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The Magick of Food: Rituals, Offerings & Why We Eat Together
Delight Your Senses and Your Soul with a Feast of Recipes, Rituals, and Spells
Discover a magickal collection of lore, recipes, and practices from modern and ancient cultures of the world. The Magick of Food reveals how to transform the mundane task of fueling your body into an opportunity for deep nourishment and connection to loved ones and the divine. This powerful book provides detailed information on food magick and rituals, from edible aphrodisiacs to feasts for the gods.
Whether you're preparing boar tacos for Bacchus or a vegetable frittata to celebrate the equinox, this book helps you find community through food and build your kitchen witch skills. Using history, magick, and more than forty delicious recipes, you'll breathe new life into your devotional practice while you connect with ancestors and deities.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2020
38 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 9, 2020
4 magick ★★★★✩
HAPPY PUBLICATION (I know, I'm a bit late to the party)
⤐ Overall.
The cover, in combination with the promising title, spiked me interested at once and made for an eager entry into this fantastic book. The smooth combination of both historical facts and modern pagan rituals offer a refreshing insight into what food actually means for the individual and the society as a whole. I wouldn’t call myself a Pagan but everything spiritual and sacred featured in this book makes more sense for me than any other religious text I read so far.
Gwion’s smile and good-hearted nature pretty much ooze through the pages of The Magick of Food and invite readers to close their eyes and imagine themselves in her kitchen, at her table or with her in the woods. Although I constantly talk with friends about the importance of food in our daily lives it was an eye-opener to see how our ancestors and noble cultures thousands of years before us have experienced and worshipped food and how, for some of these civilisations, it connected to their deities.
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⤐ The book is structured as follows.
List of Recipes
List of Rituals, Spells & Thins to Try
Disclaimer
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
How to use this book
I: A BRIEF AND INCOMPLETE HISTORY OF FOOD AND RITUAL
1 Sumer
2 Greece
3 Rome
4 The Isles of the Mighty
II: FOOD, MAGIC, AND RITUALS FOR TODAY
5 Food and Magic
6 Food and Sex
7 Food and Healing
8 Food and Grief
9 Food and Community
10 Food and the Kitchen Witch
III: All the Recipes
11 Everyday Food Magick
12 Magick Potions
13 Food Magick for Special Occasions
In Conclusion: Time to Clean the Kitchen
_____________________
Writing quality + easy of reading = 5*
pace = 4*
structure = 3*
enjoyability = 4*
insightfulness = 5*
_____________________
This eArc was provided by Llewellyn via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!
This book is for you if… you desire to broaden your horizon on the significance and the history of food. You will (re)learn to consider the art of preparing, eating and sharing food as something spiritual and sacred.
HAPPY PUBLICATION (I know, I'm a bit late to the party)
⤐ Overall.
The cover, in combination with the promising title, spiked me interested at once and made for an eager entry into this fantastic book. The smooth combination of both historical facts and modern pagan rituals offer a refreshing insight into what food actually means for the individual and the society as a whole. I wouldn’t call myself a Pagan but everything spiritual and sacred featured in this book makes more sense for me than any other religious text I read so far.
Gwion’s smile and good-hearted nature pretty much ooze through the pages of The Magick of Food and invite readers to close their eyes and imagine themselves in her kitchen, at her table or with her in the woods. Although I constantly talk with friends about the importance of food in our daily lives it was an eye-opener to see how our ancestors and noble cultures thousands of years before us have experienced and worshipped food and how, for some of these civilisations, it connected to their deities.
⤐ The book is structured as follows.
‘I do not find it necessary to place my hopes in an otherworldly paradise to find ecstasy. There is a place of pure and unadulterated ecstasy right here for us to experience. All we must do is fully engage with the sumptuous feast set before us, enjoyed with beloved company or unabashedly, unapologetically, lustfully eaten all by yourself. Our daily food rituals - chopping, slicing, cooking and eating - can draw us back into harmony with the world and each other.’
List of Recipes
List of Rituals, Spells & Thins to Try
Disclaimer
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
How to use this book
I: A BRIEF AND INCOMPLETE HISTORY OF FOOD AND RITUAL
1 Sumer
2 Greece
3 Rome
4 The Isles of the Mighty
II: FOOD, MAGIC, AND RITUALS FOR TODAY
5 Food and Magic
6 Food and Sex
7 Food and Healing
8 Food and Grief
9 Food and Community
10 Food and the Kitchen Witch
III: All the Recipes
11 Everyday Food Magick
12 Magick Potions
13 Food Magick for Special Occasions
In Conclusion: Time to Clean the Kitchen
_____________________
Writing quality + easy of reading = 5*
pace = 4*
structure = 3*
enjoyability = 4*
insightfulness = 5*
_____________________
This eArc was provided by Llewellyn via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!
June 13, 2025
The title of Gwion Raven’s “The Magick of Food: Rituals, Offerings & Why We Eat Together” immediately caught my attention because the title is so familiar to Scott Cunningham’s “The Magic in Food: Legends, Lore & Spellwork.” And in case you don’t already know, I L.O.V.E. Scott Cunningham!
When I first started reading this book, I thought that this was going to be a cookbook that was only slightly interesting. I was absolutely wrong! This book, like Cunningham’s plethora of books, is 100% inspiring. This book is about becoming one with the universe via food and all things connected to it. Sure, there are recipes (with 40-something included), but it’s not about the food per-say. This book is about realigning our thought processes; the author teaches readers, as Cunningham did, to look at food differently by using those life forces to empower ourselves and others.
Every chapter that I read brought back incredible memories for me. For example, when I was reading about the Roman Lares, it reminded me of how—many, many moons ago—I was on the Pine Ridge Reservation and my son’s grandmother would take morsels from every dish on her plate, place it in a small bowl, and then throw it outside; “feeding the ancestors” is what she called it.
