Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen - Scott Cunningham 1990

Bread & Grains
The magic of food

Humans have eaten bread for at least 8,000 years.¹⁰⁴ We have made it round, oblong, square, and triangular; flat as a pancake or fat as a loaf. Bread has been twisted into a symbol of the winter solstice, spiced, sweetened, garlicked, and filled with fresh vegetables. Though it has been made of every grain, it was the raised wheaten form that first inspired human and divine palates.

Bread has long been worshipped as the “staff of life.” But in the West today, bread is usually encountered in plastic bags, presliced and stripped of nutrients, bran, and wheat germ. It is “fortified” with just enough vitamins to satisfy government standards and may be artificially flavored and preserved. Perhaps the greatest indignity to which our bread is subjected is being pumped with air. This creates what is known in the grocery trade as “balloon bread.”

Not long ago, bread was a divine substance, directly linked with the goddesses and gods of the earths, lovingly crafted with grain and water. Flat, unleavened breads sustained millions of humans. Due to our forerunner dependence upon bread, these loaves also played important roles in birth celebrations, spirituality, and death.

Before the advent of agriculture, humans gathered wild grains and hunted. This forced them to live nomadic lives in small family groups. Eventually women—who had always gathered grain—discovered agriculture. As fields were planted with grain, people began putting down roots. Life stabilized and civilization began. Grain, most often eaten in the form of bread or grain paste,¹⁰⁴ soon became far more important than meat.

Earlier European civilizations dedicated grain to state deities: Inanna in Sumer; Ishtar in Babylon; Osiris in Egypt; Indra in India; Demeter in Greece; Spes and Ceres (from whose name we take our word “cereal”) in Rome; Xipe, Cinteotl, and Mayauel in ancient Mexico; and various forms of the corn mother throughout the Americas.

Bread, the basic product of grain, was offered to the deities. Ishtar, Shamash, and Marduk were each given thirty loaves a day in Sumer.^24,51 Ra, Amon, Ptah, and Nekhbet received their share in Egypt.²⁹ Demeter, the Greek goddess of bread, grain, and agriculture, was also similarly honored. The Phoenicians stamped Astarte’s loaves with a horned symbol (linked with the moon) to deify the bread.²⁹

The ancient Egyptians, whom Herodotus described as “the bread eaters,” probably invented leavened bread. Along with onions and beer, it became a basic part of their diet.^{29, 104} The Egyptians offered bread to the deities and to sacred animals (including cats), and stocked tombs with enormous amounts of the divine food for future use by the deceased. They are said to have baked fifty varieties of bread in numerous shapes. Some were heavily spiced and salted, though the priests and priestesses dedicated to certain deities avoided salted breads.²⁹

Bread pigs formed from dough were sometimes sacrificed in place of live pigs by those too poor to afford the real thing. The bread pig was accepted as a suitable sacrifice in ancient Egypt.²³

Eventually, wheat (or barley) bread became a symbol of life itself. “Breaking bread” was more than a process of nourishing the body; it became a meal that bound together all those who ate it. Eating a simple meal was a part of many Pagan religions, and such a ritual meal, transformed into the ritual of communion, later became an established part of Christian ritual.

Bread has also had its magical uses. In seventeenth-century England, a loaf of bread was floated on the surface of water to find the body of a person who had drowned. Midwives placed bread into a woman’s bed while she was in labor to prevent the theft of both the woman and her baby.⁸²

In contemporary Greece, men being inducted into the army are sometimes given pieces of bread, which are thought to confer protection and victory in battle. Field workers in Greece may pack a bit of bread with their lunch. It isn’t eaten at midday, but only upon safe return to the home each evening. A small piece of bread secreted under children’s pillows guards them while they sleep.²⁹

In other parts of Europe, bread is formally presented to children as soon as they recognize it. This ritual blesses the infant with food for its entire lifetime.⁶⁸ Carpathian Gypsies carried small pieces of bread in their pockets to avoid danger and trouble during their continuing journeys.¹⁴

British and American folklore still acknowledge the potency of bread. When moving into a new home, many carry in a loaf of bread and salt, for continued food and luck, before moving any thing else.⁴⁶ Other superstitions related to the baking, slicing, and eating of bread still survive in our technological lives.⁴⁶

The techniques and information contained within this chapter have been gathered from around the globe and from every period of recorded history. Both grains as well as some products made from them are examined here.

