A magical life begins at home with this warm and lively introduction to the traditions and practice of kitchen witchcraft.
As spiritualists, healers, and herbalists, witches throughout history have developed various methods of healing through potions, spells, and remedies worldwide. Despite their efforts for good, many have suffered from years of persecution, which has led to a general misunderstanding of their craft. The Kitchen Witch Handbook combats that, providing an assortment of magical traditions from a fresh, modern perspective. If you are interested in Wicca and traditional kitchen potions, spells, and rituals, The Kitchen Witch Handbook is the perfect magical reference.
This hands-on guide introduces the home-based folk witchcraft that has been practiced for countless generations. Learn to weave your magical intentions into food and cooking and use everyday ingredients for mystical purposes.
Brimming with beautiful photography and illustrations, this intriguing and accessible volume
Guidance on creating a magical kitchen and kitchen altar100 Recipes and kitchen spells, including a candied lime money spell, rosemary protection cookies, and a lavender simple syrup for clarity and calm Tips on how to incorporate magic and intention into cookingA glossary of correspondences and magical properties for fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients A framework for creating your own unique spells at home using the ingredients you have on hand Enjoy bringing a new magical dimension to your kitchen with The Kitchen Witch’s Handbook, a delicious introduction to the long tradition of creating magicin the heart of your home.
The Mystical Handbook series from Wellfleet takes you on a magical journey through the wonderful world of spellcraft and spellcasting. Explore a new practice with each volume and learn how to incorporate spells, rituals, blessings, and cleansings into your daily routine. These portable companions feature beautiful foil-detail covers and color-saturated interiors on a premium paper blend.
Other books in the series Witchcraft, Love Spells, Knot Magic, Superstitions, House Magic, Herbal Magic, Goddess Magic, and Moon Magic.
Aurora Kane—author of Moon Magic, House Magic, and Herbal Magic—is a practicing witch and herbalist with many decades (some say centuries) of experience in casting and conjuring. She lives in the Northeastern United States where she is a founding member of the Coven of the Moonbeam Ravine.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Kitchen Witch Handbook is an introductory guide to the practice of kitchen witchcraft within the home. I loved the illustrations and comforting nature of the book itself. The book focuses on teaching how to weave magical intentions into meals and dishes and uses mostly everyday ingredients that don't break the bank and are easily sourced. The book provides history and information perfect for newcomers and more advanced practicers and would make a stunning addition to any bookcase.
This book is really magical and the illustrations are beautiful. I sipped warm tea and pet my cat the whole time reading. It's a great introduction into traditions and practices of a witchy andmagical kitchen. I've read a lot of witchy related literature and this book does a great job of breaking down witchy concepts so a newcomer could easily understand. The recipes are innovative yet simple enough for folks not too savvy in the kitchen.
"Don't hide your magic -- let it shine for life is short and you are divine."
Beautifully presented, practically formatted, sumptuously illustrated and written with a gorgeously accessible lyricism. I foresee this title appearing on many a yuletide gift list, or as a *very* welcome addition to the kitchen shelf for many witchy types.
Moon phases, herb lists, colour meanings, seasonal recipes and magical insights galore. I read this on an e-reader but a physical copy will definitely be on my wish list as I just want to hold it!
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would! Let me explain… I’m not a kitchen witch. In fact, during my years as a practicing witch, I’ve actively avoided looking into anything related to kitchen witchery. I don’t cook and I generally avoid my kitchen as much as possible, and I therefore never thought that anything from this type of practice would apply to me. That said, this book did a great job at changing my mind! You do not need to be a kitchen witch to read this book.
Only a few pages into reading, I had to pause and make myself a cup of tea. The author’s writing style had me settling in and getting cozy while I read through her descriptions of earth’s seasons and the history behind various fruits and vegetables. While I do think that much of the information in the book could be considered beginner-level witchcraft, I’m happy to say that I still learned quite a bit of new knowledge. Also, I always enjoy reading others’ personal interpretation of the wheel of the year. The poetic blessings included throughout the book were lovely.
I would have loved to see just a tad bit more! Maybe some additional rituals, or perhaps a few more meditation exercises. I’m surprised that simmer pots weren’t a topic that made it into the book, but, then again, I may have missed it if it was tucked into one of the recipe sections. (I quickly skimmed the recipes because, again, I don’t cook.)
Overall this was a fun book! It took me only a few hours to read, but it was a cozy read and gave me ideas on how to incorporate foods into my craft. The books seems to be a great reference for food and spice correspondences as well!
