Pumpkin Spice has gained a reputation over recent years, thanks mostly in part to the seasonal Starbucks drink given its namesake, the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Pumpkin spice is a combination of autumnal spices traditionally used to flavor a pumpkin pie. In recent years it has not only been blended into lattes, but also coffee creamers, candies, cookies, yogurts, hummus, twinkies, protein shakes and even dog treats. We can argue that the pumpkin spice trend has led to its overuse. And, as a result, there has been a backlash of guffaws and grumbles anytime someone mentions Pumpkin Spice. Confessing to enjoying pumpkin spice is like confessing a guilty pleasure. You can plan to be labeled as “basic” if you indulge in an Instagram “#AutumnInspo” photograph that includes sweaters, boots, red and orange leaves, alongside a piping hot mug of pumpkin spiced coffee.
This October I want you to push the anti-pumpkin spice fervor away and lean into the joy, warmth and familiarity that pumpkin spice can bring to you. This year I dare you to take back the magic and allure of pumpkin spice: in no way is this delightful and aromatic blend of spices “basic.” In this article we are going to examine the history and magic of the common ingredients in Pumpkin Spice: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice. I will then share with you the Pumpkin Spice recipe I use at home and some of its magical uses.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon’s magic is vast and has been sought after as a culinary and magical ingredient. Ancient Egyptian used cinnamon in perfumes and also in the mummification process. Moses apparently anointed the Ark of the Covenant with cinnamon oil. Today, modern day magical practitioners have used cinnamon for a variety of purposes including luck, success, love, lust, courage, spiritual empowerment, astral projection, psychic abilities, and prosperity. It is a masculine spice associated with the Sun and the element of fire. Cinnamon sticks can be added to spell bottles and honey jars to attract prosperity and good luck. Powdered cinnamon can be added to incense to enhance psychic abilities and improve divination. Ingesting cinnamon in a tea before bed can promote vivid dreams.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg may not have the historical influence of cinnamon, but it still managed to have its own potent powers. Nutmeg was considered an aphrodisiac – a man was said to attract the opposite sex if he carried a nutmeg under his arm. In extremely large quantities Nutmeg can have hallucinatory properties, though regrettably to have this type of side effects also would mean committing to ingesting a large enough amount of Nutmeg that would likely also induce vomiting and seizures. Modern day magical practitioners use nutmeg for luck, money, prosperity, psychic awareness, and protection. Nutmeg is a masculine spice associated with Mars or Jupiter and the element of Fire. Just like cinnamon, nutmeg can intensify dreams. A whole nutmeg can be used as a good luck charm: draw a sigil on the nut for money and carry to attract prosperity and abundance. It can also be used in moon and sea magic. Carry the nut to strengthen clairvoyant abilities. According to Scott Cunningham, you can string nutmegs with star anise and tonka beans to create a powerful herbal charm.
Cloves
Cloves come from an unopened flower bud the clove evergreen tree. Cloves were used in Ancient China to freshen breath, though in more recent times some people in Indonesia would attach cloves to their mouths and noses to stop demons from entering their bodies. The name clove came from the French word meaning nail. Modern day magical practitioners use cloves for abundance, love, protection, and psychic abilities. Cloves are a masculine spice associated with Jupiter and the element of Fire. Cloves can be carried to attract love or burned to protect a home. Add cloves to a money spell bag or honey to a jar to attract abundance. You can stick cloves into an orange or lime to make a protection amulet for your home.
Ginger
Ginger was a travelling plant in ancient times, having been traded with Greeks and Romans from the east, where it originated in either China or India. Ginger was used in a number of remedies to help combat nausea, coughing, and even impotency. Ginger was also a well-loved flavor in food – Queen Elizabeth was even said to have invented the gingerbread man. Ginger is used by modern day magic practitioners for love, lust, money, and courage. Ginger is a masculine root associated with Mars and the element of Fire. Add ginger to your spell work for extra power. In simmering potpourris ginger and promote confidence and abundance. Put a piece of ginger root in a red bag with garnet to attract lust and passion in your life. You can even use a human-shaped ginger root as a poppet and can be carried or used to promote personal strength and power.
