Vanilla is truly magical. The elements and qualities of this plant have enticed and allured humanity for centuries. Let's explore the magic right inside your kitchen cabinet, patiently awaiting your discovery.

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Welcome to the ongoing series, Everyday Magic — where everyday moments are transmuted into intentional acts of real magic. Today we’ll uncover the magic of an ingredients that infuses true magic into your creations every time you use it: That precious little bottle of vanilla extract.

Photo by Foodie Flavours on Unsplash

Vanilla is natively from Mexico, Central, and South America, but is now grown in tropical regions around the world. This plant produces pods that contain the tiny but potent (and precious) vanilla beans that generate that aroma and flavor we all know and love.

Vanilla bean pods | Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash

Mystical Vanilla Essence

Of all the ingredients lying around in your kitchen, few are as alluring as vanilla essence. When you smell something with vanilla in it, something magical happens. Your mind is transported onto another plane. You can FEEL the magic of that timeless moment. 

It's no wonder then that vanilla has a place within mystical tales and ancient beliefs.

This magical plant is so powerful, it was declared as sacred in the cult of love, and the Aztecs demanded it as an offering from the Totonacs. The Aztecs combined vanilla with cacao—the food of the gods— to make xocolatl, the "Divine drink" of the nobility.

Potions & rituals | Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

This aromatic orchid was believed to be…

A gift from the gods, a symbol of love, and a source of vitality.

Warmth and Comfort

One of the most enchanting vanilla properties is its ability to evoke feelings of warmth, safety, and comfort. Vanilla essence in all its forms, bean, pod, extract… wraps you in a warm blanket of coziness, providing comfort and peace, regardless of any chaos that may be surrounding you.

If you need some cozy comfort, add some vanilla to a beverage (ideally a warm drink) or infuse it into a treat.

Cozy mug & sweater | Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

Love and Passion

Vanilla essence is not just about warmth; it also entices and enhances love, passion, and attraction. Mayans and Aztecs used it in rituals and potions to invoke passion and desire.

Vanilla’s ability to spark desire and deepen emotional connections, make it a potent ingredient in your magical toolbox. Vanilla has the ability to create a deeper bond and ignite passionate love.

If you want to inspire more love, passion, and attraction, add just a drop or two of vanilla extract to a recipe you’ll be sharing with your partner.

You can also find a scent with vanilla notes and wear it to attract desire in others.... ;)

Cuddled in bed | Photo by Womanizer Toys on Unsplash

Richness and Abundance

Vanilla essence is also rich.

As soon as vanilla was introduced to Europe, it continued its alignment as a luxury for nobility. Vanilla has always been associated with luxury and desire.

The magical vanilla properties align with the abundance you seek.

Cheers to you | Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Use vanilla essence to manifest prosperity, wealth, and a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond material possessions. 

If you desire to bring more luxury and abundance into your life, start using vanilla daily!

Add a drop to your morning coffee, mushroom drink, or cacao, infusing this simple yet powerful intention. As you breathe in its aroma & sip its richness, imagine it infusing your life with more abundance!

Modern Ways to Embrace Vanilla Magic

Let's explore some practical ways to incorporate vanilla essence into your daily life, from infusing your living space with its comforting aroma to creating personalized daily magic.

Scent: A Truly Enchanting Aroma

Close your eyes and inhale the sweet, warm aroma of vanilla. It immediately transports you into a space of real magic. Vanilla whispers of comfort, nostalgia, and delightful surprises. With every breath, you breathe in the magic it offers you.

Add it to your simmer pot, your diffuser, a candle, even dab it on your wrist. Breathe it in deeply in your coffee, candles, air, on your skin. Take in the warmth, comfort, richness, and seductive nature vanilla brings wherever you find it.

Photo by Joyce G on Unsplash

Taste: Magic in Every Bite

Vanilla’s magic isn’t just in its scent. Its rich, comforting flavor adds depth to everything from holiday cookies to your morning coffee. A dash of vanilla essence turns the ordinary into the sublime, making it a required ingredient in kitchens around the world.

When you add vanilla your baking and sweet treats, remember that it holds real magic within it. Use it with intention!

Photo by Foodie Flavours on Unsplash

Baking, especially during the holiday season, can be a sacred act of creation. When you use vanilla with intention, it amplifies the love and magic you pour into your recipes. Whether you’re crafting gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, or a decadent cake, vanilla’s  enhances the joy, love, and richness of the experience.

Everyday Magic

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

As you reach for that bottle of vanilla extract in your cabinet, remember that you hold a magical little potion, full of potential. Embrace its magic in your daily rituals, from your morning coffee to your holiday baking, and transform the mundane into the magical!

Now, go forth and create magic with every drop of vanilla essence. Let the richness of this magnificent ingredient inspire and delight you as you create a life with just a little more magic.