I haven’t tried all of the recipes, but living on my family’s farm and doing a lot of gardening, I was determined to try “Gwion’s Red Onion Pickle Bliss.” Yesterday, I made the exact recipe, but the only difference was that I strained out all of the herbs and spices from the liquid after cooking it. And it was freaking amazing! I brought some up to my momma and step-father (we live on the same farm), and they ate it heaped on top of the quiche I made them. Earlier today, I made two jars of the red onions (one for them and one for me) and I literally cannot stop eating them!
In addition to the recipes, the author includes several exercises such as “The Magick of Dining Out” (which was brilliant, by the way). I also really like “A Ritual with Grief.” I’ve never thought about creating a place at the table for grief and then afterwards inviting it to leave; it is a really creative way to deal with sorrow. Another example, “Riding the Food Train” reminds me of the Jewish practice of the community providing food for the grieving family during the seven-day shiva, or mourning period.
Contrary to many people, I love British food and my family and I are huge fans of boiled cabbage! In fact, my son started drinking hot tea—British style with milk and lots of sugar—since he was about five years old. I especially love the inclusion of the recipe for Hot Toddy; according to my momma, my great-grandmother (born in 1883) **always** had a little bottle of hot toddy in her ice box that was rewarmed just prior to her bedtime. Now, with this recipe, I can reproduce her nighttime ritual. When I read the section, “The Thermos of Gratitude: A Spell with Bone Broth,” it reminded me of my own family’s version of the British classic ‘Bovril’—chicken bouillon!
Am I a cook? Not particularly. But I am a farmer and a gardener. Just this year, I’ve gotten so much joy from raising Garden Sorrel from seed this spring and even greater joy from harvesting the tender leaves and creating a salad for my son. In fact, even though I really don’t like to cook, I extract a lot of joy from picking the vegetables and fruit on my farm to feed my family. And this book really helped me to look at not just the cooking differently, but at each of the products.
I *really** like this book. The author did a fantastic job of writing it and if his other recipes are as good as his Pickled Red Onions recipe, I can’t imagine how anyone would NOT want a copy of this book.
When I first started reading this book, I thought that this was going to be a cookbook that was only slightly interesting. I was absolutely wrong! This book, like Cunningham’s plethora of books, is 100% inspiring. This book is about becoming one with the universe via food and all things connected to it. Sure, there are recipes (with 40-something included), but it’s not about the food per-say. This book is about realigning our thought processes; the author teaches readers, as Cunningham did, to look at food differently by using those life forces to empower ourselves and others.
Every chapter that I read brought back incredible memories for me. For example, when I was reading about the Roman Lares, it reminded me of how—many, many moons ago—I was on the Pine Ridge Reservation and my son’s grandmother would take morsels from every dish on her plate, place it in a small bowl, and then throw it outside; “feeding the ancestors” is what she called it.
I haven’t tried all of the recipes, but living on my family’s farm and doing a lot of gardening, I was determined to try “Gwion’s Red Onion Pickle Bliss.” Yesterday, I made the exact recipe, but the only difference was that I strained out all of the herbs and spices from the liquid after cooking it. And it was freaking amazing! I brought some up to my momma and step-father (we live on the same farm), and they ate it heaped on top of the quiche I made them. Earlier today, I made two jars of the red onions (one for them and one for me) and I literally cannot stop eating them!
In addition to the recipes, the author includes several exercises such as “The Magick of Dining Out” (which was brilliant, by the way). I also really like “A Ritual with Grief.” I’ve never thought about creating a place at the table for grief and then afterwards inviting it to leave; it is a really creative way to deal with sorrow. Another example, “Riding the Food Train” reminds me of the Jewish practice of the community providing food for the grieving family during the seven-day shiva, or mourning period.
Contrary to many people, I love British food and my family and I are huge fans of boiled cabbage! In fact, my son started drinking hot tea—British style with milk and lots of sugar—since he was about five years old. I especially love the inclusion of the recipe for Hot Toddy; according to my momma, my great-grandmother (born in 1883) **always** had a little bottle of hot toddy in her ice box that was rewarmed just prior to her bedtime. Now, with this recipe, I can reproduce her nighttime ritual. When I read the section, “The Thermos of Gratitude: A Spell with Bone Broth,” it reminded me of my own family’s version of the British classic ‘Bovril’—chicken bouillon!
Am I a cook? Not particularly. But I am a farmer and a gardener. Just this year, I’ve gotten so much joy from raising Garden Sorrel from seed this spring and even greater joy from harvesting the tender leaves and creating a salad for my son. In fact, even though I really don’t like to cook, I extract a lot of joy from picking the vegetables and fruit on my farm to feed my family. And this book really helped me to look at not just the cooking differently, but at each of the products.
I *really** like this book. The author did a fantastic job of writing it and if his other recipes are as good as his Pickled Red Onions recipe, I can’t imagine how anyone would NOT want a copy of this book.
November 11, 2019
This was a pretty intriguing take on a kitchen witch book, as it really focuses (in my opinion) less on kitchen craft — the actual acts, that is — and more on the magic inherent to food. I'm not sure how to explain this better (I'm writing this review at 5am after being up all night, so I might come back and try to reword this later lol). There are a ton of great tips as well as rituals you can do in your own home. I'll admit that the author did lose me a few times here and there, most notably in the magical dining-out ritual where you're essentially instructed that you have to drop all your inhibitions and let the waitstaff in a restaurant dictate your entire meal for you. It's an interesting idea in theory, but I know I would be so anxious in execution (as a picky eater who strongly dislikes some very common ingredients) that I genuinely doubt I'd feel any "magic" in that situation. To be fair, though, that's a 'me' thing, so if you're a bit more open than I am, it may work better for you.
