Jupiter
Eggplant
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Fri, 09/18/2009 - 16:18.Solanum melongena
Eggplant is a tender perennial native to Asia. It grows up to 3 feet tall with a similar spread and has wide, coarsely lobed leaves. The stem is often prickly.
Eggplant may be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. They should be planted out in a sunny location only after the nights have warmed up to more than 50 degrees. They like fertile soil so add some compost when you plant them. Plant 18-24 inches apart. (I plant them in the four corners of the planter box.)
Mulch around the base of stems to keep off weeds and help retain moisture as well as to keep the roots warm in case of a cold snap. Start pinching off flowers as the growing season comes to an end so that the plant concentrates on ripening existing fruits.
It is believed that eggplant originated in India but it was first cultivated in China. Thomas Jefferson first introduced eggplant to the US in 1806.
Interesting note: Eggplant seeds contain nicotine. About 20 pounds will equal the same amount as a cigarette.
Cut away fruit when they are plump and glossy and big enough to use. Store in the refrigerator and use within a few days.
A diet high in eggplant is helpful for type 2 diabetes. It is high in fiber and has a low glycemic index.
Eggplant is also purported to help lower cholesterol and offer some protection against cancer and heart disease.
However, eggplant should be avoided by those who suffer from gout and other inflammatory issues.
Folklore says that eggplants shouldn't be eaten by pregnant women because they may cause miscarriages.
Before using, slice and salt your eggplant and let it sit for a few minutes then rinse to remove bitter flavor. This will also reduce the amount of oil your eggplant absorbs during cooking as eggplants can absorb rediculous amounts of oil. Eggplant is delicious stewed, roasted or fried.
Dandelion
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 15:22.Taraxacum officinale
Dandelions are common weeds all over the world with varieties native to Asia, Europe and North America.
Dandelions grow everywhere. There's no need to propagate. But it is easier to gather roots from tilled soil than from the lawn, so till, scatter seeds and water. They like full sun.
The name dandelioni comes from the French dent de lion which means "tooth of the lion". The modern French name, however, is pissenlit, which means "to wet the bed". Indeed an English folkname for the plant is pissabeds.
Leaves should be gathered as soon as they appear in the spring as they get bitter after a short while. These do not store well and should be used fresh.
The bright yellow flowers should be gathered as soon as they open. Remove the green bits from the base of the flower before using. These can be added to wines, vinegars or jellies.
The roots should be dug up in the autumn when they are plump with stored starches for the winter or first thing in the spring when they are sweeter. Generally anytime between the first of September and the end of February is good. These can be cut into pieces 3-4 inches long and dried on a screen in an area with good ventilation. Once dried, they should be stored in a cool dry area, sealed in a bug-proof container for no more than one year.
Dandelion leaves are a great addition to the diet of breeding rabbits and lactating cattle and goats.
The dandelioni is masculine in action and associated with the planet Jupiter, the element of air and both Pisces and Sagittarius. It is also associated with any solar deity, Hecate, Brighid and Belenos.
A tea of the flowers and leaves may be drunk to increase psychic ability while pouring boiling water over a bowlful of roots will aid in calling spirits.
Make a wish and blow the seeds off a dandelion head!
Dandelion is most often used as a diuretic and in cleansingi tonics and in cases of kidney and liver issues.
For liver issues, a tincture from the flower tops and/or a broth of the leaves is said to bring relief.
For stones, make a decoction of the root and cool before straining and then sweeten with honey. Drink a mugful morning and night. This is also good for indigestion and other stomach complaints.
A very strong decoction of the herb and root is recommended for many skin eruptions as its cleansing action helps purge impurities that can cause pimples, eczema and other skin issues. Drink a mugful several times a day.
Dandelion flowers can be used in salads, to make jelly, wine and punch.
The young leaves can be used raw or blanched in salads or sandwiches, steamed like spinach or cooked into soup or broth.
The dried root can be ground up and used like coffee. Fresh roots can also be used in salads.
