Public - Newsletter

Welcome to our April 2023 Kitchen Witch newsletter.

April can be a bit hit and miss with the weather but it is (usually and hopefully) most definitely spring. Plants are starting to really come alive, the seeds planted at the spring equinox are making good headway and the weather is (she says again hopefully) a bit warmer.

We are working off the back of the spring equinox and heading towards Beltane, everything is alive and buzzing with energy.

I think the equinox always brings about changes of one kind or another (in my experience anyway), it is a time to clear out the old and that which has not worked and to bring in new projects, new ventures and new ways of thinking, make changes that bring in the positive. It is so easy to get caught in a cycle of destructive or unhealthy action, now is the time to break free (yep I am singing now…). Sometimes we end up taking on too much and finding our entire life is out of balance and it has a ripple effect, like dropping a pebble into a still pool, the ripples from one tiny stone can have a huge effect on everything else. The equinox gives us an opportunity to re-balance and use all the energy that Beltane brings with it to put those changes into action.

Take a step back…take a really good look at your life and see where you can make changes to bring it back into alignment, to give a good balance between work, friends, family, play and ‘you’ time. Even little changes are a start and can lead onto bigger ones.

April Magical Energy

Put energy into creating and producing; return balance to all areas of your life. Change, transformation, self-confidence, self-reliance, take advantage of opportunities, build on projects that are already underway. Spring clean not just your home, but your spiritual and emotional areas as well. Set new plans, work on new projects and put things into motion to create a better life. Work on temper and emotional flare ups and selfishness.

Rachel x

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

March brought all sorts of weather to the UK. Sunny and warm days - hurrah! - led us into a false sense of security. The cold returned and Mother Earth decided that we should have snow. Not in all parts of the UK - it went from a slight dusting to several feet depending on where you lived.

As I write this, the week ahead is set to be unsettled with showers, but much better that we have rain than frost which can cause havoc with new growth in nature. The clocks will go forward an hour at the end of March, so the evenings will be a little lighter.

As we come into April, growth is accelerating - dandelions, wild violets, grape hyacinth, wild garlic, cleavers, blackthorn blossom, daffodils and daisies - the colours are a welcome sight after grey winter days. Seeing Gorse in flower was a particular delight!

Blossom of pinks and whites - which reminds me of coconut ice - and new leaves are appearing on the trees and shrubs. Everything looks fresh and new.

Mother Earth has put her apron on, rolled up her sleeves and the regrowth now begins in earnest - roll on the warm summer days!

Moss Agate from Sue Perryman

Element: Earth

Planet: Moon

Astrological sign: Virgo

Deities: Bona Dea, Aurora, Gaia, Cerridwen, Nyx, Clota, Callisto, Jana

Magical properties: Prosperity, abundance, success, healing, growth, protection, creativity, focus, confidence, new beginnings, inner strength, communication, cleansing, calming, luck, self-esteem.

In the month of April, the weather is hopefully a bit sunnier and warmer for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning the gardeners amongst us can spend more time tending our gardens.

April is also the month that we celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd. There are many grounding crystals that would be suitable to focus on this month, but I decided to go with a crystal that is associated with gardeners and plants of all kinds.

Moss agate is not technically an agate as it is not banded, but like other agates its chemical composition is Chalcedony, which is a stone of the Quartz family. It has similar intriguing patterns made of dark green, moss like dendritic inclusions usually of manganese or iron.

This is one of my favourite stones, it has a beautiful comforting energy, when I hold one it feels like getting a hug.

Moss agate is strongly associated with nature and is especially useful to gardeners and those working in horticulture. Placing a tumble stone in a plant pot or flower bed does seem to boost the plants health and growth.

This useful crystal is not only for the gardeners among us, it is associated with growth of all kinds including prosperity, love, business, promotion, health, trust and abundance.

Keep a small crystal in your purse or wallet to attract financial growth.

Keeping a Moss agate crystal on you when meeting new people may attract new like-minded friends.

If you are in a relationship, keeping two Moss agate crystals in small green bag or dish beside your bed with a pinch of rosemary may inspire a strong faithful and lasting love.

If you are self-employed or run a small business, keeping a bowl of Moss agate in your work area may attract new clients and prosperity.

Known as a birthing stone, Moss agate aids Midwives in their work and supports the mother to be throughout labour and birth.

A stone of new beginnings and release, Moss agate supports those who wish to reconnect with the world after a period of withdrawal or illness and helps with releasing old fears and blockages that have held you back in the past.