Anyways, it wasn't quite what I was looking for and I don't think I'll be adding a finished copy to my collection personally, but it's still one I might recommend to others.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Anyways, it wasn't quite what I was looking for and I don't think I'll be adding a finished copy to my collection personally, but it's still one I might recommend to others.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 4, 2019
Really loved all the information stuffed into this book. Was not sure if it was going to be a silly, witchy, cheesy book that was not actually useful, but this should be in anyone's home with all the good history and recipes involved. The tone of writing is enjoyable to read and the span of information is wide, but not confusing. Would have enjoyed a few more pictures is my only suggestion.
April 15, 2020
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was fantastic! This was the first piece of work I've read from Gwion Raven and, honestly, I am in love! I love the way the author writes and expresses themselves. There's this amazing and cosy vibe coming from the book, like you feel like you're in a kitchen with them, learning and listening to stories. It's amazing! There are so many resources (recipes and information) in this book and so many things I hadn't thought about it. I think this is a revolutionary book in Kitchen Witchcraft and I highly *highly* recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Craft! It is truly a masterpiece and I hope to read many more books from Gwion Raven!
This book was fantastic! This was the first piece of work I've read from Gwion Raven and, honestly, I am in love! I love the way the author writes and expresses themselves. There's this amazing and cosy vibe coming from the book, like you feel like you're in a kitchen with them, learning and listening to stories. It's amazing! There are so many resources (recipes and information) in this book and so many things I hadn't thought about it. I think this is a revolutionary book in Kitchen Witchcraft and I highly *highly* recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Craft! It is truly a masterpiece and I hope to read many more books from Gwion Raven!
September 30, 2019
This was something I have been interested in for many years. It was great having it all documented in one book! There was some new information I learned, and it was really easy to follow! Despite your religious beliefs, it is a great read for anyone!
September 18, 2019
This is an entertaining book that ties together pagan rituals with practical recipes. I found it educational as well as fun. This book will teach you about rituals to improve your devotionals and how to nourish your soul. I would recommend it to patrons that are looking for unique cookbooks and want to learn more about pagan rituals.
September 29, 2019
This was a really fun read and very informative. It combines practical recipes with pagan rituals, which was really neat. I think this book would be a nice addition to a pagan library.
February 10, 2020
This book was absolutely what I needed.
I love to cook. And I love to bake. And I love to feed people. It is one thing I am good at and it is something that helps me express how much I care about someone else. Food comes from the heart, and this book is a complete celebration of that for a kitchen witch.
There are a wide variety of topics covered in this book, such as history, mythology, recipes, and rituals. I found the sections on history fascinating. It's interesting to read about how similar our traditions are in the 21st century (such as feasts like Thanksgiving) and also how very differently we enjoy the same things (like feasting when DoorDash delivers to us).
I appreciated how this book made me think of common things I do just a little bit differently. The biggest of these was a glaring example of cooking with intention that I'd never thought about before: chicken soup for those who are sick, and how we make it for them with the intention of them to drink it and feel better. It made complete sense, but I'd never framed it that way before.
It's also clear that the author did a fair amount of research for this book. It's littered with footnotes, references, and samples of texts by other writers. But as much as there were references cited, it never felt like it was a textbook. The author tells such heartfelt personal stories that it feels as though he was writing this paper just for me, friend to friend. I really liked that sense of comfort and familiarity. (And also he talks about how he goes to witch camp. I wanna go to witch camp!).
Another thing that I really appreciated is that Gwion Raven addressed the fact that not everyone has access to supplies, let alone groceries. He discussed food deserts, and how things can be substituted or adapted based on what you do have. So many magick publications just assume you have access to every single herb and ingredient on the planet and that you have endless space and equipment and it's not true for so, so many people. It was nice to see it addressed by someone.
The recipes included here are also pretty varied. I wish there had been a bit more of them, but there's still a pretty good number. They include things like ancient recipes, recipes for the sabbats, cocktail recipes, every day recipes, and even a section on aphrodisiacs.
Some of the recipes that I'm the most eager to try include: Kykeon (Ancient Greek horchata of sorts), Boar Tacos with Spicy Berry Salsa, Roasted Goat Leg with Grape Molasses, and Samhain Pot Roast for one.
I think that this is a great book for those who partake in magick and who also love food. It's a good mix of history, ritual, and recipe book that make it easy to read, and easy to bookmark for later reference.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
I love to cook. And I love to bake. And I love to feed people. It is one thing I am good at and it is something that helps me express how much I care about someone else. Food comes from the heart, and this book is a complete celebration of that for a kitchen witch.
There are a wide variety of topics covered in this book, such as history, mythology, recipes, and rituals. I found the sections on history fascinating. It's interesting to read about how similar our traditions are in the 21st century (such as feasts like Thanksgiving) and also how very differently we enjoy the same things (like feasting when DoorDash delivers to us).
I appreciated how this book made me think of common things I do just a little bit differently. The biggest of these was a glaring example of cooking with intention that I'd never thought about before: chicken soup for those who are sick, and how we make it for them with the intention of them to drink it and feel better. It made complete sense, but I'd never framed it that way before.
It's also clear that the author did a fair amount of research for this book. It's littered with footnotes, references, and samples of texts by other writers. But as much as there were references cited, it never felt like it was a textbook. The author tells such heartfelt personal stories that it feels as though he was writing this paper just for me, friend to friend. I really liked that sense of comfort and familiarity. (And also he talks about how he goes to witch camp. I wanna go to witch camp!).
Another thing that I really appreciated is that Gwion Raven addressed the fact that not everyone has access to supplies, let alone groceries. He discussed food deserts, and how things can be substituted or adapted based on what you do have. So many magick publications just assume you have access to every single herb and ingredient on the planet and that you have endless space and equipment and it's not true for so, so many people. It was nice to see it addressed by someone.
The recipes included here are also pretty varied. I wish there had been a bit more of them, but there's still a pretty good number. They include things like ancient recipes, recipes for the sabbats, cocktail recipes, every day recipes, and even a section on aphrodisiacs.
Some of the recipes that I'm the most eager to try include: Kykeon (Ancient Greek horchata of sorts), Boar Tacos with Spicy Berry Salsa, Roasted Goat Leg with Grape Molasses, and Samhain Pot Roast for one.
