Pouch of Plenty: Crystal Charm Bags

A charm bag is a little bag or pouch filled with objects charged with magic for a specific intent. You can charge them by placing them on your altar for 24 hours or with spell work.

Gather together:

• Small muslin or cloth bags/pouch (that could fit in the palm of your hand)
• 3 pebble-sized crystals of green jade or peridot or turquoise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Bolline
• Dried basil leaves, one teaspoonful
• Green candle
• Thyme or cinnamon incense
• A length of green cord or string, a foot in length

Set the string aside and place everything else on your altar. Stand at your altar and light a green candle and thyme or cinnamon incense. Pick up the pouch and smudge it in the sweet smoke of the incense while saying the following spell:

    My life is blessed and this I know.

    Into this bag, prosperity will flow.

    I see the future is bright wherever I go,

    My life is blessed; this much I know.
    
    With harm to none; so mote it be.

Using your bolline, cut the cinnamon stick into three pieces. Cut the green cord into 3 pieces. Place the basil, pebbles, and cinnamon into the pouch. Now take the green cord, one length at a time, and tie at the end of the bag securely, wrapping it around six times and with a bow. Keep it with you in your pocket and into your life, money will flow.

Kitchen Witch Practical Magic

Any good witch knows that the best ingredients can be found in your kitchen or your own backyard. Many plants now thought of as weeds have great healing powers and magical properties. Most of the herbs and essential oils in this book have become quite commonplace. With the plethora of aromatherapy products now available, most oil essences and scented candles can be bought commercially. For the more unusual ingredients, try your local health food market, herbalist, or metaphysical store.

Blessing Bag: Herbal Good Luck Charm

Many plants have abundant inherent magic that creates abundance, good fortune, and great good luck. Harvest these herbs and you will hardness the blessings growing in your own back yard.

Gather these supplies:

• Small muslin pouch that ties
• Teaspoon of basil
• Teaspoon of pine needles
• Teaspoon of nutmeg
• Teaspoon of rosemary
• Fennel seed pod
• 1 vanilla bean pod
• 3 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces

Take the pouch and stuff it with the herbs. Add the fennel seed and vanilla bean and, lastly, the cinnamon sticks. Tie up the bag, hold it in both hands, and speak the following spell:

    I hold in my hands these herbs of providence.

    I hold in my heart, these herbs of destiny.

    Blessings to all for the good of all.

    And so it is. So mote it be.

Tie the bag to the back door of your home or wherever is closest to your plantings. Every time the door opens or closes, the little bag will deliver more good luck.

Herbalist’s Astrological Almanac – Plant Healing Wisdom

Plants carry potent energy you can use to amplify your magical workings. Use the signs of the sun, moon, and stars to your advantage, and, over time, you will come to know which ones are most effective for you. Make sure to use your own astrological chart in working with these herbs. Here is a guide to the astrological associations of plants you may grow in your kitchen garden or keep dried in your pantry:

• Aries, ruled by Mars: carnation, cedar, clove, cumin, fennel, juniper, peppermint, and pine.
• Taurus, ruled by Venus: apple, daisy, lilac, magnolia, oak moss, orchid, plumeria, rose, thyme, tonka bean, vanilla, and violet.
• Gemini, ruled by Mercury: almond, bergamot, mint, clover, dill, lavender, lemongrass, lily, and parsley
• Cancer, ruled by the Moon: eucalyptus, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, lotus, rose, myrrh, and sandalwood
• Leo, ruled by the Sun: acacia, cinnamon, heliotrope, nutmeg, orange, and rosemary
• Virgo, ruled by Mercury: almond, cypress, bergamot, mint, mace, moss, thyme, and patchouli
• Libra, ruled by Venus: catnip, marjoram, mugwort, spearmint, sweet pea, thyme, and vanilla
• Scorpio, ruled by Pluto: allspice, basil, cumin, galangal, and ginger
• Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter: anise, cedar wood, sassafras, star anise, and honeysuckle
• Capricorn, ruled by Saturn: lemon thyme, mimosa, vervain, and vetiver
• Aquarius, ruled by Uranus: gum, citron, cypress, lavender, spearmint, and pine
• Pisces, ruled by Neptune: clover, orris, neroli, sarsaparilla, and sweet pe

Love and Money Jam

July is one of the sweetest times to enjoy your garden and strawberries are a harbinger of the good summertimes ahead. To make this lucky jam, get the following ingredients:

• 5 cups of strawberries
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1-3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 9 clean and sterilized 1-pint canning jars

Macerate the strawberries in a big bowl. In a large pot, melt the butter and pour in the crushed strawberries. Fold in the powdered pectin. Heat the mixture to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add in the sugar and bring again to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir for 1 more minute. Now, add in the chopped basil.