*I read this book via an advanced digital review copy from edelweiss. This is my honest review!
Assuming that The Kitchen Witch Handbook: Wisdom, Recipes, and Potions for Everyday Magic at Home was a cute book filled with kitchen hints and wisdom that every cook could use, I was stunned to find that the book is actually one that assumes belief in witchcraft, and that certain foods and ingredients have supernatural powers and can be used in dishes with magical effects. The book covers the holidays that are celebrated by witches, and includes a few dishes to serve over the seasons.
This is actually a self help book for witches and has hints and information on well-being, as well as symbolism of kitchen equipment and certain herbs and other plants used in the kitchen. The author has added clever names to the recipes, and the prose is well-written. However, there is nothing to convince anyone who doesn’t believe in witchcraft to change their minds.
All told, this is one of those highly specialized books that will not be something anyone but someone identifying as a witch would benefit from. There are cute and colorful illustrations, but no photographs of any of the dishes; there are only a few recipes, some that sound good, but none that will blow anyone away.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
In The Kitchen Witch handbook: Wisdom, Recipes, and Potions for Everyday Magic at Home, Aurora brings a guide for those witches that consider the kitchen their secret space (or one of their secret spaces). In this book witches can find overviews to very broad topics like the magical meaning of colours, the moon, kitchen goddesses or themed gardens. In these well packed 192 pages full of beautiful illustrations and accessible explanations, we are reminded that the kitchen witch (like many other witches) ‘has many charms, but chief among them: do not harm’.
The kitchen witch handbook is a good book to read if you are new to the craft and want some information for your practice. As well as being a good refresher book for the experienced witch. It can be a great addition to a witch’s kitchen and a good companion and reference over the years. In this book you can find recipes and spells to celebrate each season with the Wheel of the Year.
Overall, I liked the book. I didn’t find it difficult to read, or overloaded with information I could not comprehend. It reminded me how sometimes we forget to pause, to set our intentions and do things mindfully. And how we can celebrate abundance, nourish our relationships with our friends and family through the food we cook. We don’t need to go the extra mile to find the perfect tool to practice our craft. With the 'mundane' things we already have at home, we can nurture our practice. The author makes sure to provide substitution for the ‘typical witch tools’. You don’t have a cauldron at home? Use a mug you find special. It’s all about the connection with nature, with the food and with the items we work with.
I personally think witchcraft is a very individual path (in the sense of making it our own), and I’m taking this book as complementary guide to what I already know. I can easily adapt this new knowledge to my personal practice, and to grow a bit more as a witch. The author doesn’t try to convince anyone of her beliefs, but to give information (you may or may not already know) without making it feel overwhelming or overcomplicated.
"Practicing kitchen magic is a way to blend magic into your everyday life with little effort and great reward,"
I think this quote from early in the book really summarizes what I like so much about the ideas within it. I am not a witch, but my wife is, and I'm the cook in the family and I work in agriculture. Making food for others is my love language, so part of that is understanding how to use it to connect with my wife's beliefs too. So I wanted to read this book for more insight in understanding on how I can incorporate these concepts of magic into my everyday cooking. And it is very little effort for great reward, as promised. Reward in that my wife is happy and fed, while paying honor to her beliefs and well as my own. They refer to it as innate magic in every ingredient, and I love the idea that just using certain things with intention puts more into a dish than when I normally would have cooked it.
I like this book because it was a tool for adding on to and informing my own thoughts and beliefs on food rather than just telling their one point of view. They can live in harmony, and it was nice to learn I was already practicing some of these concepts without knowing it like purchasing local and eating seasonally. I love the part about reading tea leaves, something my great grandmother back in England did. I also appreciate the levels of detail, like general seasonal spells and recipes along with specific ones per holiday.
Plus, the illustrations were stunning, making for a beautiful and enjoyable read.
**Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
I thought this was a practical, cute & cozy read for anyone interested in kitchen witchery. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable recommending this to younger (YA) readers interested in the craft, but I think they might not vibe with it as well as older readers. This book had practical, easy-to-follow advice with cute illustrations. I loved the seasonal guide with recipes, sabbats, and spice guides. I think this book broke down the basics of the craft (candle correspondence, basics, a small guide to some Kitchen Witches, and weather/moons) in an easy-to-follow way. This book is accessible to anyone working with the craft at any budget and in any living space. I think this title is engaging enough for a seasoned-- heheheh-- witch, but basic enough for anyone trying to navigate kitchen witchery or hearth magick.
