Greetings and well met my lovelies to my wonderful little Mystic Corner! Today’s article is all about magickal spice and everything nice! In particular, we will be discussing one of my absolute favourite holiday and autumn/winter spices: Nutmeg!
Whether or not you fancy yourself to be a Kitchen Witch or whether you follow some other sort of magickal path entirely, the fact still remains that there are many magickal herbs and spices in this world that can prove to be truly invaluable magickal allies when seeking to enhance our own personal powers or those of our current working spells.
Therefore! In an effort to help more wonderful witches confidently explore and experience all the magick of their spice cabinets I have decided to compile a list for you of 10 of my all-time favourite go-to witchy ways that I love to use Nutmeg in my own practice to add a little seasonal warmth and some extra witchy spice to many of my spells and to my craft as a whole throughout the holidays and colder seasons.
Also! Be sure to stay tuned to the very end for a bonus kitchen witch recipe for an unbelievably delicious White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Latte! – Made even healthier and all the more magickal with the addition of some incredible homemade coconut milk whipped cream! Yum!
Contents
What is Nutmeg?
Before we dive head first into my list of 10 ways to spice up your magick with Nutmeg (see what I did there?) I should probably quickly explain what exactly Nutmeg is for those of you who may be new to using herbs and spices in your craft.
You see, Nutmeg is a spice that comes from a small brown nut which, when ground or grated very finely, produces an intense sweet and warming sensation to entice the senses and enhance the flavour of many dishes whether savory or sweet.
Nutmeg spice is used as a popular ingredient throughout many of the world’s cuisines ranging in use from baked dishes, cookies, cakes, confectionery items, curries, fruit dishes and preserves, spiced puddings, sausages, hams, lamb, and even vegetables! The spice is available in its original whole-seed form, but it is more commonly found pre-ground and sold as a powder.
What Does Nutmeg Taste Like?
While every individual’s palate and taste buds may vary, most people tend to describe fresh Nutmeg as having an intense warming flavour of sweet, slightly nutty, and light spice as well as a faint musk aroma of peppercorns and pine.
Fun Fact: The word nutmeg is derived from the Latin phrase nux, which means nut, and muscat, meaning musky.
Where Does Nutmeg Come From?
Nutmeg is native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia also commonly referred to as the Spice Islands. The Nutmeg spice is harvested from the dried fruit (inner seed) that is produced by the “nutmeg tree” or Myristica fragrans which is a tropical evergreen tree from the family Myristicaceae.
Does Nutmeg Expire?
While Nutmeg is most commonly found in supermarkets or grocery stores in its pre-ground form, I personally find that the whole Nutmeg seed is far more desirable due to the lack of mess when using the spice in my spell bags and charms as well as the fact that Nutmeg’s flavour deteriorates very quickly in its grounded form. Whichever you choose, remember to store both ground and whole nutmeg in airtight containers and to keep these containers in a cool and dry place.
Ground Nutmeg: Store in an airtight container away from direct light and use within 6 months.
Whole Nutmeg: Store in an airtight container away from direct light. In dry and cool conditions, most whole nutmeg can be kept fresh for up to 4 years!
Nutmeg Magickal Correspondences:
Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans
Folk Names: Qoust, Sadhika, Wohpala, Bicuiba Acu, and Bloody Spice
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Fire
Attributes: Luck, Money, Health, Fidelity, Legal Matters, Divination, Love, Prosperity, Travel, Psychic Ability, and Clairvoyance.
Why “Bloody Spice”?
Did you know that Nutmeg is sometimes referred to as “bloody spice”? This is because, during the 17th century, the Dutch fought a long and bloody war to gain complete control over the spice isles and their nutmeg production. The British then took nutmeg seedlings from the Banda Islands and planted them in areas under British colonial power. As these new nutmeg plantations began to grow and flourish, this once rare spice became far more plentiful and thus less expensive.
And now, without further ado, here is the moment you have all been waiting for!
My List of 10 Magickal Ways to use Nutmeg in Witchcraft:
1. Influence Lady Luck – Nutmeg is often associated with good luck or fortune, so always be sure to carry a small nutmeg seed in your pocket before taking part in any gambling or games of chance in order to better nudge the odds in your favour.
2. Promote Justice – Add a little nutmeg to spells that promote or seek out justice. Traditionally, this means using it in spells or spell bags meant to sway a jury or decision in court. However, nutmeg can also be used in a far less formal setting such as in spells that seek to reveal a truth or to stop the spreading of lies and rumours or gossip.
