Kitchen Witchery Through the Moon Phases

The moon has always been our most ancient guide. Throughout history, the moon has been used as a calendar and timekeeper to mark planting, harvesting, resting, and celebrating everything in our days. Today, we still tap into the energy of the lunar phases to manifest and create our best lives, as I outline in my book, Manifesting by the Moon: A Guide to Lunar Magic. Through ritual and spellwork, modern-day witches use the same techniques that were harnessed so long ago.

One facet of any practice, and especially a lunar practice, is what we put into our bodies. Since we are mostly made up of water, we can easily feel the pull of the moon's phases if we open to this energy. We can also intentionally choose certain foods through the moon cycles to amplify this energy and create a dynamic flow for lunar magic. In my book, I include a lunar tea for every phase, and today we will take it a step further: I will outline some intentionally created lunar-phase recipes to try with your moon magic practice.

Food is energy, and it can also be spellwork as we weave recipes together to create something new and delicious. When you consume meals with intention, you infuse every cell with it, and in turn, that amplifies your intuition and magic. By cooking with intention throughout the moon's phases, you are tapping into something ancient, adding another layer to the universal energy we all use.

None of the recipes included are overcomplicated, and if you find something store-bought that shortens cooking time, I see that as an added mystical bonus. Lunar food magic is everyday magic; it's intentional, not complicated.

Why Food Is a Potent Lunar Manifesting Tool
Food is a sensory experience. Eating magically embodies your manifestation and anchors your intention in your physical and spiritual bodies.

When we prep our cooking spaces; season our food with specific herbs and spices; stir, bake, and plate our meals—those actions are similar to most rituals and spellwork. Aligning them with the moon phases infuses your meals with focused action and purpose.

Food is symbolic and carries its own magic and energy. There are many correspondences between foods: elemental associations, colors, and meanings. One of my favorite herb mixes is pumpkin pie spice; it's a powerhouse mixture for abundance.

Lastly, by adding meals to your moon workings, you are tapping into the cycles of the ingredients you use. By eating your meals with intention, you also harness that universal cycle of manifestation.

Step into the Lunar Kitchen:
In this section, you will find a guide for each moon phase:

• Themes
• Manifesting Focus
• Color and Food Correspondences
• Mindset ritual
• Suggested Recipe
• Affirmation
• Magic Body Awareness

New Moon
The new moon is your very own blank slate, an energetic pause when everything resets before planting a new seed of thought and intention. Sowing your intentions with grounding and nourishing foods is suggested at this time.

Themes:

• Beginnings
• New possibilities
• Introspection

Manifesting Focus:

• Starting new habits
• Calling in new opportunities
• Setting intentions

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Dark brown
  • Black
  • Dark purple
• Foods:
  • Grounding herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
  • Root vegetables (potatoes, beets, carrots)
  • Warming spices (garlic, ginger)

Mindset Ritual:
Before eating, place your hands on either side of your bowl or plate and repeat your intention for this cycle three times.

Example: "I call in abundance with clarity and ease."

Suggested Recipe: Chia Seed Overnight Oats
Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 cups almond milk (or any milk)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Fresh fruits and nuts for topping

Preparation
1. In a jar, combine oats, almond milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
2. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
3. In the morning, top with fresh fruits and nuts.

Affirmation: "I am opening to new beginnings, and I trust my magic."

Magic Body Awareness:
As you eat your new moon meal, notice where in your body you feel most grounded. Place a hand on your belly and breathe in slowly, drawing in that grounding energy.

Waxing Crescent
Your intentions begin to sprout at the waxing crescent moon. The energy is hopeful, imaginative, and gentle. This is where your intentions become actions, pointing to the next step. Build momentum with vibrant comfort foods.

Themes:

• Optimism
• Focus
• Motivation

Manifesting Focus:

• Nurture goals
• Build supportive habits
• Take aligned action

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Yellow
  • Light Green
  • Off-White
• Foods:
  • Herbs (mint, basil)
  • Rice
  • Berries

Mindset Ritual:
As you prepare your moon-aligned meal, say out loud: "Each step I take and bite I eat nourishes my future self." Chew your food mindfully, imagine your inner fire gaining strength.

Suggested Recipe: Lemon Herb Chicken
Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried herbs (thyme, rosemary)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:
1. Marinate chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
2. Grill or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.

Affirmation: "Each small step or action I take is nourishing my future."

Magic Body Awareness: Pay attention to your posture and breath during eating. Try to sit a bit taller, tapping into your confidence and excitement towards a successful intention.

First Quarter
The first quarter moon is a point in the moon cycle of tension—not nervous tension, but excitement. At this point, you are pushing toward your first significant action. Here, it is important to consume strength-building foods to power through big action.

