St. Beetaroota Day: A Celebration of Love, Magic, and Mystery

A few weeks after Imbolc, on February 14th, we celebrate St. Beetaroota Day, a time to honour the love story between the field maiden Beetaroota and Pan. But this day is more than just myth—we also delve into the hidden powers of the humble winter root, an essential ingredient in two of the most potent magical formulas of all time.

For centuries, beetroots have been revered as an aphrodisiac, their deep crimson hue symbolizing passion and vitality. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, Pleasure, and Fertility, was said to hold an irresistible allure, desired by gods and mortals alike. Legend tells us that the secret to her ageless beauty lies in the beetroot. Even the Oracle at Delphi declared beets as valuable as silver, recognizing their mystical potency.

The sacred scriptures of the Jitterybug cult recount how Kudra crafted a legendary fragrance, a perfume designed to mask the unmistakable scent of Pan, allowing him to walk unnoticed among us. This perfume, known as K23, is a paradoxical masterpiece—both embodying Pan’s wild essence and concealing it within layers of complex aromas and energies.

Our Prophet

Tom Robbins (1932–2025), Celebrated Novelist of Wit and Whimsy

Tom Robbins, the beloved American author known for his eccentric storytelling, sharp wit, and poetic prose, has passed away at the age of 93. Best known for novels such as Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Jitterbug Perfume, and Still Life with Woodpecker, Robbins captivated readers with his unique blend of humour, philosophy, and surrealism. His work challenged conventions, celebrating love, freedom, and the beauty of the absurd. With a literary voice unlike any other, Robbins leaves behind a legacy of novels that continue to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. His words, like his spirit, remain timeless.

Our Scripture

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins is a whimsical, genre-defying novel that blends mythology, romance, and humour into a rich, intoxicating tale. Spanning centuries and continents, the story follows Alobar, a Bohemian king who refuses to accept death, and his journey to uncover the secrets of immortality. Alongside him, a mysterious, otherworldly fragrance weaves through the lives of modern-day perfumers in New Orleans and Paris, connecting past and present in a surreal dance of scent and destiny. With Robbins’ signature wit and lyrical prose, Jitterbug Perfume is a dazzling exploration of love, time, and the pursuit of eternal life.

The Sacrament

The Essence: Jasmine

Jasmine: The Moonlit Blossom of Magic & Desire

Drifting through the night air like a whispered secret, Jasmine’s intoxicating scent has captivated hearts and spirits for centuries. This evergreen vine-shrub, reaching up to 10 meters high, unfurls delicate white, star-shaped flowers against a backdrop of vibrant green leaves—nature’s enchantment.

Its fragrance is nothing short of spellbinding. Scott Cunningham described it in Magical Aromatherapy as “an exquisitely expensive, exquisitely delightful aroma”—a scent that lingers in the mind, stirring emotions and awakening hidden desires.

Native to China, northern India, and West Asia, Jasmine has long been revered for both its sensual and spiritual potency. Its essential oil soothes sensitive skin, eases muscular spasms, relieves labour pains, and dissolves stress like mist in the morning sun. But its true magic lies beyond the physical.

Jasmine is a key to passion, a whisper to the soul. A renowned aphrodisiac and sexual tonic, it ignites desire, deepens sensuality, and awakens the primal forces within. Its hypnotic scent evokes optimism, confidence, and euphoria, making it an ally in love, attraction, and emotional transformation.

Spiritually, Jasmine is a flower of visions and prophecy. It enhances intuition, creativity, and divine insight, guiding seekers toward profound revelations. Deeply tied to the full moon, its energy pulses with lunar mystery, aligning with the cycles of magic and manifestation.

Jasmine’s essence is said to awaken the Horned God, stirring the wild, untamed energy of nature itself. Whether woven into rituals, worn as a perfume, or simply inhaled on a warm night, Jasmine is a doorway—a fragrant invitation to passion, mystery, and power.

Divination of The Day

5/8/21  “Hot baths, remember, are part of the immortalist process.”

14/2/22  “By mid-August, his nose could have led him blindfolded to the places where the pollen was congregating.”

Jvalamalini is the one “who throws flames all around”. Jvalamalini is the Kala of the 14th day of the lunar cycle.

Jvalamalini’s energy can also be present in the flaming crown, the Chaosphere. Meditating on the picture below, you can almost capture her essence, perfectly masked in the scentuality of the Jitterybug perfume oil. On February 2022, the paths of Jvalamalini Kala and St Beetaroota had crossed and for one very special day, you could feel the rhythm of the jitterbug flowing throw the fiery garland around the nearly full moon.

