Category: Other Spells

Incense for Mabon

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
I’m very proud of myself.

Mabon is coming up quickly and I’ve been trying to make some little tokens for the sabbat (even though it is not one of the sabbats I, personally, celebrate). I love incense, so it made sense for me to make this wonderful, loose incense for you as a way of demonstrating some of the things you can incorporate into your Autumnal practice.

The book I used for this video is simply called Mabon. There is a good history of the roots of Mabon and how you can celebrate it in the modern age. It also gives recipes, crafts, rituals, correspondence, prayers, etc. One of the recipes in it is for this incense.

You will need dried marigold (calendula), mint, and sage. I used rubbed sage for this because I use that in cooking. Since I do not have the appropriate environment in which to grow sage properly, I tend to use rubbed sage where I can, instead of sage that you’d find in bundles. Once I have a bit of earth and can plant my garden the way I want, I’ll harvest and dry my own sage. Regardless, use whatever sage you’d like in this. It will still smell amazing.

Make sure that when you go to burn this, you have a charcoal round. I did not have any (they’re in storage), and it does not burn well on it’s own. It needs help. But, it still smells really good, so you have that to look forward to!

This incense can be used for Mabon rituals, or around Thanksgiving to help cultivate a sense of thankfulness and gratitude, or any time of year, really. It’s a delicate scent and works well to relax and open your heart to give thanks and show gratitude for what the Universe has blessed you with during the year into this Second Harvest.

I hope you enjoy this incense. Let me know in the comments how yours turned out!

Mabon Bath Salts

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
Look! I’m actually FANCY!

Mabon is a Sabbat that celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of autumn and the second harvest. This year, it falls on September 22. Mabon, similarly to Lughnasadh, is a time of Thanksgiving and gratitude. What better way to get into the spirit of giving thanks than by thanking yourself for surviving the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that has been 2020 and taking a ritual bath!

Honestly, I just like using bath salts whenever I can. They’re easy to make and it’s so relaxing to use them. This one is a two-parter, so you’ll need two containers to make it work.

You’ll need dried chamomile, sage, and rosemary; sea salt, baking soda, and sandalwood essential oil. How much you want to use is up to you. Standard ratios are as follows: 1:1:1:1 on the dried plants to water (1 T each, 1 cup water) and 1/2c sea salt, 1 T baking soda, and about 5-6 drops sandalwood.

You’re going to put your herbs and water in a pot and simmer them for about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, let them cool.

In the meantime, mix your sea salt and baking soda together, then add your essential oil and mix thoroughly. Put into a shatter-proof container (or live dangerously, like I do, and use a mason jar). I use a 4oz mason jar for these and pack the salt mixture into them. when you use it for your bath, you’ll use approximately half of the jar.

Once the decoction has cooled, strain it using either a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. You should be able to fill a 4oz jar with the liquid. When you go to draw your bath, pour in your salt first and dissolve it in the water, then add 2oz of your decoction and blend it into the water as well. Climb into your tub and relax and focus on the many things you have to be thankful for.

You can make it more of a ritual, if you would like–light candles, cast a magic circle, whatever you’d like to do. I tend to keep my baths simple. Spend as much time as you require soaking in the energy of Mabon and the Equinox.

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Blessed be.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
I’m not saying it was aliens…

Merry meet!

I love making these videos as much as I love making the food videos! These ones are way more relaxed. In this video, we’re going to make a really fantastic all-purpose cleaner. You’ll need a 16oz spray bottle and some funnels. Here’s a list of everything else:

1/2c apple cider or distilled white vinegar
1 T water (I used distilled)
10 drops of essential oils/essential oil blend (mine was 4 lemon, 3 lavender, 2 pine, 1 Peppermint)
2 T baking soda
about 1-1/4c Distilled water to top off

You’re going to put your liquids into the container first. Your vinegar, oils, and water, then gently shake them. Then you’re going to add your baking soda S L O W L Y. Ask me how I know to do it slowly. Because I’m a dunderhead and didn’t and there was a bit of an explosion because this was filmed early in the morning before my coffee had a chance to hit my brain and say, “Hey! You! The girl who aced chemistry. This is basic acid-base reaction…”

Once you’ve slowly added your baking soda, top the mix off with the water and give it a gentle shake. It’s now ready for use!