My only qualm was the fuzziness. It's a bit cuter than I was anticipating, but this is certainly not a drawback. It was cozy and fun, but a little sweeter than I was expecting. There's a little bit of the 'no bad witchery' here, which I am not always a fan of. That is the only downside which is more of a personal preference than anything else.
Overall, this is a well-illustrated and cozy read that I absolutely would like to have a physical copy of to live in my kitchen. The recipes and seasonal guides alone would be worth it.
I absolutely loved The Kitchen Witch Handbook! I've always been fascinated by this side of witchcraft—where food becomes magic, offering healing and connection.
For me, food is a way to bring people together, and there's nothing like breaking bread with family and friends. When I saw this book, I knew I had to request it.
The book is beautifully laid out, with charming artwork that brings each page to life. It provides a concise but comprehensive overview of kitchen witchcraft, covering everything from setting up a kitchen altar to selecting tools and ingredients. The information is presented in a clear, accessible way, making it an excellent resource for both novice and experienced practitioners alike.
One section that stood out to me was the Kitchen Garden. It covers herbs and their uses and includes lovely watercolour illustrations that add a visual charm to the text. I was also thrilled to see that it contains seasonal dates for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres—something often overlooked in similar books, making it all the more thoughtful.
Overall, this is a beautifully presented book that I'd be delighted to gift to any of my witchy friends. It's a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for anyone looking to bring magic into their kitchen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press for providing me with an e-ARC of The Kitchen Witch Handbook in exchange for my honest review.
The Kitchen Witch Handbook by Aurora Kane is a warm introduction to the traditions and practice of kitchen witchcraft. It provides an assortment of magical traditions from a fresh, modern perspective, combating the general misunderstanding of the craft. If you are interested in Wicca and traditional kitchen potions, spells, and rituals, this book is the perfect magical reference.
The book introduces the home-based folk witchcraft that has been practiced for countless generations. It teaches readers how to weave magical intentions into food and cooking using everyday ingredients for mystical purposes. With beautiful illustrations throughout, this volume offers a delightful introduction to creating magic in the heart of your home.
Personally, I found The Kitchen Witch Handbook to be a beautiful book to flip through. The illustrations were stunning, and the book was filled with interesting bits of history and information. It serves as a great introduction to the traditions and practices of a witchy kitchen. I particularly enjoyed the sections on “The Ritual of Reading Tea Leaves,” “Kitchen Magic & Moon Magic,” and “Magic of the Kitchen Garden.” The seasonal sections, which include holidays, rituals, recipes, and information pertaining to the seasons, were also a highlight. Overall, I highly recommend this book.
I was genuinely excited to dive into "The Kitchen Witch Handbook." Being in the medical field, I have a keen interest in homemade remedies and exploring different practices. What intrigued me most were the seasonal recipes included in the book. I can't wait to try the Soothing Lavender White Chocolate Shortbread—it sounds absolutely delicious!
While I wouldn't personally label myself as a witch, I strongly believe that intentions play a significant role in cooking. The love and care we infuse into our culinary creations can be felt by those who enjoy them. That's why I find it fascinating to explore the beliefs and practices of others, such as kitchen witchcraft.
"The Kitchen Witch Handbook" not only satisfies my curiosity but also provides me with inspiration for infusing my cooking with magic and intention. It's a wonderful way to enhance the sensory experience of food and create memorable moments in the kitchen.
As I embark on my culinary adventures with this book, I'm excited to explore the intersection of healing, intention, and delicious flavors. "The Kitchen Witch Handbook" offers me a delightful gateway into a world where cooking becomes a magical experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wellfleet Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those ARCs where I had to buy the book because it was just so full of helpful information that I had to have a hard copy on my shelf. To start with, the illustrations are gorgeous. There are charming pictures on just about every single page, and it made reading this book a joy.
It's chock full of useful and easy to understand information. I loved how Kane includes not just the witchy info about the sabbats, fruits, herbs, flowers, and vegetables for each season of the year, but also historical factoids that I can randomly spit out to look extra nerdy. In addition, she adds a range of ways to incorporate kitchen magic into our everyday lives, as well as celebrating the sabbats. Rather than making everything seem esoteric and mysterious, she provides a way to make celebrating each of the solstices and equinoxes attainable and doable amongst our busy lives.
This is one of those books that's great for beginners, and as a plus, it has some amazing sounding recipes that I can't wait to try out!
