Recipes: Black Salt

As most witches who have been around for a while know, black salt is a handy little all-purpose tool. Previously I gave several uses for black salt in magick working and spell work. However, I did not explain how easily it is made. This post will explain exactly how easy it is to make, store and even customize for your spell work and ritual use. It is so easy almost any witch can do it! All it takes is a little time, effort, oil, sea salt, some heat, a cauldron or cast iron pot.

Creating it by using the cauldron you typically use for spell work, will give the black salt and extra “oomph” or “kick” to the black salt based on the spell work the cauldron has recently done. For example, if the witch has been casting quite a few spells to repel negativity, then the cauldron holds on to some of the magick raised in that spell and it will carry over to subsequent spell workings until the cauldron is cleansed of that type of spell energy. Every time you cleanse and then re-season your cauldron, use something to scour the remaining oil and salt from the cauldron as well and save the salt and oil mix left over in a clear, airtight, glass jar. This is your basic black salt starter and used for general magickal workings. You can choose to differentiate the basic black salts based on the types of spells you are cleansing the cauldron of and keep these black salts separated and clearly marked.

Targeting black salt to a specific use adds another step or a few other steps, depending on your personal cabinet of kept items. If you are a witch who keeps the remains of any herbs and parchment based spells burned to banish anger, get rid of negative influences, banish nightmares, etc. those ashes may be added to the salt and oil mixture, as well. Simply focus your intent for the combination and you have intensified the use of the black salt and charged it to your specific needs.

(On a personal note from one witch to another, I would suggest that every witch gets into the habit of saving at least their basic “spell remains” for this and other purposes. It is a simple process of collecting the remains when using a parchment spell and/or any herbs needed to suit your spell. By saving the burned remains from your spells in Ziploc bags and marking them clearly, you later have the choice of adding the ash from the herbs, the parchment spell, and even the charcoal ashes, if a small bit of charcoal is used to burn them to future spells to increase their efficacy. These can come in handy for many reasons in the future as you will learn.)

Mixing a portion of these “spell remains” with a doubled measure of the black salt you have stored in the airtight jar and it creates a targeted black salt. Focus on the black salt as you mix them together well, setting your intent on charging it to your specific use for someone, or to a general protective use if you prefer.

General black salt may always be charged with specific intent when you are ready to use it without any additions. The “spell remains” are not required for any working they are merely an addition to your spell work, just as spell oils, spell candles, etc. used to increase the power of the spell. Always remember that any additions increase the strength of the spell in specific ways that may benefit your spell work once you become accustomed to using them. In this instance, simply separate out the portion of black salt you wish to charge to your specific use and charge it to that purpose. It is a handy tool, for being so easy to make. Keep available for all uses and you can even share it as needed with other witches you know.

If you want to enhance its use, you may create a sigil, draw a rune or a glyph on a piece of parchment, include a pinch of black salt, a selection of relevant herbs and burn it during spell work. (I would suggest saving the remains each time it is a “general” spell, to keep increasing the potency as you go on, such as for protection from nightmares, general protection, banishing negativity, etc.)

Some witches use basic ashes from their fireplace, to mix with the base salt/oil combination, however, I prefer to use only ash created during spell work and/or rituals for purity as it is more powerful, unless you are burning specific charged woods in your fireplace for spell work, as well. Then, definitely save some of that ash for use in future workings, as well.

Some unscrupulous people will try to use black dyes or black food coloring and market the results as “black salt” to young witchlings, and people unfamiliar with its true composition, via untrustworthy Internet sites or less than reputable shops. Although, this will give a “black” tinge to the salt, these are not the sorts of black salt that will affect your spell work and improve it. There is no power behind the creation of this salt. If you are going to purchase it rather than making it, at least make certain the seller you use to obtain it is one you can trust, one who actually knows their magick.

Frankly, I have had ill-educated people argue with me in the past that Indian black salt and black lava salt are the same things as the black salt used for spells and rituals. If they try to tell you this, feel free to call them an idiot, a liar or send them to me, and I will do it for you, if you are not comfortable calling them out. These types of “black salt” are actually foodstuffs, not for use in spells. Anyone telling you differently should not be trusted at all.

Always remember that the type of black salt used in spell work and magick rituals is nothing like the type that is used when cooking. Ritual and spell oriented black salt can actually be slightly toxic to highly poisonous due to the ingredients, such as if any of the herbs used to mix into it are poisonous, and the scrapings from the cauldron itself should not be eaten.

As always, mixing in other elements when working spells will add layers of complexity and strength to your spells, it is up to you to decide which elements to add and what changes to make. Your spells should be a reflection of who you are and what you want to accomplish. Your path is your own, only you can decide how to walk it.

 

Witches’ Tools: Cauldrons for Magickal Purposes

I know, I know, cauldrons… could I be any more the stereotypical witch? However, you have to consider how handy this tool is for witches. A large cauldron can cook food in abundance using your kitchen witchery recipes when not serving more magickal purposes in your common spell work. Small ones can be tiny enough to pack away and use in traveling magick kits if you are a witch on the go for business, or if you have to travel long distances for circles or celebrations. They come in every size in between, so there is literally a cauldron to fit every witch and every need.

Indoors and out, cauldrons serve as a fireproof containers to burn parchment spells. When using a candle if you are required to let it burn all the way down in your spell work. A simple tinfoil liner makes clean up or recovery of the melted wax a breeze. It can cook large batches of brews, teas, and philters for spell work or for gifts to coveners, it is a great way to make oven stew to serve to coven members after rituals. It is truly a tool for all uses.

