Magical Properties: Potatoes

A lot of mention has gone to various herbs both common and not but very little attention has been paid to the common potato.

Medical Uses:  Surprisingly, potatoes actually have several medical uses. Potatoes are very alkalizing and their raw juice can be taken internally to soothe peptic ulcers and excessive acidity; However, dosage should be limited to the juice of just one good sized potato per day. Potatoes can also be mashed raw and used as a poultice to soothe burns or they can be applied hot and cooked to soothe joint pain.

The juices from the potatoes also have a natural antiseptic quality and when applied to bruises and infections they draw out the puss and reduce inflammation.

Magical Uses: Found in many witches kitchens it is a great addition to any spell for Protection, Image Magic, Money, Luck, and Healing. It is also an amazing vegetable to use for grounding oneself.

Potatoes are also traditionally used in magic to make poppets.

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon

Element: Earth

God Association: AXOMAMMA

Zodiac Association: Unknown

Magical Recipes including potatoes:

To ground oneself after meditation or casting a spell eat a freshly baked and charged potato; to maximize its effectiveness season the potato with onions, chives, rosemary, parsley, or dill. The potato helps to amplify stored energy within a witch so its a good meal before you plan to cast a spell.

To Ward ones home from witchcraft bury a potato in all four corners of the home with a sigil carved into it or a personal chant. These potatoes will create a barrier to ward off any incoming illness or curse.

Lastly, carve a symbol or the name of a friend or family into a potato to draw out an illness or curse into the potato itself then bury it. The illness or curse will decay with the potato as its new host.

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Parts used: Rhizomes and roots

Benefits: Wild yam is a primary source of material for steroid production and also serves as a hormone precursor, thereby aiding the proper function of the reproductive system of both sexes. Although sometimes wild yam is listed as a natural birth-control agent, it’s more often used to promote fertility and treat all aspects of menstrual dysfunction.  The roots and rhizomes contain bitter compounds that help tone the liver and increase bile flow.  Wild yam is also useful for liver congestion and inflammation.  It’s especially indicated for those who store excess heat in their bodies or who have high blood pressure.  Additionally, wild yam is a nervine and antispasmodic and is excellent for soothing muscle cramps, colic, and uterine pain.

Suggested uses: Wild yam can be made into teas, tinctures, and capsules.  It is bitter and not often prepared by itself as a tea, though it is tolerable when blended with other herbs.

At-risk warning: Native populations of wild yam are under siege, and some varieties are highlighted on the United Plant Savers “at risk” list.  Use only cultivated varieties of wild yam.

Low-Maintenance Vegetable Gardening

My mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with cancer, and since I am working full time plus freelancing, I don’t have as much time to maintain her vegetable garden as I used to. She wanted something easy this year – so none of my permaculture techniques are in play here.

Even though it’s not really my style, I still like knowing I can do it. This took me about 4-5 hours to put together, so if you are looking to do something similar, give yourself an afternoon.

First, I laid some paving slabs in order to make space for container gardens. Paving slabs are an awesome thing to have around because flat surfaces can otherwise be a little hard to come by. I salvaged a few stacks of them two years ago and use them whenever I need to make a makeshift patio.

The planters I made are:

Then, I laid landscaping fabric for the rest of the bed, and got her outdoor sink set up. I put the greywater drain under the landscaping fabric to irrigate the bed directly.

I sowed 24 squash and pumpkin plants, which will all be grown on the landscaping fabric this year. It spares my mother-in-law (and me) the effort of weeding, and creates a warm microclimate that should hasten harvest times. This method is similar to commercial plasticulture.

The cultivars I am trying this year:

Magickal Fruits and Veggies

to follow up my post about common kitchen herbs, I wanted to do a quick list for common fruits and veggies and their magickal properties. so here’s a quick guide for the kitchen witch!

Apple – unless you’re allergic, you’re going to have an apple in your kitchen at some point. plus, they’re easy to find (and cheap!) at the market. they’re used for love, healing, garden magic, and immortality. apples are also used to promote friendship, and is the fruit of the dead. as such, it is burned at Samhain to honor the souls of the dead. it is associated with Water, the planet Venus, and several deities such as: Aphrodite, Athena, Hera, Apollo, and Iduna.

Banana – as my favorite fruit, i tend to always have bananas around. they’re used for fertility, potency, and prosperity. bananas are associated with Water and the planet Venus, as well as a number of island deities.

Corn – corn has played a prominent role in North and South American beliefs, and there is even evidence of several corn deities. in the mainstream, corn is used for protection, luck, and divination. both corn and corn meal are used as offerings at harvest rituals. it is associated with Fire and the Sun.

Grape – grapes are a favorite of Dionysus and Hathor, and are particularly useful in spells for fertility, garden magic, mental powers, and money. grape wine is also used in quite a number of spells and offerings. it is nearly always considered a good altar gift, and generates good will towards the gifter. grapes are associated with Water and the Moon.

Lemon – lemons, besides being useful as great drink garnish or kitchen cleaners, are also good for simple magickal workings. they’re used for longevity, purification, love, and friendship. add a bit of lemon juice to water and use it to wash amulets or jewelry (always double-check if lemons are okay to use with a particular metal first). the same mixture can be placed in a spray bottle and used to cleanse negative vibrations from the home. the peel can be used for love sachets, but are great to add energy to your tea or water. Scott Cunningham states that lemon pie, if served to your significant other, “will help strengthen fidelity,” and “a slice of fresh lemon” placed underneath a visitor’s chair will encourage lasting friendship. lemon is associated with Water and the Moon.

Lime – like lemons, limes are good for love, but they’re also useful for promoting healing and protection. its peel is used in love mixtures and sachets. it’s associated with Fire and the Sun.

Mango – for those of you who live in Miami (or somewhere that sells mangos year-round), the mango is a nice fruit. while Cunningham makes hardly any mention of mangoes, they’re actually great for protection, lust, and love. mango is associated with the planet Mars.

Orange – a cool and tasty snack, oranges are known to help with love, divination, luck, and money. use the dried peel or seeds in love sachets, and can be added to spells for prosperity. For those who either dislike or are allergic to wine, S.C. states that orange juice can be “drunk in rituals in place of wine”. an infusion of orange into a bath or soap can increase the bather’s attractiveness and beauty. orange is associated with Fire and the Sun.

Peach – peaches are used for love, exorcism, longevity, fertility, and wishes. it’s eaten to promote love, and a peach pie will win you the heart of whomever you serve it to. S.C. also suggests eating it to “gain wisdom”. its associations are Water and the planet Venus.

Strawberry – these tasty little fruits are used for love, and are served with that idea in mind. if you happen to find some wild strawberry, the leaves can be carried for luck. strawberries are associated with Water, the planet Venus, and the goddess Freya.

note:  the majority of the information was found in Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, themagickalcat.com, and witchipedia.com 

8 Snow-Hardy Vegetables You (Really) Can Grow During Winter

Do you ever feel like having some garden fresh vegetables, but then realize it is November? It may cheer you to know there are some vegetables that can survive winter’s grasp. You can’t just leave the crops open to the elements, however, and you do need to plan and understand a little about winter gardening.

During the winter, organic gardening is still the best option for healthy crops. Plants are under a lot of stress in these cold months. Of course, they will still need good soil and good compost.

If you live in a cold climate, winter vegetables need to be planted by mid-August so a root system can be developed before everything gets cold and frozen, but if you live in a warmer region, you can plant later. Hoop houses or cold frames help protect the crops from the deep freezes. Guard and insulate your crops with mulch, frames, hoops, tunnels or even loose straw or leaves.

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