Witchy Simmer Pots: Aromatic Magick For Your Home

If you have been in the online witchcraft community for any amount of time, you have probably come across the idea of a simmer pot. But what is this pot full of ingredients? Well, it is exactly as it sounds — magickal (and mundane!) ingredients get added to a pot of water to simmer on the stove. The steam generated through simmering the ingredients then permeates the entire space, filling your home with the energies that correspond with your chosen magickal components. They are a simple way to enhance your practice with magickal energy throughout your whole home! Keep reading to learn how to make one yourself, how to use them, and learn a few different recipes to get you started!

Making a Basic Simmer Pot

Making a simmer pot requires very basic ingredients and tools that most people will have access to. These include a pot, water, and additional ingredients that correspond to your intention. Before you begin, spend some time thinking about your intention. What is it you want your simmer pot to accomplish? Protection? Happiness? Abundance? Celebration? Your intention will dictate the ingredients you choose to add to your simmer pot. After you have this clear, gather your ingredients, add them to the pot of water, and set the pot to simmer — yes, it really is that easy!

You can also customize a simmer pot to suit your needs and abilities. Here are a few examples:

Simmer Pot Slow Cooker

If you will be gone for the day or would rather not use your stove, consider using a slow cooker for your simmer pot! The water will get warm enough to infuse the ingredients and allow the energies to permeate the air.

Waste Not Simmer Pot

Many witches choose to live an eco-friendly life, protecting Mother Earth and preserving resources. Consider making your simmer pot dual-natured in the form of a potion or soup. Just make sure the ingredients you add are safe to consume!

Adding Moon Water

A very versatile tool, Moon Water can be added to your simmer pot for extra intention! It can be created during any moon phase, even including the energy of the sign the moon was in when you created it. This can add an extra layer of energy to your simmer pot, making it an even more potent tool for your magick!

The Spoken Simmer Pot

Just like with any other magickal practice, you can choose to create your simmer pot with chanting, music, or other spoken words. It does not have to be silent to be effective!

Essential Oil Substitutions

If you would rather use essential oils instead of physical ingredients, that is perfectly fine, too! There are some things to consider such as safety for pets and disposal of the pot when it is finished, but essential oils are a simple substitute!

→ See also: Essential Oil Directory created by Cosmic_Curiosity || Spells8 Coven

Simmer Pot Recipe Inspiration!

Simmer pots can be created and used for just about any occasion. Whether you are cleansing your space, manifesting abundance, or celebrating a sabbat, these recipes are sure to give you inspiration to get started on your own. All you have to do is put the ingredients in a pot, set it to simmer, and enjoy the magick!

Protect My Space Simmer Pot

• 3 sprigs of rosemary for protection and purification
• 1 sliced lemon for cleansing and banishing negativity
• 2 cloves of garlic or warding off harmful energies
• 1 bay leaf for shielding against negative energies
• A pinch of black peppercorns for protection
• A small handful of salt for grounding and protection energy

Creating Abundance Simmer Pot

• 1 orange, sliced, for joy and prosperity
• 2 cinnamon sticks for abundance and attraction
• 3 cloves for luck
• A sprinkle of nutmeg for wealth
• A few sprigs of basil for financial blessings
• A small crystal of citrine
  ^{*optional, place nearby rather than in the pot}

Home Cleansing Simmer Pot

• 2 sliced lemons for clearing stagnant energy
• 1 sprig of sage for purification
• 1 sprig of thyme for courage and clarity
• A handful of mint leaves for refreshing energy
• A pinch of sea salt for cleansing

Simmer Pot for the Winter Solstice

• 1 apple, sliced, for love and renewal
• 3 cinnamon sticks for warmth and connection
• A handful of cranberries for vitality and celebration
• 1 orange peel for sunshine and energy
• A sprinkle of cloves for protection and warmth
• A few pine needles or a sprig of evergreen for strength

Happy Home Simmer Pot

• 1 lemon, sliced, for positivity
• 1 orange, sliced, for happiness and creativity
• 2 cinnamon sticks for warmth and love
• A handful of rose petals for self-love and joy
• A sprinkle of sugar or honey for sweetness in life
• A few drops of vanilla extract for comfort

How And When To Use A Simmer Pot

Now that you have a basic understanding of simmer pots (and some recipes to get you started!) you may be wondering when to use a simmer pot versus a different spell. There is no simple answer to this question because the choice is entirely yours! Simmer pots are versatile and easy to create, so if they are a convenient and aromatic way for you to work your magick then go ahead and simmer away to your heart’s content!

As with anything in magick, there are a few things to keep in mind when using a simmer pot. Here are some tips to keep you safe while working this magick:

• Never leave your stove unattended! Just because you are simmering water does not mean it is safe to leave your pot on the stove without checking on it periodically. Major damage can be done if the pot boils out of water and overheats while dry. You can start a fire if you have physical ingredients in your pot — we do not want that!
• If you are using essential oils, be mindful of yourself and any pets in the home. While our human noses may be sensitive to certain smells, our non-human friends and family often have more sensitive noses. There are many essential oils that are not safe to diffuse around animals. Please check with a quality source before using essential oils around your pets.
• Simmer water is hot water! Please take the proper precautions to prevent burns from both hot water and steam. Know where your first aid kit is, and if you do not have one, please consider getting one. If you are finished with your simmer pot, let it cool completely before disposing of it in your preferred method.

Simmer Pot Disposal

There are many different ways you can dispose of your simmer pot once it has served its purpose. Feel free to choose the method that works best for you and your practice.

• Give It Back: If the ingredients are safe to do so, consider composting your solid ingredients and giving the water back to the earth. Remember that salt is not safe to go into the compost or back to the Earth, so if salt is an ingredient, your simmer pot will need to go down the drain or in the trash.
• Make A Potion: Some simmer pots can also double as potions or infusions! If your ingredients are safe for a potion, consumable or not, consider keeping the liquid and disposing of the solid ingredients. Then you can use the liquid for room sprays, perfume, or blessed water!
• Throw It Out: Sometimes we can’t help but throw things into the trash. If you have no access to the outdoors, no need to keep the liquid, or used ingredients you can’t keep, it is okay to drain the simmer pot and throw the ingredients in the trash.

Ready For More?

Consider using one of the many simmer pot recipes shared in the forum or create your own using the ingredients you learn about in the Green Witch Course here at Spells8!