Growing up in California, when I think of halloween, one of the main things that comes to mind are corn mazes. As a child I would visit corn fields in October, to celebrate the last harvest and Halloween. I remember going at different times, either during the day or at night which created very different experiences, especially when the moonlight, if you are lucky, guided you. The exhilaration you get running in a maze willingly accepting the concept and experience of getting lost, getting lost in a sea of an infinite tall terrain was never forgotten. The escape, the wonder, the thrill made my little fascinated heart beat faster, and the childlike curiosity rush over me due to the unknown. I know corn mazes, well mazes in general can be terrifying for many. They are presented that way in many books and horror movies, but for some reason I have always romanticized them. I remember having such a fascination with the design and execution. How does one design a maze? How much maintenance went into one? I decided at 9 years old if I ever had land and the money to have a hedge maze, I would. I cannot even imagine my brain designing one but I would want to hire and learn from a person who did. This obsession with mazes and the blue full moon coming up on the 31st made me realize I wanted to make a corn dish for our Samhain feast.

As I sat on the sofa with a cup of tea in one hand, note pad in another to brainstorm ideas, I realized I wanted another cozy side dish. That fresh, warm, melt in your mouth cornbread is one of the most comforting things I have tasted in my life. Corn really is a very special food in general, so I thought an elevated corn bread recipe would be a great addition for our Samhain inspired dinner. Its also a good additional recipe to bring or share at a dinner party, or if you are like me, maybe you just feel like making it because you want to stuff your face full of cornbread, there is no shame in that game – I fully get it.

As you might have seen in my other recipes, I love Chamomile and Honey, and Honey is fabulous in cornbread, so I thought I would combine all those flavors into a more-savory-meets sweet dish for folks to enjoy. In paganism and Magick practices corn is a very special and important element at this time of year. Samhain means “The Final Harvest” and it is also a very important time to celebrate the ancestry that has come before us. Samhain is celebrated differently in different areas and families. After researching and also knowing the background of my ancestral practices, here are some fun symbolic, Magickal and culinary traditions I found.

The word “corn” was used to describe “all types of grain” before it was associated with North American maize, thanks to the North American indigenous tribes. Corn or the original name “maize” has several different indigenous names, such as Sacred Mother, Seed of Seeds, Seed of Change, Giver of Life, Panizo, The Great Mother, xilotl, Fertile Sister, Bewa-ri (meaning hard yellow) and is one of the Three Sisters, amongst the Oneida (squash and beans being the other two).

Witchy Uses For Corn

Like all plants, different parts of the corn are used for different things.

– Fully grown corn is both food and seed, simultaneously representing competition and beginnings.

– Corn cobs represent all parts of the life cycle and the power of creation.

– Overall, corn is about growth that is practical and planned.

– Cornstalks are great for all sorts of protection magick. The traditional corn doll protects against drought and famine. She is the symbol of the harvest.

– Wrap a spell in cornstalk to bind it.

– Write sigils and incantations on cornstalk, burn to activate.

– Ears of corn represent the reproductive cycle.

– Use dried seed corn to support your spells of beginnings.

– Corn attracts some animal spirits, like certain birds (especially jays) and deer. To use them this way, place an offering for the animal on an energy grid containing their symbols. Then meditate on the symbols, envisioning offering them the corn, opening up to the animal spirit.

– Use an ear as a coffin to bury that which needs to die. Carefully open the cob, then write your intention directly on it. Close the ear back around it, securing it with black string. Then bury it away from your home.

– Use an ear as a conduit to speak with the departed. Remove the cob and replace with an image, the name and something of theirs. Write your message/question and put that in as well. Wrap the ear around your spell, then seal with a white cord. Perform a ritual honoring this ancestor to attract their attention. When the ritual is complete, open the ear and your will receive your reply.

– Charge cornmeal with botanicals to enhance them both. (Which I did with chamomile)

What are the benefits of chamomile?

Chamomile has so many useful benefits from calming effects, managing different illnesses, its a anti-inflammatory, you can use for your skin or hair mask. It even can help Protect Against Certain Types of Cancer, what a magical flower.

What are the health benefits of Raw Wildflower Honey?

Raw Wildflower Honey is another very wonderful and soothing remedy that has nutrients and minerals which have many benefits, it is an anti inflammatory, helps with immunity, cough and allergies. It also can help with acid reflex/digestive tract issues. It can ease period cramps, helps your skin, hair, is an antioxidant and so much more.

What are the benefits of Corn?

Corn has a lot of lovely benefits first using there the corn silks as tea. It is a diuretic and help bladder health/IC pain. Corn is also rich is in Vitamin B12, folic acid and iron which helps in the production of red blood cells in the body. It contains complex carbohydrate which gets digested at a slower pace, which helps enhance energy for longer. Corn Lowers Blood Sugar & Cholesterol Level, and contains zeaxanthin and pathogenic acid which reduces the risk of birth defects in baby. There are many more properties, I encourage you look it up, corn is truly magical.

I hope all you lovelies have a fun adventure with this recipe, like I did running through those corn mazes and remember bake with the intention that nature is love and love is food.

Happy Samhain and Blue Full Moon!

Cheers!

-Drew Johanna Night