Honey of Gratitude Charm

I think witches often forget how powerful gratitude magic actually is. When it comes to blessing magic, most focus on manifestation through the use of deities, ancestors, or other spiritual forces, whether that be the spirit of the ingredients you are working with or the land on which you reside. But the same can be done with gratitude. What you put out into the world often returns to you, whether you are intentionally or unintentionally doing so. This is why it is important to watch what you say and think because the Universe is often listening; not always, of course, but often enough. When you express gratitude and work magic around what you are thankful for, you are letting the Universe know you wish to have more of it in your life. I have also found that it can turn the most negative of thoughts into positive ones, which is powerful magic indeed.

As the sun begins to wane and the first of the major harvests begin, we are reminded to be thankful for the abundance we have been graced with, none of which could be accomplished alone. Every success and moment of resilience has been shaped by those who offered kindness, guidance, encouragement, or simply their presence when we needed it the most. This charm recognizes this success and those who have helped us along the way, inviting more blessings into our lives in the future by creating a usable sweetener.

What You'll Need

• Yellow or white candle (larger candles or a prayer candle work best)
• Lighter/matches
• Small slips of paper
• Writing utensil
• Clear quartz, citrine (or carnelian), and rose quartz
• Small jar of honey

What to Do

This spell is best performed starting on the full or the new moon. Begin by cleansing and consecrating your space using your preferred method. You may also cast a circle, call quarts, and/or invite any spirits, ancestors, or deities you work with or wish to honor during the spell.

Light the candle and breathe in deeply, taking a few moments to settle into the moment. Clear your mind of all other distractions, focusing on your intention to express gratitude and give thanks. Reflect on the past year and ask yourself the following questions:

• Who encouraged you?
• Who listened without judgment?
• Who taught you something valuable?
• Who shared their time, wisdom, or kindness?
• What brought you joy, happiness, or peace?
• What are you proud of accomplishing?

Write these names, joys, and accomplishments on the slips of paper, letting the memories fill your thoughts as you write. When complete, fold each paper toward you three times while saying, "May gratitude return to its source. May kindness continue to grow. May blessings abound in my life and in the lives of those around me."

When all the slips of paper are folded, arrange them in a circle in the center of your altar. Place the clear quartz above, the citrine to the left, and the rose quartz to the right of the circle of paper (as seen below). In the center of the circle, place your jar of honey. Place your hands (or fingers) on the jar and say:

"Honey gathered beneath the summer sun,
Keeper of sweetness and patient work,
Bless these bonds that have nourished my life.
May gratitude flow as freely as kindness given.
May generosity return in abundance.
May my heart remember every blessing,
And may I become a blessing in return."

When finished, snuff out the candle. Every day for a complete lunar cycle, return to your charm. Light the candle, place your hands on the honey jar (or give it a slight shake), and speak aloud one of the things you are grateful for. It can be something new or something you wrote on your slips of paper. After announcing what you are thankful for, say:

"Sweet be the words I speak. 

Sweet be the work I offer. 

Sweet be the friendships I tend. 

As honey nourishes the body, 

May gratitude nourish the soul."

Snuff out the candle, returning each day to charge your spell. 

After a full turn of the lunar cycle, return to your spell and light the candle once more. Lift the jar of honey and say:

"To those who walk beside me, seen and unseen, 

I offer my gratitude. 

May I remember that every gift carries the responsibility of generosity. 

May I honor these blessings through my own actions. 

Hail, and thank you."

Set the jar of honey down, and take each folded slip of paper into your hand, one at a time. Thank each paper before burning them, burying them in your front yard, or placing them in your Book of Shadows as a record of your gratitude.

You have now created charmed honey that can and should be used in the coming weeks to bring sweetness into your life. Stir it into tea, bake it into bread, cakes, or cookies, drizzle over fruit, or add to warm milk. Each time you use the honey, take a moment to silently thank one person, ancestor, or spirit who has helped you become who you are. This honey is best enjoyed with friends and family.

Your charmed honey can also be used during shadow work. Consider enjoying it while exploring the following journaling prompts:

1. Who supported me in ways I may have overlooked? 
2. What kindness changed my year? 
3. How have I received generosity from my community? 
4. In what ways can I become a source of encouragement for others? 
5. What relationships deserve more of my attention and care?

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.
• Do not give honey to children under the age of one. A baby's stomach and gut are not mature enough to stop bacterial spores found in honey, and even heating the honey is not enough to kill botulism spores.
• If you do not eat honey or are allergic, agave syrup is a great substitute.
• 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.
• Herbs such as chamomile, rose, or rosemary can be added to the honey to infuse it with peace, love, and memory or sprinkled around the folded papers and crystals for a similar effect.

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).

Unlike many spells I write, this one actually needs to be timed with the appropriate lunar cycle, because it takes an entire lunar cycle to charge the honey. Beginning on either the full moon or new moon is best, as the full moon is associated with manifestation while the new moon is associated with fresh starts. Both are associated with goal setting and blessings, so either will work well for this charm.

Next, a yellow or white candle was lit. This candle acts as a way to help focus your attention and breathing to reach a meditative state to properly reflect and infuse the charm with your intention, while also helping carry your intention to the Universe or any spirits, deities, or ancestors you may be calling upon for help. In many traditions, the flame represents life while the burning wax and wick represent an offering or sacrifice to fuel the spell and thank those that are helping you. Yellow is associated with memory, joy, happiness, and motivation, while white is associated with manifestation and is often used when colored candles are not available because it is a "blank slate." It will take on whatever intention you need. Regardless of the color of the candle, both help boost your intention of charming the honey.

But why honey? Honey, with its beautiful golden hue, is associated with drawing positivity and nurturing the embiber or spell. It is naturally long-lasting, helping to sweeten any situation, making it perfect for magic associated with expressing gratitude with the intention of magnifying the abundance in your life. By sharing it with others, you not only thank them, but also invite blessings into their lives, making this a truly communal charm.

This honey is charged with your gratitude, which is written on the slips of paper (folded three times, for harmony and blessings, toward you to bring blessings into your life) surrounding the honey for a complete lunar cycle. By lighting the candle and "praying" over the honey each day, you are further charging it with your intention, strengthening the overall spell. Your power is further amplified by the clear quartz (amplification), rose quartz (love), and citrine* (happiness). 

*My images feature carnelian, which is associated with strength and vitality. I would have used citrine, but my citrine is so faded from use that it would not have photographed well.

The charm ends with, once again, expressing gratitude to those who have helped bless your life and the honey. These slips of paper are then burned, buried, or kept as a sign of respect and thanks. Burning releases your intention, while burning or keeping the slips of paper near you. Whether you choose to keep them close or burn them, both will help draw blessings to you.

Want to break this spell? Breaking a gratitude spell can have unintended consequences. However, the magic will fade over time or dissipate completely when the honey is used up. If you honored a person during your ritual who is no longer in your good graces, do not mention their name moving forward when using the honey. 

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

***

For many, August 1st represented the first of the major harvest festivals, which are characterized by giving thanks. In two months, I will be celebrating Winter Nights, during which I will express my gratitude to the ancestors, spirits, land, and deities who have blessed my life. I strongly believe that expressing gratitude is one of the most powerful acts you can do, and that harnessing that energy can result in some of the best magic you perform. No matter what holidays you celebrate in the coming months, I hope they are filled with joy, happiness, and abundance.

Further Reading:

The Importance of Gratitude in Witchcraft

Harvesting Gratitude: Harvest Moon Gratitude Ritual

Gratitude Rune Spread Ritual

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