Food historians speculate that humans have eaten bread in one form or another since at least the late Stone Age.⁷¹ Raised (yeast) breads were probably first made in Egypt in around 4000 B.C.E.⁷¹ As we rediscover the value of grains and add them to our diets, it’s enriching to know the wonders once ascribed to these simple food stuffs that have been worshipped as life-giving gifts from the forces that watch us from above.

Barley

(Hordeum spp.)

Planet: Venus

Element: Earth

Energies: Money, fertility, sex

Lore: Barley was an important grain to the ancient Egyptians, who used it as a medium of exchange and stocked it in tombs, most notably that of Tutankhamun. Thutmose III offered barley to Ra every day, as well as on the New Moon and on the sixth day of every month.²³ According to one Egyptian legend, barley grew out of men (as wheat grew out of women). This was apparently linked to the genders of the words in the ancient Egyptian language.²³

The Sumerians made barley a staple of their diet. Eight different types of barley beer were made. This drink was manufactured under the auspices of the goddess Ninkasi.¹⁰⁴

In ancient India, barley was sacred to Indra, known as “He who ripens barley.” This grain was used for rituals relating to childbirth and marriage, and played a role in funerals as well.¹²⁰ The Vedas state that barley was also used with fresh water for healing ceremonies.⁹⁶

The Babylonians were brewing beer with barley as early as 2800 B.C.E., and the Greeks planted it around temples to Demeter while asking for human fertility.²⁹ In China, barley is a symbol of male sexual potency.¹²⁰

Magical uses: As a wholesome food, barley is currently experiencing new popularity. It is useful for prosperity diets—those designed to bring additional money when needed or to generally boost your financial state. Awaken this energy through visualization while preparing and eating barley dishes.

Add barley to diets if fertility or male sexual potency is a problem.

Buckwheat

(Fagopyrum esculentum)

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Earth

Energies: Money

Lore: Buckwheat pancakes are common enough in the United States, but few seem to know the magical history behind buckwheat itself. In Japan, this grain is used to make soba—buckwheat noodles. These are eaten on the Japanese New Year for “money luck,” i.e., the ability to amass large amounts of money in the coming year.¹²⁰

Buckwheat noodles are also served on other festive occasions. Upon moving into a new home, the owners may give soba to the neighbors on each side and to the three houses across the road. This is a gift of good fortune and friendship.¹²⁰

Japanese goldsmiths have long used buckwheat dough to collect gold dust in their shops. This ageless practice has firmly connected soba with the promise of riches.¹²⁰

Magical uses: Because all grains are connected with abundance in one form or another (fertility, money, life), eat buckwheat pancakes to attract this energy. For even more money power, pour on a bit of maple syrup.

Corn

(Zea mays)

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Energies: Protection, spirituality

Lore: Corn has played a central role in North and Central American religion for thousands of years. The Quiche Mayas of Guatemala and the Navajo believed that the first humans were created from corn.¹¹¹ The Mayas, Incans, Aztecs, and nearly every American Indian tribe ate corn and incorporated it into their religious beliefs and rituals. The corn mother was perhaps the most widely worshipped deity in the pre-Columbian Americas.¹²⁰ As a symbol of life, fertility, eternity, and resurrection, corn was a sacred gift of the Mother Goddess.