You can make this “enchanted” either by imbuing it with your intentions or by using essential oils that have spiritual properties. I, personally, use the ones I use because I know their spiritual properties, as well as their cleaning properties and I like the smell of the blend.

As I said, this is my go-to all-purpose cleaner. On my floors, I use 1/4c. ACV and 16 drops of essential oils/blend to a gallon of water. Again, I choose my oils based on their spiritual and cleaning properties. I love washing my floors and I know my cats aren’t going to get sick from the floor wash! Cameraman Ken wasn’t too enamoured with my homemade dish soap, so I’ll have to find another recipe for him and try again. I do like my dry laundry soap, though I need to make more and re-enchant that. I suppose that could be another video!

Blessed be, my Witchlettes!

Witch’s Bells

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
Excitedly recording by myself.

So, first of all, I’ve heard these items called many different names: Witch Bells, Witches Bells, Witch’s Bells, etc. Call them what you want. I call them Witch’s Bells and, though popular in Wicca, are used by many different religions throughout the world. I’m not Wiccan, for example, and I still use them on my door to ward off malicious or ill-intended spirits and energy.

You could buy some via one of the many sellers on Etsy. There certainly are some beautiful ones available. I, however, cannot do that. As a very strong empath (like, I can see the evil spirits manipulating and taking over certain people–also, that link, if you are like me, will knock you out of your chair), I have to spend energy to strip tools and protective items of the energies put in by the creator so those energies do not conflict with mine or my households. I’ve been told my energy is very warm and sparkly, that it’s quite unique. Unique energies, in my experience, do not play well with others. Cameraman Ken and I have a balance in our energies and our fur babies contribute to that balance. If the balance is off, the first one to notice is Midnite and he will not stop telling me about it.

So, I make my things. Or I buy things that are not intended for spiritual worship and imbue them, myself. Which is what we’re doing with this decorative piece.

Really, you can use anything you want to make these. I chose to use a ring, cotton yarn, and 4 silver bells. Since I had made one around Imbolc, I removed that one from my door, thanked it for it’s service and removed the bells, expressing my desire for them to continue their service. This isn’t a requirement; it’s just what I do. I cut lengths of yarn in yellow (for fire), white (for air), tan (for earth), and blue (for water) and tied them to the ring. I wrapped the ring in tan and blue because my Sun sign is Capricorn–the Sea Goat. Earth sign, born in a Water month (December). Earth and Water ground me and recharge me. You can, of course, choose whatever speaks to you.

You do not have to imbue your bells if you do not wish to. I do. This is an anytime of year project and can be changed as little or as much as you desire. I would love to see examples of the ones you create! You can share them with me via Discord, or pop over to Patreon and for as little as $2/mo, you can message me there and share your thoughts and spells and attempts and success and failures! I welcome them all!

Gratitude Altar How-To

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
Mirror, mirror on the altar…

Merry meet and blessings be, my Witchlettes!

Even though Lughnasadh is past, it doesn’t mean we can’t remain in the spirit of the holiday and carry forth our gratitude through the remainder of the year! This video shows you how you can create a Gratitude Altar. I get a bit raw in it and nearly cry, so you can watch that. 🙂 Regardless, gratitude is such a needful thing in our current situation.

What can you be thankful for during this panedemic? We have so many things that weigh us down, let’s start thinking and recognizing the things that can lift us up and help us drown in thankfulness and send that beacon of light into the world!

I’m thankful for Cameraman Ken who has been nothing but supportive since I started this endeavor; I’m thankful for my sister who understands my obsession with spiders; for my friends both here and abroad; for SCIENCE (wear your damn masks!); for my increasing abilities in cooking; for all of you and the Kitchen Witchery & Other Spells channel–even though I don’t make money from these videos, doesn’t mean I never will. It just means I need to do more and be better. Good things are on my horizon, if I just stop to take a moment to acknowledge all the good that is in my present.

What are you grateful for? Please, share with me in the comments here, or on the video, or in my Discord, or even on my Patreon. I would love to hear from you!