Dandelion Beer is made from the fermented dried leaves, Dandelion Wine is made from the flowers and homemade Root Beer sometimes includes Dandelion Roots.
In the early spring gather dandelioni leaves by the bucketful and boil them up with some sorrel, parsley, carrotsi and onions to make a delightful broth than you can then can or freeze as a base for any number of soups the rest of the year. Use this base whenever you are feeling bloated or have digestive issues or simply feel the need to cleanse.
There are lots of flowers that look like dandelion but aren't! If the leaves are branched, if there is more than one flower on the stem or if the plant is at all hairy, you're not looking at a dandelion! Don't eat it unless you're absolutely sure.
Betony
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Wed, 04/15/2009 - 14:22.- astringent
- Attracts bees
- betony
- bishop's elder
- bishopwort
- Brid
- Bridget
- Cancer
- common hedgenettle
- Crafter's Herb
- Imbolc
- Juno
- Jupiter
- justice
- lousewort
- Mercury
- Midsummer
- nervine
- Partial Shade
- Perennial
- protection
- purification
- purple betony
- Sagittarius
- sedative
- spiked betony
- St Brid's Comb
- St Brid's Day
- Stachys betonica
- Venus
- woundwort
stachy officinalis or betonica officinalis
Betony is a woodland perennial and a member of the mint family with its characteristic square stem and bilabiate flowers.
The name betony is said to derive from a Celtic word bewton which means "good for the head".
Makes a chartreuse dye with an alum mordant.
Identified with attorlothe of the Nine Herbs Charm
Betony can be added to any protective mixtures, grown around the home to protect it or carried on the person (especially under one's hat) to protect from negativity, misfortune and hexes. Scattered near doors, it prevents unwanted energies (and people) from entering. It can has been planted in graveyards to prevent evil spirits from escaping.
Betony can be stuffed into a pillow or placed underneath to prevent nightmares and night terrors.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 14:18.Mulled Cider
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 11:32.½ gallon apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves
1 orangei, sliced
Put it all in a saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain and serve hot.
This beverage is traditional at harvest gatherings and as a special treat when the kids come in from Trick or Treating on Halloween, or to warm up your hands sitting around the bonfire on Samhain. It's a great warm up on a brisk autumn day.
We use apple cider for our harvest and Samhain libations. It is great for giving thanks for successes in the areas of prosperity and love, and for drawing prosperity and love. This beverage features both sun energies and cthonic energies.
You can buy mulling spices at most grocery stores in the late autumn. Follow the directions on the package.
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Dandelion Wine
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:38.Take a gallon of fresh picked dandelioni flowers and place them in a large tub, pour 1 gallon of boiling water over them and let it steep for about 10 or so days stirring now and then.
Dandelion blossoms are actually made up of many tiny yellow flowers that many folks take to be petals. Only these should be used in to make the wine, not the green bracht that holds them all together as that's very bitter. Taste the different parts and you'll see. Dandelion flowers are delicious!
This recipe has strong solar associations so it is great for use at sun festivals, such as Midsummer day! Also, try this wine as an aid to divinationi, especially in association with love.
Dandelion Punch
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 09:28.If you're serving dandelioni wine for your Midsummer gathering, be sure to also serve dandelion punch for the kids and those of us that don't drink!
3 cups dandelion flowers, rinsed and separated
1 gallon orangei juice
juice of 1 lemoni
1/4 cup of sugar
Ginger Ale (Vernors is the only popular brand that actually has ginger.)
Warm the orangei juice and lemoni together, then add the dandelions. Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved. Let cool and then refrigerate overnight.
Dandelion punch is a traditional beverage for MayDay and Midsummer gatherings. It has strong solar energy and strong male energy. Drink it at the beginning of a project (or season) to encourage success in your endeavors and to enhance your health and strength as you move toward completion.
To speed things up, have the kids pick your dandelions for you and use pre-squeezed juice. Otherwise, this couldn't be quicker or easier to put together!
