Carrot: a Fire root with a thing for Truth
Carrot is a masculine root: it corresponds to the Element of Fire, and it is ruled by Mars. It is most commonly used for promoting lust and fertility-- specifically for men. Magically, carrot is excellent for dispelling illusions. Use carrot for dissolving the power of glamour, deception, con artists, and scheming. (Bugs Bunny, anyone?)
If carrot is used for lust or fertility magic, keep in mind that this root will lend a very direct personality to the work: don't expect any subtlety here! This is a great example of the sympathetic magic which is so common in herb and plant lore: the shape of the root implies its purpose.
Any root will naturally correspond to the element of Earth and will be particularly useful for working with the unknown, hidden objects, undiscovered potential, storing energy, and supporting long-term projects or processes.
Medicinally, carrot is well known for its high vitamin A content and corresponding support of eyesight and eye health (which is interesting given its ancient lore association with dispelling illusion or seeing clearly). Carrot is anti-inflammatory. Carrot also cleanses the digestive system, it is good for purifying the blood, and it supports the liver. *Please note: Queen Anne's Lace, otherwise known as Wild Carrot, is an emmenagogue, causes uterine contractions, and is reportedly a folk birth control aid: women should approach any consumption of wild carrot with caution. Domesticated garden carrots such as you would grow at home or buy in the grocery store do not share these qualities.*
Carrot *seeds* are diuretic. There is contradictory herbal medicine lore regarding the use of carrot seeds. Consuming carrot seed is said to encourage fertility and pregnancy in women. However, carrot seeds are also listed as being contraceptive, much like Queen Anne's Lace, so please approach this information with good research and healthy skepticism.
To celebrate the carrot and its nearest root cousins, here is a modern adaptation of a 16th century salad of roots which appears in Italian by Bartolomeo Scappi.
Roasted Root Salad (from 16th century Italian, my adaptation)
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
2. Peel the roots sparingly, leaving some outer skin on. Slice lengthwise to about 3/4 inch width, so you have even, long spears. Slicing an average carrot in half, for example, will be thin enough. Too thin may cause the carrots to break in half after roasting.
3. Put the roots on the sheet pan. Toss the roots together with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon sea salt, 1/2 tsp cumin/cinnamon, and a generous sprinkling of cracked black pepper. Massage this into the roots, using your hands. Then, arrange the roots in an even layer on the sheet pan.
4. Roast at 400F degrees for 15 minutes. Turn the roots once after 10 minutes to check for caramelization on the bottom-- they are done when you see this. Do not over-cook: the texture is meant to be a bit crisp.
5. While the roots are roasting, combine 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar with 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. As soon as the roots are pulled from the oven, sprinkle them lightly with the vinegar mixture, to taste. To the modern palate, a little vinegar goes a long way, so make sure you have a light hand with the vinegar dressing. Place on a serving platter and garnish with a little aged cheese and fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Enjoy hot or cold.
Note: In the original recipe, Scappi suggests roasting the roots under coals. I have made root salad over a charcoal fire, and it is ten times more flavorful grilled than roasted. Please try it this way, if you are inclined to grill!
If carrot is used for lust or fertility magic, keep in mind that this root will lend a very direct personality to the work: don't expect any subtlety here! This is a great example of the sympathetic magic which is so common in herb and plant lore: the shape of the root implies its purpose.
 |
| Ahem. |
Any root will naturally correspond to the element of Earth and will be particularly useful for working with the unknown, hidden objects, undiscovered potential, storing energy, and supporting long-term projects or processes.
 |
| Like gold coins, and hidden treasure! |
Medicinally, carrot is well known for its high vitamin A content and corresponding support of eyesight and eye health (which is interesting given its ancient lore association with dispelling illusion or seeing clearly). Carrot is anti-inflammatory. Carrot also cleanses the digestive system, it is good for purifying the blood, and it supports the liver. *Please note: Queen Anne's Lace, otherwise known as Wild Carrot, is an emmenagogue, causes uterine contractions, and is reportedly a folk birth control aid: women should approach any consumption of wild carrot with caution. Domesticated garden carrots such as you would grow at home or buy in the grocery store do not share these qualities.*
Carrot *seeds* are diuretic. There is contradictory herbal medicine lore regarding the use of carrot seeds. Consuming carrot seed is said to encourage fertility and pregnancy in women. However, carrot seeds are also listed as being contraceptive, much like Queen Anne's Lace, so please approach this information with good research and healthy skepticism.
To celebrate the carrot and its nearest root cousins, here is a modern adaptation of a 16th century salad of roots which appears in Italian by Bartolomeo Scappi.
Roasted Root Salad (from 16th century Italian, my adaptation)
Ingredients:
- equal parts carrots, turnips, and parsnips (the greater variety of colors, the better)
- sea salt
- cracked black peppercorns
- olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin or equal parts cumin and cinnamon
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- grated aged cheese such as parmesan
- fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
1. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
2. Peel the roots sparingly, leaving some outer skin on. Slice lengthwise to about 3/4 inch width, so you have even, long spears. Slicing an average carrot in half, for example, will be thin enough. Too thin may cause the carrots to break in half after roasting.
3. Put the roots on the sheet pan. Toss the roots together with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon sea salt, 1/2 tsp cumin/cinnamon, and a generous sprinkling of cracked black pepper. Massage this into the roots, using your hands. Then, arrange the roots in an even layer on the sheet pan.
4. Roast at 400F degrees for 15 minutes. Turn the roots once after 10 minutes to check for caramelization on the bottom-- they are done when you see this. Do not over-cook: the texture is meant to be a bit crisp.
5. While the roots are roasting, combine 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar with 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. As soon as the roots are pulled from the oven, sprinkle them lightly with the vinegar mixture, to taste. To the modern palate, a little vinegar goes a long way, so make sure you have a light hand with the vinegar dressing. Place on a serving platter and garnish with a little aged cheese and fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Enjoy hot or cold.
Note: In the original recipe, Scappi suggests roasting the roots under coals. I have made root salad over a charcoal fire, and it is ten times more flavorful grilled than roasted. Please try it this way, if you are inclined to grill!
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