Autumn and Winter are the perfect seasons to pull out your warm, aromatic herbs and spices. What scent and flavor evokes a sense of coziness and that feeling of home to you? For me, I think of a few: cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, and of course…star anise. These spices are frequently blended together to create delicious and magical concoctions like cookies, cakes, flavored coffees, mulled beverages, and much more! Today, we focus on the star anise magic properties and how to use it in your kitchen witchery and other rituals. So open your witch’s cabinet and let’s get to witchin’!

First, What is Star Anise?

Star anise is an easily recognizable spice found in (most) local grocery stores. It is a reddish brown eight pointed star containing little brown seeds. This spice is actually a fruit from the Illicium verum (Star Anise) tree which is native to China and Vietnam. The Star Anise tree is an evergreen and has been used in Chinese medicine, cooking, and baking for centuries. It has commonly been used as a substitute for the more expensive anise. Interestingly, the term Illicium means “to seduce” and verum means “truth”. So, it begs to question, does the Star Anise seduce us with its truth? The truth is this spice is a boon to have in the witch’s cabinet year-round but particularly in the Autumn and Winter months.

Star Anise Magic Properties

Star anise magic properties are potent and useful in many ways. Whether you’re a kitchen, hedge, green, or eclectic witch, add this spice to your witches cabinet for future spells and rituals. Here’s its magical properties:

• Name: Star Anise, Illicium verum
• Parts Used: Fruit / Seeds
• Form: Whole pods, Oil, Powder
• Uses: Magical, medicinal, culinary, mundane
• Folk Names: Badiana, Chinese Anise
• Planet: Jupiter and Mercury
• Sign: Gemini, Virgo
• Energy: Masculine
• Chakra: Throat and Sacral
• Day of the Week: Wednesday and Thursday
• Element: Air
• Deities: Apollo, Mercury, Hermes, Jupiter, Ishtar, the Ogdoad
• Star Anise Magical Properties: Truth, Psychic abilities, Good luck, Protection, Lust, Clarity, Creativity, Dreams, Chaos Magic
• Symbolic Meaning: The star anise typically comes in an eight-pointed star shape which links this plant to sacred Octograms worldwide including the Ogdoad of Ancient Egypt, Ishtar’s Star in the Middle East, and the Chaos Magic star. In addition, some folks see it as a symbol like the Wheel of the Year, as the Wheel of the Year has 8 spokes/sabbats.
• Safety Concerns: There are no safety concerns with star anise in regular food quantities. PLEASE NOTE. Do not confuse Star Anise with Japanese Star Anise or Swamp Star Anise, both of which are toxic.

Star Anise Magic Properties And the Eight Pointed Star

One day as I used star anise in the kitchen, a thought hit me – how the star shape of this spice aligns with the eight pointed star, also called an Octogram. This is an occult symbol or symbols that is used worldwide by various cultures, religions, etc. The number eight represents Infinity – a neverending Universal cycle. It is a powerful number.

First, the Ogdoad of Ancient Egyptian belief was a class of primal creator gods and goddesses. Four gods. Four goddesses. According to Learn Religions, these eight deities represented four main principles including Water, Air, Darkness, and Infinity. When these aspects of the Universe are balanced, the circle of life, death, and rebirth remains balanced. Often the Ogdoad is represented in the form of the eight-pointed star or Octogram. If you decide to work with these primal deities or principles, consider using star anise in your practice.

The Star of Ishtar, also called the Star of Inanna, is an eight pointed star hailing from Ancient Mesopotamia and symbolizing the powerful goddess, also known as the Queen of the Heavens. See an example below. The eight pointed star (symbol of the goddess) was actually featured on the Iraqi map for a few decades in the twentieth century.

The eight pointed star in Chaos Star form, also reminding me of the star anise magic properties, represents the dichotomy of order and chaos in chaos magic. It is often used by anarchist groups and post-leftists, but is also a common symbol employed by modern chaos magicians.

How to Use Star Anise Magic Properties in Kitchen Witchery

One of the best places to use star anise magic is in the kitchen, of course! I truly enjoy when Autumn rolls around and preparations for Mabon and Samhain begin. Immediately, I’m whipping out my star anise to align with its energy and properties. Here are a few ways you can add star anise to your kitchen witch recipes:

1. Infuse in Coffee

Star anise magic properties take their FULL effect when steeped into some sort of magical liquid…like COFFEE. Yes, you can make a pot of coffee and add a star anise pod to the pot. Then wait for it to release its oils into your morning magical bean juice. You won’t believe the flavor. PLUS if you’re looking to awaken your psychic senses, boost the bedroom romps, and bring more luck your way…this is a tasty way to do it.

