Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The original title of this re-release is "The Magic of Food" from 1990. Llewellyn has put this book back into print.
I love the opening lines "Food is essential to our lives. For many of us, the art of cooking and eating is a chore. For others, it is a great delight. And for some, the culinary arts and their products are indulgences. Food is substituted for love. Food is an excuse. Food is a god."
Scott explores all these aspects of food, as well as its magical properties and how this magic affects us and can be worked into our lives. The first part of the book is a small introduction to the magic of cooking, associations, tools, histories, practicing food magic and even some discussion on vegetarianism.
The meat and potatoes, if you will, of the book are the sections on specific types of foods. The foods are broken down into groups, like bread and grains, fruit, spices and herbs, etc. Common names, specific names, ruling planets, ruling elements, energies, lore and magical uses are explored, explained and looked at in its uses in magic and healthy living.
Mini-discussion on uses of salt in foods, substitutes for additives that do not promote overall good health, the healing qualities of foods, little known facts on food usages and food preparation make each of the topics covered interesting as well as useful.
"Nuts & Alleged Nuts . It is curious that one contemporary slang term for insanity is "nuts," as in, "That politician's gone nuts." In the past, these crunchy foods were thought to bestow wisdom, not mental derangement.*"
Footnote "*Then again, wisdom and insanity are often subjectively determined."
Scott's wit and humor are prevalent throughout the book as well as generous helpings of his wisdom and vast knowledge base.
And we are also treated to "Scott's Favorite Recipes". Appetizers, such as magic herb toast, beverages, desserts, main dishes. all here for you to consider and concoct in your own kitchen. Even magical soups and romantic salads are here for you to consider.
The book has a good table of contents, indexed, and contains a good glossary, tables of correspondences and bibliography. There is a mail order resource list which appears to be current, where you can get those hard to find ingredients.
Overall, a good book for your library, a better book for your kitchen and an essential book to have in your Cunningham library. boudica
Click Here to see more reviews about:
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the KitchenThere's a reason caviar has a reputation as a love food, but a little vanilla or peppermint can work wonders too! You'll savor mushrooms like never before after experiencing their intuitive-raising effects, and a munch of celery will resonate with new meaning as it boosts your sexual desire and psychic awareness. Virtually any item in your pantry can be used for personal transformation. From artichokes to kidney beans to grape jelly, food contains specific magical energies you can harness for positive results. This encyclopedia of food magic offers twenty-seven of Scott Cunningham's favorite recipes. Magical menus for more than ten desired goals including love, protection, health, money, and psychic awareness are provided as well. This commemorative edition also presents special features and articles celebrating Scott Cunningham's remarkable life.
Click here for more information about Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen
