Fire Cider: A Health Spell

Fire Cider is a well-known folk remedy made known by Rosemary Gladstar (whose recipe inspires mine below).

Right next to elderberry syrup, it's one of the most well-known herbal concoctions.

Although its taste greatly differs from elderberry syrup, it still gives us a lot of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-boosting power.

It also lends itself to versatility, meaning you can easily add different herbs and ingredients to specify other benefits, such as expectorants.

But of course, as a kitchen witch, it's not enough to just use the power of the physical herbal actions.

We have to tap into the energetics as well.

So here is a breakdown of Fire Cider - Kitchen Witch Edition!

Ingredients and Their Magickal Properties - Kitchen Magick

As I always mention in my recipe posts, the purpose of what I do as a kitchen witch relies on knowledge and intention.

Yes, this recipe will still taste delicious without transforming it into a spell. However, knowing your ingredients is essential to utilize this recipe to help change your mind, body, and spirit.

Below is a list of each added ingredient and its extraordinary power for this recipe. Please note that this is not every magical benefit of this plant or herb; these are just the areas I believe should be focused on for this specific recipe.

Garlic

Not only is it great for keeping away vampires ;), but garlic has a rich history in food and medicine. In general, most cultures that adopted garlic in one of those forms also know and utilize its magick.

In folk medicine, garlic is known for its antibiotic, expectorant, and diaphoretic abilities.

Its expectorant property isn't the only thing garlic is known for expelling. Magickally, garlic has a strong use for expelling malicious entities and is a protectant.

It's protectant powers we're so well known and trusted, in ancient Greek, midwives would used to help protect the mother and child.

Magickal Powers:

Ginger

In herbalism, some of ginger's uses rely on its herbal actions of aromatic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, and digestion. However, its real assistance with our syrup is its antimicrobial properties, immune system fighting stimulation, and ability to help thin mucous, making it especially effective in respiratory colds.

Magickally, ginger is ruled by the sun and provides us with attributes of power and success to give our potion an extra kick, essentially "heating up" our spells.

Magickal Powers: Power, Success

Rosemary

Our well-known catch-all herb has accumulated a rich tradition and lore from many cultures.

From renewing youth to lifting curses, it does it all (almost!).

Rosemary contains vitamin A, C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, making it an excellent remedy for keeping us healthy. It is also an antioxidant, antimicrobial, circulatory stimulant, and restorative. Essentially, it is a powerhouse of an herb.

Magickally, rosemary is ruled by the sun and is a purifier. It is also known to protect, heal, and promote sleep (which we all know is important to keep us healthy!)

Magickal Powers: Purification, Protection, Healing, Sleep

Thyme

Throughout history, Thyme has been used for protection and purification.

It was often burned for various reasons, either by the Ancient Greeks and Romans to fumigate their homes (and evoke courage!). In other cultures, it was considered useful in warding off venomous creatures.

For protection, it is said placing a sprig of thyme under a pillow can protect against nightmares. It was also believed in Roman thyme that having a sprig of thyme before eating could protect against poison.

Of course, it's not just the magickal attributes and lore above we are using to tap into its protection and purification for our fire cider. Thyme's expectorant, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial attributes, paired with its warming and drying energies, make it especially great in supporting the immune system during colds while clearing congestion.

Magickal Powers: Purification, Protection, Healing.

Cayenne

Cayenne is a deep, warming stimulant known for antioxidants and vitamin C and has traditionally been used to ward off the common cold. The heating quality within Cayenne is considered strong moving, encouraging sweating out the toxins. Even with its heating abilities, cayenne can be cooled when body temperature is hot.

Magickally, paprika is ruled by the sun and provides us with attributes of speed and power to give our potion quick results.

Magickal Powers: Speed, Power

Lemon

Lemons have one of the highest vitamin C of any citrus, which we all know helps prevent colds.

Magickally, lemon provides us with purification and joy, helping brighten our daily mood or giving an extra boost of happiness that we need when feeling under the weather.

Magickal Powers: Purification, Joy

Spell Recipe

How to Implement Magick into the Recipe

*When adding your ingredients, remember to focus on the intention of the ingredient while working with it. (I.E., when folding in your flour, focus on the intention of abundance.

Not just the idea, but how does it make you feel? How does having these things in your life manifest?

I also recommend using the intentional stirring and speaking method to add to this spell. Stir counterclockwise for energies that need to be removed and clockwise for energies you wish to implement while speaking your incantations (or intention) out loud.

For example, I would speak while chopping up the garlic.

Spirit of garlic, bless this dish with purification and protection

I recommend also consecrating via an incantation when the recipe is all said and done. Although I always recommend creating your own, as spells tend to be more powerful, you can also use the incantation below:

Through this dish, I bring in the blessings of health. May the universe bring purification and protection from harm to those who consume this dish. May they receive the blessing of abundant health. So as it's been, so as it is, so as it may be.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 head of garlic, crushed or chopped

• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped

• Juice from one lemon (or orange!)

• 1 small ginger root, chopped or grated

• 1/2 cup horseradish root, chopped or grated

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne, ground

• 1 bunch rosemary

• 5 sprigs thyme

• Raw apple cider vinegar

• Honey to taste (I usually do about 1/4 cup)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients and fill jar so that the apple cider fully covers all herbs.

2. Keep in a dark space and let infuse for around 4 weeks.

3. Strain liquid from ingredients and store in fridge.

(Through this dish, I bring in the blessings of health. May the universe bring purification and protection from harm to those who consume this dish. May they receive the blessing of abundant health. So as it's been, so as it is, so as it may be.)