Public - Newsletter

They are finally here!

'A white haired crone potters about her kitchen, making a cup of tea.  She sits at a well-scrubbed and worn kitchen table. Reaching into her apron pocket, she draws out a small package wrapped in a handkerchief.  She places it on the table, unfolding the hankie to reveal her well-used oracle card deck.  This deck has been used every day for many years, seen numerous kitchen tables and travelled in a pocket or bag for decades.  It bears the marks of use, but it carries so much knowledge.'

The project that we have been working on over the past year has finally been unveiled. It all started August 2024 on one of our walks in nature, when we decided to take photos of plants and flowers of the British countryside. We wanted to learn more about what grows around us, in the fields, along shorelines and hedgerows. Over the past year and a bit, we have built up quite a collection of photos, together with their correspondences, and with a bit of plotting at KWHQ, with numerous cups of tea, chai lattes and much cauldron stirring, the Herbarium Oracle was created.

The photos were taken by Heather and myself. Rachel worked behind the scenes tweaking and working alongside Pete, her talented hubby, who designed the artwork.

If you would like to own a deck of these cards, they are available to order now from our Emporium. With each deck purchase, you will receive access to a private website link packed full of information on each plant in the deck and more. History, habitat, harvest and magical details to help you further understand each one.

We are very pleased with this deck. They hold a wonderful energy and are lovely to read.

Have yourselves a fantastic November

Ness x

Herbarium Oracle Card for November by Ness

This months Oracle card from our new Herbarium deck is Valerian and Calm.

November is a month when things start ramping up for Christmas and Yule. It can be a busy and stressful time of year, so Valerian is a plant that teaches us to be calm, to step away from any stressful situations. If busy shopping malls drain your energies, perhaps try looking for gifts online from independent retailers like Etsy, or choose times that you know may be quieter like early mornings. Meditate on this card to find your calm and inner focus.

What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness  

For the majority of October, we have had mild sunny days with not a lot in the way of rain. Flowers in my garden are still blooming, with the Osteospermums giving a very beautiful show of flowers despite me thinking that they were finished for the year. Out in the hedgerows, nature is winding down. Fields have been harrowed and leveled for next spring. I have seen a few sloes on the blackthorn, and holly berries are starting to appear. Although most of the summer plants have withered for their winter sleep, nettles are abundant due to the early morning dew and the recent showers. Cleavers have made a return appearance although i have yet to spot any while out on my walks.

The latter days of October have brought rains and a sharp drop in temperatures overnight and first thing in the morning. The leaves of the trees are leaving a blanket of multi-coloured rusts, reds and browns on the footpaths.

Winter will soon be upon us...

Recipe for November by Heather

Swede Slaw

1 small or ½ large swede

2 carrots 

1 apple

3 tbsp tahini

Juice 1 lemon

1 tsp clear honey

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Cut the swede and carrots into matchsticks or grate them in a food processor or with a box grater. Core and thinly slice the apple. Put them all in a large bowl.

Put the tahini, lemon juice, honey, oil and salt and pepper in a jug with 2 tbsp cold water and whisk together until combined and smooth. Pour this over the chopped vegetables and stir everything together until evenly coated.

Goddess for November by Heather

Inanna

Inanna is the Sumerian Goddess of love, beauty, prosperity, sensuality, fertility, procreation, justice and war. Later She became equated by the Assyrians as the Goddess Ishtar, then by the Hittite’s as Sauska, the Phoenician’s as Astarte and the Greeks as Aphrodite.

She can be found in many ancient myths, the most notable being Inanna and the Huluppu-Tree, which is an early creation myth; Inanna and the God of Wisdom, which depicts Her bringing knowledge to the city of Uruk from the god of wisdom, Enki; The Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi, the tale of Inanna's marriage to the vegetation god. Possibly the best known tale The Descent of Inanna, believed to have been written around 1900-1600 BCE, in which She journeys to the underworld.