Remove the pot from heat and skim off any foam. Ladle the hot mixture into nine half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch at the top. Look for and remove any air bubbles. If you need to fill in, add in more hot jam mixture. Carefully wipe the jar rims, then seal the lids on the jars. Place jars into a canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Strawberries are widely regarded as an aphrodisiac and basil brings money to your house. Making this “Love and Money Jam” will be a great gift to everyone in your household and anyone who is served this jolliest of jams.

Planting Prosperity: The Rich Witch's Garden

Our wise elders from hundreds of years ago knew this very well: herbs, flowers, and many plants, trees, and vegetables bring abundance into your life. They utilized this knowledge to the benefit of their communities and were forward-thinking; many a garden, grove of trees, vineyard, and orchard were planted by our forebears who wanted to provide for their children’s children and future generations. Not only were they ensuring their communities would enjoy the bounty of plentiful fruit, nuts, grapes, and berries, but they were also leaving behind a legacy of beauty and prosperity.

I also had the great fortune to grow up in the countryside on a farm. Much of what I know I learned from my wise aunt about herbs to gather in the wild, like which foods to cook for love, money, luck, health, and in celebration of the high holidays. It is exciting to go to the garden, the grocery store, or the farmer’s market and bring home the ingredients for positive life change. In addition to the secrets to magical cooking, I learned from this wise woman that the first task to undertake is to clean your kitchen and purify it. If anything needs repairing, fix it. Any utensils, pots, or pans that are banged up can be donated. If your kitchen curtains look shabby to your eye, make or buy new ones. If there is a bag of rice or beans past the prime, compost away. You should clean the cooking space in both the practical sense and also to cleanse it in the magical sense. Health is wealth, really and truly. Prepare your kitchen and altar to be used for the purpose of prosperity.

Pantry Power – Plant Infusions For An Abundant Life

Many enthusiasts enjoy several cups a day of their favorite herbal infusion which is a large portion of herb brewed for at least four hours and as long as ten. I recommend placing one cup of the dried herb into a quart canning jar and filling it with freshly boiled water. After the steeping, strain with a non-metallic method such as cheesecloth or bamboo. Herbal infusions can be made with the leaves and fruits which provide healing aspects of this comforting brew. Many of the favorite kitchen garden herbs contain minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals including the list herein. 

What do you need to attend to in your life now? This list of herbs and associations can be your guide; one of the smartest ways to approach this methodology is to brew right before bedtime and you will awaken to a freshly infused herb. Some of the most popular herbs and fruits used to create infusions are as follows:

• Caraway Seeds: aids in relationships
• Catnip Leaves: makes women even more attractive 
• Chamomile Flowers: helps with sleep, good for abundance
• Dandelion Leaves: makes wishes come true
• Echinacea: makes the body strong
• Nettle Leaves: hex breaking
• Pine Needles: increases skin health as well as financial health 
• Sage Leaves: purifies energy, antibiotic 
• St. John’s Wort: antidepressant that lifts spirits
• Thyme Leaves: a protectant for you and your property
• Yarrow Flowers: reduces fever, brings courage and good luck

Blissful Blend: Basil Infusion Oil

Infusions have regained popularity as a way of getting as much of the herb into oil as possible, it is a method that brings the flavors of one food, in this case, fresh herbs, to another, such as oil. Basic Oil is unbelievably easy to make. You’ll need:

• 2 ounces fresh basil
• 3/4 cups virgin olive oil (you can use safflower oil or canola)

Ideally, you gather your fresh herbs in your own kitchen garden but any farmer's market or organic grocery will have green herbs. For the best and purest flavor, use fresh herbs at their peak. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Gently pat dry with paper towels and give the basil a coarse chop. Place into a metal colander and dip into boiling water for 10 seconds. Rinse in an ice water bath and drain well. Gently pat dry and add the basil to the oil. After three to five days in a cool dark place, the flavor will have infused into the oil, adding the fresh bright green note of the herbs. Use liberally on roasts, salads, drizzling on top of cooked vegetables and soups. Basil not only confers much palatability but it also brings prosperity. Enjoy!