3. Safe Travels and Inspired Adventures! – Place a whole nutmeg seed into a spell pouch or your travel bags (you could use ground nutmeg here but it would be incredibly messy!) Nutmeg encourages lively adventures and spiritual rejuvenation during vacations and retreats while also serving as a powerful deterrent towards other’s ill intentions and any misfortunes.
4. Hearts Stay True – Nutmeg is very often associated with love and fidelity and can be used in simple yet powerful spells to help ensure your lover’s fidelity and to ward off any temptations.
5. Soothing Spice – Nutmeg is a perfect spice to enjoy and use around the holidays. This is because using nutmeg in your spells and/or consuming it in recipes such as my super tasty White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Latte (recipe at the end!) can help to ease or lessen any growing tensions and conflicts that can arise during these cold winter months due to the lack of warmth and sunlight. (Have you ever noticed how everyone seems to be way more cranky in the winter yet they somehow instantly perk up in the spring? Well, that’s the sun’s magickal warmth and energy for you! But don’t worry! Magickal Nutmeg is here to save the day! Hooray!)
6. Enhanced Meditation, Divination, and Dreaming – Nutmeg possesses very strong links to the astral realm. Try adding it to a beverage and consuming it before meditation, to heighten your meditative experience and to encourage visions and clairvoyance. Also, consider burning ground nutmeg as an incense on a charcoal disk or diffusing nutmeg essential oil blends just before bed (never leave anything burning unattended!) to help induce vivid dreaming or to enhance astral projection practices. Lastly, try diluting nutmeg essential oil in a carrier oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil and anointing your Third Eye Chakra (forehead area) and/ or your candles before performing any sort of divination work. (Caution: Nutmeg essential oil can cause skin irritation. Dilute well and make sure to patch test first to check your sensitivity).
7. Money Magick! – Add your diluted Nutmeg essential oil blend to your money magick spells by combining it with your other money-drawing oils when anointing dollar bills, candles, coins, and more! Ground Nutmeg powder can even be used to draw in money and prosperity. Try sprinkling it over your spell candles and other ritual objects or add it directly to your candle wax and use when casting a money drawing or abundance spell.
8. Be More Convincing! – Need a little extra persuasive charm? Try adding some nutmeg to a small spell bag and carry it with you in your pocket to help you make convincing arguments with someone who does not see things your way. This is fantastic for work or school-related presentations, persuasive speeches, and even meetings where you expect to confront any strong opposition to your ideas.
9. Spicy Love Magick – Add this spice to the very long list of magickal ingredients used in love spells. Like cinnamon, nutmeg inspires lust and passion, attraction and absolutely irresistible allure! Try spicing things up in the bedroom by burning a blend of ground cinnamon and nutmeg as an incense, dusting your red love spell candles with it, or even just burning nutmeg and cinnamon scented wax! I also really enjoy adding nutmeg and other warm spices to my magickal love oil blends for use in spells and even massages! Just remember to be careful! Nutmeg essential oil can cause serious irritation when making contact with the skin especially sensitive areas so always make sure that you properly dilute it in a carrier oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil and that you perform a quick little patch test on somewhere like your arm or your wrist first!
10. Hot Foot Powder – Nutmeg just so happens to be one of the key ingredients in my Hot Foot Powder recipe – a spell powder that is sprinkled into someone’s shoes or socks to make them “get to steppin’” as quickly as possible out of your life aka it is a spell powder that is used by powerful witches in order to send unwelcome guests on their way. Although sometimes referred to as Drive-Away Powder, this magickal hoodoo blend of harsh herbs and powders packs a very powerful punch and is certain to help you to hasten your enemies far away from you and your home! To craft a super simple “Hot Foot Powder”: mix together nutmeg with cayenne, chili powder, red chili pepper flakes, smoked paprika, graveyard dirt, sulfur, and ground wasp’s nest (optional) and then store in a tightly sealed container in complete darkness.
Bonus Recipe: White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Latte!
Magickal Materials:
? 2 tablespoons of white pumpkin puree (or you could substitute some orange pumpkin puree instead if you prefer.)
? 1 cup of non-dairy milk (I used coconut milk for this recipe, but almond or soy milk will also work fine. If you wish to use dairy milk instead you can – just be sure to read my notes at bottom of this recipe first.)
? 1 cup of strongly brewed coffee (or you could substitute 4 shots of your favourite espresso.)
? ½ – 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice, plus a little more for garnish (this contains the nutmeg as well as a couple of other deliciously magickal spices!)
? 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
? A Splash of pure vanilla extract
? 1-2 tablespoons of coconut sugar (or you could easily substitute this with regular white granulated sugar, some honey, or even a bit of maple syrup if you prefer.)
? 1/4 cup of coconut milk completely chilled in the fridge overnight (it is very important that the coconut milk is chilled overnight! You could also substitute this with regular heavy cream if you prefer.)