The myth of the Descent of Inanna to the Underworld begins with Inanna, the Queen of Heaven, adorned in her finest royal regalia, deciding to descend to the Sumerian Underworld, ruled by her older sister, Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Dead.  Her reason for the journey varies, sometimes She is attending the funeral for Ereshkigal’s husband, Gugalanna, in others that Inanna’s true purpose was to conquer or exert influence over Her sister’s realm!  Before She starts, Inanna sensibly tells Her servant Ninshubur, that if she does not return after three days, Ninshubur is to go to the Gods and plead for Inanna’s rescue.

Inanna stands at the outer gate of the Underworld, demanding entry from the gatekeeper, Neti. Ereshkigal, enraged by Her sister’s imposition orders Neti to allow Inanna to pass through each of the seven gates of the Underworld, but only after She has removed one piece of Her divine regalia or clothing.

At the first gate, Her crown is removed.

At the second, Her measuring rod and line.

At the third, Her lapis lazuli necklace.

At the fourth, Her breastplate.

At the fifth, Her gold ring.

At the sixth, Her lapis lazuli measuring stick.

At the seventh, Her royal robe.

When She reaches Ereshkigal’s throne room, Inanna is naked, stripped of all power, symbols, and protection, so is completely helpless.  The seven judges of the Underworld, pass judgment against her, following which Ereshkigal then speaks, and Inanna is transformed into a corpse and hung upon a hook on the wall.

After three days, Ninshubur goes to the Gods where Enki creates two beings from the dirt under his fingernails: the kurgarra and the galatur. They are sent to the Underworld, instructed to commiserate with Ereshkigal’s suffering, as She is believed to be either giving birth or grieving. Ereshkigal is so grateful for their support, she offers them any gift they desire and they of course request Inanna’s corpse.  But a price still has to be paid so a compromise is made through the intervention of Dumuzid’s sister, Geshtinanna: Dumuzid will spend half the year in the Underworld, and Geshtinanna will spend the other half. 

Innana’s Symbols -

The eight pointed star

The lion

Weapons and armour

Nude or semi-nude female figurines

The reed bundle

The rosette

Jewels

Sources -

https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/amgg/listofdeities/inanaitar

https://babylonian.mythologyworldwide.com/the-myth-of-the-great-goddess-inannas-legacy/

https://altargods.com/eastern-deities/inanna/

https://www.worldhistory.org/Inanna/

https://www.historyandmyths.com/2024/11/inanna-goddess-love-war-sumerian-mythology.html

NEW - The Cailleach Winter Hoard

Another one of our hoards that we have put together especially for the workshop and ritual. This one is particularly special as this focuses on The Cailleach. Her time is the winter and we will soon see and feel her presence.

Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong

This months rune is Raido, the rune of movement and of a journey. It can also signify a change of direction. Raido will often appear if we feel stagnant or stuck - not quite knowing which way to turn. A change in the way of thinking or doing something will sometimes prompt us to get going again, with renewed energies.

Prosperity Hoard Box

To celebrate the release of Rachel's new book - Prosperity Magic, we are pleased to reveal our newest hoard box - the Prosperity Hoard Box. This is a limited edition and not only contains a signed copy of the book by Rachel, but everything that you will need to create some of the prosperity spells that are in the book.

The book will also be available to purchase separately of course and Rachel is hosting a live event on the day of the launch - Saturday 15th November 6pm GMT - to celebrate it's release.

The box will be available from our Kitchen Witch Emporium (details at the bottom of the poster)

Kitchen Witch Online Day Retreat

Join Rachel, Heather and Ness for an ONLINE day retreat

Hosted via Zoom

7th February 2026

10am to 4pm

​Focusing on magical self care we will spend the day working with ritual, magic, meditation and ceremony with some spell crafting too, all designed to help with keeping our inner flame burning brightly.

Held via Zoom we will be online from 10am to 4pm with lots of chat, support and laughter of course!

You can attend via video and audio, just audio if you prefer to keep your camera off or you can just watch and listen and type any questions or responses - it is entirely up to you.

A list of suggested items to have ready will be sent closer to the time, but they will all be easily available.

Early bird price £45

​(KW School students ask about a discount code)

To book https://www.kitchenwitchhearth.net/shop