PS Make sure you only use yellow dandelioni flowers, not the green bracts or fuzzy bits!
Valerian
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 16:36.- all-heal
- amantilla
- Antispasmodic
- capon's tail
- carminative
- cat's valerian
- fu
- garden heliotrope
- garden valerian
- genicularis
- Jupiter
- marinella
- mutagen
- nervine
- Partial Shade
- Perennial
- phu
- Samhain
- sedative
- setwall
- St George's Herb
- Stimulant
- terdina
- theriacardia
- valerian
- Valeriana officinalis
- van
- vandal root
- Water
- wenderot
- Yule
Valeriana officinalis
Garden valerian, or garden heliotrope (no relation to heliotrope) is native to Eastern Europe.
Valerian is happy in most situations provided it has fertile, weed-free soil and enjoys partial sun. It is best grown from shoots or by division as seeds do not germinate reliably. You should not allow valerian to dry out.
If you are growing to harvest the root later, it is best to cut off the flowers as they appear.
The Latin valere from whence the common name of this plant originated means "to be strong or healthy" and it may refer to the healing applications of the plant or it may refer to its strong odor. Indeed the ancient Greeks called this plant "Phu" (like phew!).
It was believed that this plant had the properties of turning anything bad into good.
Harvest valerian roots in autumn of its second or third year after the leaves have died back. Wash them and then dry them quickly and put in the oven at 120 degrees until they are brittle. Store in an airtight container.
Cats love the smell of valerian and find it quite intoxicating. It is useful stuffed inside cat toys.
Valerian root is associated with the planet Jupiter and the element of water. It is also useful in Samhain and Yule celebration rituals.
Valerian root is useful in spells related to ending guilt and negative self talk and developing self acceptance. It is also useful in animal magic, especially cat magic and evoking animal spirits. Also, transformation spells, for turning bad situations around into positive ones.
Valerian has a sedative action useful against insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel.
However, valerian is reported to be a mutagen so it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Maple
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Tue, 05/27/2008 - 11:45.Acer spp
There are approximately 125 species of maple. Most are indigenous to Asia but there are many native to America, Europe and Africa as well.
Maple seeds, called samaras, have wings designed to carry them some distance away from the mother tree. These can be gathered and planted and will often grow quite well. Most need to be stratified first, either through cold stratification or by using a file to wear down the hard outter shell.
Maples can take up to six months to germinate and can be troubled by root rot when young. Keep young maple trees in a sheltered, semi-shaded area.
Maples of all ages can be bothered by aphids and are popular hosts for many species of butterfly and moth. Maples are also affected by a number of fungal parasites. Although these may look ugly, they don't usually cause lasting harm to the tree.
The word acer is from the Latin meaning "sharp" which refers to the pointed leaves.
Maple sugar was being made by the Native Americans long before Eurpean colonists came to America. A number of stories exist to explain where the practice came from.
One story says that when the Creator first made the world, maple syrup ran from maple trees all the time. One day Glooskap came by and saw that all the villagers were laying under the trees letting the syrup run into their mouths and all the work was undone and the fields overgrown. So he made the sap runny and told the people that if they wanted syrup they'd have to work for it and showed them how to turn the runny sap into sweet, thick syrup.
Another story says that red squirrel first showed a hunter how to get sweet sap from the maple. He liked to bite off the branches to make the sap ooze out and when it had dried into a sugar crust would come back and lick it joyfully.
Pick up branches after a storm to make wands and staves.
Maple trees make great bonzai. The wood of sugar maple and sycamore maple are especially prized for making furniture and flooring.
Maple trees are a valuable host to many species of moth and butterfly and make an excellent addition to a butterfly garden.
Maple is feminine in nature and associated with the moon and jupiter and the elemental energies of water.
Maple is excellent for wands, staves and maypoles.
Maple is useful in moon magic and in spells related to travel, learning and decision-making, especially in matters related bringing about or dealing with change. Maple is also useful for spiritual healing.