I think that this is a great book for those who partake in magick and who also love food. It's a good mix of history, ritual, and recipe book that make it easy to read, and easy to bookmark for later reference.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
January 13, 2020
The Magick of Food by Gwion Raven
Rituals, Offerings and Why We Eat Together
Ideas I wrote down while reading:
* Food is sustenance for the body, spirit, family and community
* Cooking can be an act of devotion and service
* Rituals around food are cultural, religious, personal...sometimes magickal
* Deity eats, too
* Cook with intention and attention
* Share leftovers with the earth
* Food and rituals go hand in hand
The five principles of food I believe are true and were worth recording in my notes:
* All food is sacred
* Eat what you need
* Share what you can
* Express gratitude
* Pass knowledge on
This book includes information on ways to use food and spices in magick, rituals, celebrations, with community and alone. There is an intriguing chapter about food and sex that mentions a feast for the senses as well as going on a “date” with self. I loved the idea of eating a meal with intention and quite a few other ideas that were mentioned in this book. The recipes are not necessarily to my taste but I enjoyed reading through them and finding out why the author chose them and how he would use them for his own purposes for rituals, to work magick, etc. I found much to like in this book but at times felt bogged down in details periodically.
Thank you to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Rituals, Offerings and Why We Eat Together
Ideas I wrote down while reading:
* Food is sustenance for the body, spirit, family and community
* Cooking can be an act of devotion and service
* Rituals around food are cultural, religious, personal...sometimes magickal
* Deity eats, too
* Cook with intention and attention
* Share leftovers with the earth
* Food and rituals go hand in hand
The five principles of food I believe are true and were worth recording in my notes:
* All food is sacred
* Eat what you need
* Share what you can
* Express gratitude
* Pass knowledge on
This book includes information on ways to use food and spices in magick, rituals, celebrations, with community and alone. There is an intriguing chapter about food and sex that mentions a feast for the senses as well as going on a “date” with self. I loved the idea of eating a meal with intention and quite a few other ideas that were mentioned in this book. The recipes are not necessarily to my taste but I enjoyed reading through them and finding out why the author chose them and how he would use them for his own purposes for rituals, to work magick, etc. I found much to like in this book but at times felt bogged down in details periodically.
Thank you to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
February 8, 2022
I'm going to be honest. I didn't cook anything from this cookbook, but I was more invested in what Gwion Raven had to say than actually making the dishes. Eventually, I'd love to actually make these dishes, but right now, I just have to be satisfied with the knowledge, history, and practices that were imparted on me.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a witch, nor do I particularly believe in witchcraft, but I am truly fascinated by it. What I love so much about it is how mundane things can be enchanted and become something entirely new and completely fantastical. I'll probably be buying this book. The writing was great. It was both accessible and dramatic, and it felt like having a conversation with a flamboyant friend.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a witch, nor do I particularly believe in witchcraft, but I am truly fascinated by it. What I love so much about it is how mundane things can be enchanted and become something entirely new and completely fantastical. I'll probably be buying this book. The writing was great. It was both accessible and dramatic, and it felt like having a conversation with a flamboyant friend.
November 5, 2019
My favorite thing to do for my family, is to make them a home cooked meal. I never thought of including my solitary practice in the kitchen, until now. "The Magick of Food", by Gwion Raven is a delicacy of simple yet delicious recipes, with a sprinkle of witchcraft.
The authors perspective of how she cooks, is just magickal. The 288 page book is not your everyday cookbook, but a history of cooking, rituals and witchcraft. I enjoyed the authors witty anecdotes throughout this well written book.
I was intrigued by the authors theory on dining out, but with a magickal twist. So I tried it. We were dying to try the new Chinese restaurant in town, so upon arriving I decided to follow the authors instructions on how to ask the waiter what they would suggest , and it happened. Magick. Not only did we have the most wonderful meal, but we were also immersed in the owners culture behind his amazing dishes.
You do not have to be a kitchen Witch or a expert cook to benefit from the many wonders , "The Magick of Food", by Gwion Raven has to hold.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
The authors perspective of how she cooks, is just magickal. The 288 page book is not your everyday cookbook, but a history of cooking, rituals and witchcraft. I enjoyed the authors witty anecdotes throughout this well written book.
I was intrigued by the authors theory on dining out, but with a magickal twist. So I tried it. We were dying to try the new Chinese restaurant in town, so upon arriving I decided to follow the authors instructions on how to ask the waiter what they would suggest , and it happened. Magick. Not only did we have the most wonderful meal, but we were also immersed in the owners culture behind his amazing dishes.
You do not have to be a kitchen Witch or a expert cook to benefit from the many wonders , "The Magick of Food", by Gwion Raven has to hold.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
August 9, 2020
This was a real fun and interesting book to read. It's a history book, it's a book for all seasons, it's a cook book. It's everything combined into one. This book helps you to look at food in a new way - often food is mistaken as only as an energy source for the nutrients it provides us, but how and why food is presented to us is also a huge factor in how it affects our lives. Honestly, it was far more interesting than what I had thought it would be. With everything that is included, it is both a book to read, and then save as a cookbook. Don't pass up the history and other bits of information for just the recipes, be sure to use the book as a whole.
