Public - Newsletter

Welcome to our December 2023 Kitchen Witch newsletter.

 Hello and welcome to the last newsletter of 2023! Where on earth has this year gone?.. it seems to have disappeared in an absolute blur but we are looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings us - both personally and within our Kitchen Witch family. We've had an amazing time seeing some of our lovely friends while we have been out and about on our shenanigans. The above photo was taken at the twice yearly event The Wandering Witches Fair,held near Portsmouth, Hants, which is always a fabulous event to go to. On behalf on Rachel, Heather and Sue, I'd like to wish you all blessings of the season and we will see you in 2024!

Ness x

What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness Armstrong

Rain, rain and more rain here in the UK over November - it just hasn't stopped, or so it seems! There has been the odd dry day but other than that, rain ranging from drizzle to torrential downpours have swept across the country causing flooding in many parts and fields have been transformed to mini lakes. The rains have meant that the temperatures are still about 10-13C, so some flowers are still out in the gardens. They are quite confused - bless 'em. Elsewhere in nature, the strong winds of the past week have blown most of the leaves from the trees, their branches now spindly and bare. Carpets of decaying leaves are brown and soggy on the footpaths and I've spotted a medlar tree - devoid of all its fruits which has been trodden underfoot. The evergreens are prominent against the bare branches of trees and deciduous shrubs. Its at this time that mistletoe can be spotted high up in the branches of the bare trees and a sign that Yule is almost upon us. This month sees the Winter Solstice and we then know that the days will slowly but surely start to lengthen again.

Aragonite from Sue Perryman

I was first attracted to my Aragonite crystal because of its appearance. It looks like a lump of brown sugar crystals. But when I picked it up it had the most wonderful energy and had to have it. It is one of my favourite crystals to work with. 

Aragonite is a calcium carbonate mineral with a hardness of 3.5-4.00. It is a calcite crystal with a different crystalline structure. It is found in various colours including grey, reddish brown, yellow-green and blue. It is the main element of organic substances including Pearl and coral. The beautiful iridescent surface of Mother of pearl and the rainbow-like lining of the abalone shell are in fact layers of Aragonite secreted by molluscs and other invertebrates. 

Aragonite gets its name from the Aragon River in Northern Spain where it was first discovered in 1788. 

The perfect crystal to hold while meditating, Aragonite enhances your intuition and insight and helps you to connect with the spirit world and past lives. 

An earth healing mineral that is linked to Earth deities from various pantheons such as Gaia, Ceres, Demeter, Geb, Cernunnos, Persephone, Pan and Prithvi.  

Aragonite is connected to the base or root chakra; it can aid in clearing and balancing this energy centre and strengthening your connection with the Earth. 

It is believed that Aragonite can help those who struggle with concentration, patience, discipline and acceptance. It can also help with understanding the causes behind problems and difficult situations. 

Holding this stone can make you feel comfortable in your own body, it can assist with calming and centering and brings a deep feeling of serenity and peace. It is a supportive stone for mental health challenges. 

In healing, Aragonite is said to alleviate pain, stop night twitches and muscle spasms and strengthen the immune system. It has a warming and vibrant energy and is believed to treat Raynaud’s disease. 

Aragonite can protect against negativity and is a good stone to keep beside your bed or under your pillow if you have nightmares. Because of this it will need regular cleansing after use and the safest way to cleanse this delicate crystal is by placing it on the earth for a while, don’t try burying it as you would with more robust crystals or submerging it in water which can dissolve it. It can also be cleansed and charged under moonlight, but not the sun which can damage it and cause it to fade. Sound and incense smoke are also good choices, or it can be placed on a large piece of Selenite or Clear Quartz.  

Aragonite magical properties 

Calming, meditation, past life work, releasing, grounding, concentration, insight, intuition, spiritual development, protection, confidence. 

Element: Earth 

Ruling Planet: Earth 

Chakra: Root 

Sprouts – the vegetable guaranteed to liven up (or divide!) the dinner table! by Heather Dewhurst

It is December, this is one of our in season veggies in the northern hemisphere and is usually dished up at the festive feast.   For those of us that love them, there are so many ways to prepare them, I even like them cold with mayonnaise.

For those who decline a serving, here is a method of preparing them which gently cooks them until crisp and caramelised, so brings out their natural sweetness, unlike boiling which can make them mushy and bitter.

80g/3oz salted butter or 4 tablespoons oil

500g/1 lb brussels sprouts, halved

5 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon cider vinegar or lemon juice

Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the sprouts and cook slowly in the butter for around 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them to crisp up and get a deep caramelisation.

Crush or grate the garlic cloves into the sprouts, then cook for a further 5 minutes until the garlic has infused all its flavour into the remaining butter. The sprouts should be crispy on the outside and tender inside. Taste and season with salt and vinegar or lemon juice.

Magical Properties

The whole dish – laughter, fun, communication, challenge.

Butter – peace, spirituality, abundance, fairy magic.

Oil – spirituality, passion, integrity, fertility, healing, peace, protection, luck.

Sprouts - stability, endurance, protection.

Garlic – healing, protection, hex breaking, lust, strength, courage, clearing, cleansing.

Sources –

https://www.rachelpatterson.co.uk/single-post/2019/11/25/magical-food-brussels-sprouts

A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson

Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong

This months rune is Isa, the rune of stillness and of Ice. It is the month for slowing everything right down, to rest and recuperate. Taking time to have some 'time out' for yourselves, even if it is just for a few moments. The wintry days does not always mean being cooped up indoors, although a warm fire, a good book and a creamy topped hot chocolate with all the trimmings sounds divine. Try and get out in nature if you can - a cold dry day walking, or even stepping outside into your garden, can do you the world of good.

Isa does ask us to look at what we have achieved over the past year, what did or didn't work, what you would do differently next time. Put those thoughts in a journal or notebook, put it away, enjoy the winter months and pick up your journal or notebook in the spring. This will allow you to have a new fresh perspective.

With blessings of the month from 

Rachel Patterson, Ness Armstrong, Sue Perryman, Heather Dewhurst