These herbs also make fantastic infused oils: rosemary. tarragon, parsley, chives, and cilantro.

Speedy Spellcasting: Prosperity Herbs

As a kitchen witch and gardening enthusiast, I am always seeking to learn more about the power of herbs, plants, roots, and flowers that can be used in the craft. Grow your wealth, literally, with these handy money-attraction herbs.

Allspice berries bring good luck; gather seven berries and place them in a small pouch to carry in your pocket or purse for a week. On the seventh day, burn them with cinnamon incense while making your wish for whatever you want.

Basil is a major herb of abundance as well as love. Drop a few fresh basil leaves on the floor of your kitchen and sweep them out of your home with your magical broom while speaking this charm: “Scarcity is out the door; no longer will I be poor. Health and wealth, be here now. Harm to none, so mote it be.”

Cinnamon has come to be called the “Sweet Money Spice” as this delightfully scented herb brings luck and will make a business more prosperous. Sprinkle a dash of powdered cinnamon on the threshold of your front door, store, or business, and watch the wealth walk in!

Cloves are herbs of good fortune and even help in gambling. They also bring people together and bind them. If you need to turn your luck around, use cloves in spell work as an herbal element or in incense or potpourri to foment abundant energy. 

Ginger root can speed up any magic. You can grind up the dried ginger root into powder and add to your money attraction spells, bringing the funds much sooner. Ginger tea brings money your way, briskly!

Nutmeg is another spice beloved by gamesmen and gamblers. Carry a whole nutmeg in your pocket and your luck will improve the same day.

Thyme is a common herb that will attract money to your home. Every time you cook with it you draw abundance and wealth toward you. Drink thyme tea for a quick fortune turnaround and fast money magic with this spell: “It is time for money to come my way; good luck is mine. Money thyme is mine with blessings for all.”

Money-attraction Herbs

As a kitchen witch and gardening enthusiast, I am always seeking to learn more about how the power of herbs, plants, roots, and flowers can be used in the craft. Grow your wealth, literally, with these handy herbs.

* Allspice berries bring good luck: Gather seven berries and place in a small pouch to carry in your pocket or purse for a week. On the seventh day, place the berries in your fireproof dish and burn them with cinnamon incense while making your wish for whatever you want.

* Basil is a major herb of abundance as well as love. Drop a few fresh basil leaves on the floor of your kitchen and sweep them out of your home with your magical broom while speaking this charm: “Scarcity is out the door; no longer will I be poor. Health and wealth, be here now. Harm to none, so mote it be.”

* Cinnamon has come to be called the “Sweet Money Spice” and this delightfully scented herb is a bringer of luck and will make a business more prosperous. Sprinkle a dash of ground cinnamon on the threshold of your front door, store, or business and watch the wealth walk in!

* Cloves are herbs of good fortune and even help in gambling. They also bring people together and bind them. If you need to turn your luck around, use cloves in spellwork as an herbal element or in incense or potpourri to create energy of abundance.

* Ginger root can speed up any magic. You can grind up the dried ginger root into powder; adding this to your money-attraction spells will bring the funds much sooner. Ginger tea brings money your way, briskly!

* Nutmeg is another spice beloved by gamesmen and gamblers. Carry a whole nutmeg in your pocket and your luck will improve the same day.

* Thyme is a common herb that will attract money to your home. Every time you cook with it you are drawing abundance and wealth toward you. Drink thyme tea for a quick fortune turnaround and fast money magic with this spell, “It is time for money to come my way; good luck is mine. Money thyme is mine with blessings for all.

Kitchen Witchery Cures: Remedy Recipes

Many remedies can be made from what you have in the kitchen, from spices as well as herbs and plants. Here are a few simple tried-and-tested recipes handed down through generations of wise women:

    * Nutmeg Milk: Grated nutmeg soothes heartburn, nausea, and upset tummies. Use a grater to grate a         small amount (about 1⁄8 teaspoon) to 1 mug of warmed milk (cow, soy, rice, or oat milk). It is                     comforting and curing.

