Magical and Medicinal Uses of Pistachio

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Powers: Abundance, Happiness, Healing, Love, Lust, Money, Prosperity, Wealth

Magical Uses and History: The pistachio was domesticated at least 7,000 BCE in what is now Afghanistan and Iran, and cultivation quickly expanded westward, becoming a staple crop in the region. During the Achaemenid Empire, Darius the Great was said to have stocked his royal roads with pistachios for marching troops, thus establishing it as an important food found in the imperial storehouse. They were often served during royal feasts as desserts as a sign of wealth and generosity. Around the tenth century, the Queen of Sheba declared that all pistachios were only to be enjoyed by royalty and even declared all pistachio crops belonged to her. Like most plants of this time, the pistachio traveled along the Silk Road, spreading into China and parts of Europe. Also like many plants, it traveled through conquest. In the 4th century, Alexander the Great brought the pistachio to Greece, Rome, and Egypt, where it too was highly sought after by the wealthy as a luxury item. The scarcity of the nut, its unique coloration, and delightful flavor added to its price tag, preventing most people from affording it. The pistachio continued to be a luxury nut well into the Middle Ages and still remains a more expensive nut compared to others. As such, pistachios are associated with abundance, money, prosperity, and wealth and can be added to spells, rituals, and remedies for such purposes. Add pistachio shells anointed in money-drawing oil to your purse, cash register, or small coin pouch to attract wealth, money, and business. Leave a small dish of pistachios on your altar during money workings or in your place of business to attract money and prosperity. They can also be added to spell jars or sachets for similar purposes.

The pistachio, however, was not just a status symbol. It was also tied to happiness, love, lust, and fertility. In China, the pistachio was known as "Happy Nut" due to the partially open shell resembling a smiling face. They were often given out during the Chinese New Year to ensure happiness, health, and good fortune in the coming year. Similarly, pistachios were given out during Diwali to celebrate light's triumph over darkness. In some Middle Eastern cultures, the pistachio was given to newlyweds to bless their wedding. The bride and groom would eat the nuts together, believing it would bring them a happy and harmonious marriage, and maybe even increase the chances of a successful consummation. Pistachios were believed to be an aphrodisiac and were even used to increase fertility and treat sexual dysfunction. According to some sources, they may have been used in 'love potions.' Contrary to this, the pistachio was also eaten to break love spells. Needless to say, pistachios can be used in spells, rituals, and recipes to bring happiness, love, and luck. If using in love spells, pistachios are best used in dessert recipes or drinks and served to the person you wish to attract or increase lustful feelings.

Finally, like most plants, the pistachio was revered for its health benefits. Pliny the Elder wrote that the nut could be eaten as a cure for bites and stings of serpents, while in Ancient Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome it was prized for its ability to alleviate digestive issues such as stomach aches, indigestion, and constipation. In China, it was also used to improve respiratory health, helping to reduce asthma symptoms and alleviate dry coughs. In Ancient Persian, the pistachio was regarded by physicians as a valuable remedy to strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and boost vitality. Most cultures where the pistachio took root used it in medicine in some way, shape, or form, and it can still be used for such purposes today. Add pistachios to healing spells, place them in the room of a sick person to promote health, and add them to foods served to ill individuals to encourage a speedy recovery.

Pistachio can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Healing Spells

      Money Spells

      Prosperity Magic

      Love Spells

Medicinal Uses: Pistachios are naturally rich in antioxidants, especially lutein and zeaxanthin, which concentrate in the retina and macula of the eye to filter harmful blue light and protect against oxidative damage. These antioxidants help slow age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation while also enhancing contrast sensitivity and vision in dim light. Pistachios also contain carotenoids and phenolic compounds that help support healthy blood sugar levels and are recommended for those experiencing high blood sugar. Furthermore, pistachios contain high amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help stabilize cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure.

Preparation and Dosage: Unlike other plants I have covered, pistachios are not generally used in conventional herbal remedies such as infusions, tinctures, or salves. However, they are often blended into drinks such as lattes or golden milks, eaten raw, or cooked into foods for their unique nutrient profile. Do not consume if you are allergic to tree nuts.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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Book Review: Divergent Witchcraft by Jenny C. Bell

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to lie, this is going to be an incredibly short review. When I was first approached about reviewing Divergent Witchcraft: An Inclusive Approach to Making Magic by Jenny C. Bell, I was very excited. A large portion of modern witches are neurodivergent or need some sort of "accommodation" during spells and rituals due to differing ablebodiness. I was hoping this was going to be the book that offered real insight and suggestions on practicing as a divergent witch, but what I got was just a new way to sell repackaged New Age healing and Wicca.

