Cinnamon is potentially one of the most used spices in Witchcraft. It has an unmistakeable scent, that is warm, sweet, familar and instantly omforting. It has a way of making any kitchen feel like the heart of the home. Long before it found its way into our porridge and spiced lattes, this bark was one of the most prized goods in the world.
At the heart of kitchen witchery is the use of specific ingredients to add intention or invoke feelings while cooking. Many of these associations come from the history of the ingredient or its healing properties. As with all magic, these definitions are open to interpretation, so I will share my personal take and the associations I hold with cinnamon.
A Brief History of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is made from the dried inner bark of several evergreen trees and has been used for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt it was used in perfumes and embalming, and it was valued so highly that it was considered a gift suited to the gods. For a long time its true origins were a closely guarded secret among traders, which only added to its mystery – and its price.
In ancient Rome, cinnamon was burned at funerals and offered to the gods, and in medieval Europe it was a sign of wealth and status. It has long been associated with warmth, comfort and protection, and in many folk traditions it was used to bring prosperity into the home.
Cinnamon also has a long relationship with the turn of the year. It appears in Yule and winter celebrations, in mulled wine and spiced bakes, and in simmer pots that fill a house with scent as the evenings draw in. A cinnamon stick tied into a bundle with a ribbon is still a popular festive decoration, and a quiet nod to those older traditions.
The Magical Properties of Cinnamon
- Abundance & Prosperity
- Warmth & Comfort
- Protection
- Love & Passion
- Energy & Motivation
- Success
Mindful Ways to Use Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a warm, sweet scent that can lift your mood and make a house feel like a home. Here are some simple ways to invite its qualities into your day:
- Stir a pinch of cinnamon into your morning porridge or coffee, clockwise, with the intention of starting the day with energy and warmth.
- Simmer cinnamon sticks with orange peel and cloves on the hob to fill your home with a welcoming scent.
- Bake cinnamon buns or a spiced loaf as a way of sharing comfort and abundance with the people you love.
- Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon across your doorstep, or blow it through your front door to invite in good fortune.
- Keep a cinnamon stick in your purse or wallet as a small charm for prosperity.
- Tie a cinnamon stick to a gift or add it to a handmade card as a little wish for warmth and good luck.
Make A Wish Ritual
On a quiet evening, perhaps at the start of a new season or the turn of the month, write one wish or intention on a small piece of paper. Keep it positive, something like “I welcome steady, comfortable abundance into my home.”
Fold the paper around a cinnamon stick and tie it closed with a piece of red thread or ribbon, saying your intention out loud as you tie each knot. Place the bundle somewhere you will see it often, like a kitchen windowsill, your desk or beside your front door. Leave it there until the next new moon or the end of the month, then untie it, read your wish again and reflect on what has changed. You can pop the cinnamon stick in a simmer pot to release the intention and compost the paper.
Practical Tips
There are two main types of cinnamon. Cassia is the cheaper, stronger variety most commonly found in supermarkets, while Ceylon cinnamon is paler, more delicate and often called “true” cinnamon. Either works beautifully for kitchen magic, so use whichever suits your cupboard and your budget.
Cinnamon sticks last longer than ground cinnamon and are lovely for simmer pots and rituals, while ground cinnamon is best for baking and sprinkling. Keep both in an airtight container away from heat and light. Cassia in particular contains a compound called coumarin, so if you are using it in large amounts or every day, it is worth moderating how much you use.
Closing Reflection
Cinnamon reminds us that magic doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply the act of stirring a spice into a warm drink, baking something to share, or pausing to welcome a little comfort and abundance into your home.
