Kitchen witches

A kitchen witch came into my life more than three decades ago in the form of a gift from a young friend named Sarah. When I first saw it I did not know what to think. She told me that I was supposed to display the kitchen witch in my kitchen so it would bring me good luck in my cooking endeavors. Cakes will rise, stews and roasts will be tender, no simmering pots will boil over, no toast will be burned. These were the good spells the kitchen witch will cast upon the heart of my home, which is the kitchen. All I can say is, little Sarah had wished me well all these years and my kitchen has been productive and created happy and contented family members and friends.

Source Wikipedia

A kitchen witch, sometimes called a cottage witch or a "Scandinavian" kitchen witch doll, is a poppet or homemade doll resembling a stereotypical witch or crone displayed in residential kitchens as a means to provide good luck and ward off bad spirits.

History

There is some debate over the exact country in which the kitchen witch originated, some claiming Norway and others Germany, but consensus points to it stemming from older European customs.

The poppet is supposed to depict a "good" witch who inspires productivity and safety in a kitchen, but also counteracts any ill-will directed to the home. It is considered good luck to give a kitchen witch to a friend or family member. So that those unfamiliar with the kitchen witch can understand its meaning, sometimes a note will be hung around the witch's neck stating something similar to:

"The Legendary Secret of Goof-Proof Cooking: The Famous Kitchen Witch

For centuries, Norwegians have hung this good witch in their kitchen. They believe she has the power to keep roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and sauces from spilling."

In England

Although largely unknown in modern England, the Kitchen Witch may have been known in England in Tudor times. The will of a John Crudgington, of Newton, Worfield, Shropshire, dated 1599, includes amongst his household possessions "one witche in the kytchyn".

Who says kitchen witches are only females. This French pastry chef riding on the wire whisk egg beater will prove us wrong. He does not need to fly through the air with the greatest of ease on a broomstick. He brings good spells riding on his latest kitchen gadget to whip up a perfect souffle.

The modern day kitchen witch has done away with the broomstick and her wart. This bespectacled contemporary kitrchen witch is ready to cast some goof-proof baking spells.

Kitchen witches are your good witches and have been popular in Europe for years.

Hang these delightful kitchen witches in a corner of your kitchen for goof-proof cooking. No more burnt toast and boil overs. Who would not want culinary magic and perfect meals every time?

This handmade and adorable kitchen witch has a basketful of bagels, baguettes, breakfast Danish pastries. She does not need a broom or a wire whisk to ride on. I fell in love with this apple head kitchen witch standing on the shelf of a specialty store and had to have it. Unfortunately dried fruits, like this apple head doll will continue to shrivel up and darken after being exposed to light after many years. But the joy and good spirits that it has brought my kitchen cannot be measured.

Hang these delightful kitchen witches in a corner of your kitchen for goof-proof cooking. No more burnt toast and boil overs. Who would not want culinary magic in the kitchen?

Some who hear the term "Kitchen Witch" may think that this is a magickal art confined only to the kitchen or cooking, but in actuality being a Kitchen Witch encompasses so much more. Very simply put, it is about finding the sacred in everyday tasks, no matter how mundane they may appear to be. It is also about working with the energies of nature to make the home a secure and sacred place.