Illustrations were lovely and the idea of the book is great. The layout is good as well; starting with each section of the wheel, then talking about celebrations, important kitchen ingredients, then recipes was a good format. My main qualm is the same paragraphs were repeated multiple times in the various seasoning /plant information sections. The wording and grammar is also quite clunky to read. I get that it’s suppose to feel more whimsical but the sentence structure needed a second (or third) set of eye! Lastly, there is a warning at the back of the book that is very off putting. It says “for entertainment purposes only. Do not attempt any spell, recipe, procedure or prescription in this book. The author, publisher, packager, manufacturer, distributor, and their collective agents with all liability for the readers use or application of any of the text here in”. Why would you write a book with recipes and then place a warning at the end of the book stating not to try any of them 👀🤦🏻♀️ It’s disheartening.
Overall take away, wordy but fun and informative. Unsure on this author though.
Kitchen witchery is probably one of the most accessible forms of craft for the newcomer, given its way of celebrating the seasons through preparing nourishing foods for others. And what could be more magical than food, grown from tiny seeds into delicious things filled with nutrients and energy and tied into our rituals and relationships? This beautifully designed book (shoutout to Laura Klynstra for the exquisite design) offers many ways to make our food even more magical through intentional growing, harvesting, preparing, cooking, and serving. You'll find information on creating a kitchen altar, knowing kitchen goddesses, correspondences and moon magic, as well as a full section on the Wheel of the Year and how to show gratitude for the fruits and energy of each season. There are plenty of books on kitchen witchery out there, but this compact and beautiful addition is one that will appeal to all, even those who don't practice witchcraft. 4 stars.
Thank you, Wellfleet Press and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
The kitchen is a place for healing and practical magic and The Kitchen Witch Handbook delivers on its promise of Wisdom, Recipes, and Potions for Everyday Magic at Home.
Providing illustrated guides to make food more magical, cook with intention, read tea leaves, and more - this book is full of information to support a budding Kitchen Witch.
I loved the section on eating for the season and how to celebrate different holidays with fresh foods you can purchase locally or grow yourself.
There were a number of Seasonal Recipes and Spells including Otherworldly Pumpkin Soup, Gratitude Granola, and Soothing Lavender and White Chocolate Shortbread.
Overall the book is sweet and looks gorgeous. I’m not advanced enough in my spirituality to know whether or not the author is knowledgeable in that area and whether her Kitchen Witch Handbook would be a helpful refresher to those who have been a witch far longer than me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group, and Wellfleet Press for an e-ARC of this handbook in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the art in this book is absolutely stunning. Secondly, I love how integrated this book feels with what everyone does naturally while cooking. This book gives you the insight or ability to put more intentions into your cooking/baking. Part 1 of this book includes how to read tea leaves, how to use the moon phases in your kitchen, an overview on herbs and flowers, and what they can do for you. The second part of this book takes you through the Wheel of the Year. Each season has a brief overview of the different sabbats and how you can celebrate them, then it goes over the ingredients that hold more meaning and are in season for that time of year, and lastly it includes recipes for each season. The recipes are my favorite part of this book! I love cookbooks and what's better than getting recipes from fellow witches! This book is a staple for me in the kitchen and I recommend it to all witchy folk!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press for this ARC! ♥
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an E-ARC of this delightful book.
This is an incredibly whimsical book to add to anyone's kitchen. The book talks about various ingredients, colors, utensils and items to have on hand to bring peace and calmness to your home. It incorporates hospitality, care and emphasizes that the kitchen is the central place for gathering of warmth and love. It also had a section on different goddesses/maidens/witches from various ethnic folktales. (This Greek, Norse and Egyptican mythology) Readers who enjoyed "The Practical Magic series" by Alice Hoffman or "Garlic and the Vampire" by Bree Paulsen will enjoy this cozy book. I plan on ordering hard copies for both myself and friend whose birthday is in October. I also recommend this book for lovers of herbs, gardening, feminist pride and October spooky vibes. The illustrations are also delightful. Readers who also enjoy paging through cookbooks will also enjoy this book.
Cute, very cosy, beautifully illustrated and written. With lots of fun recipes to try out and cool historical information as well.
I wasn't a big fan of the emphasis on magical plants but that's because I am someone who believed intention is everything, so for me, it's less about the plants and more about what I put into them. It's the same with crystals for me.