January 27, 2020
I have a very love hate relationship with food. I honestly love food but hate how it can affect my body. This book helped me feel a bit more at ease within that relationship. Realizing that I could use food as a ritual to broaden my craft has helped me be more appreciative and in tune with my eating. I really enjoyed this book.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
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I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
#read #reader #book #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookreview #greatreads #alwaysreading #reading #ilovebooks #currentreads #bookaddict #booknerd #bookish #bibliophile #goodreads #readerlife #booklife #readandreview #cozy #cozymystery #mystery
December 24, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Magick of Food is a collection of musings and philosophy based on the history and cultural significance of food and the spiritual aspects of making and sharing food. Originally published in 2017, this reformatted edition is due out 8th Jan. 2020 from Llewellyn publications, it's 288 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
Author Gwion Raven is an author, teacher, musician, and cook, pagan, and more. Llewellyn (the publisher) has a long history printing new age and alternative titles. If that sounds like this book is full of new age 'woo' (and ancient wisdom), well, it is, honestly. That being said, I (firmly 'school of western medicine' and about as non-'woo' as it's possible to be) found quite a lot of interesting food for thought here. This is a well structured and well written book. The author has a sure voice and a deft touch with the written word. He's never strident or preachy and I found a lot to like. I especially appreciated the wonderfully entertaining annotated history of food and cuisine from ancient times through the middle ages.
The second section of the book includes essays on food and rituals in modern life. We all have these rituals from the family favorites we all enjoy (it's not the holidays without aunt's cake, cousin's cranberry sauce, grandmother's stuffing etc), and the author does a good job exploring the concepts of food in specific settings, food and magic, sex, healing, grief, community, etc.
The third section (~30% of the content) includes the recipes. The author has provided in-depth commentary for most of them with suggestions for use and preparation. The book also includes a fairly comprehensive bibliography for further reading.
The book has uses well beyond the spiritual. The recipes and practices are mostly appetizing and sensible. There maybe isn't a great deal of really groundbreaking info here, but it is an unquestionably enlightening and entertaining read as well as providing information for further exploration. The author has a whimsical and wry sense of humor that is also very appealing.
All in all, interesting especially for practitioners or would-be seekers.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Magick of Food is a collection of musings and philosophy based on the history and cultural significance of food and the spiritual aspects of making and sharing food. Originally published in 2017, this reformatted edition is due out 8th Jan. 2020 from Llewellyn publications, it's 288 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
Author Gwion Raven is an author, teacher, musician, and cook, pagan, and more. Llewellyn (the publisher) has a long history printing new age and alternative titles. If that sounds like this book is full of new age 'woo' (and ancient wisdom), well, it is, honestly. That being said, I (firmly 'school of western medicine' and about as non-'woo' as it's possible to be) found quite a lot of interesting food for thought here. This is a well structured and well written book. The author has a sure voice and a deft touch with the written word. He's never strident or preachy and I found a lot to like. I especially appreciated the wonderfully entertaining annotated history of food and cuisine from ancient times through the middle ages.
The second section of the book includes essays on food and rituals in modern life. We all have these rituals from the family favorites we all enjoy (it's not the holidays without aunt's cake, cousin's cranberry sauce, grandmother's stuffing etc), and the author does a good job exploring the concepts of food in specific settings, food and magic, sex, healing, grief, community, etc.
The third section (~30% of the content) includes the recipes. The author has provided in-depth commentary for most of them with suggestions for use and preparation. The book also includes a fairly comprehensive bibliography for further reading.
The book has uses well beyond the spiritual. The recipes and practices are mostly appetizing and sensible. There maybe isn't a great deal of really groundbreaking info here, but it is an unquestionably enlightening and entertaining read as well as providing information for further exploration. The author has a whimsical and wry sense of humor that is also very appealing.
All in all, interesting especially for practitioners or would-be seekers.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 11, 2020
What a great book. I have always thought of eating being a ritual between friends and family. This book has rituals for those who like a step by step and recipes which are very good. Magick with food and done in a kitchen or any setting where you can cook is #1 in my opinion. Loved this book. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn for a honest review.
December 5, 2019
"It is my belief that we can re-enchant our lives by reframing the so-called 'mundane' as sacred and divine. By imbuing the familiar with a sense of wonder and infusing daily life with acts of magic, we chose to consciously make all of live devotion", Gwion Raven writes.
The Magic of Food is about how to do that, with food, in accordance with these five principles:
1. All food is sacred
2. Eat what you need
3. Share what you can
4. Express gratitude
5. Pass the knowledge along
This is a very inspiring book to read, a smörgåsbord of ideas and inspiration for your magical practice, or just for your dinner. How about cooking a meal from ancient Sumerian recipes, coupled with a ritual to Inanna? Or having a Roman feast for the house spirits, a devotional for Athena, or a fest for Dionysos?
Apart from such lavish feasts, you can also read about turning your humble everyday cup of tea, or a visit to a restaurant or the grocery store, into a magic ritual (all food is sacred!).
In this age of food culture wars, with carnivores and vegans and adherents of this or that diet slugging it out in every comments section of any food article, I find it refreshing to read a truly food-positive book, free of judgement or normative assumptions about what you should eat, as long as you do it with your heart and soul. Your McDonald's meal is sacred, and so are your homegrown veggies.
(Provided by Llewellyn via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
The Magic of Food is about how to do that, with food, in accordance with these five principles:
1. All food is sacred
2. Eat what you need
3. Share what you can
4. Express gratitude
5. Pass the knowledge along
This is a very inspiring book to read, a smörgåsbord of ideas and inspiration for your magical practice, or just for your dinner. How about cooking a meal from ancient Sumerian recipes, coupled with a ritual to Inanna? Or having a Roman feast for the house spirits, a devotional for Athena, or a fest for Dionysos?
Apart from such lavish feasts, you can also read about turning your humble everyday cup of tea, or a visit to a restaurant or the grocery store, into a magic ritual (all food is sacred!).
In this age of food culture wars, with carnivores and vegans and adherents of this or that diet slugging it out in every comments section of any food article, I find it refreshing to read a truly food-positive book, free of judgement or normative assumptions about what you should eat, as long as you do it with your heart and soul. Your McDonald's meal is sacred, and so are your homegrown veggies.
(Provided by Llewellyn via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
December 26, 2019
An informative and well written book that gave food for thought and helped to think about the role of food in our life.
