We’ve entered winter here on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska and have received the blessings of sacred Samhain as we head toward Yule. (Happy New Lap Around the Sun!!) As the season sets in we begin to ache for rich hearth-y foods, savory drinks, and re-kin-dling with our friends around warm fires. We yearn for that which we need to stoke and sustain our inner fire. As always, there’s a way to add magick to our moments. There is a magickal method to incorporate the potency of the sun and groundedness of the earth to help maintain us on our journey through the dark side. This path assists in our personal healing and literally empowers our cunning undertakings with passion and strength. It is as delicious to the soul as it is to our pallet and our magick….Behold the sacred magickal chai latte!
Between Samhain and Yule I drink this potent brew to bolster myself & my workings. Because of the associations of the components of my concoction, it is wise to sip and sit with the drink, while basking in it’s energy and incorporating it into the body. Not a fan of caffeine, I make mine with a blend of rooibos and tulsi (holy basil) and it is every bit as tasty as that of the chaiwallas of the middle east! In this blog I’ll lay out for you the general shape of the correspondences for each ingredient followed by the recipe and directions for steeping what is sure to be one of your most favorite powerhouse witchy teas of all time. You are sure to see the method to my madness as you ponder the elements that I’m combining. You’ll soon see why I suggest that you sit with a cuppa chai before embarking on any witchy task which requires earthy oomph. This is among the most potent and exquisite potions I’ve created. And, I’m going to share it with you freely knowing that I’m literally handing you occult rocket fuel & hoping for the best.
Cardamom– the ‘feminine Mars’, strength, warmth, fire energy, Venus, love, water, passion, lust, protection, love
Cloves– sun, warmth, prosperity, protection, pinning into place our intentions, hearth
Cinnamon– sun, gentle warmth, mild protection, fire, prosperity, booster in spells
Ginger– heat,used to speed things up, firey, success, money, power, health, protection
Nutmeg– Samhain/Yule, warmth without fire, money & luck, the Goddess
Allspice– fire, Mars, masculine, uplifting, healing energy, determination, money, luck,, purification
Milk– most magickal of all body fluids, life provider, exists exclusively to nourish, Isis, is a living substance (coconut milk, if you prefer as an alternative, is used for protection and spiritual cleansing)
Water– cleansing, psychic healing, clarity, emotion, purification, understanding, friendship
Honey– sun, health, abundance, security, love, protective, binding, productivity, sweetening life
Rooibos– rejuvenation, inner peace, dreamwork
Tulsi– love, perfect health, vitality-promoting, wealth, enlightenment, purity, chakra balancing, harmony, goodness
Star Anise– (Optional) moon, clairvoyance, psychic awareness, protection, promotes youth, luck, money, happiness,health empowerment
You see, these are all warm, strengthening/empowering, and are all used for prosperity and protection magick. Odd enough, one would combine cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger to water for a prosperity simmering potpourri or use this combination in any prosperity spell. If you add in a little nutmeg and allspice, you have assembled the basic chai spices. I consider these the ‘spice of life’ blend as they do nothing but promote abundance, health vitality, grounding, pleasure and exuberance.
If you’re chai savvy, you’ll notice no mention of peppercorns in this recipe. This is simply because tulsi, on it’s own merit, tastes a bit like black pepper when steeped. For those unfamiliar with tulsi, it is a sacred plant of Hindi people and also known as holy basil, and she is truly the Queen of Herbs. Tulsi literally means “beyond compare” in Sanskrit. There is no limit to her health benefits and I’ve known her to be excellent in mediation and protection. I routinely consume tulsi (Davidson’s organic blend, from Amazon) and always have her growing in my home. I’ve never smelled a plant more pleasant or known one to be of such a high vibration…
Witchy Chai Recipe The Ingredients (for one)
4 cardamom pods 1 T loose rooibos
1 inch of cinnamon stick 1 generous T loose tulsi
4 cloves 1 C water
1/4 t ground nutmeg 1 C milk
dash of allspice honey to taste
1/8 inch of fresh ginger 1 star anise (optional)
The Instructions
In a small sauce pan, gently heat up 1 C water and 1 C milk. As that comes to a gentle simmer (do not boil), and using your mortar and pestle, grind together cardamom pods, cinnamon, and cloves. Grate in nutmeg (or alternatively, use ground nutmeg) and add a dash of allspice. Separately, slice a small piece of ginger (or alternatively, use 1/8 t of dried ginger). Combine the loose leaf rooibos and tulsi to the mortar and blend all clockwise and pouring in your love and appreciation. The energy of these tea herbs and the earthy spices will sync harmoniously without further effort on your part.
Once the water/milk is warm enough to lift a slight steam, but before it would ever boil, add in the combined ingredients and stir thoroughly and gently with a whisk. Once combined well, turn off the heat and let the concoction steep for two minutes. Drop the star anise into the bottom of your mug (if using), lay a small straining sieve over the top of your large mug (or another holding container), and gently pour the contents of your potion into your mug. It is important to separate the solids from your brew lest it continue to steep.
Grab a spoon and dip it in your honey, or alternatively, add about 1-2 t of honey to your chai tea. Your chai will be hot, but because of the freshly pulverized spices will be among the most aromatic drinks you’ve been exposed to. Enjoy! Even if all you do while you enjoy your tea is ponder upon all that you have to be grateful for or your hopes and dreams, you will notice the energy of the tea you consume seeping and empowering your ideas. You will feel the warmth of the herbs and spices continue to warm your soul long after you’ve consumed your potion. And yes, there will likely be enough sediment in the bottom of your mug for tasseomancy.
Note- This will keep in the fridge for a week if you protect it from air exposure (use a lidded mason jar) and be suitable for reheating. Separately, one can grind and combine the appropriate ratios of the dried spices & herbs and put it in a hermetically sealed jar for greater ease when making this tea (great Samhain or Yule gifting idea).