☕ WITCH CHALLENGE - Hot Brews & Magickal Stews

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet,

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for the previous Witch Challenge - Magickal Waters

We’re continuing to play with liquids, but things are heating up - with the equinox behind us, this is the season of warm comforts and tasty treats. This challenge invites you to indulge!

The theme for this challenge is inspired by the season and is…

Hot Brews & Magickal Stews

Pumpkin spice drinks, chai beverages, simmer pots, hot baths and more-
We’re stewing to stay warm!

The season of warm comforts has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere! From pumpkin spice to steamy cider, warm cocktails, hot cocoa with marshmallows to chai tea and more - there are so many delicious and delightful ways to chase off the chill of the new season. That being said, these warm indulgences aren’t exclusive to fall, and can be enjoyed throughout the year and by all ages.

Want to turn up the heat? Hot brews aren’t just for drinking - consider turning yourself into a wholesome “soup” by enjoying a steamy spiritual bath or shower. You might also fill your entire home with warmth and good smells with a simmer pot or homemade broth. There are many ways to enjoy a hot brew!

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This challenge is about hot brews - how you choose to take on this theme is up to you. So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

From Spells8: Spiced Chai Elixir

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Warm, Wet & Witchy

This challenge is all about hot brews - as always, feel free to explore the theme in a way that aligns with you and your unique practice.

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few suggested spells and other ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

Please make sure you are logged into your Spells8 Account so you can view all of the resources shared!

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Tasty & Magickal

Supercharged Coffee Delight

Matcha Morning Magick Latte

Spice Fuel Morning Kick

Spells8 Herbal Tea Spell Collection

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Healing Potions

Honey Ginger Healing Tea

Rosemary Revival Tisane

Collection of Teas & Potion Recipes

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Simmer Pots

Witchy Simmer Pots

Related resources and discussions:

• What is a Simmer Pot
• Samhain Simmer Pot
• Seasonal Simmer Pot

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Spiritual Baths & Showers

Coffee Bath: Purify Your Energy & Mind

Dreamy Bath Ritual for Calm Sleep

Spiritual Baths/Showers to Cleanse Your Energy

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…And More!

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity. If you feel called to explore the challenge theme in another way, you are welcome to do so.

From Spells8: Types of Tea & Benefits Printable Page

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How to Join the Challenge

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Do I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note: If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

Click here for a note for our lovely lurkers

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge. For those who would like the challenge prizes, please know that you will need to share your experience if you want to receive a prize and a public shout-out.

Don’t feel comfortable sharing? No fear! For lurkers and those who are shy, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge on the sidelines. At the end of the day, these challenges are here to help you help yourself by expanding and enhancing your personal magickal practice. I hope they can be helpful for you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 13 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, October 7 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2025-10-07T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums the day the challenge closes.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

From Spells8: Thunderstorm Panacea

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you’re not sure whether or not something is acceptable to post, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

From Spells8: Calming Herbal Bath

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Chai and coffee, pumpkins and spice-
Outside may be dark, but this is nice
A cup full of warmth to chase away the chill
It’s a magickal brew - so drink your fill!

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Blessed Be

[BryWisteria]

Pick the Challenge Badge

The tradition continues! Let us know - which title do you like the most?

• Warm Witch
• Hot & Spicy
• Comfortably Cozy
• Wizard of Warmth
• Snug for the Season

The title with the most votes will be awarded to all challenge entrants.

Thanks for sharing your vote - blessed be!

[Artemisia]

Challenge Entry - Hot Brew & Magickal Stews

Perfect synchronicity with this week’s ritual! I decided to try out my new tea blend today.

Heart & Spirit Soother

• 1 tsp chamomile flowers
• 1/2 tsp dried hawthorn berries
• 1/2 tsp lemon balm
• Pinch of lavender
• 1/4 tsp cardamom pods (lightly crushed)
• Honey to taste (add after steeping)

Steep 5-7 minutes in hot water

• Hawthorn

  • I don’t think I could write anything better about its medicinal and herbal uses than this Herbal Academy blog post - but some of the highlights are that it can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and aid digestion.
  • Magical correspondences of Hawthorn: Protection, chastity, fertility, happiness. Associated with the fairy realm and May Day. Sacred to the heart chakra. Used for emotional healing, especially heartbreak, and connecting with the divine feminine energy.