I liked the style of writing and found the explanations clear and informative.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the style of writing and found the explanations clear and informative.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
February 11, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author, Llewellyn Books and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
As you can probably gather from the title, The Magick of Food, is a combination of cookbook and book of Pagan worship practices. Obviously this is ideal for the wannabe kitchen witches out there, but as someone who doesn’t follow Pagan beliefs I did wonder whether I would find anything in here for me.
I needn’t have worried! This book has value for even the devoutest non-believer, providing they can see the value and sense in enjoying food and making eating a conscious act.
Gwion Raven takes the reader through the ritualistic aspects of cooking and eating, historically through to the present day, peppering the information with recipes, spells, prayers and personal anecdotes. The main focus is on making the preparation and consumption of food a mindful act. If you are ready to live in the moment, and treat every mouthful as both pleasurable and meaningful then you will find plenty to enjoy in this book.
Raven also avoids any judgements about the kinds of food you ‘ought’ to be worshipping. He observes that doughnuts can be just as magickal as dill: it is the intent behind the act of consumption that matters. If you want to eat takeaway pizza then he is right behind you, but wants you to savour every melty cheesy bite, be thankful for how delicious it tastes and perhaps share it with good company (or your household spirits… you do you!)
It shouldn’t need pointing out that food is linked to all of the important ritual moments in our lives (good/bad health, sex, grief), but reading this book made me very conscious of how mindlessly I shovel in my daily bread (and cheese, and pasta…). It’s not really a recipe book or a spellbook – although it does contain both – but more a thoughtful and informative discourse on living a more meaningful and connected life in all spheres, via food.
Practicing food magick, consciously preparing meals, has shaped who I am as a witch, while at the same providing nourishment for myself and others. Kitchen witchery, magickal cooking, Pagan pantrifying (okay, I made that last one up) is simultaneously delicious, fun, ridiculously practical, and profoundly satisfying. And let’s speak plainly here for a moment. We all must eat. We might as well make it a magickal act, right?
– Gwion Raven, The Magick of Food
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
As you can probably gather from the title, The Magick of Food, is a combination of cookbook and book of Pagan worship practices. Obviously this is ideal for the wannabe kitchen witches out there, but as someone who doesn’t follow Pagan beliefs I did wonder whether I would find anything in here for me.
I needn’t have worried! This book has value for even the devoutest non-believer, providing they can see the value and sense in enjoying food and making eating a conscious act.
Gwion Raven takes the reader through the ritualistic aspects of cooking and eating, historically through to the present day, peppering the information with recipes, spells, prayers and personal anecdotes. The main focus is on making the preparation and consumption of food a mindful act. If you are ready to live in the moment, and treat every mouthful as both pleasurable and meaningful then you will find plenty to enjoy in this book.
Raven also avoids any judgements about the kinds of food you ‘ought’ to be worshipping. He observes that doughnuts can be just as magickal as dill: it is the intent behind the act of consumption that matters. If you want to eat takeaway pizza then he is right behind you, but wants you to savour every melty cheesy bite, be thankful for how delicious it tastes and perhaps share it with good company (or your household spirits… you do you!)
It shouldn’t need pointing out that food is linked to all of the important ritual moments in our lives (good/bad health, sex, grief), but reading this book made me very conscious of how mindlessly I shovel in my daily bread (and cheese, and pasta…). It’s not really a recipe book or a spellbook – although it does contain both – but more a thoughtful and informative discourse on living a more meaningful and connected life in all spheres, via food.
Practicing food magick, consciously preparing meals, has shaped who I am as a witch, while at the same providing nourishment for myself and others. Kitchen witchery, magickal cooking, Pagan pantrifying (okay, I made that last one up) is simultaneously delicious, fun, ridiculously practical, and profoundly satisfying. And let’s speak plainly here for a moment. We all must eat. We might as well make it a magickal act, right?
– Gwion Raven, The Magick of Food
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
August 4, 2021
I consider cooking to be one of my hobbies, in both mundane and magical senses. However I never really acquired books on the topic of kitchen witchcraft. I was looking for materials that are less Wicca biased in regards to this specific practice, and this book accidentally stumbled my way while reading Patheos Pagan blogs for the first time. The review written by Mat Auryn got me curious enough to give it a chance. People say curiosity killed the cat, but in this case it left if nicely fed and mildly confused. I was so excited about it that I finished reading it in three days without skipping any pages. Testing recipes took a bit more time than that, but was still a mostly pleasant experience.
What do I like about the book?
- Author’s writing style feels really pleasant to read. It is humorous, but doesn't cross the line from friendly and familiar to the realm of the awkward.
- While the author is an initiated Gardnerian wiccan, this book feels less restricted to such views than other literature on kitchen witchcraft. As someone who is not any form of wiccan I do appreciate it being this way.
- I do need to congratulate the author on the five basic principles of food magic! They are great in their simplicity and lack of rigidity that would exclude certain groups of people. To give an example, the “all food is sacred” principle acknowledges not all people are able to afford “sustainable” foods.
Included recipes are quite varied, including modern interpretations of some historic foods, a few vegetarian options, non-alcoholic drinks and even aphrodisiacs.
What I didn’t like so much about the book?
-For someone who isn’t American, there is no conversion in recipes to units in the metric system, so each time I want to follow a recipe, I have to convert a pound, a fluid ounce or 200F the day before. It was a bit frustrating, as I am used to simply pop a book out and start cooking without much issues. While there is a chart in the “Disclaimer'' part in both Fahrenheit and Celsius for cooking meat and other things, this was lacking in the recipes themselves.
In the end I find this book one of the better ones dealing with the topic of kitchen magic. It is not perfect for me, due to my confusion about measurements, but it still is a good read to occasionally flip through and apply in one’s practice. One quote in particular stole my heart - "All food is sacred (…). Notice I didn't say 'All food is healthy' or 'All food should be organic' (…).'
What do I like about the book?
- Author’s writing style feels really pleasant to read. It is humorous, but doesn't cross the line from friendly and familiar to the realm of the awkward.