? 1 tablespoon of powdered or confectioner sugar
Magickal Method:
Step One:
Start a pot of coffee or prepare your espresso. Finish brewing and then set to the side.
Step Two:
In a small pot or saucepan over low heat, slowly warm your coconut milk. As it reaches a gentle simmer, stir in your pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, pure vanilla extract, white chocolate chips and the pumpkin spice.
Whisk constantly until all of your chocolate is melted!– Consider whisking in a deosil (clockwise) motion as you focus your mind and your own powerful magickal energy on all of the wonderful things that you would like to come into your life during this holiday season or even just the positive vibes you would like to channel – this practice can essentially turn your tasty little latte into a mini magickal mood-boosting vibration-raising potion!
***See Recipe Notes Below if you would like your latte to have the traditional frothed milk.
Step Three:
Remove your reserved 1/4 cup of coconut milk from the refrigerator. It should be semi-solid after chilling overnight, similar to the consistency of slightly melted ice cream.
In a small bowl, add in your chilled coconut milk using a rubber spatula. Then add in your powdered sugar.
Using a hand mixer or better yet a stand mixer with a whisk (or paddle) attachment whip the coconut milk and powdered sugar until it is fluffy and light.
Step Four:
In two large mugs, combine your milk and pumpkin mixture (whether frothed or not) along with some of your strong coffee making sure to leave enough room for the whipped cream!
Next, spoon your homemade coconut whipped cream on top of the drinks. At first, it may sink to the bottom, but then it should float back up to the top. This may look a little wonky (you’ll see what I mean), but trust me! After about 30 seconds to a minute or so, it will transform – as if by magick – into a lovely and delicious white foam!
Finally, sprinkle an extra little pumpkin spice over the top for garnish.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Additional Recipe Tips:
? If you opt to swap out coconut milk for dairy milk, be very careful when heating not to scald it or allow it to come to a boil otherwise the mixture may split.
? Adjust the spices to your preference. I would describe this recipe as having a light-to-medium spice level, so if you like spicy, go heavier with the pumpkin spice for yours!
? I made whipped cream from scratch with coconut milk for this recipe. You must chill it overnight to get the desired effect. Also, the coconut milk can easily be swapped out for heavy or double cream. Just make sure that the cream is very cold but nowhere near frozen and then add the powdered sugar and whip until soft peaks form. (Careful not to over whip or you may end up with butter!)
? To help your whipped cream to whip up faster, place the bowl and/or attachments of your stand mixer (or even your hand mixer’s beaters) into the freezer for a couple of minutes to get really nice and cold before mixing!
? While I am aware that most conventional “lattes” need to have some degree of steamed and frothed milk on top, I wanted to have a lighter and less fuss alternative that both I and my family could enjoy whenever the mood arose without having to fumble around the kitchen with frothing whisks and the like.
That said, If you would prefer your latte with frothed milk here are a few quick pointers to help you out:
Different kinds of milk will create different types of bubbles as you froth them. Dairy milk will have the right balance of fats and proteins so it will generate a creamy mouth-feel when frothed. Low fat or skim milk will foam the best, but they will not be as creamy or rich as whole fat milk would be. Almond milk will create a nice thick sweet foam but it is a bit more difficult to properly froth. Soy milk froths into a dense yet creamy foam but it will be much harder to pour.
? Frothed Milk Recipe Alternative: Combine ¾ cup of milk, ¼ cup of heavy or double cream, 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, a splash of pure vanilla extract, ½ cup of white chocolate chips, and ½ teaspoon of your pumpkin pie spice in a saucepan and heat over low heat until all of your chocolate chips have melted, stirring the entire time. Remove the pan from the heat and froth the milk mixture to your desired level of frothy bubbly goodness using an Aerolatte Milk Foamer like this one.
Pour your prepared coffee into two cups and top with your frothed milk mix before topping the whole thing off with some whipped cream and a bit more pumpkin spice. Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Final Thoughts:
Well my dears, that pretty much covers it for this week’s edition of The Witch’s Cabinet. I hope you enjoyed learning all about the magickal history and uses of the deliciously warm spice Nutmeg and that you definitely give my recipe for white pumpkin spiced lattes a try the next time you are feeling festive or just in need of something warm and comforting to drink on one of these cold winter days! As always, you can contact me here if you have any questions about today’s recipe or article and if you need help with casting any spell’s the door to my witch’s parlor is always open! Check out my spell’s page here to order a professional custom casting or email me at [email protected] for a free consultation today!
Until Next Time my lovelies!
Clear Skies & Bright Moons,
Naia Moonbrook
