The Magic of Food: Love

From Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen"

There are many forms of love. Most of the foods mentioned here can be used for love in all its manifestations.

All love starts from within. We cannot and must not give love to others before we have respect and love for ourselves. Except out of compassion or pity, who would love us if we don’t even like ourselves?

One of the physical manifestations of self love is taking care of ourselves. Food, which certainly affects our bodies, also affects our emotions. It can be a powerful tool in creating self love and, once this has been accomplished, to bring us into aloving, multifaceted relationship with another person.

The old saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is certainly true, even if sexist. In the early stages of a relationship, preparing meals for your love is an outward manifestation of your feelings. You not only care enough to cook for him (or her), you’re also directly contributing to that person’s survival by offering him or her the food necessary for life. 

On the other hand, eating food specifically prepared for you by another is not only a gratifying, nourishing experience, it also shows your trust in that person (at least, your trust that she or he won’t deliberately poison you).

Candlelit dinners in a small restaurant, with splits of champagne and tasty food are designed to create emotional intimacy between the diners. Dining out is an accepted part of the dating process, and can certainly be continued with good effect during magical diets.

To gain the magical effects of these love foods, however, they should be prepared and eaten at home. If you’ve already established a relationship with another person, prepare the dishes together. This implies an equal, harmonious relationship. Simple eat these foods and visualize if you’re not currently enjoying a relationship. You soon will be.

Start with the love for the self, then branch out in search of another. If you already have another, deepen the relationship with these foods. 

Don’t make the common mistake of believing these foods will produce a desire for sex. These are love foods, after all.

Spices and Herbs

Anise

Basil

Cardamom

Chicory

Cinnamon

Clove

Coriander

Fennel

Ginger

Licorice

Marjoram

Poppy seed

Rose

Rosemary

Thyme

Vanilla

Add these spices to soups, fish, and other love-inducing foods. Visualize yourself as a loving, accepting person.

Veggies, Fruits, and Seeds

Beet

Pea

Sweet potato

Rhubarb

Tomato

Truffle

Apple

Apricot

Avocado

Banana

Carob

Cherry

Guava

Lemon

Lime

Mango

Nectarine

Orange

Papaya

Passion fruit

Peach

Pineapple

Quince

Raspberry

Strawberry

Tamarind

Brazil nut

Chestnut

Pine nut

Pistachio

Serve fresh fruit salads. Carve hearts into the peel of an apple and eat or share it with a lover. In making pies, trace a heart into the upper crust. Place a bowl of nuts on a table. Sit before it and hold a nut in your hand, visualizing love, and eat the nut. Repeat nine times. Any dishes that cointain these nuts are also effective. Remember, thekey to any food magic is visualization!

Drinks & Desserts

Apple pie

Brownies

Carob bars

Cherry vanilla ice cream

Chocolate cake

Chocolate ice cream

Gingerbread

Ginger ice cream

Fudge ripple ice cream

Lemon chiffon pie

Key lime pie

Neapolitan ice cream

Strawberry ice cream

Creme de cacao

Dessert wines

Kirsch

Lemonade

Limeade

Milk

Orange curacao

White wine

Other Love Foods

Carob

Chocolate in all forms

Dill bread

Fish

Honey

Maple syrup

Pickles

Rye bread

Strawberry jam

Sugar

Preparing and Cooking Love Foods

1.          Burn a pink candle in the kitchen while preparing foods.

2.      Chop veggies and fruits into round, flat shapes or use a melon ball tood to create spheres, or cut into heart shapes.

3.      Combine the foods in various ways, i.e. a love shake of milk, vanilla ice cream, and a melted chocolate bar Or an avocado and tomato sandwich on rye bread.

4.     Strongly visualize love.