While the book is chunked nicely and occasionally offers a note here or there for neurodivergent people, there is very little actual inclusivity. In fact, there is a ton of cultural appropriation, which is wild because at one point the author calls out the appropriation of smudging. It's almost like Bell was picking and choosing what appropriation is and what isn't. It's 2026, witches. Stop appropriating!

There is a lot of New Age, the light is the best rhetoric in Divergent Witchcraft, which is also very disappointing. This is most prominent when Bell insists on not using the term Book of Shadows (which she says is the same thing as a Grimoire...ahem, no.) and instead calling it a Book of Light. This is not a new idea, but one that many "light workers" have been trying to push for some time now. I couldn't help but shake my head at the absurdity.

The one time I felt Bell did divergent witches right is her discussion of meditation and all the different ways one can meditate. This section is what I thought the book would be. Instead, I got a rehashing of New Age Wicca that, despite Bell claiming other books never cover it, has in fact been covered by just about every single book on the market ad nauseam. Is she just not reading books on witchcraft? Is she sticking to the love and light self-help books she mentions in the introduction? It certainly seems so.

Despite not enjoying Divergent Witchcraft: An Inclusive Approach to Making Magic by Jenny C. Bell one bit, and not recommending it to my readers, one good thing did come out of this. I am not dead set on creating a comprehensive resource for divergent witches with real, workable accommodations and suggestions. I already try to include modifications in my spells and rituals, but I think a true guide is in order. Please know I have added this idea to my ever-growing list of blog ideas, but I circled it and put stars around it, so that should get me to write about it sooner rather than later.

I am sorry I could not bring you a more favorable review today, but alas, they can't all be winners!

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Magical Properties of Serpentine

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A Harvest Ritual for Mutual Aid

In my recent post, The Magic of Enough: Rethinking Abundance in the Harvest Season, I discuss rethinking what abundance means and how to integrate more community-focused actions into your practice. I mentioned toward the end a harvest ritual I originally intended to include in that post, but it didn't feel like the right time to do so. Instead, I decided to make a post entirely dedicated to the ritual so that I could give it the details it deserves.

This harvest ritual is designed to help honor the relationships that sustain you, from the farm that grew your food to the stocker that placed it on the shelf, recognize your needs, and choose an action that you can take to extend care beyond yourself and your family.

What You'll Need

• Seasonal food item, such as an apple, squash, or bread (you will be eating this item)
• Small plate or bowl
• Dark pink or green candle
• Matches/lighter
• Optional: Journal & writing utensil

What to Do

Begin by cleansing and consecrating your space and objects. If you wish, cast a circle, call quarters, and invite any deities or spirits you work with to witness your work.

Find a comfortable place to sit where you will be undisturbed as you perform this ritual. Place the food item on the plate or bowl in front of you and light the candle. Take a few slow, yet deep breaths, focusing on your intention to honor abundance and express gratitude. Continue this breathing exercise until you feel grounded in the moment.

When you are ready, look at the food in front of you. Consider the journey it has taken to reach you. Think about the soil, water, sunlight, insects, workers, and communities that have contributed to its existence. Imagine the seed being planted in nutrient-rich soil, watered and sunnied for weeks if not years. See the plant bloom and insects flock to the flowers to pollinate. The fruit or grain begins to ripen and grow, reaching maturity before being harvested by skillful hands. They are washed and sorted or dried and ground, and shipped on trucks to their destinations. Some arrive at grocery stores or farmer's markets where they are stocked and sold to you, while others are sent to bakeries to be turned into bread, which is packaged and shipped to your local grocery store. You needn't visualize every single potential connection, but you should recognize the vast web of interconnections it took to bring this nourishment to your table.

I used homemade apple chips!

Place your hands over the food item and say, "I recognize that I am sustained by more than my own efforts. I honor the land, the living world, and the human labor that make this nourishment possible. May I receive with awareness and participate with care."

If you haven't completed the journal exercise from my last post, The Magic of Enough: Rethinking Abundance in the Harvest Season, now is the time to do so. Spend a few minutes journaling on the prompts mentioned in the post or focus on the four below if you are short on time:

1. What do I need to feel nourished and supported?
2. What forms of abundance are already present in my life?
3. What needs am I currently carrying that deserve acknowledgment?
4. What resources or support might I need to seek?