Themes:

• Discipline
• Action
• Courage

Manifestation Focus:

• Making decisions
• Setting boundaries
• Taking bold actions

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Deep orange
  • Rust
  • Red
• Foods:
  • Garlic and ginger
  • Proteins
  • Red peppers

Mindset Ritual:
Hold your hands over your meal before you eat. Imagine the energy of power and determination rising in your chest from the food. Say, "Strength fills me, courage and intuition move me forward." Eat your meal while keeping this phrase in mind.

Suggested Recipe: Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can black beans (rinsed)
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup salsa
• Shredded cheese (optional)

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds.
3. In a bowl, mix rice, beans, corn, and salsa.
4. Stuff peppers with the mixture, top with cheese, and bake for 30 minutes.

Affirmation: "I have unlimited strength to meet challenges with grace and clarity."

Magic Body Awareness:
Before, during, and after your meal, notice your jaw, hands, and shoulders. Do you feel you are holding tension in these areas? If so, breathe into and stretch through tension while sending ease and calm to any of these tension areas. Repeat as needed.

Waxing Gibbous
The moon is not quite full yet; the energy is building with this phase. Now is a good time to refine, tweak, and improve upon your actions while renewing your commitment to your intention. Eating high-vibrational foods will help you navigate this demanding yet productive phase.

Themes:

• Persistence
• Alignment
• Dedication

Manifestation Focus:

• Adjust plans as needed
• Move away from what isn't working
• Prepare for full manifestation

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Peach
  • Gold
  • Ivory
• Foods:
  • Honey
  • Seeds/nuts
  • Herbs for clarity (lavender or lemon balm)

Mindset Ritual:
Stir each thing on your plate clockwise once and say, "I align myself with the highest outcome for my intention." As you eat, think about your intention as if it's already happened. What emotions will you feel when you are successful?

Suggested Recipe: Vegetable Lasagna
Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Layer noodles, ricotta, spinach, marinara, and mozzarella in a greased baking dish.
3. Repeat layers, ending with mozzarella on top.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly.

Affirmation: "I am focused, aligned, and open to any change that will guide my intention."

Magic Body Awareness:
Pay attention to your chewing, slow down, and chew with purpose. Please take a moment to savor your food and reflect on how it nourishes you and your magic. Focus on the texture and rhythm of your chewing, and remind yourself to eat slowly but steadily, just as you would when creating new action steps towards your intention.

Full Moon
The full moon has arrived, and with it, the highest point of your manifestations. It is time to celebrate your successes so far and amplify your intentions to carry you through the rest of the cycle. This is also a great time to reconnect and refocus on your goals. By eating radiant, high-energy foods, you will help to amplify your intention and feast with gratitude.

Themes:

• Abundance
• Intuition
• Celebration

Manifestation Focus:

• Gratitude
• Receiving
• Releasing what is no longer needed

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • White
  • Pearl
  • Pastels
• Foods:
  • Breads
  • Cakes
  • Milk or milk alternatives

Mindset Ritual:
Before eating, name three wins you are celebrating this full moon and one thing you are releasing. These can be big or small wins, and the same goes for what you are releasing. Then say out loud, "I receive with gratitude, I release with gratitude, I celebrate this newer version of me."

Suggested Recipe: Chocolate Lava Cake
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Melt butter and chocolate together.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar. Add melted chocolate and flour.
4. Pour into greased ramekins and bake for 12-14 minutes.
5. Serve warm with ice cream.

Affirmation: "I celebrate how far I have come and receive all abundance with gratitude."

Magic Body Awareness:
As you indulge, notice pleasure, warmth, and fullness in your body. Allow yourself to stay in this moment without judgment. Enjoy this meal fully; you deserve it.

Waning Gibbous
Now is the time to start integrating the lessons learned so far, reflect, and assess where we are now in the moon cycle. The energy is still intense but is starting to soften. Savory comfort foods help to start the transition into your intention, even if it is still in the process of becoming.

Themes:

• Reflection
• Understanding
• Grounding after expansion

Manifestation Focus:

• Integrating what you have learned
• Softening expectations
• Accepting where things are right now

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Lavender
  • Purple
  • Maroon
• Foods:
  • Purple vegetables
  • Roasted meals
  • Eggs

Mindset Ritual:
Before eating your meal, take a big whiff of your dish, and hold that smell in your mind. Take out your journal or a piece of paper and journal on these two questions.

1. What did I learn so far this moon cycle?
2. What changes do I need to make as this moon cycle comes to a close?

After you write down those answers, eat your meal with the answers in mind and add to your writings as needed. Feel a sense of peace come over you as you finish. Decide on your next few action steps.

Suggested Recipe: Savory Quiche
Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cheese (cheddar or Swiss)
• 1 cup diced vegetables (spinach, bell peppers, onions)

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs and milk, then add cheese and vegetables.
3. Add any spices you would like.
4. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake for 30-35 minutes until set.

