What’s in your simmer pot
I looooove a good simmer pot. They are one of the countless rituals that were taken from Pagan tradition and claimed by “Jesus Season”. Long before Christianity, simmer pots were used to cleanse spaces, manifest intentions, and to perform rituals. What you put into them is important depending on what you are wanting to evoke. What is simmered is not meant to be eaten (though it could be as long as what you put in it is edible… so do your homework to stay safe)- it’s primary purpose is to use the items to transform your space through scent and intention. And it smells wonderful.
I use simmer pots throughout the whole year- not just during the holidays. Because of my life-long obsession with symbolism (as if that’s not obvious by my artwork), I love that the different things I put in the simmer pot can correlate with my different intentions.
If you’ve never tried a simmer pot, it’s so easy! You just fill a pot with water, and slice up fruit and herbs, and simmer for hours. There are certain things that I now have growing around my house year-round because I love using the fresh versions in this kind of work. But dried works just fine too! And if you’re worried about forgetting it’s on the stove and possibly causing a fire (which is totally something I would do), this can be done in a crock pot. Here’s a list of my favorite go-to’s and some of the most common correlating intentions (though you don’t have to care about the intentions if you don’t want to):
Oranges - abundance, happiness
Lemons - cleaning, removing negativity and obstacles
Tangerines - energy, joy, removing negativity
Lavender - protection, healing, peace
Apple - love, healing, considered the food of the dead, feminine power
Cinnamon (I use whole cinnamon sticks)- success, prosperity, luck, healing
Cloves - protection, banishment, calms an area where family gather
Rosemary - healing, protection, purification
Bay Leaves - protection, success, purification
These are just a handful of the most common items to get you started. If you have favorites that you put in your pot that I didn’t list, comment them below!! This time of year can be HARD, so filling your space with something soothing can help combat the stress. Stay strong, little bunnies!! xoxoxo