If you have already journaled on the aforementioned topics, reread your responses now and consider any changes or additions you would like to make.

Now consider one action you can take in response to what you have reflected on that could support your community. If you have a need, it is highly likely others in your community are facing the same need. These needs do not need to be large or require significant time and resources. Sometimes recognizing a need is as simple as noticing there were no blogs about hedgecraft and starting one yourself. Other examples include supporting a local food access organization, cleaning up a local stream, sharing a resource (you know how to knit, why not bring some scarves to the local homeless shelter?), learning about food production, or helping care for someone in your community. I have 2 elderly neighbors. Sometimes I just pop over to talk to them for an hour because they are lonely. I get to hear interesting stories, and they get to socialize without feeling like a burden.

In the end, choose something that is realistic but sustainable for you. Commit to performing this action by writing it down and saying, "I commit to [insert action here]. May [insert spirit, deity, or Universe here] witness me. What I receive, I will not treat as separate from the world around me. Where I can, I will offer care. Where I need support, I will allow myself to receive it. May my gratitude become action. So I will it, so shall it be."

To end the ritual and symbolize your commitment, eat your chosen food item mindfully or share with someone that feels appropriate. As you eat, notice the taste and texture of the food. Close by giving thanks, leaving a bit of your food behind as an offering for the Universe, deities, or spirits who witnessed you, and extinguishing the candle.

Once you have accomplished your promise, I encourage you to perform a quick ritual to let those who bore witness know of your success. Celebrate with offerings and songs (or simple talking) about your victories. I promise you they will appreciate it!

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you cannot burn a candle, replace it with a battery-operated one, especially one that flickers. This spell also does not necessarily require a candle, so if push comes to shove, leave it out entirely.
• Altering your breathing can cause a reduction in blood pressure, which can cause you to pass out. It can also trigger seizures in some people and PTSD in others. If you are worried about passing out, begin this exercise by lying down. I also suggest practicing with a friend to ensure your safety.
• If you do not have a dark pink or green candle, a white candle can be used in its place.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

This ritual is designed to do two things: recognize the abundance in your life and determine where you can give. This is done by exploring the relationships that led to the food on your table, expressing gratitude, then making a commitment to the Universe, spirits, or deities you work with to engage in mutual aid.

To begin, a deep pink or green candle was lit. Dark pink is associated with gratitude, while green is associated with abundance and prosperity. Each of these is being recognized and celebrated in this ritual, making either color perfect for the ritual. Furthermore, lighting a candle helps connect to the divine and is seen as carrying our messages to the Universe. It also represents the life force or sun necessary to grow your food.

Next, a food item associated with the harvest, such as an apple, squash, or bread, was chosen. These are heavily associated with autumn and autumn harvests, making them perfect for use in a harvest ritual. You traced the relationships involved in bringing this food to you, which helps you recognize the connections we share while activating gratitude. This gratitude was expressed by actually connecting with the food through physical touch, chanting, journaling, and sharing of the food.

I think people forget how powerful journaling can actually be, especially if you allow for stream of consciousness. This free writing, with or without journal prompts, helps us to express and identify areas of concern so we may address them. For this very reason, I incorporated journaling into this ritual as a way to activate your inner psyche and help you identify areas of greatest need. Furthermore, it allows you to explore areas where you have enough and therefore opportunities to give. The entire purpose of this ritual is to recognize where you have enough and how you can help others who do not.

This ritual ends with the eating of the food item, which helps you internalize the gratitude you have expressed. Part of it was also given as an offering to the Universe, deities, and spirits that bore witness to your promise. It is not incredibly important that you uphold this promise, as it has been sealed with an offering. 

Want to break this spell? I recognize that in the heat of a ritual, we may make promises we ultimately cannot keep. If you find that to be the case, instead of breaking your promise, modify it. This can be done by repeating parts of this ritual or by creating a new version in which you let those that bore witness know you have bitten off more than you can chew. Be sure to seal the promise with another offering.

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

The food we eat, the homes we inhabit, and the communities we rely upon are all shaped by relationships that extend beyond ourselves. Some are visible while others are easy to overlook. By looking at these relationships, we can reveal the inequalities and harms embedded in the systems we depend on. A single ritual cannot resolve the structural inequalities that shape access to food, land, and resources. It can, however, help us reflect on the choices we make and the ways we participate in our communities.