    * Cayenne Infusion: Use this pepper as a remedy for colds, coughs, sore throats, heartburn,                         hemorrhoids, and varicose veins, or as a digestive stimulant and to improve circulation. Make an                 infusion by adding 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne powder to 1 cup (240ml) boiled water. Add 2 cups (480ml) of      hot water to make a more pleasant and palatable infusion. Add lemon and honey to taste.

    * Catnip by the Cup: This herb is not just for kitties! We humans can also benefit from it as a remedy         for upset tummies as well as a way to diminish worry, anxiety, and nervous tension. Take a palmful of         dried catnip leaves and steep in a cup (240ml) of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain as you would any     loose tea. Honey helps even more and a cup or two of catnip tea per day will have you in fine fettle,             relaxed and ready.

    * Cranberry Cure: How many times did your mom tell you to drink your cranberry juice? Turns out she     was right to insist. Unsweetened cranberry juice is very good for bladder health and also benefits men         as it’s great for prostate health, too. Two half cups (two lots of 120ml) a day, mom’s orders!

    

    * Echinacea Root: Every herb store or organic grocer will have dried echinacea root for fighting colds         and negating respiratory infections. It is an amazing immune booster! Just mince a teaspoonful and             steep in a cup (240ml) of boiling water. Sweeten to taste and drink at least a couple of cups a day.

Rosemary Restores You

Rosemary is another of the herbs that thrive best in warm Mediterranean climes but can weather the cold. Tough to grow from seed, cuttings are an easier way to start your row of rosemary plants in your garden. Pots of this bushy plant can enjoy being outdoors in spring and summer and then come in from the cold to a sheltered porch or inside by a sunny window. As a bonus, it requires little water. Rosemary is fantastic as a seasoning for potatoes or roast chicken and makes any Sunday supper taste better and brighter. You can pinch off the aromatic needles to dress plates or sprinkle into soups and stews. Beyond all of what it can do to enhance your cookery, this is a primary plant for rejuvenation. It is prized for how it restores after lingering illness; elixirs and essential oils made from rosemary stimulate, raise mental alertness, and energize as they comfort. In Greco-Roman times, rosemary was believed to help the memory. An excellent kitchen witchery practice is to take dried or fresh rosemary and add it to a steam for an easy infusion where it aids breathing, muscle aches, and anxiety. You can accomplish the same by adding rosemary to a hot bath, either in a fresh sprig or wrapped in a little cheesecloth to keep the rosemary from scattering. Lie back and relax, remembering happy times in your life and those that lie right ahead of you.

Craft Your Own Cough Drops: Candied Herbs

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup simple syrup
• 1 cup honey
• 2 cups dried herb (of your choice)
• 1 large sheet waxed paper

One of the byproducts of making herbal honeys, liqueurs, and oxymel is the candied herbs, which can also be made especially for snacks and for use in sweetcakes and cookies. To make a batch, stir the liquids together in a big pot and heat slowly, stirring every few minutes. Upon reaching boiling point, add the herbs until well mixed. Turn the heat down and slowly simmer until the liquid is very thick and sticky. Spoon the herbs out and place on wax paper to crystallize. Good herbs for this are hyssop, ginger root, lavender, lemon balm, fennel seed, mint, angelica stems, and thyme as well as small slivers of orange, lime, and lemon. The gift of homemade candy is a marvelous way to signal a crush.

Longevity Elixir: Homemade Pear Potion

Pears have long been prized in Asia as a lucky fruit that also nourishes a long and prosperous life. The great magical teacher Scott Cunningham advocated for their use in love spells. This pear liqueur is a special brew indeed. You will need this to make it:

• 3 large ripe pears
• 2 pods of cardamom
• Lemon peel of half a lemon
• Vodka, 1 quart
• 1 clean and sterilized 1-quart Mason jar with lid (preferably dark-colored glass)

Start by crushing the cardamom pods, then set aside. Peel the pears and cut into thin slices. Gently place the pear slices into the jar. Put the crushed cardamom and lemon peel on top of the pears. Cover all with the vodka. Close the jar and tighten the lid, then gently shake twice. Store the jar full of pears in a dark, cool cupboard for ten days. After the ten days, remove the jar from the cupboard. Pour the contents of the jar into a mixing bowl and mash thoroughly using the back of a fork. Strain the mixture into another bowl, using a colander that has been lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. Repeat this process twice, then pour the pear liqueur into the Mason jar. (The strained-out pear slices can be consumed or used in cookery, but remember that they may be quite potent!) If you are feeling fancy, you can store your pear liqueur in a pretty bottle. Live long and prosper!

