January 2024
Winter Warming Chai
Welcome to 2024, y’all! This month is chilly, even for me. After a long conversation with Sarah of Flora & Function last year, I knew I wanted to share a cup of chai with you all. So here we are!
In the box:
Cinnamon sticks for warmth
Cloves to push out the baddies and attract the good stuff
Allspice as a spellbooster
Turmeric for happiness and health
Candied ginger to add warmth and passion
Black peppercorns for spicy protection
Black tea to represent wealth
Cardamom to attract calm, uplifting vibes
Nutmeg for luck
Rose hips to attract love
Star anise for psychic strength
“Bee Tea” Mason jar lid
Filter straw so you don’t need a teabag or strainer
Gluten-free cookies for a snack with the chai
2024, Year of the Dragon phytoconjure
Red candle; red so we are hyped up and passionate about the new year!
Fluorite
You can just throw the ingredients into your mug as-is, or you can put them in a mortar and pestle to beat the hell out of them so they all make friends together. I recommend not grinding up the tea or ginger though. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can try 2 spoons. Put a small amount of the ingredient in the bowl of the spoon. Nest the other spoon on top of it, and smash them together. You may want to wrap them in a kitchen towel so it doesn’t burst out all over the place. You could also put them in a bag and whack them with the bottom of a jar.
The ingredients will stay fresh for longer if they’re whole, so try to only grind/smash what you’re using at that moment. Keep them in a mason jar all together to have the smells blend nicely together. I packaged them separately in case you are allergic or just plain don’t like an ingredient.
Here’s the spell I will probably do using this box.
I’ll add all the ingredients (minus the anise because I don’t like it and the tea because it’s fine enough) to my mortar, asking each ingredient to add the aforementioned properties, plus any other property I know they generally embody. I might also add some dried thyme and sage from my garden. I’ll use the pestle to beat the hell out of the ingredients so they all blend together and to get the aromatic properties going. I’ll try to remember to grind it clockwise to pull in those things that I’m asking. I’ll light a candle and dress it with some blessing oil and maybe a little cinnamon. Then I’ll steep the herbs and spices in a mug while the candle burns and I think about what I want out of the new year. I will breathe my wishes onto the phytoconjure leaf and burn it over the candle. Then I’ll add honey or sugar, or maybe I won’t add anything, drop in that cool little filtering straw, and enjoy my tea and be cozy. Probably while talking to y’all on Marco about whatever.
Happy New Year!