FAVA BEANS WITH A NICE CHIANTI!

Legend says that if you carry a fava bean, you will never go broke. During the 10th century, when famine struck Sicily the fava bean sustained the citizens. After many prayers and petitions to St. Joseph to bring rain, a promise was made to him in return. That if they survived, the Sicilians would honor St. Joseph every year with an altar in his name. The ritual, that coincides with the spring equinox, still remains today in many communities. Growing up in New Orleans, a city filled with Sicilians, I was blessed to be able to help in preparations for the St. Joseph altar.

When I began to write Convent, and dove into the world of witchcraft, I couldn't help but see the similarities to my Catholic upbringing. Setting up altars, carrying around talismans and charms for luck, and celebrations on the equinox. Are the origins of our traditions really any different?

Another legend associated with St. Joseph is his ability to sell houses. It is believed that if you bury a statue of him in the front yard, upside down, and facing your home, it will sell. The act of burying the holy relic is symbolic of your intention to sell the home, and your request of divine intervention. Once the home sells, don't forget to dig that statue up, and say a little prayer of gratitude. Just a little Catholic folklore...

As the feast day of St. Joseph arrives on March 19th, altars will be raised in his name. The people attending will wear the color red and snatch a fava bean for good luck. But I can't help but ponder how thin the line is between miracles and magic. Maybe, just maybe, there is a little witch in all of us...