Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen - Scott Cunningham 1990
Introduction to the Magic of Food
The magic of food
Each chapter in this section discusses a specific type of food. I use this format rather than my usual alphabetical listing because foods naturally fall into tidy groups. Those few that refused to be pigeonholed have been thrown together into chapter 15. Aside from this, the format is much the same as that used in my other books. Generally speaking, each listing contains the following information:
Common name, usually in English.
Specific name, in Latin, the nomenclature used by scientists around the world.
Ruling planet, one of the seven “planets” known to the ancients. Briefly, each plant (and food) is thought to be governed by a heavenly body. This ancient system of magical correspondence is one method of grouping foods. Knowledge of a food’s planetary ruler provides information concerning its magical uses. See part four for descriptions of the energies of the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. By the way, I’m aware that the sun and the earth’s moon aren’t planets. But early skywatchers didn’t know this. The sun and the moon were included in what they called the “wanderers”—the planets.
Ruling element, simply another method of classifying items used in magic. The powers of the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—are discussed in part four.
Energies, each food’s dominant energies and, thus, its magical uses.
Lore, historical, mythological, cultural, ritual, and magical uses of the food. Uses listed in this section aren’t necessarily recommended. I’ve included bits of historical information to remind us of the importance of these foods in earlier times.
Magical uses, or the specific changes that can be brought about with each food, and suggestions on usage.
I feel it necessary to mention that food magic is a personal art. If a food isn’t mentioned here, look in the listings in part four, or use common sense and intuition to determine its magical properties.
Here are some clues:
—Is the food spicy? If so, it’s probably protective.
—Is the food citrusy? Purification is probably its best magical use.
—Is the food sweet? Loving energies are probably locked inside it.
Once you begin to think of foods from a magician’s view, the process of determining their magical uses becomes second nature.
Some magicians will quibble about my selections for planetary and elemental rulers of certain foods, and will even point out that in previous books I’ve made different selections. Isn’t it cut-and-dried?
No. After twenty years of study and practice, I’m still learning. As I increase my knowledge of the uses of plants (particularly diets) and of the dishes in which they’re used, I may reassign some foods based on this expanded knowledge.
It isn’t wrong to say that carrots are ruled by Venus, or that bay leaves are better suited to Mars, but I choose to place them under the rulership of different planets. Don’t be confused by such seeming inaccuracies. They are minor matters. Just read, visualize, eat, and enjoy the fruits of food magic.¶¶