Apple cider vinegar is a beloved staple in our kitchen, but when I craft my "magical" version, I find that my culinary creations always turn out just right. This recipe is a cornerstone of our Fire Cider and is versatile, serving both everyday cooking and as an essential ingredient in quick herbal remedies for my cherished animals (a dog with an upset stomach, or a duck that isn’t laying right).

I imbue every step of this process with intention, making it a powerful tool for enhancing energy and well-being.

The ideal sugar-to-water ratio for making apple cider vinegar is approximately 1 cup of sugar to 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) of water, which is roughly equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar for every half gallon (64 fluid ounces) of water. This ratio is commonly used for apple cider vinegar fermentation and helps provide the necessary nutrients for the beneficial bacteria and yeast to convert the sugars into acetic acid during the fermentation process.

Ingredients:

• Apples (organic, if possible)

• Sugar (organic cane sugar is ideal)

• Filtered or chlorine-free water

Equipment:

• A large glass jar or ceramic crock

• A clean cloth or breathable cover (cheesecloth or muslin)

• A rubber band or string

• A kitchen scale

• Clean, sanitized crystals or stones for intention

• A small cauldron, ritual bowl or naturally-made bowl.

Instructions:

1. Apple Blessing:

• Select your apples, welcoming them into your sacred space. Speak to the apples and thank them for their energy.

2. Prepare the Apples:

• Clean and core the apples. As you work, infuse each apple with your intention for transformation, wisdom, and healing. Yes you can use scraps, so if you are making a pie this is the perfect way to reduce waste.

3. Create the Apple Elixir:

• In your bowl, combine sugar and water. Visualize the harmonious merging of these elements as you speak words of power. "May this elixir be a vessel of transformation and nourishment."

4. Combine Ingredients:

• Place the cored apples in your glass jar or ceramic crock, imbuing them with your intentions for the vinegar's magical properties. Pour the sweet elixir over the apples, ensuring they are fully submerged.

5. Magical Rest:

• Set the container in your sacred space and cover it with a breathable cloth secured by a rubber band or string. As the apples undergo their transformation, connect with the energies of the container and the apple spirits. You may also place a representation of the triple moon or pentagram symbol nearby for added magical energy.

6. Intentions for the Mother:

• Over the next 3-4 weeks, focus your intentions on the formation of the "mother" within the vinegar. This entity will become a source of wisdom and vitality. Communicate with the spirits of the apples and the transformative powers of the vinegar, seeking their blessings.

7. Harvest the Mother:

• Once the "mother" is established, it will be visible as a cloudy, gelatinous mass. This is a powerful magical tool and an essential part of apple cider vinegar. Speak your gratitude to the "mother," acknowledging its role in the fermentation process. You can either harvest it or leave it to continue enhancing your vinegar. I remove the mother, strain the solution, and re-add the mother to the vinegar.

8. Speeding Up the Process:

• To speed up the vinegar-making process, you can either weight the vinegar for 3-4 months to naturally develop the "mother" or add 2 tablespoons of vinegar that already contains the "mother" to your concoction. Bless this addition as a shortcut, aligning it with your intentions.

9. Harvest and Enjoy:

• When the vinegar aligns with your magical intentions and taste preferences, strain the liquid and transfer it to a clean glass bottle. Label it with an enchanting name that resonates with your intentions. Your witchy apple cider vinegar is ready for use in spells, healing, or culinary magic.