A cast iron cauldron is wonderful to work with in both mundane and magickal manners. Just as it retains the flavor of foods cooked in it to spread to the next meal, it also retains a bit of the magick every time you use it in your craft. That is the beauty of magickal tools, the more you use them the more power they absorb and as a result, the more powerful the next spell becomes.

A cauldron is great for making batches of “black salt” when curing or re-curing it. It is handy for drying herbs in the oven on low temperatures. Used as a scrying bowl, it increases the magickal strength of the caldron and attunes it to its owner at the same time. While using a cauldron to scry is one of its most ancient uses, cooking is the oldest of all.

Kitchen witchery is on the rise, again. In days of old, it was a commonplace magick used daily. With the sharp rise of women in the workplace, busy lives, ready-to-eat meals and fast food, it took a sharp decline for decades even among the witching community. Now, with the complexities in the economy and the move toward more health-conscious eating, a return to cooking from scratch has revitalized opportunities to return to kitchen witchery.

Here is a simple potato soup recipe that works very well in a large cauldron, while preparing, adding and cooking the following ingredients, focus your intent during each step on bringing the blessings, confidence, happiness, longevity, peace, and protection contained in the ingredients to all those who partake of the meal.

Regardless of diet, the first step is to peel and dice one large baking potato per person, remove strings and dice one 6”-8” piece of celery per person.

For Omnivores: Dice and cook one piece of bacon per person in the bottom of the cauldron until crispy, then remove the bacon and set it aside to cool. Add diced celery to the bacon grease in the cauldron turn the heat to low and sauté the celery until it softens slightly. Add the potatoes and a small pinch of salt per potato. Add enough chicken broth to the cauldron to come about two thirds of the way to the top of the potato, celery mixture, increase heat to medium, cover and allow the vegetables to cook. Stir frequently to keep vegetables from sticking or burning. Heat them all the way through until a fork slides easily through the potato pieces. Turn the heat off and mash the vegetables to your desired texture.

Add oregano, garlic powder, chives, and dill (to your preferred taste) to the hot potato/celery mixture and stir them in, well. Allow them to sit for about 5 minutes to infuse the mixture with the flavors, add a quarter cup of heavy cream per every two potatoes until the mixture has the consistency of thick soup. If it gets too thin, you can always add a couple of tablespoons of flour at a time to a small bit of cream, whip until smooth, and add as a thickening agent.

Once the soup has cooled, you may choose to add sour cream, grated cheese, as well as topping it with the cooked bacon bits you prepared. For a touch of fire, you may add red pepper flakes. I prefer to have the items standing by and let each add what, if any, they prefer.

For Vegetarians: Instead of bacon grease, use butter to sauté the celery before adding the potatoes. Also, substitute spring water to cook the potatoes in places of the chicken broth, or a vegetable soup base if you prepare and keep your own.

This is a delicious soup that can be served hot or cold and tastes great as leftovers, too.

Witchery: Choosing and Caring for Your Cauldron

When you buy your first cauldron, it is exciting. There are many styles and sizes to choose from and all of them helpful and oh so versatile. Cast iron is not exactly inexpensive, however, so for those on a budget you can usually find them in garage and yard sales, at flea markets, even at thrift stores. For those not on a budget, there are so many selections online to choose from that you get dizzy.

Whether it is new or used, you will need to strip anyway any magickal residue, negativity or left over psychic energy from those who have handled it in the past. Cast iron picks up psychic residue, from the creation of the cauldron, to it shipping and handling, people who may handle it before you in the store, or own it prior to you when purchased used.

There are several ways to cleanse a cauldron, however, I prefer to bury it in soil for a few hours, dig it back up and let it sit in the rain, or soak it in collected rainwater for a few hours, then rub it down with sea salt and olive oil. Coating both the inside and outside of the cauldron is crucial. Wipe the excess salt and oil off the outside of the cauldron and add any extra oil and salt residue to the inside of the pot. Turn your oven to 450 degrees and let it sit upright in the oven for about 90 minutes. After 90 minutes, turn the oven off, remove it, and allow the pan to cool in the air naturally and thoroughly. Once cooled remove the salt inside very carefully. Store this in an airtight glass jar or bottle as it is now the beginnings of “black salt” and once finished completely, you will have it available for use in spells calling for it. After wiping the cauldron down again with the oil, this time wicking away every drop of oil and salt that you can with a paper towel, turn it upside down and put it back in the oven for another 90 minutes on 450 degrees. When the timer sounds, turn the heat off and let it cool inside the oven naturally. After this, your cauldron is thoroughly cleansed, seasoned, and ready for work as well.

New cauldrons may take another round or two with the salt, oil, and oven. Never fear, if this is necessary, it just means you get a larger supply to create “black salt”, for your troubles.

I would suggest re-seasoning the cauldron at least once per season to keep it in good condition. If you use it for cooking, be careful not to cook foods high in acids as this damages the seasoning. Try to avoid washing the cauldron in soapy water as this removes the oil seasoning. If you cook foods high in fats, the food will not stick, so all you have to do is wipe it clean with a paper towel and heat it thoroughly to kill any remaining germs. If it gets messy from clingy foods and needs a good washing, or if you use it to cook philters, brews or teas frequently during the year, you need to re-season it more often to keep the cauldron in the best condition.

A witch’s cauldron can be a highly valued tool for many uses, as long as proper care it taken in its upkeep.