Allspice
Allspice got its name to celebrate the fact that it seems blend all of the flavors from nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and juniper berries. They are dried berries from an evergreen tree native to the West Indies, Jamaica, and parts of Central and South America and ancient Mayans used Allspice for flavoring chocolate. Christopher Columbus discovered Allspice in the Caribbean while actually trying to find pepper. An old American tradition that would put a necklace of allspice berries around a baby to help with teething. Modern day magical practitioners use allspice for luck, healing, and money. Allspice is a masculine spice associated with Mars and the element of Fire. Add allspice to incenses to attract money or add the dried berry into mojo bag to attract good luck and fortune. Allspice is used for successful gambling in Hoodoo.
Pumpkin Spice Recipe
The pumpkin spice flavor that we are all familiar with is a blending of aromatic spices that are commonly used in pumpkin pie. Whichever recipe you look at online for pumpkin spice, there are five base ingredients comprised of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. My favorite recipe comes from Eat the Love, which also suggests optional add-in spices like mace, peppercorns, and vanilla bean. However, if you would like something simpler, I recommend trying the following:
3 tablespoons Cinnamon
2 teaspoons Ginger
2 teaspoons Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Allspice
1 teaspoon Clove
The Magical Culmination of Pumpkin Spice
In reviewing the ingredients of Pumpkin Spice, we see a few repeating themes. First is that all of the ingredients are masculine, which have strong energies used for protection, lust, courage, power, empowerment, and growing potential. The second is that all of the ingredients are associated with the element of fire, which also achieves lust, courage, protection, and action in spells. Therefore, I would suggest that pumpkin spice can be an added powder in your autumn magic to increase its potency. It can increase both your magical and personal power, especially in work dealing with prosperity, love, and deepened psychic perception
Consider sprinkling it in your incense to welcome in the spirits of Autumn. Or, blend it with rosemary and frankincense for an Otherworldly incense at Samhain. If you are trying to find good luck or money this autumn add it to a green pouch with jade, pyrite, coins, and a piece of High John the Conqueror Root. Below are some kitchen witch recipes that utilize pumpkin spice in culinary magic.
Pumpkin Spiced Psychic Almond Milk Steamer
This warm drink can be drunk at bedtime to help assist with stimulating psychic dreams. Slowly boil two to three cups of almond milk in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin spice. If you would like to sweeten this drink add a little bit of maple syrup or even melt a couple of white chocolate chips into the saucepan.
Apple Cider Love Potion
This is a variation on the almond milk steamer and can be shared with a loved one (with their permission) to help raise lusty and loving vibrations. Slowly boil two to three cups of apple cider in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin spice with a dash of vanilla bean if you wish. To sweeten add brown sugar.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Add pumpkin spice into your morning coffee to help set the intentions for a productive and prosperous day where you feel empowered to accomplish the tasks that await you. Sprinkle about a ½ teaspoon of it into your coffee blend before brewing. Envision the most successful outcomes of your “to-do list” while you drink the coffee.
Prosperity Pumpkin Seeds
These sweet seeds are great to eat to ensure success in a project. Enjoy these snacks before a job interview or when you are going to trying to make money. They are also a nice snack to share at a place of business to ensure that money is generated. And, you can also give a small dish of these seeds as an offering to spirits and Fae at your home on Samhain. Bake a one cup of cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds at 275 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are golden brown. While baking, blend together 4 tablespoons of sugar with ½ teaspoon of pumpkin spice. When the seeds are ready, melt 1 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil with half of the sugar and spice mixture in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the pumpkin seeds. Transfer the pumpkin seeds to a heat safe bowl and coat the seeds with the remaining sugar and spice.
Warming the Body in Winter with Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin Spice is an incredible aid for the body during the colder months as well, aiding in circulation and digestion, while warming the body and helping with digestion. Cinnamon is said to ease fevers and circulation, and cloves also stimulate circulation. Nutmeg can assist in digestion, as does Ginger. Ginger is also a well-known remedy for easing indigestion and soothing inflammation. Perhaps we need to consider that these ingredients had a very practical use during the cold months: they helped keep people feeling warm, energized and healthy. My hope for you is that during this wonderful time of the year you can not only indulge in pumpkin spice but also have ongoing comfort and health as well.
Please click here for the see all works referenced. The Prosperity Pumpkin Seeds recipe was adapted from Toasted Pumpkin Seeds with Sugar and Spice.