Spiritual Offerings

Spiritual Offerings – by Amber Mackenzie

There are so many holidays and celebrations coming up… Mabon, Samhain, Halloween, Day of the Dead, All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days, not to mention some fabulous Full Moons! Maybe you present offerings to the deities or ancestors that you work with? Or, perhaps you want to, and don’t know how to start. Each of these occasions can include a ritual with “cakes and ales” or perhaps a special meal prepared for honoring your ancestors.
Offerings are often in the form of food or drink, but non-edible creations can be offered as well. When getting started it is important to note that you want to choose items that are associated with your deity of choice. Offerings of breads, apples, honey, fruits, and vegetables are commonplace and pleasing to all of the deities. Wines, juices, beer, mead and other alcoholic spirits are offered, as you would a guest in your home. To get started, I have compiled a working list of offerings that would work.

SPIRITUAL OFFERINGS
Apples – Venus, Aphrodite, Diana, Apollo, Zeus, Flora, Hera
Basil – Mars, Krishna, Vishnu, Ares, Lakshmi
Catnip – Bast, Sekhmet
Chamomile – Cernunnos, Ra, Helios
Lavender – Mercury, Hecate
Rosemary – The Sun
Valerian – Aphrodite, Venus
Rose – Aphrodite, Cupid, Venus, Isis
Grains – Cerridwen, Osiris, Lugh, Inanna, Demeter, Ceres, Arianrhod
Cherry – Flora, Artemis
Corn – Spider Woman, Epona
Sunflower – Apollo, Modron
Cinnamon – Angus
Blackberry – Brigid, The Dagda, Poseidon, Danu
Grape – Dionysus
Olive – Ra, Horus
Flax – The Norns, The Fates, Bertha
Mushroom – Odin/Woden, Chalchiuhtlicue
Peppermint – Pluto
Strawberry – Venus, Frigg
Honeysuckle – The Morrigan

Hearth and Home
Food: Bread and grains, cooking oil, salt
Drink: Milk, wine, cider
Herbs: Rosemary, thyme

Love and Passion
Food: Eggs, honey, apples
Drink: Wine, fruit juice
Herbs: Lavender, sandalwood

Garden/Nature Deities
Food: Bread, cornmeal, fruit
Drink: Milk, water
Herbs: Bay

Prosperity and Abundance
Food: Grains, dairy products like cheese or eggs
Drink: Milk, beer
Herbs: Mint, pennyroyal, catnip, clover

Ancestor Spirits/Dead
Food: Any meal from your family’s table, apples
Drink: Drinks from the family table
Herbs: Sage, sweetgrass, apple blossoms

Childbirth or Fertility
Food: Eggs, baked sweets like cookies
Drink: Milk (including breast milk)
Herbs: Rose, sandalwood, apple blossoms

Protection and Purification
Food: coconut, grapefruit, lemon, lime, melon, orange
Drink: Beer, juices (fruit), peppermint tea, water
Herbs: Oregano, sage, thyme, black pepper, bay

Health and Healing
Food: Almonds, tomato, pineapple, pumpkin
Drink: Water, herbal teas, cider
Herbs: Peppermint, thyme, garlic, sage, allspice

Peace and Happiness
Food: Cucumber, lettuce, olives, peach, apricot, fish
Drink: Wine, milk
Herbs: Cumin, oregano, saffron, marjoram

The Fae/Fairies
Food: Strawberry, grape, blackberry
Drink: Fresh milk – sweetened with honey
Herbs: Clover, lavender, lilac, rose, rosemary