Maple syrup may be used in Kitchen Witchery for love spells and spiritual healing, i.e. soothing the psyche.
Maple wood is useful for smoking and curing meat.
The sap of the sugar maple can be boiled down to make maple syrup, maple sugar and maple candy.
Asparagus
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 19:05.Asparagus officinalis
Asparagus is a Eurasian member of the lily family (liliaceae) and a fast-growing, long lived perennial. Spears shoot up early in the spring sometimes growing as much as 10 inches in a 24 hour period.
Asparagus is great for permaculture because it can live 15 years or more and keep providing you with tasty spears each spring. It grows best in sandy, alkaline soil in full sun, but it's not picky. It can handle a bit of shade and less than perfect soil too, as long as you fertilize it well.
You can get asparagus crowns at most garden centers. Dig a furrow about 10 inches deep and wide and as long as you want your row to be. Fill the trench about halfway with compost and place your asparagus crowns on top, about 10 inches apart and cover loosely with soil and water. This is best done in the springtime as soon as the danger of frost has past.
You won't get any spears your first year, but the fern-like foliage will still be pretty. Make sure you mulch well every autumn to keep weeds down and a steady stream of nutrients coming. Asparagus is a hungry plant.
The word asparagus comes from the Greek and it refers to any young, tender shoot that can be eaten.
Asparagus was prized by the ancient Greeks over 2500 years ago. It was considered to be a cleansingi and healing herb and used it for many medicinal purposes. The Romans in their turn also prized asparagus and cultivated it (the Greeks wildcrafted it) from the and spread it throughout Europe on their conquests. Emperor Augustus coined the term “velocius quam asparagi conquatur” which means to do something quicker than you can cook asparagus. Similar to our phrase “two shakes of a lambs tail”. So much did the Romans prize asparagus, that in the first century, runners took asparagus from the Tiber River valley to the Alps so that it could be frozen and thus preserved for the Feast of Epicurus
King Louis XIV had asparagus grown in his greenhouses so that he could enjoy it year round, he dubbed asparagus the King of Vegetables. It was also popular in England and other parts of Europe and colonists brought it to America where Native Americans used it for medicine.
Asparagus was considered a phallic symbol banned from girls schools in the 19th century, but Victorian women were taught to detect the scent of this aphrodisiac on their husbands- a sure sign that he was behaving improperly!
Do not harvest your asparagus until it's at least three years old. This allows the plant to have time to build a strong root system.
Your plants will starti sending up shoots shortly after the frost has past and may continue well into June. Cut the shoots near the base when they are about 10 inches long and about as thick as your finger. If they are thinner than a pencil, your plant isn't ready for harvesting yet, or it's gotten tired of being harvested and needs to be let alone. Make sure the heads of the spears are tight and haven't started to feather out. Once they've started to get ferny, it's too late to harvest them.
Asparagus is best eaten fresh, but if you want to save some for later, put it in a glass of water like a bouquet of flowers and store it in the fridge. If you want to save some for a long time later, steam the stalks for about five minutes and then freeze them in a freezer bag.
Asparagus is aligned with Mars and Jupiter and the element of fire. It is also sacred to Zeus.
It is used in lust and fertility spells especially as relates to male stamina and potency.
Asparagus is a good diuretic and is full of nutrients to help build up strength. It is a good food to eat when you are doing a bodily cleansingi, a great "spring tonic" kind of food.
Asparagus is one of the most nutrient dense vegetables you'll find at your grocery store. It is high in folic acid, potassium, fiber, vitamins B6, A, C and thiamin, contain no fat or cholesterol and are low in sodium.
Steam asparagus for five minutes so that it is bright and tender-crisp. Then serve plain or with a butter or cream sauce. It is also excellent in creamy soups or lightly stir fried with other vegetables. My ex husband used to like his asparagus boiled until it was mushy and served with toast and butter and I have to admit, it's good that way. Asparagus is also good raw, with or without dip.
