Raven King by Fox Henry Frazier

RAVEN KING is powerful, a book of spells disguised as poetry. I experienced such a range of feelings while reading this collection, it’s hard to even describe the transition from sorrowful rage to empowered goddess fury to a sense of tender beauty. In other words, this book made me want to roll around in a garden in a skirt.

For my witchiest booktail yet, I mixed up a veritable bouquet: rose for “Rosy/silent porcelain girls” and “Purple winter roses”; violet liqueur for “finally sped /West together   letters that followed us read/ wash out all the violet.” The word “violet” is so close to “violent.” The color is a bruise. Then there’s the ‘v’ of violette for Valentine, a friend lost to the other side. Last but not least, fragrant lavender bitters complete the potion.

To present this booktail, I set the drink at the center of an altar, atop a marble offering platter scattered with quartz, moonstone, and dried flowers. The marble is surrounded by dried rose petals, with a labradorite wand crossing the gold base. In the background are three oracle cards, representing the past, (the Devil) present, (your fate is in your hands) and the future (the eye of Horus).

INGREDIENTS

• 1 oz rose vodka
• 2 tsp Tempus Fugit violette liqueur
• Bar Keep lavender bitters
• Dry champagne

INSTRUCTIONS
You can make your own rose vodka by sealing ½-1 cup dried or fresh organic rose petals in a medium jar filled with plain vodka. Shake and set in a cool, dry place for 3-5 days.

​Once your vodka is ready, add it to a champagne flute, along with the violet liqueur and a few dashes bitters. Top with champagne.