As we move toward the beginning of Fall with Mabon fast approaching it is a great time to start preparing some mulling spices to get in the spirit. Mulling spices can be used in wine or in cider to create delicious spiced drinks. They can even be used in a hot toddy.

This spiced “wassail” was used in southern England in medieval times during winter celebrations. They would sing and drink to the health of their apple trees to ensure a bountiful harvest the next year. At the end of their celebrations they would pour the last cup of mulled cider to the “Apple Tree Man” who lived in the oldest apple tree in the orchard.

With a little research and a bit of magic you can make a mulling spice that will help you to harvest your desires. Most basic recipes include the following ingredients. I have listed them here with their correspondences magically so you can brew up some magic.

• Allspice: Success in love and money matters, banishing poverty consciousness, determination and healing
• Cinnamon Sticks: Good luck, attraction, money 
• Dried orange peel: Health, success, happiness
• Whole cloves: Protection, love, money, healing, and strength

From here you can add a whole bunch of different herbs and sweeteners to customize your blend. Some of the common additives are:

• Cardamom pods: Love and passion 
• Dried Ginger: Love, money, success and power
• Star Anise: Joy, blessings, luck, and psychic awareness
• Whole nutmeg: Luck, money, health, fidelity, and psychic ability
• Peppercorns: Protection
• Vanilla bean: Love, lust, and power
• Lemon peel: Cleansing, love, friendship
• Maple sugar: Love, longevity, money, healing, and sweetness
• Brown sugar: Friendship and sweetness
• And my favorite, candied ginger: all the same things about dried ginger only sweeter!

Adding another layer to any mulled brew you want to make, think about your medium.

Cider is made from apples, used to bring about love, Healing, immortality, revival of the garden, and speaking with the dead. So if you mull some cider you can drink in these qualities as well.

In wine you have the power of the resurrected gods like Dionysus to bring back health, fertility, healthy gardens, and wholeness. The transformation of fermentation brings about an initiatory power to wine, which is why it is sacred in places all over the world.

The herbs used to make mulling spices are usually whole or crushed into smaller size. They are not ground to a powder or you will get gritty mulled drinks. A good rule of thumb for your mulling spices is about two tablespoons of spices to about a half gallon of cider or wine simmered on low for about a half hour. Don’t go over medium heat for wine, keep it on low. Put the spices in a tea strainer or muslin bag so you can remove them from the brew more easily. You can make your own blend of mulling spices to go with your intention, magically charging the herbs as you go. Spice blends also make great gifts for people who love mulled cider and mulled wine, packaged up in cute airtight bottles.

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Mullin’ Spice Blend

When it is money and abundance that you need 
This mulling spice will help you succeed
Don’t be greedy, it is only fair 
When you have plenty there is more to share. 

1/2 cup cinnamon sticks, broken into chips
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup allspice
1/4 cup dried orange peel
1/2 cup candied ginger chopped into pea sized chips.
3 tbsp star anise

Charge each herb for abundant prosperity and to attract cold hard cash. Put the cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves in a sealable plastic bag, cover with a towel, and whack it with your rolling pin or a mallet to break them down into chips. Do not powder! Mix all ingredients together and put into cute airtight bottles and give some away to friends.

To mull, put two tablespoons of the blend in a muslin bag or tea strainer. Put this in a half gallon of cider or wine and simmer for a half an hour over low heat.