As witches, we can celebrate the abundance of the harvest while also questioning the conditions that determine who has access to it. And then we can do something about it. I feel like a broken record, but witchcraft has always been about fighting against oppressive systems. We are stronger together, and while your actions may seem small and insignificant, I can promise you they are not. The kindness and hope you send out into the Universe always grow, and while you may not see the fruits of your labor right now, the ripple you have sent out is still there, growing into a tidal wave. It just takes time.

May your autumn be filled with enough.

Further Reading:

The Importance of Gratitude in Witchcraft

Harvesting Gratitude: Harvest Moon Gratitude Ritual

Gratitude Rune Spread Ritual

The Magic of Enough: Rethinking Abundance in the Harvest Season

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Book Review: Queer Saints by Antonio Pagliarulo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I believe readers of Queer Saints: A Radical Guide to Magic, Miracles, and Modern Intercession by Antonio Pagliarulo are going to fall into one of two camps: you are either going to love this book or absolutely hate it. For witches, this book may be polarizing due to its use of Christian saints. I know many modern witchcraft practitioners are adamantly opposed to all things Christian, while forgetting that many magical practices around the world are deeply rooted in it. Practitioners of brujeria, vodou, and conjure do not consider their work witchcraft, and to call them a witch is to potentially endanger their lives. These are Christians, working within the confines of the Christian religion.

Despite not using Christian aspects in my own practice, I do see the value of saint work. It does work, after all. However, Christianity is deeply rooted in misogyny and homophobia, making it difficult to navigate for members of the queer community. Pagliarulo seeks to rectify this by rethinking sainthood and expanding the saints beyond their current confines to include the venerable dead. Pagliarulo argues that canonization by the Church should not prevent practitioners from developing their own working list of saints.

I resonated with Pagliarulo's approach, as much of our modern reconstructions of witchcraft and pagan practices require some guesswork, modifications, and updating. The inclusion of queer saints is a much-needed update for modern times, especially as a form of resistance against an authoritarian government seeking to erase Black and queer history. Pagliarulo includes research, personal experience, and interviews with experts and laymen alike to construct his argument for the use of new queer saints, as well as for the queer-interpretation of existing saints such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, and Saint Sebastian. Much of the book includes different new and old saints one can work with, whether they be queer themselves or queer allies.

The modern list of queer saints is quite beautiful to behold. While these saints have not been officially canonized by the Church, they are incredibly important figures from queer history. Each entry includes their history, what they are patron of, their feast day (usually the day of their death), corresponding tarot, and sacred offerings, allowing for flawless integration of these new saints into your existing practice. New saints occasionally include a petition, candle spell, or sacred sachet you can use to work with the saint, which is a wonderful inclusion. He even uses the correct honorific based on the person's faith and culture, which is just...fabulous.

Even if you are not interested in working with saints in your own practice, Pagliarulo offers an amazing glimpse into queer history. Many of the figures I knew, such as Alan Turing, David Bowie, Scott Cunningham, and Harvey Milk. Others I was less familiar with, such as Josephine Baker and Simeon Solomon. I was trying my best to hold it together as I read through all the amazing people who paved the way for us, but I lost it when I made it to Keith Haring. Growing up, my mother talked extensively about the AIDs crisis and the impact that it had on the world. She was very close to a gay couple down the street, and when I was born, one of them refused to hold me because he was "sick" and didn't want to pass it on to me. He had AIDs and would later die from the disease, never having held me. It devastated my mother. As an artist, she knew many people in the community who would eventually contract and succumb to AIDS. While my mother did not know Keith Haring personally, he was one of her favorite artists. She has always taught his work, having her students create their own artwork inspired by his style, saying it is the least she can do for a man who had such a profound impact on her life. So thank you, Pagliarulo, for including him.

Apart from discussing the new and old saints, Pagliarulo also breaks down spells versus prayers and the different types of saint magic he practices: petition papers, candle spells, and sacred sachets. These are the same types of spells given for certain saints at the end of the book. He also talks rather extensively about reciprocity, which I absolutely loved. This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately in my own practice (hence it showing up recently in blog posts), and I was thrilled to see another author do the same. Apart from sacred offerings, Pagliarulo also offers a list of potential pilgrimage sites where you can also honor the saints, which is, again, just a great list of queer historical sites.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading Queer Saints: A Radical Guide to Magic, Miracles, and Modern Intercession by Antonio Pagliarulo and highly recommend it to anyone interested in saint work or even just interested in queer history. My only complaint was chapter 3, which felt completely out of place. It could have been deleted, and the book would still make sense and be workable. But other than that, excellent book!

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