the season.

Happy Cooking!

[blackcrowing]

Authentic Irish Foods for Samhain

🩸 Blood pudding (living cattle could be bled through the winter to provide the material as well as collecting blood when the cattle were slaughtered to keep the numbers down for winter)

🫓 Brambrack

🍲 Stew

Lamb

Beef

Wild boar

Domestic pig

Deer

Goose

Mallard

Hare

🐗 Salted wild boar and domestic pig (it is possible that other meats were salted for preservation but given that salt was an expensive commodity and no records indicate other meats we simply do not know. I will note here that we also don't seem to have records of smoked meats for preservation during this time)

🦌 From Samhain to Bealtaine it was considered inappropriate to hunt wild game, including boar. So while wild meats were likely eaten and preserved through this time, much like crop harvests for Lughnasadh, any game that wasn't taken before this festival was supposed to be left alone to breed. (Very unlike our modern hunting schedules)

🍺 Mead and Barely ale

🥣 Porridge

Oat

Barley

🥛 Dairy (this would likely become more limited as the season progressed, but butter has been found in bogs, presumed to be preserved but potentially given as offerings)

Cow's milk

Butter

Curds

mulchán 'hard cheese' (the exact nature of this cheese is unknown but it was described as being extremely hard and could be stored for long periods of time)

🦪 Sea food

Sloke

Clams

Muscles

Crab

Halibut

Sea Salmon

🌿Native Culinary Plants growing in Ireland at this time of year

Skirret

Apples

Purple sprouting boccoli

Wild cabbage

Blackberry

Raspberry

Rowan berries

Elder berries

Sloes

Rosehip

Acorn

Chestnuts

Hazelnuts

Hen of the woods

Pullball

Fairy Ring Champignon

Chanterelle

Porcini

Black Trumpet

Saffron Milk Caps

Cauliflower Mushroom

Wood Blewit

Penny bun

There would be an abundance of foods at this point in the year, but that food would become lesser as the season progressed do to lack of production in the environment and the fact that this point in the year was a time for traveling and feasting (likely to increase bonds amongs the Tuatha and because people would not be as occupied with farming and raiding).

[ceo-draiochta]

Something that gets left out in some eclectic discussions of the celtic fire festivals is that they are the end of one season and the start of another

Imbolg- Start of Spring

Bealtaine- Start of Summer

Lúnasa- Start of Autumn

Samhain- Start of Winter

Which makes sense because in Ireland the seasons are generally defined as:

Spring – February, March, April

Summer – May, June, July

Autumn – August, September, October

Winter – November, December, January

Like if you went up to a random person in Ireland today and asked them what season February is in they’d say Spring. 

Seasons are obviously different across the world, in fact many places don’t have 4 seasons so the misunderstanding makes sense but seeing people frame Imbolc as “Oh its not a spring festival its the just bringing back of light” is just factually wrong.

[maceofpentacles]

my dash has been feeling kind of dry lately so please interact with this post/maybe follow me if you post about any of the following:

witchcraft of any kind,, i'm an eclectic witch so i luv all of you very much even if i don't fall into a specific "category"

paganism (looking for more celtic + norse pagans to befriend but again i luv all of you hehe)

demonology + demonolatry

divination i.e. tarot/oracle/cartomancy in general

spirit work in general - deities, demons, angels, spirits, etc

basically anything else related to the occult :)

bonus points if you’re queer!!