• Chamomile

  • Herbal benefits: Anti-inflammatory, gentle nervine (calms nervous system), digestive aid, mild sedative, antimicrobial
  • Magical correspondences: Peace, love, purification, sleep, protection. Solar energy. Used for attracting love and removing hexes. Associated with emotional healing and calming dreams.

• Lemon Balm

  • Herbal benefits: Mild antidepressant, antiviral (especially against cold sores), digestive aid, nervine, memory enhancer, heart tonic
  • Magical correspondences: Love, success, healing, friendship. Used to attract love, heal emotional wounds, and bring joy. Associated with bee magic and sweetness in relationships.

• Lavender

  • Herbal benefits: Nervine, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, mild sedative, headache relief, skin healing
  • Magical correspondences: Peace, love, protection, sleep, purification, happiness. Used for cleansing negative energy, promoting restful sleep, and attracting gentle love. Associated with the third eye chakra

• Cardamom

  • Herbal benefits: Digestive stimulant, antimicrobial, breath freshener, warming, may help with respiratory issues
  • Magical correspondences: Lust, love, mental clarity. Used in love spells and to increase passion. Associated with clarity of thought and removing mental fog.

I forgot the honey (and didn’t feel like walking back downstairs to get it ) but it was pleasant enough to drink without it!

I have a couple of others that I created but haven’t tried out yet, but I will share them when I do.

[Amethyst]

Yay! I’m due to make a pot of chili next week. I’ll have time to research the ingredients! Thanks for this!

[georgia]

**Challenge Entry**

I like to buy powdered soups. They make me feel like I’m creating a potion, especially the ones which thicken while cooking. I use powdered bouillon to flavor cooking oils or liquids for things like pancakes and noodles.

Powdered broccoli soup is a favorite of mine. One wouldn’t think the powder would yield chewable bits of broccoli; but it does, with just enough cheese. I don’t have to worry about outdates if I buy early in the fall and finish it off by May. Nothing is harmed if the electricity goes out during a storm. I can control portions, too, so I’m not making the whole bag of soup at once with leftovers- just measure or eye it a quarter of a bag at a time. I keep the rest in a reusable, resealable container so it stays fresh. Add lots of water, and make sure the microwaveable cauldron is big enough that the soup doesn’t boil over!

Happily, powdered cheese doesn’t contain vitamin A and isn’t as much of a binding agent as regular cheese. I can use it like other flavored powders without the health issues.

I also do powdered drinks for a similar feeling year round. This includes Kool Aid as well as apple cider. I can add ginger or cinnamon or other herbs as I like and mix well. Whenever I can, I use a small enough scoop that I can dedicate each scoop to an element before adding water. These can be made hot or cold to taste.

I’m currently seeking a sauce pan or potpourri pot for making a simmer pot. They used to make nice simmer pots one could plug into any outlet so the stove wouldn’t be using so much electricity. Haven’t seen one since wax melts became popular. Wax melters do not hold water- I found out the hard way when I bought a cute bowl depicting a lighthouse. All the water leaked out before I left the kitchen sink! Now, I use it for a pencil holder.

We don’t have cool enough temps for steamy baths quite yet. I do have some bath salts to soak in: one contains rose petals. Another has lavender buds. Looking forward to that: my tub is deeper than my previous one, so it ought to feel better to soak this winter.

Sigh. I still have not added correspondences to my containers. I’d intended to do so before my move and just haven’t had the chance.

[Jeannie1]

@Artemisia
This is a wonderful opportunity to make some brew ! I love your potion it’s really great thank you for sharing your correspondences! I did an easy brew, I did the healing spell last night and made the ginger tea healing spell. “The Witches Journey to the Kitchen”
(Group Ritual - Sep 25) Making a Healing Potion
I woke up this morning I

![IMG_3844|690x388] (upload://vGBcUas9IJfFNiebawprLxRvTK8.jpeg)
did my usual tea bree black tea earl gray and added honey
I took my cup of brew outside
Black Tea - more caffeine than any other green tea and white tea!
Masculine
Planet - Sun
Element - Fire
I asked some questions with my tea bag pendulum! I love to use a pendulum with my teabag only because the water is conscious, and this helps my divination!
Also I made some soup tonight
This is minestrone soup all pictures are from pientrest so I can’t take credit for the pictures and the magical correspondences, but I can take credit for the offering! Kitchen magicK The Witches Stew
Bacon caramelized
Onion wait for the onion to get transparent​:herb:

