Bright Blessings of the Day!
Another ConVocation has come, and gone, and rocked the collective psyche of the Midwest. This year, an unusual class on Kitchen Magic came onto the scene at this year's event. Cooking Magic, and the Sun promised to be a class "detailing Basic Principles of Cooking Magically with an emphasis on using the energy of the Sun" according to the program guide. The barbs of curiosity were too deeply embedded, by just the title, to resist.
The presenter, Matt Blair, is a Culinary student and a practicing eclectic pagan with eight years worth of the workings of the Wise under his spoon. Surrounded by a table of curious pagans, and one Catholic, he began to share his particular gifts on the subject. For a first time presenter at ConVocation, he came across like a professional, and held us in his cookie baking hands the entire time.
One uncommon insight that he shared, and that many of us in the community forget, is that when warding a home, make sure to ward the drains. I cannot count the number of times that banishings have gone awry because this step was missed. The fact that he covered it was really refreshing. It showed an awareness that not all attendees may be experienced in the basics.
Another gem was the long held maxim that one should not quibble over the price of a magickal tool or ingredient. Yes, Tibetan salt may be expensive, but the dish/spell deserves that extra bit of care and sacrifice and attentiveness in its preparation. And yes, there is a difference when short cuts are taken. Economy is reasonable, but you get what you can afford to put into any work. The healing properties of herbs and foods were also addressed. Lavender and rosemary cookies were passed out to the participants of the workshop, as the properties of the ingredients were shared. They were very yummy.
From the simple to the obscure, he gave a very good variety of lore and culinary fundamentals for the novice to explore and the more experienced to revisit and use to gain new insights. This class was top of the line and could hold its own as a wonderful introduction to the more culinary side of Kitchen Magic for those stepping onto the path with aprons at the ready.
Some of the literary sources he gave included: "Mrs. B's Guide to Household Witchery: Everyday Magic, Spells, and Recipes" by Kris Bradley, "Tastes from the Temple: Kitchen Witchery from the Temple of Witchcraft" by Dawn Hunt, with foreword by Christopher Penczak, and of course the big one, "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" by Scottt Cunningham.
Next year, he looks forward to possibly returning to ConVocation with a more advanced class, if selected for the line-up, and I find myself sharpening my quill in anticipation of the enjoyment and education that he will share.
I give this class an enthusiastic Star and Garter salute! I think we can expect wonderful things from Mr. Blair.
Now go forth and bake some quality Fey foods with the best ingredients you can afford!
Blessed Be
To find out more in your studies about the source material visit http://www.llewellyn.com/author.php?author_id=2769 to read more about Cunningham's works.
For more about Mrs. B, visit http://www.patheos.com/blogs/confessionsofapagansoccermom/ for a good look at life, magick, motherhood, and the pursuit of happiness.
Information on the Temple of Witchcraft and its teachings can be found at http://www.templeofwitchcraft.org/.
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