Kitchen Witchcraft Debate

Ive been interested in Kitchen Witchcraft for a long time but was only able to begin practicing just of late. However, while doing my research I was surprised to find that there was a bit of controversy surrounding the Craft.

There are some Wiccans claiming that Kitchen Witchcraft is degrading and/or inappropriate, especially because of the terminology. Others state that is completely untrue, and argue that Kitchen Witchcraft is most likely where the Old Religion was started.

I was curious to what everyones thoughts were on the subject. Do you think Kitchen Witchcraft is degrading? Empowering? Neither?

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This thread has been moved to Other Paths from Wicca.

i've never heard of any controversy surrounding kitchen witchcraft, mostly i hear people asking what kitchen witchcraft is. personally i do kitchen witchcraft because it combines magickal and mundane tasks and as someone who likes things simple, being able to cook a meal and infuse it with energy, or clean the house while chanting a protection spell works for me more than casting a circle and spending 20 minutes on one spell. it's not a lack of focus, you need to focus your energy while doing the task, but i'm also getting a practical thing done at the same time.

In the 37 years I've been a practicing Wiccan, I have never heard anyone disparage Kitchen Witchery. I don't understand why someone would feel that it was something degrading or inappropriate.

On the other hand, remember that there is no such thing as the " Old Religion " as it pertains to Wicca. Wicca is a modern religion created by Gerald Gardner in the 1940's and made public in 1954 after the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in England. Wicca may draw on older Pagan traditions, but the idea that it is ancient has long been disproven.

It is quite possible that village Wise Women and Cunning Men practiced something that could be considered kitchen witchery. They made do with what they had. None of the fancy tools that adorn our altars today. So they might brew up an herbal concoction on the same hearth where they cooked dinner, etc.

I think it is always good to also talk about what one means when they speak of " kitchen witchcraft ". To me, it is that sort of magical craft I do around the home with everyday things. As an example, while cooking dinner I might push some extra energy into having that food nourish our bodies and keep us healthy and strong. Or, while folding the laundry I raise some energy to put into the clothes for protection. If this is what people talk about when they say "kitchen witchery" why would one feel it is demeaning? Every Wiccan I personally know does the same sort of thing every day.

i got a few eye-rolls when i brought it up before. apparently people just have a problem with the the word 'kitchen' in the name and they'd rather have it be called hearth or hedge or something else. its a pretty dumb thing to nitpick in my opinion.