To the Zuni, various colors of corn were related to the four directions:

Yellow corn—north

White corn—east

Red corn—south

Blue corn—west

Blue corn was often considered to be the most sacred form, and so was the most useful for spiritual rituals.⁹⁰

The Hopi offered corn meal during religious rituals of all types in thanks to the corn mother.¹¹¹ Divination with corn was common throughout the Americas and Mexico, and a corn-divination ritual from early Mexico has survived. Originally used to diagnose illness or the extent of a sickness, this ritual can also be called upon to answer other types of questions.

Fill a small bowl with exactly thirty dried kernels of corn of any color. Concentrating on a specific question, take a random number of kernels from the bowl. Place them on the floor (or the table) and divide them into groups of four. If you create an even number of piles with an even number of leftover kernels, the answer is favorable. However, if you form an odd number of piles with an odd number of kernels, the answer is negative. Finally, if you come up with an even number of piles, but an odd number of leftovers, no answer can be given. ¹⁰⁹

Another form of corn divination was apparently practiced by the ancient Aztecs. During a preliminary curing session for a severe illness, a priestess would lay a piece of white bark cloth before an image of the god Quetzalcoatl. A bowl of corn was then placed before the cloth. Inspired by the god, the priestess would take a handful of the corn kernels and scatter them on the cloth. If the corn was evenly scattered, the patient would eventually attain good health. If the corn was separated into two portions, death would eventually result from the illness.¹⁰

Corn was one of America’s priceless gifts to the world. As it was introduced into other countries, its sacredness was forgotten; but it still feeds millions of persons, especially vegetarians who combine beans with corn to form a complete protein.

It is still used in magic. A curious Ozark ritual for curing hiccups consists of naming three kernels of corn for three friends, placing these into a vessel of water, and holding it above the head.⁸⁷

Many still feel that corn is sacred, and that wasting it will cause poverty. This belief is similar to the Asian taboo against wasting rice.

Magical uses: Place ears of blue corn on the altar or hang them in the home to induce spirituality. Scatter corn meal around outdoor ritual sites for blessings and heightened spiritual rituals.

Now that blue corn is being offered for retail sale, utilize it in spirituality producing diets. Blue popcorn and blue cornbread are two possibilities (see appendix 2 for possible sources).

Place ears of red corn in baskets on the floor to protect the home. Corn is also added to protection diets. To make corn-bread for this purpose, run a knife through the top of the unbaked dough in the shape of a pentagram.^*** Bake and eat with visualization.

Maize (from the Haitian or Cuban name for corn) is known as corn only in the United States. In other English-speaking countries, “corn” refers to any grain except maize. Maize is not an Indian term.

Lentil

(Lens culinaris)

Planet: Moon

Element: Water

Energies: Peace

Lore: In 1085 B.C.E., Egyptians traded lentils for the prized cedars of Lebanon. During Graeco-Roman times, the Egyptians offered lentils to Harpocrates.²³ This wonderful food was also eaten by the Sumerians.¹⁰⁴ The Roman naturalist Pliny prescribed lentil soup for creating an even temper.⁸⁶

Magical uses: Lentil soup is a warm, nourishing staple of many diets around the world. Eat it for peace. The Romans believed that lentils hindered sleep, so it might be better to eat them at midday.

Millet (Pucium miliacaeum)

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Earth

Energies: Money

Lore: In ancient China, grains of millet were used as a unit of measure: ten millet grains placed end to end constituted one inch, one hundred grains was the measurement of one foot, and so on.⁷⁶

Magical uses: If you find it difficult to enjoy this grain, visualize millet as compact, concentrated money energy before eating.

An old German custom: eat millet on the first day of the year to bring riches into your life.²²

Oat

(Avena sativa)

Planet: Venus

Element: Earth

Energies: Money

Lore: In Scotland, cakes known as bannocks were baked and eaten at Beltane, the old Pagan observance of May Day. Oat cakes are still eaten during some contemporary Wiccan rituals.

Magical uses: Use only whole-grain oats.

