Eating foods and drinking spirits charged with magical incantations is a common practice in Celtic and modern Wicca. The practice is said to be most effective when working towards fertility or prosperity goals because of the earth and water imagery of most foods.
Cakes and Ale is a traditional ending to the Esbat or Sabbat ritual. Cake representing earth and the physical, and ale the forces of spirit and transcendence are blessed, dedicated to the deities and consumed. These ancient beliefs manifest themselves in Christian and Jewish tradition today through blessing the bread and wine of communion.
Being a man I prefer to speak of the rite and ceremonial aspect of Wicca and leaving the recipes for traditional foods up to you. There are many recipes available regarding Kitchen Witchery, but the basic premise is whatever you prepare for the ceremony should be done with intent and concentration on the festival at hand or the Esbat magick you hope to accomplish. A Great resource book Autum often consults is "A Kitchen Witches Cookbook" by Patricia Telesco; Llewellyn Publications (see my links page for Llewellyn Publications web site).
Now on to the celebration of Cakes and Ale in your ritual. (Be sure to have a bowl or libation dish for your offering to the God’s on your altar.)
We invite our Lord and Lady to partake of this, our humble feast we hold in their honor.
Taking up the food, bread cakes etc...Holding them high above your head say
Behold. The bounty of the earth. Provided for our sustenance by our beautiful Goddess and God. We ask their blessing and thank them for this nourishment. Great Lord and Lady, as in the ways of old we share what we have with you and all whom have not.
Break off a portion of the food and place it in your libation dish. Hold it again above your head and say...
May this offering of the earth please you. As you have provided for us, we remember your words to take only that which we need and no more. Build our bodies strong that we may defend ourselves, Grant us health so our magick and works hold true. Blessed be this our food.
Replace the libation dish on the altar and ring the bell.
Take up the goblet of ale or wine (refill it if necessary), hold it over your head and say...
Behold. The bounty of spirit. Provided to quench our thirst for knowledge and renew our collective soul union with you. We ask your blessing upon this cup and your spirit guidance on our journey. Open our minds to your gentle whisper in our thoughts and hearts so that we may become more perfect. Help us to see through vanity and into the spirit eyes of those who would harm us.
Pour a portion of the Ale or wine into the libation dish. Hold it again over your head and say...
May this offering of the spirit please you. As truth has guided us to the ways of the Craft, we thank you for your loving wisdom and presence in our lives. We ask you continue to teach us Lord and Lady to love and accept others and grant us the power to protect ourselves. We shall never forget your rule of thrice. Blessed be this our cup.
Ring the bell.
There are several ways to change this rite to fit the Sabbat or Esbat you are celebrating. As always the Cakes and Ale rite is not carved in stone. Change it to suit yourself. Happy celebrating Brothers and Sisters
Tam Lin 1998