Carrot stir to carrots are softened
Uploading: IMG_3863.png…
Celery and celery

Parsley and parsley
Rosemary two sprigs

Acorn squash

Broccoli

parmesan

Salt

Pepper black

NOodles
Beef bullion tsp
One can of lentil
One can of black bean
[Beans beans the magicKal✨ fruit]
The more you eat, the better you feel the more you toot, beans beans the better you feel(Herbs in Witchcraft - Beans - Awesome on 20 in 2025 | Herbs, Natural herbs, Beans) beans, beans for every meal
Two cans of tomato diced

Reggaeton Tony noodle
Heat and serve
![IMG_3869|690x388](upload://cpd6PR0iDQQAHPrZsS1d3SmjjaQ.jpeg
This day was magickal I am healing. I cut myself on accident so I use some aloe vera to help heal! I had a good day! I am ready for the week!!
Blessed be!
Jeannie

[IvySage]

CHALLENGE ENTRY

Ok, i don’t cook at all. That’s my hubby’s job LOL. However, we do have iron wort in the garden. I actually made a tea for the first time ever!

I dont know much about iron wort yet. From what I have found out, it represents happiness and strength. In fact, soldiers used to use ironwort on wounds from iron weapons. I cut the herb in pieces and let it dry overnight.

The next day, I put the iron wort pieces in water and boiled. After about 7 minutes, I strained it and made a tea!

I liked it, but next time I’ll def use more leaves!

[julie8]

Like Garnet I would like to submit my Signature Recipe as my CHALLENGE ENTRY.

Granny’s Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

I make this from my own home grown dorper lambs. It is very tender and succulent and always turns out awesome. One trick to the recipe is to put pureed veges into the stock to give it a thicker consistency. I have attached a picture of my recipe with all its magical elements.

I also grow all my own herbs and spices and dry these for long term use. The stock is also homemade.

Happy Cooking from a Kitchen Witch!

Blessed Be

[BryWisteria]

Don’t mind me licking my lips, there are some very tasty brews and stews on display!

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@IvySage and @julie8 - Just a note that your two beautiful entries have been rehomed here to the main challenge page. It can be easy for things to get buried in the comments of other spaces, so keeping them here will make sure I know to count them when it’s time to award badges! Thank you for sharing your entries

[Garnet]

**julie8**Child at Heart

O M G! What an amazing recipe! I hope you know that I had to clean my desk— drooled all over it.

Seriously, what a find.

Blessed be

Garnet

[Susurrus]

All of these entries look sooo good!! I can’t decide between the I made for Saturday or another one that I usually make this season. Which could be a soup, stew, beverage… So many options. I’m going to go ahead and overthink this a little bit & then be back!

[Jeannie1]

Garnet,
I would bless you with the best l if you were here with me, and we would all eat like Queens and Kings​:heart:! I am not sure what hemisphere you live in but I’m in the Northern so we celebrate Mabon.
I found some pdf on fruit and vegetables for the garden on Pinterestst too! Pretty cool

@Julie8
Love the book of Shawdows!
Impressive!!
@IvySage
I’d say you did great and never heard of

@IvySage

Iron wort

Jeannie

[IvySage]

Thank you so much! Everyones entries look sooo good!!!

[IvySage]

This looks amazing!!

[BryWisteria]

One week to go!

It’s getting nice and cozy warm in here - thank you so much to everyone who has shared their witchy brews and tasty stews so far

For those still pondering about the theme, rest assured that plenty of time remains on the challenge clock. There is one more week until this challenge closes.

Looking forward to seeing your entries!

Blessed be

[Susurrus]

So far this week, I have been able to slow down enough to enjoy tea more than I have in a very long time. I had one last night once I was in & time to settle for the evening. We also had a new soup this week for dinner! It’s pretty easy but so yummy for fall days & evenings as they approach us.

Challenge Entry

I don’t know the actual name of the soup, but we had it for 2 nights & it was so good.