Remember Marjorie from chapter 2? We can prepare and eat oatmeal first thing in the morning to bring money and prosperity into our lives. Other magical possibilities include oat cookies and oat bread.

Pretzel

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Energies: Protection

Lore: You may be surprised to see this food listed here, but pretzels have a long magical history.

According to legend, the winter solstice was observed with a special bread in Europe during the Middle Ages. This bread was circular, in honor of the sun, but twisted at the center to form an equal-armed cross symbolic of the four seasons. This was called a “bret-zel” or “pretzel,” and was a familiar festival food denoting the rebirth of the sun in European folk religion.

Our pretzel is the direct descendant of these early breads. Its shape reveals Pagan origins, although it has been slightly altered. The salt seems to be a later addition.²⁹

Magical uses: Though pretzels can be enjoyed at any time, eat them on the winter solstice in honor of the sun. Also, pretzels are appropriate to protective diets due to their planetary ruler, the salt, and the bread’s twisted shape.

Rice

(Oryza sativa)

Planet: Sun

Element: Air

Energies: Money, Sex, Fertility, Protection

Lore: Rice is to Asia what corn is to the Americas. It has been 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 world’s population regularly eats rice. It’s 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 “evil spirits.” 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 “make a man skillfull in his relation with the ladies.”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).^††† Cook and eat this charged rice.

Rye

(Secale spp.)

Planet: Venus

Element: 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 Mexico, simply don’t have the same symbolism or energies as corn tortillas

If you buy tortillas prepackaged, check the label. Choose only those that contain no artificial preservatives. They can be made at home (any good Mexican cookbook has directions) or, in many U.S. towns, can be purchased at tortillerias.

Warm tortillas, with butter or cheese, are wonderful foods at any time, but are particularly satisfying after intense magical workings. They instantly nourish the body and refuel it.

Round tortillas can also be added to spirituality diets. Warmed and spread with garlic butter, corn tortillas are a delicious part of a protective diet.

Wheat

(Triticum spp.)

Planet: Venus

Element: Earth

Energies: various (see below)

Lore: Wheat has long played a part in the human diet. After rice, it’s the second-most commonly used grain for human food, and was first cultivated during the Neolithic age.¹²⁰

The Egyptians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Hittites, Greeks, and Romans all worshipped harvest deities associated with wheat. Wheat is particularly a symbol of the Mother Goddess. She taught the secrets of agriculture to women, the grain’s first farmers and cultivators.

In ancient Greece, newly married couples were pelted with sweetmeats and grains of wheat.³¹ The Romans crowned brides and grooms with wreaths of wheat and with lilies to symbolize purity and fertility^.75

Magical uses: Whole wheat is best for magical (and nutritional) purposes. Bleached wheat has had more than its vitamins, minerals, and bran removed: it also lacks magical energy. Though white bread was eaten by the Roman upper classes, it’s a spiritually dead food.

Eat wheat-based foods (breads and all dough products) to bring prosperity and money into your life.

Before baking a loaf of bread, use a sharp knife to ritually incise a symbol of a specific energy that you wish to bring into your life. Do this with visualization. Various types of wheat bread have diverse energies and magical uses. Here are some of them:

Twisted breads (any bread-recipe book contains directions) are fine additions to protective diets. The more twists, the more protection. Visualize as you braid the dough.

Egg breads are baked and eaten, with visualization, to promote physical fertility.

Saffron bread enhances spirituality. To a lesser extent, so too do all round loaves.

Sprouted bread is excellent for increasing psychic awareness.

Pita bread (also known as “pocket bread”) is a fine spirituality food.

Seven-grain bread (or its eight-grain cousin) is a fine money attractant.

Dill bread promotes love.

Garlic bread, created by slathering slices of bread with garlic-flavored butter, is a delicious and powerful addition to protection diets.

Most European countries produce sweetened breads for use during spring festivals (which are now connected with later Christian holidays such as Easter).