August 2025
Welcome to our August 2025 Kitchen Witch newsletter.
I cannot believe that we are putting together a newsletter for August already!
This year is just flying by and the Christmas cards will be making their appearance in the shops as I have witnessed the past few years. If anyone is familiar with the brand called TK Maxx, you will know that Halloween items are for sale in stores already. But enough with fast forwarding, let's focus on this month, which has just been glorious, weather wise - but not the high temperatures that we have had, it tends to make one very lethargic and sleepy - not good! A nice comfortable 22 degrees C would be perfect - thank you!
We are scheduling in online 'management meetings' at KWHQ regularly, so that we can continue to do our plotting and planning, even if we can't get together in person. So there are lots of events in the pipeline and they will be published here as soon as they are finalised.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and we will be back here, in your in boxes next month. See you then.
Ness x
What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness
The above photo was taken at the edge of a field just a couple of minutes walk from where I live. The crop this year is barley and it is golden and ripe and it won't be long before it is being harvested. The rape seed is an adjoining field is also ripe and around the hedgerows, the berries are also starting to ripen - blackberries, hawberries and elderberries. I have spotted a few ripe blackberries already. Thistles and Burdock are in flower this month.
The warm weather we have been having has brought the butterflies and the bees out in abundance, and they are just loving the lavender, and the buddleia. The plants of the hedgerows are enjoying this warm weather but my garden plants are suffering a little despite a daily water. The one plant that has loved it, is my rosemary bush which has doubled in size over the course of the summer.
Which is excellent when it comes to pruning it later in the year - plenty of sprigs for drying for culinary and magical purposes.
Recipe for August by Heather
Herb and Nut Frittata with Tomato Salad
30g/1 oz walnuts, pine nuts, almonds or other nuts (optional if needed to remove for an allergy)
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tsp
1 onion, finely chopped
Bunch spring onions
50g/2 oz parsley
20g/3/4 oz dill
20g/3/4 oz chives or coriander
6 medium free-range eggs
½ tsp turmeric
3 large tomatoes
½ tsp red wine vinegar
¼ tsp chilli flakes
Toast the nuts (if using) in a frying pan for a few minutes until fragrant, then tip onto a board to cool. Return the pan to a medium heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil, add the onion and cook, stirring now and then, for 7-8 minutes until softened.
Finely chop the spring onions and herbs. Roughly chop the cooled nuts. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the herbs, spring onions, turmeric and nuts. Season well with salt and black pepper.
Heat the grill to medium-high. Pour the egg mixture into the pan with the onion, stir, cover with a lid or tray and cook over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
While the frittata cooks, roughly chop the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then drizzle over 1 tsp oil and the vinegar. Sprinkle with the chilli flakes.
Once the base of the frittata has set and it’s starting to set on top, transfer the pan to the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes until set on top ensuring it doesn’t burn. Cut into wedges and serve with the salad.
From –
https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes
Other variations
https://www.food.com/recipe/herb-and-walnut-frittata-with-balsamic-vinegar
Diana as Huntress. Marble by Bernadino Cametti
Goddess for August by Heather
Diana
Ancient Romans performed the festival of Nemoralia to celebrate Diana, praising Her as the Lady of the Wilds, Mistress of the Beasts, Goddess of the Moon, Guardian of the Oak, Friend of the Nymph, Grand Midwife, and the Protector of Maidens.
Nemoralia, also known as the Festival of Torches, took place on one of two dates, either upon the full moon of August, or the 13 of August, which was later changed to 15 of August. According to Plutarch, everyone assembled would have performed a special ritual of washing their hair before dressing it with flowers. Dogs were also honoured and also adorned with flowers. Worshippers wrote prayers and wishes upon ribbons, which were then tied to trees, sacrifices were made of fruits, sculptures of stags, or of mothers and children, and bread or clay would be shaped to represent a body part in need of healing.
Hunting or killing of any beast during Nemoralia was forbidden, whilst slaves and women were free from their duties during the time of the festival. Men did participate in the festival, during which they were on equal terms with women and slaves.
Now, Nemoralia is usually celebrated as a time to reconnect with nature, reflect on the cycles of the moon, and embrace the Goddess's protective and nurturing aspects. Some of today’s observances are lighting candles or torches, offering prayers to Diana, and spending time in natural settings to honour the spirit of the festival.
We can celebrate Nemoralia as a powerful reminder of the abiding connection we have with the natural world, as well as veneration for the divine feminine.
Sources -
https://shirleytwofeathers.com
https://shirleytwofeathers.com
Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong
Ingwaz is a rune of potential. The rune resembles a seed and from this, all things can grow. We mustn't just plant the seeds of new ideas and just expect them to flourish. We need to water them, care for them, give them time and energy and only then, can good things come from it.
It is about having commitment, dedication and a focus to succeed. It is these things that will ensure of a positive outcome to your ideas.
Go on! Give it a go, have a leap of faith and go for it!
Kitchen Witch Autumn Hoard Box
To coincide with our workshop and ritual, we do have available to purchase, our Limited Edition Autumn Hoard Box. This box was inspired by Heather and crafted at KWHQ by Rachel, Heather and Ness. The incense and oil is hand blended by us and we have added a few extra goodies - as well as the ritual script and a correspondence sheet for the workshop.
This wonderful hoard is available by clicking on the picture above which will take you to our Emporium.
Kitchen Witch Online Day Retreat
Join Rachel, Heather and Ness for an ONLINE day retreatHosted via Zoom
7th February 202510am to 4pmFocusing 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
