Spice news

Other traditions: spices in ritual

Folk custom, luck and protection, and uses that fit no single faith.

Other spiritual traditions and folk customs use spice in ways that do not fit the main groups, from the incense of Wicca and neo-pagan paths to the folk charms of many regions.

Folk custom

Across Europe, Africa and the Americas, folk traditions use salt, pepper, garlic, cloves and herbs in charms, house blessings and festival rites. Such customs are described as beliefs of those who hold them and are not claims of effect.

Modern practice

Contemporary spiritual paths use incense, herbs and spice in rites and in cooking, such as resins and woods for smoke, and cinnamon and clove in seasonal rituals.

Approach

This site records such uses neutrally, as practices people describe, and does not judge their truth or give advice.

Other traditions on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

The weekly digest

Every Monday: seven spices you may not know, what is cooking this week, and one blend explained step by step.