The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World - Judika Illes 2005

Bean Divination
Food and Drink

Magic beans lend themselves to divination. Although these are traditional Halloween recipes, they may be incorporated into New Year’s festivities as well, or any meal devoted to divination.

Fortune-teller’s Bean

This requires one bean but a lot of peapods.

Slit open one peapod very gently and push a single bean in, then close up the opening. Add this peapod to other peapods; steam, boil or otherwise prepare. Serve the peas in their pods or shell and serve with butter and salt. Whoever finds the bean is destined to find true love.

Another version suggests adding one single bean to an entire pot of peas. Cook them and serve. Now eat carefully! The person who finds the bean in her soup can look forward to a year of good fortune.

Bean Ritual for the Solitary Fortune-teller

Many divination dishes are intended for groups and parties. What if you’d just like to know your own fortune? This divination ritual is conducted privately and discreetly by the cook:

1. Mix a handful of peas into a large pot of beans.

2. Avert your eyes and stir the pot without looking.

3. Lift up a spoonful: if there’s a pea amongst the beans, expect a year of good fortune ahead. (Other interpretations include true love, marriage or a baby within the year.)

See also Fava Beans, page 514.