Moss agate encourages a speedy recovery from any illness. It is believed to be anti-inflammatory and can cleanse the circulation and elimination systems. It relieves colds, flu and other viral illnesses and boosts the immune system.

Despite its gentle energy, Moss agate enhances concentration and focus, it fills those who tend to procrastinate with inspiration and a determination to complete their goal.

Moss agate’s calm energy can help us to disconnect from the noise and distractions of the modern world, making it a fantastic crystal to meditate with.

Working with Moss agate brings peace, balance and stability, it can soothe extreme mood swings and bad temper replacing negative emotions with a deep sense of inner calm.

Wild Garlic from Heather Dewhurst

April is the start of Wild Garlic (Ransoms) season

The National Trust website says that wild garlic grows across the UK from late winter into Spring. The leaves usually start popping up around March time, with the flowers emerging from April to June.

Wild garlic differs from the bulbs that we are used to seeing in that it consists of flat leaves and white flowers, both of which can be picked and eaten, having a much milder taste than garlic bulbs.

It is very important when picking it to ensure it’s actually garlic, and not the similar looking but poisonous Lily Of The Valley or Lords and Lady's (Arum maculatum). The main difference is the smell, with wild garlic having that distinctive odour. Another sign to look for is that wild garlic leaves also grow from the plant base, while Lily Of The Valley will typically have leaves on its stem, and Arum has crinkly leaves. However, if you are in any doubt about whether or not it’s garlic, do not pick and eat it.

Wild garlic flourishes in woodlands, damp ground is especially favourable to the flowers.

Magical Properties

Banishing, protection, hex/curse breaking, health, healing, confidence, power, removing negative energy, strength, stops gossip.

Wild Garlic Hummus Recipe

200g/7 oz can chickpeas or 12 oz sprouted chickpeas

2 handfuls of sunflower seeds that have been soaked overnight

½ tsp of ground chilli

½ tsp of ground cumin

shredded Wild Garlic (adjust amount to your own taste preference)

2-3 tbsp tahini

olive oil

lemon juice

salt and pepper

Instructions

Process the Wild Garlic leaves in a food processor.

Then add the chickpeas, soaked sunflower seeds along with the chilli, cumin, tahini and process until smooth.

Finally add in the lemon juice and olive oil to the consistency you like, along with some salt and pepper.

Image from Unsplash

Sources and further reading –

www.eatweeds.co.uk/wild-garlic-allium-ursinum

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/countryside-woodland/places-to-forage-for-wild-garlic

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/wild-garlic/

Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong

This month's rune seems to tie in with this year so far - Ehwaz is the Horse rune and this year seems to be galloping past quite quickly!

Ehwaz is connected with Sleipnir - Odin's 8 legged horse who moves between the 9 worlds. This month we focus on movement and progress. I associate this rune with teamwork and sometimes progress can be made when two or more people put their heads together to work on something. Are you struggling to get something done or feel stuck and unable to progress with a task or have a question that needs answering? Perhaps there is someone that can help - to put a different perspective on your issue or have a solution to a question.

With blessings of the month from Rachel Patterson, Ness Armstrong, Sue Perryman, Heather Dewhurst

What's On?

Every WEDNESDAY Morning, 9am UK time join Rachel for a live chat on www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks & www.youtube.com/c/RachelPattersonwitchauthor 2023

• Rachel has two online courses running with The College of Psychic Studies, check out their website for details https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/about-us/our-consultants/rachel-patterson/

• 15th April - we will be at Wandering Witches - https://www.facebook.com/WanderingWitches

• 27th May - Witchfest Midlands - https://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-midlands/

• 22nd - 25th June - Pagan Tribal Gathering - https://www.pagantribalgathering.org.uk/

For Kitchen Witch students - study hall and readings events - check the forum for details Catch up Find replays of our online talks and rituals over on the YouTube channels YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCglVkEiBII3NVPFgYGR7twQ & www.youtube.com/user/Kitchenwitchuk And our blogs www.kitchenwitchhearth.net/blog and www.rachelpatterson.co.uk/blog Contact Email - HQ@kitchenwitchhearth.net Website & Blogs – www.kitchenwitchhearth.net & www.rachelpatterson.co.uk Facebook - www.facebook.com/groups/kitchenwitchuk & www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/KitchenWitchSchool & www.youtube.com/user/Kitchenwitchuk Instagram - www.instagram.com/kitchenwitchhearth & www.instagram.com/racheltansypatterson