Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. And one of my favorite things this time of year are…pumpkins!
I can’t resist picking out the largest pumpkin to carve for Halloween.
I can’t resist decorating with mini pumpkins, and those stunning white pumpkins!
Pumpkins are a symbol of the harvest – abundance, prosperity, and happiness.
They bring out our creativity.
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They support our health and well-being, and make our fall festivities so much brighter.
Here is how pumpkins support our health, as well as our spiritual and magickal practice.
Pumpkin Nutrition and Health Benefits
Pumpkins are a rich source of beta-carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A. Pumpkins also contain all B vitamins (except B12), as well as Vitamins C and E
As for minerals, pumpkin is especially rich in copper (25% RDA in 1 cup). It’s also a good source of iron, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.
In addition to beta-carotene, which is known to promote eye health, pumpkin contains several antioxidants that may provide a protective effect against certain cancers, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases.
Spiritual & Magickal Properties of Pumpkins
Pumpkins symbolize gratitude, generosity, harvest, and abundance.
Pumpkins also represent potential, as each pumpkin is packed full of seeds that will go on to make even more pumpkins.
I associate pumpkins with creativity. The myriad designs and carvings that we make on pumpkins each year stoke the creative juices, not to mention the color orange is associated with creativity, fun, and joy.
It’s fun to see my child’s imagination light up when given a pumpkin to carve!
Speaking of carving, pumpkins with scary faces carved into them (what we now call Jack-o-Lanterns) were long used to ward off evil spirits. Because of this, carved pumpkins are often associated with protection and dispelling negative energy.
Pumpkins, especially white pumpkins, can symbolize the moon. Pairing a small white pumpkin and a moonstone can amplify your work with moon phases, or moon magick, during the autumn months.
Pumpkin Correspondences
Sabbats/Seasons: Pumpkins are associated with autumn and Halloween, as well as the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA.
For pagans, pumpkins are used for food, altar décor, and even ritual during the holidays of Mabon (Autumn Equinox) and Samhain.
Element: Water
Crystals/Stones: Orange calcite, citrine, pyrite, heliodore.
I like to work with moonstone and white pumpkins together when working moon magic during the autumn.
Candle Colors: Orange, yellow, black.
Using Pumpkins In Rituals & Recipes
You can use pumpkins in so many ways to enhance a nature-focused spiritual practice.
- No autumn, Mabon, or Samhain altar is complete without at least one pumpkin. I usually decorate my altar with at least one mini orange pumpkin and a mini white pumpkin.
- Larger pumpkins can be carved into Jack-o-Lanterns (or other meaningful symbols) and placed throughout the home, or outside around Halloween/Samhain.
- Set your intentions for abundance, prosperity, or happiness into an a pumpkin, then bake it into a pie or bread and serve at a special gratitude dinner, or feast (like Thanksgiving.)
- Charge a white pumpkin under the full moon to carry that full moon energy into your workings for the season. Plant seeds from this pumpkin in your garden the following spring to carry your intentions into the following year.
Pumpkin Recipes
One way I connect with pumpkins in the fall is by blending them into a delicious green smoothie.
I don’t just make green smoothies for the health benefits. I incorporate green smoothies into my spiritual self-care routine every morning.
I blend pumpkin in my green smoothie when I want to boost gratitude and feelings of abundance.
I also incorporate pumpkin into my blends to help spark creative ideas.
Here are a few of my favorite pumpkin smoothie recipes:
1) Pumpkin Spice Green Smoothie Recipe
- 8 ounces of almond milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash of nutmeg
- 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
Directions: Start by adding the liquid to your blender, followed by the soft fruit. Add the greens to your blender last. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until the smoothie is creamy.
2) Pumpkin-Apple with Cinnamon Smoothie
- 1 cup pumpkin (cooked, canned, or raw)
- 1 apple, cored
- 1 banana, peeled
- dash of cinnamon (to taste)
- 2 cups or handfuls fresh baby spinach (optional, but recommended)
- 8 ounces of fresh water or pumpkin seed milk (or try coconut water)
3) Pumpkin-Carrot Green Smoothie
- 1 cup pumpkin (cooked, canned, or raw)
- 1 fully ripe pear, cored
- 1 whole carrot or 4-6 ounces of carrot juice
- 2 cups or handfuls fresh baby spinach (optional, but recommended)
How To Make Pumpkin Seed Milk
You can use the seeds and “guts” from a pumpkin to make pumpkin seed milk! Use it as the liquid in any pumpkin smoothie recipe.
I add two cups of pumpkin seeds and guts to 4 cups of water. To sweeten, add a date or two, and accent the flavor with a little cinnamon, nutmeg and/or vanilla.
Blend on high for 30 seconds (or longer if you do not have a high-speed blender). When finished blending, strain the liquid from the pulp using a sieve or nut milk bag.
Store in a tightly sealed container (mason jars are great for this) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Shake well before using as separation will occur.