February Newsletter
Welcome to our February 2024 Kitchen Witch newsletter.
And yet another month has gone by.. into February now and Spring is hopefully around the corner. We are in the season of Imbolc, the time of new ideas and projects, spring cleaning and renewal. The earth is waking up from her winter slumber - although I don't think for one moment that we are done with the winter weather. Time to plant those seeds for the coming year...
Ness x
What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness Armstrong
It has been a strange month 'weather wise' here in the UK. Finally the rain stopped and I'm sure that many people in many parts of the country breathed a sigh of relief. We had many places flooded after rivers had burst their banks and just because the earth was so saturated, the water had no where else to go. We have had a week of plummeting temperatures as low as -5c where I live and in the North - even lower. We now have storms with high winds up to 80mph. Just a need some hail, snow and brilliant sunshine and we've had the lot!
In nature, there are signs that spring is on its way. Daffodil shoots, snowdrops and Arum leaves have begun to poke their way through the earth. There are also leaf buds on some of the trees. Many plants thrive at this time of year - Ground Ivy, Common Mallow, Camellia,Primula and I still have Cyclamen flowering in my garden and the alpine Rockcress makes the most of the damp cool weather by growing madly. It won't be too long before Cleavers, Dandelions and early spring Nettles are seen in the hedgerows.
Rhodonite from Sue Perryman
This month we are focusing on self-care, so for my crystal blog I decided to write about Rhodonite.
This beautiful pink and black crystal is a manganese metasilicate mineral, the black inclusions are manganese oxide, it has a hardness of 5.5 - 6.5. Rhodonite’s name comes from the Greek word meaning ‘rose-red’.
Rhodonite is related to the similar looking crystal Rhodochrosite, they both have a gentle energy which is perfect for those times when you need to focus on self love.
This crystal will enhance your meditation and dream work, helping you to understand any messages or images that you may receive.
Rhodonite can support and encourage any love in your life, including self love.
Keep Rhodonite around your home to calm children or adults who have problems with controlling their temper.
Carry or keep a Rhodonite crystal with you to help recover from a broken heart and learn to love yourself again.
Rhodonite works well with clearing and activating the heart chakra.
Known as the ‘Stone of Love’, Rhodonites energies encourage you to really love yourself, so that you in turn you can love someone else.
Spell for Self Love
One pink candle and holder
Rhodonite crystal
Any base oil that you have
Lavender oil
Ground Cinnamon
Lavender
Matches or lighter
Gather your ingredients together and charge them with Self Love .
Mix together your base oil and a few drops of lavender oil, then use this blend to dress your candle, rubbing the oil towards you.
Roll the candle in the ground cinnamon and place it in the candle holder.
Light your candle while focusing on self love then say:
‘Rhodonite and candle bright
Bring self love energy to me
Courage to love myself
This I ask of thee.
Sit and watch the candle burn for a while, taking note of any messages or images that come to you.
Allow the candle to burn out or if that’s not possible snuff it out and relight it the following day.
Swede by Heather Dewhurst
Also known as rutabaga, Swedish turnip, turnip, neep. This vegetable was apparently developed in Sweden in the 17th century and is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip.
It is very versatile, can be roasted, boiled, fried, makes tasty crisps instead of potato, is added to other root vegetables as a mash, or used in stews/casseroles.
It was also used as the original, and more frightening looking, Jack-o’-lantern in Europe before the introduction of the much easier to carve pumpkin. It is still widely used as an animal feed crop.
Magical properties
Healing, health, abundance, perseverance, protection, fertility, love.
Mashed Swede
1 swede
50g of butter
1 pinch of sugar
salt
freshly ground black pepper
Peel and roughly dice the swede into 2cm cubes. Place in a pan and cover with boiling water and a good pinch of salt. Boil for 20–25 minutes or until tender but not overly soft, otherwise it will taste watery
Drain the swede then place back in the pan with the butter and use a potato mash to crush
Taste and season with a pinch of sugar, salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. The sugar may not be needed but for larger, tougher swedes it can counteract any bitterness.
Roast Swede
1 swede
1 slash of olive oil
1 handful of sage, rosemary, or thyme
3 garlic cloves, bashed in their skins
salt
freshly ground black pepper
Preheat an oven to 200ºC/gas mark 6
Peel and dice the swede into 2cm pieces
Scatter the swede onto a roasting tray with the herbs and garlic cloves, lightly bashed and still in their skins. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then toss to thoroughly coat in the oil
Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through to get an even caramelisation on the swede, serve hot.
References and further reading –
A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
www.jamieoliver.com/vegepedia/swede/
www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-cook-swede
Meet Our Dogs
Izzy by Sue Perryman
Izzy was a rescue dog who came to live with us when she was 18 months old, she will be 11 in March. She is a Staffie cross (Staffordshire Bullterrier cross breed or mongrel).
She was completely crazy and hard work when we first got her but has calmed down a lot as she’s got older although she still goes nuts at the fence when next doors dog is out. She loves going to the beach and chasing stones which she always brings home for her collection, which is filling up my garden. She also loves sleeping - usually in my bed! and enjoys lots of cuddles.
Izzy used to be terrified of loud noises like thunder and fireworks, but last year she slept through them all and our vet confirmed that she is going deaf, although she hasn’t completely lost her hearing yet. I’m relieved that she’s not suffering anymore, but it’s also a sad reminder that she is getting old.
Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong
For this years newsletters, I shall be working with my runic oracle. I bought this oracle from a lady called Athene Arcana and she sells her wares via Etsy. This month's rune is Fehu. This card depicts a squirrel holding aloft an acorn. He is standing on a moss covered trunk and is outstretched. He only has eyes for his prize. Fehu teaches us to be thankful for all that we have, no matter what the size or how much. This acorn may be the first that squirrel has found or it may be his final find before the winter. It doesn't matter - he is happy and gazes at it in wonder. Fehu speaks of wealth in all forms - what is wealth for one person may be different for another. Its what we value and appreciate that is the key to our success.