Lemon Aid: Healthful Lemon Curd

We all know the adage that starts out, “when life gives you lemons,” but we would update this classic with the suggestion to make lemon curd! With only four ingredients, it is not a complex chore but a delightful way to take your bounty of citrus and create a sweet and creamy joy-filled treat for you and your loved ones to enjoy for many months to come. What you’ll need:

• 8 whole lemons (Meyer lemons are ideal, but any and all lemons will do)
• 2½ cups white sugar, granulated
• 2 cups fresh, unsalted butter
• 8 whole eggs, beaten

Have at the ready: eight clean glass jars previously sterilized in hot water; half-pint Mason jars preferred.

Grate the zest of the lemons into a medium-sized saucepan. Squeeze the juice from the lemons into a bowl, go for every drop!

You should have around 1½ cups of juice. Add the lemon juice to the saucepan along with the sugar. Cut butter into small pieces and add to the pan gradually.

Place your saucepan on a burner over low heat and stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Strain the beaten eggs through a fine-mesh sieve into the pan with the lemon mixture. Cook on a medium heat for ten to fifteen minutes, stirring frequently. As it heats up, the mixture will begin to thicken and take on a creamy consistency. When it coats the back of a spoon, you are well on your way to lemon curd!

When the lemon sauce is thick, remove the pan from the heat. Fill hot sterilized jars with the lemon curd to within ⅛ inch of rims. Wipe the rims clean, then top the jars with hot lids. Screw down the bands securing the lids onto the jars until finger tight. Process jars in a hot water bath for ten minutes. Remove jars and stand them upright on a clean towel, away from drafts. Let jars sit undisturbed for twelve hours. Check for proper seals. Label the jars and store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

Blackberry Malt Vinegar Syrup

Blackberries are one of life’s sweetest gifts, growing abundantly in the bramble along the rambling path. An extremely effective medicinal tonic can be made by soaking a quart of berries in a quart of malt vinegar for three days. Drain and strain the liquid into a pan. Simmer and stir in sugar, one pound to every two cups of tonic. Boil gently for five minutes and skim off any foam. Cool and pour into a sealable jar. This potion is so powerful, you can add a teaspoon into a cup of water and cure tummy aches, cramps, fevers, coughs, and colds. Best of all, blackberry vinegar is both a medicine and a highly prized dessert topping in the UK. Pour some over your apple pie and cream, and you will soon scurry off to pick blackberries all summer.

Auntie’s Apple Brandy Spirits

Here is a delightfully easy recipe that will produce a flavorful homemade liqueur that smells as good as it tastes. If you are interested in making a hassle-free bottle of spirits, apples are a wonderful way to start. Start with these ingredients:

• 4 apples (sweet ones, not sour)
• 2 cups brandy
• 2 cups vodka
• 1 quart clean and sterilized Mason jar

First, clean, core, and slice your apples. Place the slices in a Mason canning jar. Pour in the alcohol to cover, using equal parts brandy and vodka. Put the jar in a cool dark place in your pantry. Allow the infusion process to alchemize for a month or until it is to your taste. The combination of sweet apples and brandy gives a luscious fruit-forward flavor, with no need for sugar. After infusing, strain the apple slices out using a strainer to filter the liqueur. Pour the spirits into a pretty and sealable bottle and enjoy at your next pagan party.

Bonus tip: apples can really be used with any spirit so let your imagination run wild!

