Ah, summer. Longer days, Warmth. Fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Even as it draws to an end with Labor Day, Back to School, and All-things-fall upon us, there is still some sweetness left to be had and some majick to be created to last into autumn and beyond.
Of course, I’m taking about honey! At this time in the summer, the bees have had a variety of botanical samplings to ensure that honey is at its peak. As an added bonus for some, consuming honey local to the area you live in can alleviate some symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. Meanwhile, every kitchen witch knows that honey has plenty of majickal properties and uses also! Let’s get into the sweet, sweet benefits of one of nature’s finest resources!
Types of Honey and Their Majickal Attributes:
Thyme Honey: Cleansing, Confidence, and Protection
Flower Honey: Beauty, Love, and Happiness
Lavender Honey: An extra potent honey, this gives a boost to majickal workings
Eucalyptus Honey: Uncrossing, healing, protection
Pine Honey: Rejuvenation, powerful protection
Acacia Honey: Restoration of energy, banishing negative energies
Manuka Honey: Healing, connecting with the Divine
Rosemary Honey: Love, self-healing, prophecy/prophetic dreams
Honey is also known to have properties of healing, love, prosperity, passion, and spirituality. It is tied to the elements of water and earth. It can be added to spells to “sweeten the pot” so to speak or to sweeten a person’s negative attitude.
Bees, of course, are known as messengers to and from the goddesses/gods and the spirit world! They are said to be great listeners, and, if you ask politely and gently enough, can add blessing to important life events. Folklore also says that when a beekeeper passes on, the bees should be told of the death and must be asked to stay with the family, rather than follow their beekeeper to the next world!
Why Honey?
In addition to being made by bees, without which we would all perish, honey is sacred to many gods and goddesses across many traditions. Some of these gods and goddesses include Ra, Artemis, Demeter, and even Vishnu and Krishna. It is also well known that an offering of milk and honey will curry the favor of the faerie folk!
What Can I Make With Honey?
Now that we know the wonderful benefits of honey, let’s talk about some ways to incorporate or cook majickally with honey! There are so many options besides adding a bit to your cup of tea! I find that shopping locally for honey is best. Not only does it help local markets and bee keepers, but it also is “native” to the area you are in. This helps with not only anchoring your majickal workings, but also is beneficial if you are one who deals with seasonal allergies!
Here are four wonderful (and simple!) things you can do with honey during the season of sun and warmth and right into harvest and autumn!
Honey Meade
You will need:
1 Gallon of Water
4 pounds of honey
6 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
Juice and Peel (or zest) from one lemon
1 tsp activated dry yeast
Directions:
In a large pot, add the honey, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon juice and peel to the water. Boil for 30 minutes. Then strain the liquid into a crock that will hold it without a lot of air space. Reserve a small amount of the liquid for dissolving the yeast.
When the liquid has cooled, add the yeast which was dissolved in the reserved liquid. Then sit it in a cool place (55 degrees is ideal) to ferment until there is no more bubbling and the liquid is cleared.
Transfer to a bottle capped tightly in a cool, dark place for no less than one month. Although this meade does not improve with aging, it should be used within one year.
Honey Punch (A Sweet Libation!)
You will need:
½ c. honey
½ c. boiling water
Juice of 2 lemons
2 c. apricot nectar
1 c. vodka (optional)
1 bottle of sparkling apple juice
Directions:
Mix all ingredients but the apple juice into a serving pitcher and place in the refrigerator until chilled. Add chilled sparkling apple cider and serve!
Honey Wheat Bread
You will need:
2 Cups warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1/3 c. honey
1/3 c. vegetable oil
5 c. all purpose flour.
Directions:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the honey and stir well.
Mix in the wheat flour, salt, and vegetable oil and then add the all purpose flour gradually.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 10-15 minutes.
When the dough is smooth and elastic, place it in a well-oiled bowl. Turn it several times in the bowl to coat the surface of the dough and cover with a damp cloth.
Let is rise until doubled (generally about 45 min.).
Punch down the dough. Shape into two loaves and place into a well-greased 9×5 loaf pan. Allow to rise until the dough is about 1 to 1 ½ inches above the top of the pan.
Bake at 375° for 25 to 30 minutes.
Honey Butter
You will need:
1 stick (half cup) butter
¼ c. honey
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
Soften the butter to room temperature (or in the microwave in 10 second intervals until soft but not melted).
Place the butter in a mixing bowl and add the honey.
Using a hand mixer, blend on medium speed for 30 seconds, and then at the highest speed until the butter is light and fluffy. (Not more than 2 minutes).
Add the remaining ingredients and mix for another 15 to 30 seconds.
Put mixture into a small serving dish or bowl and cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
How wonderful would it be to enjoy such delights on the porch or deck? Honey truly is versatile enough to offer sweet Summer splendor and a touch of majick in the Kitchen and in your life!
The meade or punch may also serve as a libation in thanks for the turning of the Wheel and in gratitude of the gifts of splendor that come from the earth throughout Summer. As such, it would be a perfect libation for Mabon, (The Witches Thanksgiving).
For more information on recipes or the Wheel of the Year and ideas to celebrate, you can visit http://www.cerridwenshearth.com.
In all things, be of a positive frame of mind and do your working with an open mind and heart full of love! Incorporate ingredients and herbs and spices that match your intent and that feel right for you and those you are cooking for. Remember, attitude and energy are infusions into food just as sure as any herb or oil! What you think of when you cook is what you are ingesting and what you are feeding to those you are cooking for. Bright blessings and love and light to you all this season and always!
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