14/2/23  “Zippers remind me o’ crocodiles, lobsters, and Aztec serpents. I wish me tweeds had more than a single fly… Zippers are primal and modern at the very same time. On one hand, your zipper is primitive and reptilian, on the other, mechanical and slick. A zipper is where the Industrial Revolution meets the Cubra Cult…”

14/2/24  “Now,” Marcel the Bunny was saying, “I wish to call your attention to yet another prehistoric event. About two hundred thousand years ago, the human brain tripled in size. Science has been unable to explain this relatively sudden enlargement, since beyond a certain size, a size that the brains of our ancestors had already reached two hundred thousand years ago, intelligence does not increase with brain volume. What evolutionary purpose was served, then, by tripling our cerebral real estate?”

14/2/25  “High above them, barely visible upon the very pinnacle of the mountain, illuminated in the most resplendent manner by noonday sun, heel and horn almost silver, almost holy; stance jaunty yet solemn, regal yet a bit ridiculous; bearded head held at an angle suggestive both of an affection for the variety of life ‘round about it and a suffering as primeval and sharp as the peak itself, stood Pan, reeds to lips, and though they scarcely could hear his tune, they felt it in the greasy stirring of the poppies and the mute breath of the snake that sunned itself on a nearby ledge. They watched him in silence for a while, inexplicable tears in their eyes”…

Let the serpentine energy of Kapalini guide you today

The Legend of St. Beetaroota

A few weeks after Imbolc, on February 14th, the Feast of St. Beetaroota is celebrated. This day honours the passionate encounter between Beetaroota and the god Pan. It highlights how the humble winter root became a cornerstone of two of history’s most potent magical formulas.

The Birth of Beetaroota

Born in CE 640, Beetaroota was the younger half-sister of St. Sexburger. Unlike her esteemed sibling, she was born out of wedlock and lived in a small, impoverished village in Essex. Her days were consumed by toil in the beet fields, her hands stained crimson from the roots she harvested, her life simple, though touched by an unspoken longing.

One fateful day, as she worked beneath a sky the colour of burnished gold, she was seized by an intoxicating aroma. The scent coiled through the air, thick and wild, making her head spin. She turned, searching for its source, and gasped—a man lay sleeping beside the great boulder at the heart of the field. Yet he was no ordinary man. His chest rose and fell with the steady breath of a beast at rest, his legs stretched before him, ending not in feet, but in cloven hooves. His curled horns caught the sunlight, casting spirals of shadow across the earth.

Beetaroota stepped closer, her curiosity outweighing her fear, until she was nearly upon him.

“Oh, what an exquisite goat!” she blurted, more to herself than to him.

The words, innocent yet impetuous, startled him awake. In an instant, the figure was on his feet, his amber eyes locking onto hers. The scent surrounding him was overwhelming—musk, earth, cedarwood, and something older, untamed. The intensity struck her like a spell, and with a gasp, she fell backwards, landing in the beetroot patch.

The Gift of Pan

As she lay there, a vision overtook her. Pan appeared before her, his form shimmering with a radiance both divine and mischievous. He knelt beside her, his grin sharp as a crescent moon.

“I will share a secret with you,” he said, his voice like the rustling of leaves in a midnight breeze.

When she awoke, she found him crouching nearby, his golden eyes watching her with quiet amusement. Without thinking, she reached for a beetroot, clutching it like a talisman. As she brought it to her nose, she realized that its sharp, earthen scent cut through Pan’s musky aura, balancing the chaos of his fragrance.

Pan chuckled and seated himself upon the boulder, lifting a flute to his lips. A melody poured forth, winding through the air like a living thing. It pulsed through the field, stirring the plants, and summoning bees and butterflies in a dance of golden light. The very earth beneath Beetaroota’s hands seemed to hum with the song, and at that moment, she understood.

“I see now,” she whispered.

Pan took her hand and kissed it gently. “Remember,” he said, “the magickal essence of the beet can only be gathered on this day, between sunrise and sunset. It will serve as the key ingredient in the Invisibility Potion, masking all things—from offensive odours to extraordinary phenomena. It is also the hidden component in the ancient formula used to call upon me.”

Then, like mist at dawn, he was gone.

The Legacy of Beetaroota

From that day forward, the village’s beet harvest flourished beyond all expectation, producing roots so large and succulent that even the king sought them for his table. Beetaroota became a healer, weaving her newfound knowledge into medicinal elixirs and magical draughts. People travelled from distant lands to seek her aid, whispering of her uncanny power and the strange warmth that forever lingered in her fields.

Every year, on the morning of February 14th, Beetaroota would walk the fields before dawn, hoping to glimpse the god who had changed her fate. Though Pan never reappeared, the land always greeted her with a warm, golden haze, and from this mist, she gathered the rarest ingredients for her potions and perfumes.

On February 14th, CE 666, Beetaroota entered her fields before dawn and was never seen again. Some claimed they saw her walking away with a figure whose legs bent like those of a stag. His horns caught the moonlight as they vanished into the trees.