Affirmation: "I integrate my experiences with new wisdom and gratitude. I am exactly where I should be."

Magic Body Awareness:
As you begin eating your meal, notice your throat and the area around your heart. Notice any new emotions in these areas as you mindfully eat and think about how far you have come this moon cycle. Let them move through you and give them the space to do so. As you finish, you will feel more grounded in your body and your intention.

Last Quarter
As you take your last big actions to tie up any loose ends for this phase, it is also a time of release and to let go of any lingering expectations. Hearty but cleansing foods can help give you a boost to let go and accept all the success you have had this cycle.

Themes:

• Decluttering
• Release
• Acceptance

Manifestation Focus:

• Keeping things simple
• Energetic cleansing
• Choosing actions to close out the moon cycle

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Gray
  • Deep greens
  • Slate gray
• Foods:
  • Soups
  • Lemon
  • Simple grains

Mindset Ritual:
When you take the first bite of your meal, speak or think of one thing you would like to release. As you swallow your bite, see that pattern breaking up and dissolving. Do this for as many bites as you like. Then notice how clear and lighter you feel. Here are some examples: "I release the fear of being seen," or, "I release the need to rush my intentions."

Suggested Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:

• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (sliced)
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)

Preparation:
1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
2. Add broth, tomatoes, and mixed vegetables.
3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes and season to taste.

Affirmation: "I release what no longer serves me and make space for clarity and acceptance."

Magic Body Awareness:
As you finish your meal, notice any lingering doubts or expectations. Notice where you feel this sensation in your body and get up and move around; better yet, shake or dance it out. Notice how your energy shifts after doing this, and when feeling stuck, try this exercise again.

Waning Crescent
The final phase of the moon cycle is upon us, and quiet reflection, self-care, and restoration are most important right now. Along with soft reflection on the past moon cycle, it is time to let everything settle, and the stirrings of the moon cycle spark a new intention after so much-needed rest. Keeping your foods light and healing is best in this cycle.

Themes:

• Rest
• Spiritual reset
• Soft reflection

Manifestation Focus:

• Restorative activities
• Dreamwork
• No actions at this time

Correspondences:

• Colors:
  • Light pinks
  • Soft blues
  • Light silver
• Foods:
  • Tea
  • Bananas
  • Lightly spiced meals

Mindset Ritual:
Before bed, drink some tea; it can be the one I suggested or your own blend. As you sip your tea, bring any questions about this past moon cycle to mind, or perhaps something related to your now-completed intention. Say, "I soften, I rest, I return to my center. As I sleep tonight, may the answers I seek be revealed to me."

Suggested Recipe:
Herbal Tea Blend
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
• 1 tablespoon dried peppermint
• 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus
• Honey or lemon (optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine herbs in a teapot.
2. Pour boiling water over and steep for 5-7 minutes.
3. Strain and add honey or lemon if desired.

Affirmation: "I give myself space to rest and reset without judgment."

Magic Body Awareness:
After you say your affirmation, slow your breath, let your shoulders drop, and jaw loosen. Be still in this moment and just focus on breathing. Let any tendrils of doubt or worry float away with your breath. Give yourself a hug and do something fun.

How to Use Moon Food Magic in Everyday Life
You may not be a kitchen witch, but you can still incorporate lunar food magic in a few simple ways. Starting with small intentional acts of food magic is a great way to gradually incorporate it into your practice, without the added pressure of cooking full meals all the time.

• Choose one intentional moon phase meal a week, using the suggested colors and foods in this article. Just focus on one meal, and it can be as simple or elaborate as you like.
• Add herbs with intention. Try basil for prosperity or cinnamon for relationships.
• Stir with intentional purpose. Clockwise to call something in and counterclockwise to release.
• Speak your lunar intention out loud before starting any meal.

Setting up a Lunar Kitchen:
Staying on the course of keeping your magic simple, there are a few easy and fun things you can do to add a little magic to your cooking spaces.

• An intention candle: light this candle with your current intention as you prepare meals.
• A small jar of moon water in your kitchen to anoint yourself with as you cook.
• Add some crystals to your kitchen; some great examples are moonstone, smoky quartz, or amethyst. Before eating, place the crystal nearby or in eyeshot to tune in to your intention.

In Closing
By harnessing the power of the moon cycles, you can start creating a doable action plan for success. By adding the extra element of food magic, you are practicing mindfulness, and eating becomes more of a magical act rather than a rushed situation. Therefore, it reconnects you with yourself and the natural cycles within you. When doing magical workings, using food magic reduces stress, creates a sense of energetic rhythm, and refocuses you with your lunar intentions.

You become more in tune with your body and how it may be affected by each moon phase, and it acts as a subtle reminder that manifesting throughout the cycle doesn't always require "full moon go energy" every phase.

By incorporating food with the moon cycle, you are using the most potent magical tool you have. Yourself.