Upcoming Video: Mabon Celebration

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r

One of the upcoming Sabbats–Mabon–is a social celebration of 2nd Harvest. With the way the U.S. is currently, social celebrations are a bit of a taboo. What I am offering is this: If you live in LA County, Orange County, or Riverside/San Bernardino County and you would like to participate in a socially distance gift exchange, please sound off!

The items I bring you may or may not be videos from my channel–you’ll have to guess! But, I would like to film the deliveries (not required for participation). All I ask is that you hand-make something to trade. The deliveries will be made Sunday, September 20, 2020. Please comment here or message me directly (or pop into the Discord channel and tag me) if you’d like to be a part of this Mabon Celebration!

P.S.: You do not have to celebrate Mabon. I don’t, personally. But, some of the goodies I have planned are too good NOT to share!

Projects for Lughnasadh

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
I’m wearing catears. That have snakes on them. I love them.

I’m back with another Lughnasadh video! We’re making “First Harvest” Potpourri (dry) and Habanero Jelly!

Cameraman Ken (aka The Husbeast) lost his sense of smell through (chronic sinusitis). So, he enjoys foods that have spice, but more importantly, flavor. I have hot sauces sitting on my table that would make mere mortals cry (they do me!), but they are very flavorful and add just enough heat to enhance whatever it is we’re putting them in.

It is important to note that the jelly is not Keto-friendly. It is made with 4.5 cups of sugar. This is not something you can just swap out to Swerve or Truvia or Monkfruit. That isn’t to say that you can’t make low-carb jams and jellies. This recipe, specifically, cannot be modified because of the type of pectin it uses. Admittedly, I don’t know much about pectin because when I make preserves, I don’t use it. My fruit preserves are made with sugar and the natural sugars of the fruits. In the future, I may try to make a Keto-friendly preserves recipe, but today is not that day. Please, don’t use a sugar substitute for this: It will not set up.

Also, yes, I maced myself again cooking the habaneros. You’d think I’d learn by now. That’s why I’m an entertainer and not an actual chef! You get to laugh at my dumbass!

On to the First Harvest Potpourri! I forgot I was making it, which is why my apples ended up desiccated. You need to pre-heat your oven to 200F and if you’re going to use both racks, check them after about 45 minutes and switch the baking sheets around. They shouldn’t be burnt (like mine); they should be dried nicely. Should take about 90 minutes. Check on them. The oranges may take a bit longer. You want the fruit to be dry enough that it won’t rot while sitting out.

…which is funny because…

Potpourri literally means “a pot of rotten.”

For this, I used two red apples and two medium oranges, 4 fresh cinnamon sticks, a small package of star anise, and a bunch of whole cloves. I sliced the apples using a mandolin and had Cameraman Ken slice the oranges. You want these to be thinly sliced–1/8th inch is about where I was with them. Spread them in a single layer on however many baking sheets you need. You’ll want to cover the sheets with parchment paper. Probably should have mentioned that first. Anyway! You don’t have to do anything to the fruits, just check to make sure they’re not burnt.

I put my apples into a baggie and crunched them to pieces to make them fit better into containers. Cameraman Ken cut up the oranges for me and broke my cinnamon sticks. I added the star anise and the cloves and shook up the bag. I had enough potpourri to make two 4oz jars for the guys upstairs (gave them a jar of jelly, too), plus two small bowls of potpourri. One is on my altar, the other is on my desk in the bedroom. It’s strong when close to it, but it’s a nice, subtle scent when you enter the apartment.

The potpourri will be good for about a month. Before you toss it, however, put it into a pot of water on your stovetop and simmer it til the scent is gone. Just make sure you keep enough water in it so it doesn’t burn onto your pot. If you have a small crockpot, you could also put it in the crock, on low, and let it simmer. It’s a wonderful way to get the last little bit of scent from your potpourri! AND! It should be good til right around the next Sabbat: Mabon (the Autumnal Equinox), which is September 22.

Have a happy, safe, and blessed Lughnasadh!

Blessed be.

Electrolytes & Sekanjabin

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
I am confused as to why the cup I am holding does not contain tea or coffee.

When I started this keto diet journey back on June 1, 2020, I made sure I had done all my research. I hadn’t really had to deal with the Keto Flu that many people do. That was a bonus. In fact, within two weeks of starting, most of my autoimmune symptoms had vanished and I felt like I could safely restart my DDP Yoga program. I’m on week 6 of 13 and I’m feeling fantastic!

