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Eraâ) instead of a.d . throughout this book. These terms are nonreligious in nature.
Chapter Six
The Practice of Food Magic
A s with any art, food magic should be practiced according to a few basic principles. My system of food magic, however, isnât rigid; it can be altered to fit your own lifestyle and changed for various occasions (i.e., eating in restaurants; eating with others; eating while camping; and so on). Following the basic structure presented here will produce the maximum results.
Though some of this material may seem to repeat parts of chapter 2 , it is of such importance that I felt it deserved its own section. Chapter 2 discussed magic in general, with food as an example. This chapter is a practical guide to practicing food magic in particular. Additionally, putting all this information into one chapter makes it easier to find if you should need to reread it.
Here is the step-by-step process of food magic.
âDecide what you wish to change about yourself. This can be a minor problem, such as temporary depression, whose magical treatment can vary from meal to meal. If you need, however, to make a more important change, you should probably put yourself on a magical diet (see the introduction to part three for more information). This major change may be one of the following (but is certainly not limited to this list):
Clearer thinking
More satisfying sexual activities
Protection
More energy
Money
A loving relationship with another
Purification
A loving relationship with yourself
Greater health
Peace and happiness
Magical strength
Physical strength
Spirituality
Breaking addictions
Fertility
Psychic awareness
Beauty
Success in your endeavors
Weight loss
Celibacy
Wisdom
âLuckâ
As you can see, most of these are changes of ourselves. They donât affect others; in fact, food magic should never be used to affect others without their permission. Donât serve lust foods to an unsuspecting date with the purpose of coercing him or her to have sex with you. This probably wonât be effective, since your belusted one isnât prepared to receive these energies. Such practices are manipulative and contrary to the very nature of magic, and theyâre a waste of time and energy. Seduction has its own form of magic that doesnât rely on food.
You can do many things to create these changes, and your magical work be backed up by conscious effort and physical or mental exertion on your part. Telling your food what to do, eating it, and then expecting it to change your life isnât enough. You must involve yourself in the process.
âSelect foods that contain energies suitable to your desired change. This book mentions many such correspondences. For quick reference, glance through chapter 22 â31 . Read chapter 8 â20 for other ideas, or check the index under the appropriate heading.
âChoose foods that you enjoy. Why eat foods that you dislike or even detest just for their magical value? Still, you should eat a balanced diet. We canât perform effective magic if weâre fueling our bodies with nothing but junk food.
âPrepare the food with visualization. Preparation may mean simply peeling a carrot or picking fruit from a tree. It may also involve chopping, slicing, and cooking However the food is prepared, use your visualization to awaken the needed energies within yourself and those within the food. Charge food with your purpose through the powers of your mind.
âAttune with all food prior to eating. This prepares it and you for the transformative process. This can be accomplished through prayer or with a simple awareness of the foodâs energies.
âVisualize as you eat. Even if youâre carrying on a conversation with someone else, keep in mind what youâre trying to accomplish. If necessary, draw a small picture of your goal and glance at it while eating.
âAccept the energy that the food offers to you. Make it a part of