Kitchen Witches
February 27th, 2009 by John Wolfe
I remember being intrigued by these cackling characters during several 1980’s visits to my grandmother’s house. She always kept one witch hanging directly over the bar stools and the other near the sink. The witches in the image have much more benign looking faces than the mugs on my grandmother’s witches. Those things could have given any kid nightmares. It was around this same time that a couple of neighbor kids (both in middle school, while I was elementary age) started telling me stories about possessed dolls coming to life in the middle of the night. 
I was certain if any dolls could do it, it would have to be those two witches!
I think the witches were supposed to represent good luck or good flavor for your food. Honestly, I’m not sure if I ever heard for certain. If anybody knows, please leave a comment.
I wish I knew what she did with those things. Now, I’d hang them in my house in a heartbeat.
Photo source: Flickr user – nooner.
Posts Related to Kitchen Witches
February 28th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I have my green-faced, haggard-looking kitchen witch hanging in the window across from where all the action happens in the kitchen.
It’s a European thing (I grew up thinking it was an Italian thing, but origins are most likely found in Germany or Norway). And you’re right, she is supposed to bring good luck to your cooking in both flavour and safety.
1) She helps protect you from accidents in the kitchen (some say the whole house is under her protection but I was always taught it’s just the kitchen).
2) She also helps people with any difficulties they might have in the kitchen – if they always burn things, let items boil over, can’t get a cake to rise, lumpy gravy, etc. So it’s good luck to give them as gifts especially as a house warming present.
3) She casts her charm on the food to make it taste better. I always associated this idea with the belief that when you cook for people, it’s an act of love. So in my brain, it’s almost like she gives it a karmic blessing.
I don’t know if my kitchen witch ever helped me, but I do love having her around.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
A kitchen witch makes sure your food doesn’t burn, your sauces are smooth. Here’s the quote from the Norwegian kitchen witch, which I have:
“I’M A NORWEGIAN KITCHEN WITCH RIDING MY BROOM.
LOVE AND AFFECTION I’LL BRING TO THIS ROOM.
POTS BOILING OVER ARE A THING OF THE PAST.
WITH MY KIND OF MAGIC GOOD FORTUNE WILL LAST.
I’LL KEEP BURNT FOODS AND BAD COFFEE AWAY.
FOR I’M THE GOOD LUCK KITCHEN WITCH AND I’M HERE TO STAY !”
February 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Ghoul Friday and Shellhawk,
Thank you both so much for helping me learn more about the kitchen witch. I never cook, outside of using the microwave and heating something on the stove. The oven has only been used once since I’ve been living here, so I may have to find somewhere else to hang the witches, if my grandma locates them. I usually eat a lot of fresh foods or I just blend up protein drinks.
Ghoul Friday, number 3 really resonates with me. I can apply that same feeling throughout other areas of the house. Maybe they can become living room witches or foyer entrance witches.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
In Italy they sell witches that look very much like that at Christmas time. She is called La Befana. She comes on January 5th, Epiphany. She normally leaves food gifts like fruits, candies and nuts to the good children.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Lesley,
Great to see you. Thanks for stopping by! I’m not familiar with Italian customs, but that reminds me of my time spent in Germany. Christmas is such a huge event there and there are so many different traditions associated with the holiday.
Thanks to you, ShellHawk, and Ghoul Friday, I’ve learned a lot of cool new stuff associated with witch dolls today.