Imbued with Love: Lavender Rosemary Infused Vodka

This clear alcoholic drink is also easily infused with the flavor of flowers, herbs, fruits and even vegetables. Try combinations such as the light and sweet floral taste of lavender and rosemary. Lavender brings calming and healing and rosemary dispels negative spirits. Both of these are love herbs. What could be better? You’ll need the following:

• A quart bottle of vodka
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 3 springs of lavender
• Larger canning jar with sealable lid

After you have rinsed your herbs in cool water and gently patted them dry, put them in the one-quart (32 ounce) Mason or Bell jar. Pour in vodka, making sure to cover the herbs to the top, then seal tightly. Give it a vigorous shake and place the jar in your pantry or dark closet for five days, making sure to shake at least once a day. After the second day, take a spoon and taste the vodka. If the taste suits you before the full five days are up, go ahead and strain the herbs out using cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter, Set the herbs aside and let them dry. After the vodka is thoroughly strained of any herbs or residue, pour it into a bottle; label the bottle with the date and what herbs you used. Tie the dry herbs into a bundle with string and use their aroma when you next make a fire in the hearth. Their scentful smoke will imbue your home with coziness, calm, healing and love.

Summer Sweet Blackberry Jam

Below is a tried-and-true recipe for a simple berry jam. Our family favorite is blackberries as the color of the jam is nearly as delicious as its taste when spread on warm toast. You’ll need the following:

• 2 cups blackberries (or try raspberries or strawberries)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 slice of lemon rind
• Apple slice
• Canning jars and tongs

Crush the berries with a potato masher, softly, not too hard. Place all the ingredients in a stockpot and boil over high heat for five minutes, stirring the mixture to prevent it from sticking or burning. Reduce the heat to medium-high and continue to boil and stir. Remove any foam with a large spoon. After a half hour, the jam will begin to thicken up. If your jam is setting slowly, you can add more lemon juice or a slice of apple. Pectin, which is regularly used thicken jams and jellies, is made from apples. Thus, a slice of apple will serve the same purpose.

When the jam is ready, pour it into sterilized jars. The jars should be warm when the jam is added, so keep the sterilized articles in the oven, dishwasher, or canning water bath until you need them; ditto the lids and rings. Make sure to leave a generous half-inch gap between the jam and the top of the jar—this is known as headspace in the world of jam. Place the lids on the jars and screw them on firmly.

Place the sealed jars into the water bath and cover with at least an inch of water. Boil for ten minutes. Using jar tongs, carefully lift the jars out of the water bath and let them cool at room temperature. You will hear the lids seal when they make a popping noise as the domed lid is sucked down. Processed jam will last at east a year and makes a lovely gift. For small batches, you can make your jam and store it in the fridge as soon as it has cooled off. Berries contain protection magic as well as that of abundance. Folklore says vampires are afraid of blackberry vines.

Blessed Batch of Pickles: A Garden in a Jar

This is a recipe handed down from generation to generation in my family. My mother was very proud of and famous for her pickles. This same cucumber recipe can be used to pickle almost any vegetable, including onions, peppers, squash, baby corn, green tomatoes, cauliflower, and anything else you might fancy. Growing your own dill will be a wonderful finishing touch. Gather:

• 3 dozen baby cucumbers (three to four inches long)
• 3 cups water
• 3 cups vinegar
• 6 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 bunch fresh dill or ½ teaspoon dried dill per jar (you can use seed heads, leaves, and stems, too)
• ½ to 1 clove garlic per jar, blanched and sliced
• ½ tablespoon mustard seed per jar
• 2-quart Mason canning jars (or 6 one-pint jars), sterilized

Wash all the cucumbers using cool water. In a big stockpot, pour in the vinegar, three cups of water, and the kosher salt and bring to a boil. This is the brining liquid. In the bottom of a sterilized quart jar, place a generous layer of dill, a clove of garlic, and ½ tablespoon mustard seed. Pack the cucumbers vertically into the jar until half full, then add another layer of dill and fill the remainder of the jar with cucumbers. Fill all the jars in the exact same way, leaving a half-inch at the top for brine. After you have poured in the brining liquid, go ahead and seal the Mason jars. Place the jars in a boiling-water bath for fifteen minutes. Label once your pickle jars have cooled and store on a cool, dark shelf for two weeks to allow the flavor to develop.

Magical correspondences to draw from in labeling your fresh batch of pickles:

• Cucumber: healing, peace
• Vinegar: security, cleansing
• Dill: prosperity, safety, luck
• Garlic: protection, healing
• Salt: purification