The domestic witch and Pagan parent often needs to find simple ways to bring practicing the craft into her children's lives. In this busy world of work, activities, instrument practice, sports, etc., it can be a challenge to find simple, quick ways to create magic that can also hold a smaller child's interest.
Here is a quick spell that could be modified for almost any intent. As written, it's a spell for creating a fun atmosphere of family togetherness.
The Popcorn Spell
Items needed:
- Microwave oven
- Brown paper lunch sack
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup un-popped popcorn kernels
- Sprinkle of salt
- stapler
- Optional: herbs that represent your focus (see more at bottom)
Instructions:
Plan a night of family fun. Whether it's gathering around to watch an old family favorite movie, a marathon of a family friendly series, a board game or playing a video game. Start the night out by creating magic in the kitchen! Decide ahead of time what the focus of your spell will be: creating family fun, forging lasting bonds, a squabble free night, a night of forgetting your troubles. Explain to the kids, in language appropriate to their ages and your situation, what you'll be doing.
Unfold the paper lunch sack. To the bottom of the bag, add olive oil, popcorn kernels and a light sprinkle of salt. Make two very small folds at the top of the bag to close. Use the stapler to put in just two staples, one at each end of the fold. (Don't worry, this small amount of metal will not cause sparks in your microwave.) While you are doing this, discuss your intent for the spell, and choose a word for everyone to concentrate on or chant while the corn is popping. Make it a simple word without too many syllables.
Set the microwave for three minutes on high (popcorn is done when the pops slow down, time depends on your microwave: watch and listen carefully). When the corn starts to pop, remind everyone to concentrate or chant the word you've decided on with each pop. The faster the corn pops, the faster you chant. This should result in a fair amount of silliness and loudness. When the corn is done popping, you could choose, as you pour it into a bowl, to say a small prayer of thanks for the time spent together.
Add-ins:
The popcorn can be served as is out of the bowl. Additionally you could add melted butter, spices, dried fruits, nuts and/or herbs that correspond to your intentions. The following are combinations to consider.
- For happy, loving feelings: Add chopped dried apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar
- For fostering hope and happiness: dried cherries and sunflower seeds
- For creating feelings of friendship: chocolate chips (let popcorn cool slightly before adding)
- To protect and bless a family: dried pineapple
And of course, this can be done by adults alone as well. Here are some more adult themed combinations:
- For spiritual, emotional, or physical healing: marshmallows and dried figs or alternately a bit of oregano and sunflower seeds
- For seductive love and romance: dark chocolate chips and coconut
- To protect and nurture relationships: dried or fresh cranberry and sunflower seeds
- For lust: dried banana and dark chocolate chips; alternately chocolate covered coffee beans
- For fertility: Butter and a light sprinkle of onion powder and garlic powder (corn itself is a strong food for fertility as well)
- For protection: pretzels and dried blueberries
Alone or with additional ingredients, popcorn can be an quick and easy way to bring magic into your day.
This spell was inspired by the original recipe by Alton Brown. Please note that Brown uses 2 tsp olive oil in his recipe, though this author finds that 1 tsp works well.
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