- While the author is an initiated Gardnerian wiccan, this book feels less restricted to such views than other literature on kitchen witchcraft. As someone who is not any form of wiccan I do appreciate it being this way.
- I do need to congratulate the author on the five basic principles of food magic! They are great in their simplicity and lack of rigidity that would exclude certain groups of people. To give an example, the “all food is sacred” principle acknowledges not all people are able to afford “sustainable” foods.
Included recipes are quite varied, including modern interpretations of some historic foods, a few vegetarian options, non-alcoholic drinks and even aphrodisiacs.
What I didn’t like so much about the book?
-For someone who isn’t American, there is no conversion in recipes to units in the metric system, so each time I want to follow a recipe, I have to convert a pound, a fluid ounce or 200F the day before. It was a bit frustrating, as I am used to simply pop a book out and start cooking without much issues. While there is a chart in the “Disclaimer'' part in both Fahrenheit and Celsius for cooking meat and other things, this was lacking in the recipes themselves.
In the end I find this book one of the better ones dealing with the topic of kitchen magic. It is not perfect for me, due to my confusion about measurements, but it still is a good read to occasionally flip through and apply in one’s practice. One quote in particular stole my heart - "All food is sacred (…). Notice I didn't say 'All food is healthy' or 'All food should be organic' (…).'
July 17, 2020
I was fortunate enough to see this author speak about this book. He is a very generous soul that is moved, quite deeply, with the joy, and sacredness of food- all food. The author is very aware of the vast array of human experience with food across the cultures, economic strata, and preferences. That is one of the aspects that makes this book different from others. He arranges the book with these principles ever in mind:
1. All food is sacred
2. Eat what you need
3. Share what you can
4. Express gratitude
5. Pass the knowledge along.
The book begins with an overview of the ancient cultures from Sumer to earliest records of humans on what will be named the British Isles.
Each historical jaunt is followed by recipe, and devotion suggestions that are simple, and brief.
The second section offers several practices to assist someone in finding the sacred in their meal- regardless of what, when, and where that meal is. They become a deep part of making the world, and one's time enchanted.
Ample footnotes mean that there are many sources to explore for further information. i enjoyed learning so many new facts about so many subjects, from history to science, in this book. One fruitful segment included, as spice in a well-seasoned dish, the author includes Wisdom form the Community Pantry that are contributions from other people. I am unsure if the author knows them, however, the essays are as nourishing as his own writing, with great reflections on the joy that is food, in our lives.
The author adds beverages; alcoholic and mocktails to enjoy, also, offering drinks to round out a proper meal.
Featuring four recipes to deities with such uncommon ingredients as boar, lamb, and goat. These are historically accurate choices. He follows these with eight recipes for the High Feasts of the Wheel of the Year. His Winter meal of Shepard's Pie is a treat.
In conjunction with the wonderful footnotes, the bibliography inclues cookbooks (as one might expect), history, and those of interest for Modern Pagan topics.
1. All food is sacred
2. Eat what you need
3. Share what you can
4. Express gratitude
5. Pass the knowledge along.
The book begins with an overview of the ancient cultures from Sumer to earliest records of humans on what will be named the British Isles.
Each historical jaunt is followed by recipe, and devotion suggestions that are simple, and brief.
The second section offers several practices to assist someone in finding the sacred in their meal- regardless of what, when, and where that meal is. They become a deep part of making the world, and one's time enchanted.
Ample footnotes mean that there are many sources to explore for further information. i enjoyed learning so many new facts about so many subjects, from history to science, in this book. One fruitful segment included, as spice in a well-seasoned dish, the author includes Wisdom form the Community Pantry that are contributions from other people. I am unsure if the author knows them, however, the essays are as nourishing as his own writing, with great reflections on the joy that is food, in our lives.
The author adds beverages; alcoholic and mocktails to enjoy, also, offering drinks to round out a proper meal.
Featuring four recipes to deities with such uncommon ingredients as boar, lamb, and goat. These are historically accurate choices. He follows these with eight recipes for the High Feasts of the Wheel of the Year. His Winter meal of Shepard's Pie is a treat.
In conjunction with the wonderful footnotes, the bibliography inclues cookbooks (as one might expect), history, and those of interest for Modern Pagan topics.
November 5, 2023
Quote: “We are alive because we eat life.”
I have always found the Pagan religion fascinating. Ever since I was little mixing soaps in the bathtub and lighting paper with little things written on them. I always had a wild imagination but growing up and reading about paganism was like a breath of fresh air as an adult. Though I consider myself a baby witch, food magick has always been my safe space. You always feel better after your mom made you a cup of soup when you were sick? And she said it was made with love? That’s what magic in the kitchen means to me. I have always loved baking goodies or cooking for my friends and family putting my love and happiness into my cooking and seeing their own happiness shine through. This book is expanding on that thought and taught me so much more about magick and cooking with intention.
Thoughts:
- All of the passages about the ancient Sumerians were so interesting I love history and especially cooking history so that was super neat. I feel like the Roman and Greek god worshipping chapters were my favorite.
- I tried the recipes for “avoiding exhaustion spice mix” (that I happily added to my popcorn). And the Healing spell salad dressing after a work out and was thoroughly refreshed.
- The last thing I made was Demeter’s Vegetarian Feast with my mom. It was fun bonding time and such a delicious treat.
If you are ever curious about witchcraft, I have to recommend this book. It is perfect for beginners and I love the history aspect. I can’t wait to make more recipes from this book I have annotated it so much! Overall loved this read!
I have always found the Pagan religion fascinating. Ever since I was little mixing soaps in the bathtub and lighting paper with little things written on them. I always had a wild imagination but growing up and reading about paganism was like a breath of fresh air as an adult. Though I consider myself a baby witch, food magick has always been my safe space. You always feel better after your mom made you a cup of soup when you were sick? And she said it was made with love? That’s what magic in the kitchen means to me. I have always loved baking goodies or cooking for my friends and family putting my love and happiness into my cooking and seeing their own happiness shine through. This book is expanding on that thought and taught me so much more about magick and cooking with intention.
