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

Cakes
Food and Drink

Cakes are more than just desert or a sweet conclusion to a meal. Since that old proverbial time immemorial, cakes have been incorporated into spiritual ritual and magic spells.

Cakes are among the most ancient offerings:

Dough formed into specific shapes (people, animal, objects) serves as ritual offerings and sacrifice

During the ancient Greek Thesmophoria Festival, cakes dedicated to Demeter and Persephone were thrown into chasms inhabited by sacred snakes

In Rome, women offered millet cakes to Ceres

In ancient Egypt, pig- and other animal-shaped cakes were offered to Osiris

Cakes are incorporated into Beltane, Yule, and Hecate Night rituals Cakes are also used to cast spells:

Dough is molded into the shape of humans or animals for purposes of image magic (see MAGICAL ARTS: Image Magic)

Cakes are used for divination (see Halloween Specialties)

Cakes are used to cast love and seduction spells: raw dough is held under the armpit to absorb perspiration, then shaped into a cake, baked, and served to one’s heart’s desire.

The SATOR square, the renowned magic square, is incorporated into all kinds of spell-casting, particularly for healing and protection. An ancient Serbian spell uses cake to administer its effects; it was intended to prevent or heal various physical maladies including bites from rabid dogs in the days prior to rabies vaccinations.

1. Write the SATOR square onto a small cake:

S A T O R

A R E P O

T E N E T

O P E R A

R O T A S

2. Bake and eat the cake to obtain the square’s magical protection.

Runes or sigils may be substituted for the SATOR square as desired.

See also Beltane Cake; Cakes and Ale; Cakes for the Queen of Heaven; Feast of Diana, Hecate Supper, Moon Cakes, Yule Cakes; CALENDAR: Beltane, Halloween, Hecate Night, Yule; DICTIONARY: Runes; DIVINE WITCH: Hecate; ERGOT: Corn Mother: Ceres, Demeter; MAGICAL ARTS: Divination, Runes, Sigils.