In her memory, The villagers painted the large boulder in the field a deep crimson colour, a tribute to the goddess of the beetroot. Every year, on February 14th, they leave offerings of beets and blossoms at its base, honouring the woman who brought prosperity and mystery to their land. And if one listens closely on that sacred morning, they say, a faint melody drifts through the air—wild, enchanting, and eternal.

Beetroot: A Root of Passion and Power

Across time and cultures, the humble beetroot has been more than just food—it has been a symbol of vitality, passion, and even the divine. The ancient Greeks linked it to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and pleasure, believing its deep crimson hue held the secret to desire and beauty. The Oracle at Delphi, guardian of mystical wisdom, deemed beets as precious as silver, elevating them from mere sustenance to a source of enchantment.

In this recipe guide, we honour the beetroot’s rich legacy, exploring its earthy sweetness, nourishing qualities, and almost mythical allure. Whether roasted to caramelized perfection, blended into velvety soups, or transformed into vibrant salads, these recipes celebrate the beet’s ability to nourish both body and spirit. Let’s unlock the magic of this ancient root—one delicious dish at a time.

Enhanced Beetroot-Carrot Juice Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 medium beetroot, washed, peeled, and chopped
• 1 medium carrot, washed, peeled, and chopped
• ½ cup water (adjust to taste)
• ½ inch ginger (optional, for a zesty kick)
• ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
• A pinch of black salt or Himalayan salt (optional, to enhance flavour)
• Ice cubes (optional, for chilling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Thoroughly wash and peel the beetroot and carrot. Cut them into pieces that fit into your juicer.
2. Juicing: Run the beetroot, carrot, and optional ginger through the juicer. Collect the extracted juice.
3. Dilution & Mixing: Add ½ cup of water to adjust the consistency. Stir well.
4. Enhance the Flavor: Squeeze in fresh lemon juice for brightness and add honey or maple syrup if a touch of sweetness is desired. A pinch of black salt can elevate the taste.
5. Serve & Enjoy: Pour the juice over ice cubes for a refreshing touch. Serve immediately for maximum freshness and nutritional benefits.

Beetroot Salad:

Ingredients:

Perfectly Roasted Beetroot

Ingredients:

• 3–4 medium beetroots, washed and trimmed (leave the skin on)
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional, for extra depth)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (optional, for added aroma)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Beets: Trim the beet tops but leave a bit of the stem (this helps prevent bleeding). If roasting whole, wrap each beet in foil. If roasting chopped, peel and cut into wedges.
3. Season: Toss the chopped beets with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional balsamic vinegar and herbs. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet.
4. Roast:
   • Whole beets: Wrap in foil and roast for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender.
   • Chopped beets: Roast uncovered for 30–40 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Peel & Serve: If roasting whole, let them cool slightly, then rub off the skin using a paper towel. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions:

• Toss with goat cheese, walnuts, and arugula for a salad.
• Drizzle with yoghurt and a sprinkle of dukkah for a Middle Eastern touch.
• Serve as a side dish with grilled meats or roasted veggies.

Creamy Beetroot Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 medium beetroots, peeled and chopped
• 1 small potato, peeled and chopped (for extra creaminess)
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• ½ tsp cumin powder (optional, for depth of flavour)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for warmth)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Juice of ½ a lemon (for brightness)
• ½ cup coconut milk or cream (optional, for extra richness)
• Fresh dill or parsley for garnish
• A dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
2. Cook the Beets & Potato: Add the chopped beetroots and potato to the pot. Stir in cumin and smoked paprika (if using).
3. Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the beets and potatoes are tender.
4. Blend: Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender) and blend until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and coconut milk/cream if desired. Adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh dill or parsley, and add a dollop of Greek yoghurt or sour cream for extra creaminess.

 

Our scripture tells of Kudra, a master perfumer, who created a fragrance known as K23—a perfume designed to conceal the unmistakable scent of Pan.

Because, let’s be honest—Pan is the god of wild nature, herds, and flocks, and, well… let’s just say, goats are not known for their delicate fragrance. Especially the males. If you have ever visited a goat pen, you will understand why creating a perfume strong enough to mask Pan’s presence was no small task.

Creating a perfume suitable for a god is a serious task—especially when the goal is to hide one of the most pungent and musky deities around. Kudra had to draw upon the rarest botanicals, the richest resins, and the most potent aromatics to weave a scent that could cloak Pan’s very essence. Was K23 simply a legend, or could it still be out there, hidden in the formulas of ancient perfumers?

The K-23 Perfume Oil

Bonus episode: The Great God Pan is Dead

 

St. Beetaroota’s Blessing

May the crimson root of wisdom nourish your spirit,
May the earth’s hidden secrets rise to meet you,
May your pulse echo with the rhythm of sacred growth,
May the beet’s deep magic bless your path with vitality,
As St. Beetaroota walks beside you in fertile mystery.

Blessed be, in root and reverence.