Read Online Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen by Scott Cunningham - Free Book Online
Authors: Scott Cunningham
Tags: Self-Help, Spirituality, shamanism, shaman, shamanic, dreamwork, journeying, pathworking, sel-empowerment, ancestors, shamanism100511
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laboriously cultivated and eaten in the East for thousands of years. Linked with deity and served at every meal, rice was and still is a vital staple food for many peoples.
More than half of the worldâs population regularly eats rice. Itâs of central importance in China, Japan, and throughout the Pacific area. Because of this, numerous rituals and customs have been attached to rice.
Among some peoples, if a man and a woman eat rice out of a common bowl, it is a binding declaration of marriage. 31 In China, rice is thrown at newlywed couples to confer luck and many children. This is the origin of our similar custom. 3
The Japanese, who still revere rice, eat it with red beans ( azuki ) to bring good fortune. Interestingly enough, these are the same beans added to shaved ice (a flavored ice treat) enjoyed in Hawaii; and red beans and rice is an old Cajun luck food in Louisiana. In Japan, red rice, produced by cooking a special type of rice with azuki beans, was once eaten on the first and fifteenth days of each month for good luck, as well as on birthdays and festivals. Red is a color of joy. 54
Wasting rice, to a Japanese, is an inexcusable action. In feudal times, rice was used as money to pay salaries, allowances, and retainers. 120
The Japanese used rice to startle and scatter âevil spirits.â In the past, one spirit in particular was believed to disturb babies who cried in the night without apparent cause. A bowl of rice was always placed near the infant. When trouble began, the mother or father threw a handful of rice from the bowl onto the floor. This frightened away the spirit and allowed the child to peacefully sleep all night.
Ancient magic clings to rice. In cooking rice, if a ring forms around the edge of the pot, the owner will become rich. 22 Cooked rice, mixed with sugar and cinnamon (a common treat), is believed to âmake a man skillfull in his relation with the ladies.â 59
Magical uses: Though white rice has outstripped brown rice in popularity, choose the brown variety for the best nutritional and magical effects.
Rice cakes, those cute circles of pressed, puffed rice, are a deliciously simple way to bring rice energy into your life. Hold a plain rice cake in your hand and visualize money, enhanced sexuality, fertility, or protection. Eat the cake while retaining the visualization.
Before cooking brown rice (never use the quick-cooking type), pour some of the rice to be used onto a clean, flat surface one grain thick. While visualizing, use a finger to trace an image of your needed change in the rice (a heart for luck, a dollar sign for money, and so on). â â â Cook and eat this charged rice.
Rye
(Secale spp.)
Planet: Venus
Elemen t: Earth
Energies: Love
Magical uses: The familiar taste and smell of rye bread comes from the caraway seeds used in its creation, not from the rye. Rye, however, is a powerful addition to diets designed to increase your ability to give and to receive love. Caraway fits in here as well.
Tamales
Lore: Tamales (corn meal wrapped around a filling and cooked in a husk) were used in Zuni healing ceremonies. These tamales were presented as gifts to the shaman about to perform the ritual. Prayers accompanied the offering of the tamales. Those receiving them returned the gesture with further prayers. 111 Tamales are still offered to the deities by contemporary Huichols in Mexico.
Tortilla
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Energies: Spirituality, protection
Lore: Tortillas are a standard Mexican food. They are still made in the same way as they were during Aztec times. Round, containing sacred corn, tortillas are an indispensible part of the Latino diet.
The Huichols of Mexico also offer tortillas to their deities. Tortillas made of yellow corn are believed to be more satisfying and to give more energy to the body than those of other colors. 109
Magical uses: Corn tortillas are best. Wheat tortillas, which were first made in northern
More than half of the worldâs population regularly eats rice. Itâs of central importance in China, Japan, and throughout the Pacific area. Because of this, numerous rituals and customs have been attached to rice.
Among some peoples, if a man and a woman eat rice out of a common bowl, it is a binding declaration of marriage. 31 In China, rice is thrown at newlywed couples to confer luck and many children. This is the origin of our similar custom. 3
The Japanese, who still revere rice, eat it with red beans ( azuki ) to bring good fortune. Interestingly enough, these are the same beans added to shaved ice (a flavored ice treat) enjoyed in Hawaii; and red beans and rice is an old Cajun luck food in Louisiana. In Japan, red rice, produced by cooking a special type of rice with azuki beans, was once eaten on the first and fifteenth days of each month for good luck, as well as on birthdays and festivals. Red is a color of joy. 54
Wasting rice, to a Japanese, is an inexcusable action. In feudal times, rice was used as money to pay salaries, allowances, and retainers. 120
The Japanese used rice to startle and scatter âevil spirits.â In the past, one spirit in particular was believed to disturb babies who cried in the night without apparent cause. A bowl of rice was always placed near the infant. When trouble began, the mother or father threw a handful of rice from the bowl onto the floor. This frightened away the spirit and allowed the child to peacefully sleep all night.
Ancient magic clings to rice. In cooking rice, if a ring forms around the edge of the pot, the owner will become rich. 22 Cooked rice, mixed with sugar and cinnamon (a common treat), is believed to âmake a man skillfull in his relation with the ladies.â 59
Magical uses: Though white rice has outstripped brown rice in popularity, choose the brown variety for the best nutritional and magical effects.
Rice cakes, those cute circles of pressed, puffed rice, are a deliciously simple way to bring rice energy into your life. Hold a plain rice cake in your hand and visualize money, enhanced sexuality, fertility, or protection. Eat the cake while retaining the visualization.
Before cooking brown rice (never use the quick-cooking type), pour some of the rice to be used onto a clean, flat surface one grain thick. While visualizing, use a finger to trace an image of your needed change in the rice (a heart for luck, a dollar sign for money, and so on). â â â Cook and eat this charged rice.
Rye
(Secale spp.)
Planet: Venus
Elemen t: Earth
Energies: Love
Magical uses: The familiar taste and smell of rye bread comes from the caraway seeds used in its creation, not from the rye. Rye, however, is a powerful addition to diets designed to increase your ability to give and to receive love. Caraway fits in here as well.
Tamales
Lore: Tamales (corn meal wrapped around a filling and cooked in a husk) were used in Zuni healing ceremonies. These tamales were presented as gifts to the shaman about to perform the ritual. Prayers accompanied the offering of the tamales. Those receiving them returned the gesture with further prayers. 111 Tamales are still offered to the deities by contemporary Huichols in Mexico.
Tortilla
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Energies: Spirituality, protection
Lore: Tortillas are a standard Mexican food. They are still made in the same way as they were during Aztec times. Round, containing sacred corn, tortillas are an indispensible part of the Latino diet.
The Huichols of Mexico also offer tortillas to their deities. Tortillas made of yellow corn are believed to be more satisfying and to give more energy to the body than those of other colors. 109
Magical uses: Corn tortillas are best. Wheat tortillas, which were first made in northern
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