2. Star Anise in Mulled Wine

Speaking of steeping star anise in magical liquids…have you ever tried mulled wine? This is a hot wine that has been infused with certain aromatic herbs, fruits, and spices. Star anise is one of the “star” flavors (see what I did there?) This mulled wine recipe with star anise is from MamaBearsCooking.com:

EQUIPMENT

• 1 Stockpot (OR Crockpot)

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 bottle Red wine Cabernet, Zin, etc.
• 4 Sticks Cinnamon
• 3 Slices orange Fresh is best
• 1/2 cup cranberries Fresh is best
• 4 whole Star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1 16 oz. Water

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Pour all ingredients into a stockpot on the stove on low heat. (OR in a crockpot on low setting).
• Bring to a light simmer and let cook for 30 minutes. (If you’re using a crockpot, keep on warm setting after simmer time is over.)

3. Vietnamese Pho Broth for Comfort and Warmth

One of my favorite soups to make is Pho. I have a traditional Vietnamese recipe that I’ve used for years that takes all day to make that includes star anise as a major flavor component. By making your own Pho broth, you get the chance to put all the magic and love into the base of a delicious, cozy soup. Don’t forget to freeze part of this batch and take out to use all Autumn – Winter long!

4. Make a Garam Masala Spice Blend with Star Anise

Star anise is a featured powdered spice in some Garam masala blends. This is an Indian spice blend used as a rub, in sauces, in stews, and in curry. It can also be sprinkled over vegetables before roasting. By making your own garam masala blend, you’ll work with the star anise magic properties closely and learn how this spice merges with others to create something truly unique and exotic. I frequently use my garam masala in curry, which I feel has the magical properties of cleansing (think HOT – purifying body and mind), comfort, and passion.

5. Drink Star Anise Tea for Dreams

One of the easiest and most effective forms of kitchen witchery is tea magick. What can you do with tea? Drink it to draw things towards you like love, lust, healing, psychic power, prosperity, and more. Also drink it to rid the body and spirit of things like negativity, illness, bad luck, etc. In addition to working magically, teas also work medicinally when used appropriately in form, quantity, and within the individual. But let me get to my point. Drink star anise magical tea before you go to bed if you’re looking to increase your psychic abilities and bring on prophetic dreams.

Ritual Uses for Star Anise: Candle Spells, Sabbats, and More

Star anise can be used outside of the kitchen, as well. It is a popular addition to many holiday crafts and gifts. And can be used in ritual for various intentions. Let’s get to it.

1. Clove Star Anise Orange Ball (Pomander Ball)

You’ve probably seen these before, or perhaps you’ve made one yourself. A clove star anise orange ornament can be crafted for witchy purposes during the Yuletide season. These are more commonly referred to as Pomander Balls and are hung from the Yule tree once complete. If you didn’t know, oranges are used as Christmas symbols because they align with Solar energy. Think Winter Solstice, Sun’s Rebirth, etc.

While you are crafting your Pomander Balls with star anise, mindfully speak your intentions out loud and give each ingredient its magical duty. Then hang the orange from your tree and draw prosperity during the holiday season. This tradition dates back to Medieval Times, when folks would hang pomander balls to rid off disease, evil spirits, and bad luck.

2. Star Anise in Candle Rituals

Another simple way to include star anise magic in your rituals is to use it in your candle workings. You can roll a candle in the powdered version of this spice. Encircle a candle with eight star anise pods for 2x the effect. This is a powerful ritual to draw the truth out of a situation, empower your mind and psychic abilities, and bring luck to your doorstep. Combining star anise pods with wholt nutmegs in this way is a truly extraordinary energy.

3. Representative as an Octogram

As we’ve discussed, the Star Anise is an eight pointed star and can be used as a symbol for a sacred Octogram. If you work with deities like Inanna, Ishtar, the Ogdoad, etc. this is a great herb/spice to place on their altar. To hold while meditating. And to use as offering to these deities.

4. Burn Star Anise as Incense

You can purchase incense sticks or cones featuring star anise as its main ingredient. OR simply burn star anise powder over charcoal disks in a firesafe bowl or dish. This incense is powerful when invoking deities of the Far East, as well as to amplify spell intentions for luck, protection, psychic abilities, dream work, etc.

5. Make a Simmer Pot for the Sabbats

Simmer pots are a kitchen witch’s best friend. They are simple to make and fill one’s space with cleansing, peaceful vibes and tantalizing aromas. Every Autumn Equinox, Samhain, and Yule, you’ll find me in my kitchen, brewing up something magical. Often my Simmer Pots include cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Adding fruit slices like apples and lemons is favorable too.

6. Add to Spell Bags and Bottles

Another easy yet effective way of harnessing the energy of star anise is to add it to your spell bags, bottles, and jars. This is one of my regular means of invoking protection around my home and family members. I’ll add star anise to a muslin bag along with other protective herbs and hang it from the doors. OR keep it in my car to protect our travels.