Webs of Woven Words, Threads, Stitches and Enchantments

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Magick & Chocolate

So... I begin my blog with a little magick!

While one can certainly get into a mess with love spells, people have been doing them for thousands of years. As a collector of old charms and spells, I can attest to the abundance of them. An interesting source for me is the book "Ancient Greek Love Magic" by Christopher Faraone. Here's an example of an actual spell used in late antiquity by a man named Apalos to encourage a woman named Karosa to have sex with him!

Aye, lord demon, attract, inflame, destroy, burn, cause her to swoon from love as she is being burned, inflamed. Goad the tortured soul, the heart of Karosa, whom Thelo bore until she leaps forth and comes to Apalos, whom Theonilla bore, out of passion and love, in this very hour, immediately, immediately; quickly, quickly....

This was said whilst burning herbs, spices and certain household items to cause the woman to burn with passion.

On a lighter note:

Can chocolate be magical? Certainly. And it can be healthy too if you don't over-indulge. Use very fine, organic ingredients and there you have it - a sensual, healing and magical experience!

From an article by Dr. Jane Starr Hull:

"...Chocolate was first recorded as a 'thing of pleasure' in 600 B.C., and according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, chocolate is jammed with more antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables by a factor of two.

Antioxidants, mainly polyphenols, are quickly absorbed into the blood where they have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, help in preventing cancer and heart disease, and participate in slowing down the aging process. But antioxidants have a different form in chocolate than in green tea or red wine, for example. They appear in larger more complex molecules not usually found in other foods, part of the reason they are so effective as antioxidants.

The antioxidants in chocolate act against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the bad guy) and increase HDL (the good cholesterol). Chocolate's catechins are important antioxidants, which are also found in green tea, but are four times more potent in chocolate than in tea. And that's just in the chocolate - the solids from the cocoa bean are the strongest. Cocoa beans are actually a fruit.

The effects are the same in men as for women, and they're the highest when the antioxidants are from cocoa powder. The most effective chocolate is dark chocolate rich in oleic acid, the good fat found in olive and coconut oil. Next is milk chocolate, still much higher in antioxidants than many foods tested to date. White chocolate has none of the benefits of the darker chocolates. Low-quality chocolates usually have cottonseed or soy oil added to them.

Chocolate contains magnesium, which some researchers think explains the reason people crave chocolate. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a stimulant released in the brain when people fall in love, stimulating the 'feel-good' brain chemicals serotonin and endorphins..."

Hmmm... yes indeed, definitely an excellent addition to any love spell!


The cake below is a wonderful romantic dessert to share and very quick if you're feeling like Apalos and want it right away! Add just a pinch of damiana, crushed rose petals and cinnamon to enhance romantic energies!

Chocolate is a lovely offering to Aphrodite and Hera as well - any of the Gods really, so don't forget to share.


5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons organic sugar

2 tablespoons fine quality organic cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons olive oil (sounds strange, but it is very good - or use organic butter, melted)

3 tablespoons organic, dark chocolate chips (optional)

a small splash of vanilla extract (also very good for love spells)

1 large coffee mug

Mix the dry ingredients together in the mug, then add the egg mixing thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil, mix well. Add the chocolate chips. vanilla extract then mix again.

Place your mug in the microwave, cook for 3 minutes (1000 watts). Your cake will rise over the top of the mug, don't worry, it will be fine! Let cool a bit then tip out onto a plate and indulge. Be sure to use a bite or two as an offering to Aphrodite or Hera!

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel quite virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because it only takes 5 minutes to create chocolate cake, any time of the day or night!

This made the rounds via email, but I think the original recipe comes from someone named Don Fulton.

Blessings nine!