But in saying that, it's a good reference for people wanting to see which plant has typically been linked to which intention. And the writer also reiterates time and time again to be mindful and do everything with intention - which I appreciated. I just feel like some people might look at the ingredients and their uses as hocus pocus and toss the book away without understanding the main message, which would be a shame.
Overall a warm entry into kitchen magic and 1 of the stars is for the vibe alone.
I am in love with this book. First of all, it’s so visually beautiful.
As for the content: I loved the herb guide, especially the various intentional garden guides. It helped me to think of the ingredients I already have at home in new ways and got me really excited about my kitchen.
If you think of food as medicine, this book is perfect for you. It really helped me to reframe my mindset around intentional cooking and creating with food. I think we all need reminders now and then, even those of us who are pretty intentional already.
What else can I say? This is one of the books that I will go back to over and over again as each season turns. My only critique is I wish it were longer!
This book is adorable! The illustrations are whimsical and just plain fun. For as short of a book as it is, I was surprised at how comprehensive it is. As such, it would be a very useful resource for someone interested in witchy cooking, especially beginners! It covers the usual seasonal aspects of cooking, as well as an illustrated reference about what certain herbs and plants are used for in both a practical and spiritual sense.
If you find yourself being the person that your friends go to for your chamomile tea that somehow always turns out right, this book might be good for you.
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. However, I am not being paid for this review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really lovely beginner’s introduction to kitchen witchery. It touches on things like keeping a kitchen garden, the domain of a kitchen witch (the kitchen!) and understanding the moon phases in relation to kitchen witchery. There is a section on the wheel of the year, the seasons and celebrations that go along with them.
It’s an uncomplicated and easy to understand book with quite lovely illustrations, good for anyone looking to gain insight on the beginnings, inner workings, and delights of a kitchen witch.
What an absolute delight. For some reason, I originally didn’t think there would be actual spells. I thought it was strictly a cookbook. This ended up being quite a surprise, but a welcomed one.
It’s giving Practical Magic and Charmed. As someone who isn’t familiar with witchy terms and concepts, this book does a great job of breaking things down so I could easily understand.
I’m always wanting to live more in tune with nature and with more intention so I can’t wait to incorporate this magic into my kitchen. This is so whimsical, yet I feel so much more knowledgable. Great for friends who love cottage core and witchy aesthetics.
Here's a gorgeously illustrated collection of hints, tips, and recipes for creating a more magical life. Organized by season, this would be fun to pick up at any time of the year. It would also make a terrific gift for anyone who enjoys caring for others.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wellfleet Press for sharing.
Aurora Kane explains what kitchen magic is and explains that when one adds intention in selecting, preserving, preparing, cooking, and sharing, plus the intentions of one’s heart and the foods’ innate energies, one will have a most magical recipe for effecting the changes one desire.
She provides a list of kitchen magic tools, their function, and she discusses kitchen goddesses in relation to the responsibilities and powers centered on the kitchen.
This is a great beginner's book for learning the way of a kitchen witch.
3.5⭐️The Kitchen Witch Handbook - out September 5, 2023
This is a beautifully illustrated, whimsical guide to the art of kitchen witchery. It’s pretty surface level, but provides a good overview of the philosophies and concepts behind the practice. Sections I found particularly useful included the short explanations around color, kitchen goddesses, themed gardens, and notes for observing the Wheel of the Year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wellfleet Press for sending me this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book for review.
I would recommend that anyone buying this book buys the physical book as I don't think an e-book does justice to the beautiful illustrations throughout. This book is packed full of information for the kitchen witch and I can see it as a valuable resource to be used throughout the year. With information about correspondences, herbs, kitchen gardens, spells, moon magic, wheel of the year and seasons it is a great reference that would be especially suitable for the beginner..
I enjoyed this book very much, While I wouldn't personally label myself as a witch, I strongly believe that intentions play a significant role in cooking. "The Kitchen Witch Handbook" not only satisfies my curiosity but also provides me with inspiration for infusing my cooking with magic and intention. As I embark on my culinary adventures with this book, I'm excited to explore the intersection of healing, intention, and delicious flavors.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is perfect if you are looking to create magic in your kitchen. Your kitchen is your altar and the place where you can celebrate life and nature. I absolutely loved the drawings, they are stunning and give this book an atmosphere of warmth and coziness. We all could benefit from being more intentional when creating our beverages and choosing ingredients that flavor our food. In these pages, you will also learn about different celebrations, rituals, and meanings behind elements of nature, such as spices, fruits, and herbs. There are also recipes for every season.