Thoughts:
- All of the passages about the ancient Sumerians were so interesting I love history and especially cooking history so that was super neat. I feel like the Roman and Greek god worshipping chapters were my favorite.
- I tried the recipes for “avoiding exhaustion spice mix” (that I happily added to my popcorn). And the Healing spell salad dressing after a work out and was thoroughly refreshed.
- The last thing I made was Demeter’s Vegetarian Feast with my mom. It was fun bonding time and such a delicious treat.
If you are ever curious about witchcraft, I have to recommend this book. It is perfect for beginners and I love the history aspect. I can’t wait to make more recipes from this book I have annotated it so much! Overall loved this read!
January 9, 2022
A honestly lovely take on the history, spirituality, and magic inherent in the creation of food. I consider myself a baby kitchen witch and ardent lover of food. But life happens. And in solitary practice it can be easy to let the joy and magic I find in cooking to get lost to the drone of sustaining my body. Its books like this that remind me to take a step back, create with intention and to welcome those things back in. The recipes were all lovely, and you could easily see the connection between the food and the things you were intending to honor. As a historian I also love love LOVED the walk through some of the ancient western cultures and how food and magic have always been entwined.
My only critique (and this is a common thread with a lot of witchcraft books) when there is a mention of the interplay of sex and magic there isn't even a sentence to address or affirm those who are asexual or have limited desire to have that kind of thing. It can be really exhausting when one extolls the virtues of sex and auto intimacy without even contemplating the other side of that coin.
But all in all it was a wonderful read for a cold and icy January evening and I will absolutely be referring back to it many times.
My only critique (and this is a common thread with a lot of witchcraft books) when there is a mention of the interplay of sex and magic there isn't even a sentence to address or affirm those who are asexual or have limited desire to have that kind of thing. It can be really exhausting when one extolls the virtues of sex and auto intimacy without even contemplating the other side of that coin.
But all in all it was a wonderful read for a cold and icy January evening and I will absolutely be referring back to it many times.
May 3, 2020
I had very, very high expectations for this book. I am extremely happy to report that the author exceeded all of them. I found it incredibly difficult to put this book down, and I gobbled it up as quickly as I could.
This book covered a lot, and the only thing I would have changed is go have more of it. I appreciate the extensive bibliography at the end and will likely be checking out as many of those books as I can. If this author publishes more books, I will enthusiastically pre-order every one.
I'm a vegan, so I didn't expect to be able to use any of the recipes provided. I intended to enjoy the book and just skim over the recipes to try and get a feel for what the author was going for in each of them. I was happy to see some vegan friendly recipes and that the author encourages you to adapt it to your dietary needs.
I can see this book being well loved in my kitchen and magickal practices for years to come.
This book covered a lot, and the only thing I would have changed is go have more of it. I appreciate the extensive bibliography at the end and will likely be checking out as many of those books as I can. If this author publishes more books, I will enthusiastically pre-order every one.
I'm a vegan, so I didn't expect to be able to use any of the recipes provided. I intended to enjoy the book and just skim over the recipes to try and get a feel for what the author was going for in each of them. I was happy to see some vegan friendly recipes and that the author encourages you to adapt it to your dietary needs.
I can see this book being well loved in my kitchen and magickal practices for years to come.
January 30, 2021
Absolutely delightful! I was looking for a book that included recipes and ritual suggestions for kitchen witchery but wasn’t too specific about the particular style. This was it! I’m no seasoned chef but at this point I get that recipes are mostly guidelines and I love that the author makes a point of flexibility in both the cooking and the rituals. Beautifully written, funny, well organized and has some interesting historical bits too! I felt like I was listening to an old friend tell stories over a bottle of wine. Will definitely recommend to anyone who even remotely likes to cook. I smiled the whole time I read it.
May 12, 2022
I'd say this was more of a fun read than an informative one. I do intend to make several of the recipes in it, though. My issue with its contents is from the chapter on Greece, where the author talks about vegetarianism, whereupon he mentions that while he thinks the idea of not eating animals is great, he read a book by someone saying eating meat is traditional, so.... might as well continue? I just don't get opinions like that. I suppose it depends on your practice, but my craft feels cleaner without hurting animals. And yeah, I know this one section is small in comparison to the rest of the book, but hey, whaddya want from me?
May 22, 2020
In the Magick of a Food author Gwion Raven shares in inexhaustible knowledge of food history, ritual and kitchen witchery. It does contain recipes and some spells. Be warned though as this book is not for non meat eaters and does contain passages detailing animal slaughter. The glorification of emotional eating was a bit weird and I would have liked a little more magick. This is a slightly different take on your usual kitchen witch books and the authors good nature shines through. I am however convinced that he would eat his own grandmother if he was drunk enough.
October 24, 2021
Since beginning my dive into books of magickal nature, I hadn't read one that captured my attention as fully as "the Magick of Food." This book touched me deeply and felt like a warm, inviting place at the table to listen and learn.
An aspect I very much appreciated was the acknowledgement of non-deity centered practice. As a non-religious being, I have questioned what is and is not mine to partake in. I appreciated the alternatives offered for rituals and look forward to turning to this book for guidance repeatedly.
An aspect I very much appreciated was the acknowledgement of non-deity centered practice. As a non-religious being, I have questioned what is and is not mine to partake in. I appreciated the alternatives offered for rituals and look forward to turning to this book for guidance repeatedly.
May 15, 2022
Add some flavor to your magic! Not just another recipe book,The Magic of Foodis your travel guide through tens of thousands of years of culinary myth and history, from ancient Sumer right up to the present day. With a generous portion of wit and wisdom, Gwion Raven escorts us through exotic lands and delicious dishes to delight the senses and inform the soul, all while grounding the experience with practices and exercises to help us make a deeper connection with the food we eat, the land from which it was made, and each other as we share our sacred meals.
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