The Magickal Properties of Cinnamon

Think of Yule and what comes to mind is the fragrance of warm spices, fire, and the colors red and green. Whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, cinnamon is a Yule staple in food and drinks, poinsettia and holly adorn tables and doorways, and of course, there’s the warmth of the fire. In the Northern Hemisphere, cozy fireplaces make us feel comfortable, safe, and empowered. While in the Southern Hemisphere, its mid-summer and the fiery sun fills us with vitality, energy, and a sense of freedom.

It’s no coincidence that the properties of cinnamon align with the masculine energy of fire and the vibrations of freedom, power, safety, and vitality. We can only assume that’s why cinnamon is associated with Yule because the lore behind it isn’t that convincing.

The Cinnamon and Yule Connection

The spice first arrived in Europe in the Middle Ages from Egypt. There are manuscripts written by traders dating back to the 1270s describing cinnamon bark being transported from the Maluku Islands, off Indonesia, to East Africa. But most ordinary Europeans were illiterate and unschooled. They were, however, in awe of this extremely expensive spice that was used only for the most special of occasions. A spice they saved up to buy for Yule celebrations.

Wanting some knowledge of this treasured bark, though, someone came up with a theory that in an unknown land, cinnamon birds built their nests of cinnamon sticks. At night, men trained in tricking these birds would steal their nests and ship them off to faraway places. In truth, true cinnamon and its close relative, cassia, had been widely used in then Burma and Ceylon, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, where it occurred naturally for millennia.

For centuries, traders from various European countries dominated the harvesting and export of cinnamon from wild trees, selling it for up to fifteen times the value of silver by weight. When the British took over control of Ceylon from the Dutch in 1796, they started farming cinnamon trees across vast areas of land. As a result, cinnamon became more readily available at a reasonable price. It has, however, never lost its Yule connection.

Healing Properties of Cinnamon

Cinnamon has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which makes it great for treating infections and also preserving meat and other foods. It was a crucial ingredient in the embalming fluids used by the ancient Egyptians.

It’s also high in antioxidants, which help soothe inflammation, particularly of the muscles. High cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high levels of triglycerides can also be treated with a cinnamon tincture or elixir combined with raw honey. Circulation benefits from regular cinnamon intake and speeds up healing and aids in blood coagulation to prevent internal or external bleeding. (Always check with your health practitioner first, though, because high doses can interfere with pharma medications.)

If you’re watching your sugar intake, cinnamon adds a natural sweetness to food and blocks digestive enzymes preventing sugar-highs followed by a slump in energy. A cup of warm cinnamon, raw honey, and lemon tea is an excellent treatment for the common cold, a sore throat, and sinus inflammation brought on by seasonal changes.

Cinnamon and Magic

European witches didn’t take long to pick up on the magical properties of this fiery spice. Since it’s associated with fire, cinnamon can be used for physical protection as well as cleansing. Burning sticks or incense is similar to smudging with other herbs. Hanging a bunch of cinnamon sticks tied together above your door protects your home, as does laying them on your windowsills.

You can make a spray by steeping cinnamon sticks in boiling water too. Use a ratio of one cup boiling water to three average cinnamon sticks. Cover the sticks and allow to cool completely. Remove them from the water and decant the infusion into a spray bottle to use on anything you want to cleanse or protect.

Your new tools or any scared space can be consecrated to you and your craft by burning cinnamon and anointing with cinnamon essential oil.

Other magical properties of cinnamon include –

Empowering spell work: including cinnamon in any form in spells, will make them stronger and speed up the results.

Good luck: if you’ve been down on your luck for a while, add cinnamon to your life. Spray an infusion all over your body, carry some sticks in your pocket, or do a good luck spell with cinnamon.

Money: most of us can do with a bit more of it, and cinnamon is excellent for attracting money. Whether it’s a new job, a raise, or an unexpected windfall, putting cinnamon in your wallet will see it swell.

Love: cinnamon is excellent for spells and rituals to attract love or spice up your love life. Preparing a meal seasoned with cinnamon for your love interest and serving it while burning red candles anointed with cinnamon oil can do wonders.

Charging divination tools: putting cinnamon sticks in between your tools not only cleanses them but keeps them charged.

Raise your vibrations: a cup of cinnamon tea before spell or ritual work will raise your vibrational energy.

Enhance psychic energy: cinnamon enhances your clair senses when used in psychic rituals, making communication beyond the veil easier.

Victory: if you’re competing for something and want to come out tops, use cinnamon. In a sporting competition, rub some cinnamon powder onto your hands just before the game begins. A job interview would do better with a good spray of infusion or anointing your wallet with oil.

Because of the association with fire and masculine energy, cinnamon drives things forward, empowers, and cleanses. Think of a raging fire: it reduces all deadwood to ash, making way for new life and new growth. The versatility of this ancient spice can both create and destroy.

Cinnamon Luck Drawing Spell at Yuletide

Start the New Year off on a good note by doing a spell to draw good luck, money, or both, beforehand.

If you only want to attract money, you can use coins or a note. When you’re looking for good luck, the field is more open. Many different things represent good luck, like a four-leaf clover or horseshoe. Often, we have a lucky charm or lucky number as well. The same goes for colors. Green and red are considered lucky. But maybe you have a favorite color that brings you luck. Numbers too! In numerology, eight is regarded as the luckiest number, but many prefer seven. Or you could have your own personal favorite; so, use what works best for you.

Also, if you want to attract luck only, you’re going to need to make a small pouch. If you wish to add money only, you need your wallet. When you want both, we’re back to a small bag. You can buy small drawstring pouches if you’re not crafty. Whether handmade or bought, choose your color and then cleanse it with cinnamon incense. Run it through the smoke on all sides and then hold the bag upside down above the smoke so that the smoke fills it. Pull the drawstring closed, and the residual smoke will keep it charged and cleansed. If you’re using your wallet, empty it and cleanse it in the same way.

Choose from the correspondences listed below to make up what you want for your spell.

What you’ll need:

fabric and string, or a readymade pouch
your wallet
money in coins or a note
ten of pentacles tarot card
a symbol of good luck (you can use a drawing)
nine of cups tarot card
cinnamon incense and essential oil
eight red, green, yellow, or gold candles (or a mix)
wide clear tape

What you’ll do:

Cast a circle of protection.
Light the candles and incense.
Spend some time meditating on what you want.
Visualize it as if it’s already happened.
Raise your vibrational energy through deep rhythmic breathing.
Take some quick sharp breaths to come back into the moment.
Invite the energy of spirit into your circle.
Anoint the tarot card, notes, coins, or symbol of good luck with cinnamon oil.
Stick the anointed correspondences to the back of the tarot card with clear tape.
Also, cover the front of the card with tape to protect it.
Place the tarot card and correspondences in your pouch or wallet (you can fold it to fit).
Close the pouch or wallet and hold it above the incense smoke.
Visualize the energy of good luck or wealth coming down from the universe in a spiral and illuminating it.
Feel it warm up in your hands.
Lay it down in front of you and cup your hands over it while saying this incantation –

By the power of fire, I seal in good fortune

Wealth (or luck) bring only success

Fears released, dreams fulfilled

A life of abundance, not a life of less.