Except, I noticed that my blood pressure–normally 110/60 – 120/80–had crept upwards and on Monday (July 20), it was 132/98, with a pulse rate of 115-120, standing still. To the Googles! Turns out that if you’re electrolytes aren’t in balance, it can increase your blood pressure. Who knew!

I have since purchased an electrolyte powder to mix into my water, but this recipe has been a go-to. My only problem with it is magnesium has a tendency to get things moving, if you get my drift. And, for me, that can actually be a real issue since I don’t feel like I’m absorbing nutrients properly, already (celiac). I’ll try to remember to update on how the powder works for me. I’m actually going to make some this morning, once I finish this post!

Sekanjabin is a medieval drink syrup that you mix with water and it serves as a way to refresh and replenish certain electrolytes. It ranges in complexity from simple honey syrup and mint & cucumber to very complex syrups that include pomegranate and other deliciousness. Mine is super simple, keto-friendly, and made with ginger because I didn’t realize what I thought was mint was actually lemon basil.

I am eagerly looking forward to hitting my target goal (150lbs) and my stretch goal (145lbs). Not just because I’ll be in the weight range I would feel most comfortable in, but also, so I can start eating more carbs! I actually have a plan to shift into maintenance with a Mediterranean style diet (still gluten-free, obviously). I also plan on increasing my fish intake over the next few weeks (I’m not a huge fan of fish), and shifting to a thing one of my friends does called “Meatless Mondays” where it’s completely vegetarian fare. It’ll take a little bit of extra planning for me, but I think it will be better health choices.

How’s your SARs-CoV-19 lockdown going?

“& Other Spells” – DIY Dish Soap

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
I have no idea what is going on…

I decided to start a new section for the channel. I mean, this is Kitchen Witchery & Other Spells. But, I haven’t really done “& Other Spells.” So, I’m going to start. Rather than watch me be an idiot with cooking, you can watch me be an idiot with other things!

I’m kidding. I’m not an idiot, but I am a goof. And that’s really what this channel’s about: Having fun, being yourself, and a little bit about cooking and making things. So, that’s why I decided to do a video on how to make Dish Soap.

I will admit that my dish soap did not thicken to the level I would like, and especially not to the level Cameraman Ken would like. I added another T of super washing soda, but I hadn’t gotten my mixture hot enough to dissolve it. I ended up removing about 1/2 T of the clumped washing soda before I realized I was using a mason jar and could just…put it in the microwave.

One minute in the mic on high will make the contents hot enough to stir in the super washing soda. You’ll need to let it sit for 24 hours and check it again. If it’s still not thick enough, repeat the process by heating it in the microwave and adding the super washing soda. Once it reaches the consistency you want, then you can add your essential oils (40 drops, total).

Let me know what other things you’d like to learn how to make. I can teach you about the “magical” properties of essential oils for you to enchant household cleaners; I can teach you to make other types of household cleaners; what other things would you like to know?

I am also planning to do two videos per Sabbat. Afterall, I am a Pagan-Christian, so I do celebrate certain Sabbats. I do not have a problem, however, doing videos for the ones I don’t personally celebrate because our paths are all different. A witchling may be seeking guidance and I can provide an option for them. The next Sabbat is Lughnasadh on August 1. I will have two videos specifically four Lughnasadh releasing July 28 & 30. The first video is likely to be a Lughnasadh-specific food dish; the second, I haven’t decided. It could be a craft, it could be decorating ideas, it could be a ritual–I don’t know! What would YOU like to see?

If you’re enjoying my blog and channel, thus far, consider supporting me on Patreon.

Blessed Ostara!

Posted on by Th3D0ct0r
“From water to fire, from earth to air…” (IllWill Press)

Merry meet and blessed be!

I was originally going to host an Ostara Circle, but California is taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously and has enacted bans on groups of 10 or more people, as well as non-essential travel. So, I hosted it virtually!

If you go to the YouTube video, the spell is in the description. Please feel free to use it, as you may need. Feel free to change the words to be more appropriate to you. Most importantly, though, stay safe; stay healthy.