Yummy Soup

→ What’s in it?
** 1lb Hamburger
** Corn
** Celery
** Onions
** Carrots
** Potatoes
** 16oz Spaghetti Sauce
** 16 oz Crushed Tomatoes
** 32 oz Beef Broth or Stock
** Barley

I wish I could remember more of the measurements, the vegetables I got from either the produce or the farmer’s market in our area. It’s a really good soup. We had it with Ciabatta bread & butter. I like to dip my breads in soups & stews.

The tea I have been drinking since Saturday is:

Levitea - for Relaxation & Sleep

→ What’s in this blend?
** Chamomile
** Lavender
** Cardamom
** Gotu Kola Leaf
** Orange Peel
** Cinnamon Bark
** Licorice Root

I’ve had this tea in the past, but my tea drinking really dwindled over the last couple of years. I’ve been making this one either before or after dinner when I definitely don’t have anywhere to go or anything that needs to be done. It helps to wind down a little bit and there’s no caffeine to worry about keeping me up later than I’d like to be up.

[MeganB]

I don’t have a picture to share, but I’ve been leaning on my slow cooker and Instant Pot a lot lately I made a loaded backed potato soup the other night for dinner and it was delicious. I don’t have a recipe source to share - I just threw everything together in a way that I knew would work lol and so I don’t have exact measurements. You know, I’m just measuring with the whispers of my Irish ancestors

While it’s not inherently magickal, I’m going to include it as my challenge entry because there is so much possibility when making something like this that I could easily turn it into a kitchen witch spell.

Notes: You can make this in a slow cooker like I did or adapt the recipe for stovetop cooking. It could probably also be made in a pressure cooker, but I don’t have the info for that.

Also as a note – I use my Instant Pot as a slow cooker, so you’ll probably need to adapt the instructions for your own tools.

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• potatoes, washed and diced to your size preference
• bacon, sliced into pieces
• white or yellow onion, diced
• chicken or vegetable broth (or water works, too – you’ll just need more seasoning)
• heavy cream
• sour cream
• cheese or your choice (we use a Mexican blend cheese for pretty much everything lol)
• green onions & extra bacon for topping

Instructions

1. Slice the bacon into pieces and cook on “Sauté” in the Instant Pot until they’re about half-cooked.
2. Toss in the diced onion and cook with the bacon in the bacon grease until the bacon is almost done & the onions are tender.
3. Add the diced potatoes to the pot and cover with broth. The broth should almost cover the top of the potatoes. Season in your preferred way. If you’re using water, you’ll likely need to add salt and pepper. I only used a bit of garlic powder and Italian seasoning because the bacon and broth have enough salt in it.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are fork-tender.
5. Use an immersion blender to blend some of the potatoes in the pot. This helps to thicken the soup. If you don’t have an immersion blender, take some of the soup out and blend it in a blender. If you don’t have that, you can also use a hand potato masher.
6. Add in about one cup of sour cream and one cup of heavy cream. I make this soup for three people plus leftovers, so it’s a full pot. Adjust the additions to suit your quantity.
7. Add in your preferred amount of cheese.
8. Stir everything together and cover for about 10 more minutes to give everything a chance to disburse.
9. Serve up with extra cheese on top and some green onions!

I can’t tell you how long this will store for because it usually doesn’t last in my fridge longer than a day – we eat it for leftovers and it’s just as delicious warmed up as it is fresh!

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So, that’s the recipe. Now, how can you make it magickal?

• adjust the seasonings to suit the herb’s magickal properties
  • ex: bay leaf for success, oregano for joy, basil for luck, etc. The Green Witch course is a good resource for herbal correspondences
• create a chant to say when chopping ingredients or stirring
  • this lets you tailor your magick to the process without needing to change any ingredients
• draw a sigil on your pot for a specific intention before you start cooking
  • only do this if it is safe, and use safe ingredients like moon water

If you make this soup, I hope you enjoy it!

[Susurrus]

Oh this sounds really yummy & I love using my crock pot for dinners or even yummy goodies. I’ve made drinks, sides, appetizers, snacks, & main meals in mine… Those slow cooker inserts really help with the cleanup too!

[MeganB]

@Susurrus

Those slow cooker inserts really help with the cleanup too!

Ohh, that’s true! I wonder if they make something like that for the Instant Pot… I’ll have to look into that!

[Susurrus]

Here they are with the aluminum foil, plastic wrap, sandwich bags type of items. Sometimes with like spices & gravy & baking things or cookware.