Kitchen witchcraft should be studied from a scholarly perspective to appreciate its historical significance.
Catland Books actively addresses harmful ideologies and promotes inclusivity in the occult community.
Reclaiming the magical aspect of food through kitchen witchcraft can deepen our connection to magic and the natural world.
Deep dives
Building Community through Catland Books
Catland Books in New York City focuses on community-building in the occult community. They aim to carry on the legacy of the famous occult shop, The Magical Child, and provide spaces for people to meet and connect. Through social media, live Q&A sessions, and a wide range of classes and events, Catland Books fosters a sense of community and amplifies the voices of small creators.
Online Engagement and Community
Catland Books utilizes various online platforms and tools to engage with the occult community. They use social media accounts, live chat rooms, and live classes to create opportunities for people to interact and connect. Even during the pandemic, Catland Books found ways to maintain community engagement through virtual events and online programming.
Challenges and Concerns
Although community-building is a priority, Catland Books acknowledges the presence of harmful ideologies in the occult community, such as alt-right beliefs and Nazi sympathizers. They remain vigilant in addressing and combatting these issues, emphasizing the need to be cautious and maintain inclusivity in all aspects of their work.
Kitchen witchcraft as a legitimate magical science
Kitchen witchcraft is often marginalized due to its perceived mundanity, but it should be taken more seriously as a legitimate magical science. The author emphasizes the need for kitchen witchcraft to be investigated and studied from a scholarly and historical perspective. By understanding the cosmologies and magical technologies behind kitchen witchcraft, it can be seen as an essential aspect of magical practice throughout history. The author hopes that their book, which delves into ancient traditions and combines various magical technologies, will inspire a deeper appreciation for kitchen witchcraft.
The connection between food and magic
The podcast episode discusses the transformation of the perception and experience of food in the context of magic over time. In ancient times, people's relationships with food had a more profound magical and spiritual meaning, as they relied on their intuitive connections with the land and ecological systems. In the modern world, the easy access to prepared and processed food has diminished the connection between food and magic. The author highlights the importance of reclaiming the magical aspect of food by engaging in kitchen witchcraft and using food as a tool for magical practice. They encourage listeners to explore the intersection of magic and cooking in their own lives.
Melissa Madara joins me to discuss cooking and magic. This is not your typical kitchen witchcraft, either, but recipes and foods drawn from grimoires, Renaissance magic, the PGM, and other ancient traditions.
Melissa is a witch, chef, storyteller, botanist, and co-owner at Catland Books. Their work deals with the healing power of myth, divination, and immersion in the natural world. They are a teacher at Catland Books and numerous other metaphysical spaces around the country, and the author of the magical cookbook, The Witch’s Feast: A Kitchen Grimoire.
Sword + Scythe creates handmade materia magica, amulets, astrological talismans, and provides divinatory services under the auspices of Mars and Saturn. Visit at swordandscythe.com
