Demonic sigils are specific types of symbols or seals that are used in various magickal traditions to represent, summon, or communicate with demonic entities. These symbols are believed to hold the essence or the power of thr demon they represent, acting as a focal point for rituals involving these entities. The use of demonic sigils dates back to ancient times and has been incorporated into numerous magickal practices and grimoires throughout history.
Historical Origins
The practice of using symbols or seals to represent demons is ancient, with roots in cultures around the world. However, the formal use of demonic sigils is most notably documented in medieval and Renaissance grimoires. These texts, such as 'The Lesser Key Of Solomon' (also known as Ars Goetia or Lemegeton), provide a catalog of demons, each accompanied by a unique sigil.
A sigil can have immense power because it's a gateway to a certain energy. It's like having a direct line to a powerful person, except that the person is a spiritual force, not constrained by the time/space continuum. The ancients knew all too well that our world is not only physical, that there are entities among us that we can't perceive with our ordinary senses, yet they can be communicated with through symbols which activate our higher intuitive faculties and open a door for their arrival.
Purpose And Use
Demonic sigils serve several purposes in magickal practices, including:
• Summoning- Sigils are used in rituals to summon demons, providing a method for the practitioner to focus their intention and call forth the entity.
• Communication- Sigils facilitate communication with demonic entities, acting as a bridge between the practitioner and the spirit realm.
• Command- In some traditions, possessing a demon's sigil gives the practitioner a degree of control, over the entity, compelling it to perform or grant requests of the summoner. Most entities will resist this type of magick and some may turn hostile. Use sigils with respect and consideration.
A sigil of a summoned demon can be utilized in various ways after the ritual. For example, by carrying it with you, placing it in a prominent place in your home, an altar dedicated to the demon, or in some cases of baneful magick, placing it near the target, burying it, burning it, etc.
Creation And Activation
Demonic sigils found in grimoires are traditionally received through mystical revelation or compiled from older texts. Modern practitioners may use these historical sigils or create new ones through various methods of sigilization, such as the rearrangement of letters from the demon's name into a symbolic design.
Activating or charging a demonic sigil typically involves ritualistic practices. These can include specific invocations, the use of ceremonial magick tools, and the creation of a ritual space. The goal is to energize the sigil and open a channel of communication with the entity it represents.
There are also techniques that can be used to create a unique sigil that connects a person with a specific demon for the purpose of attunement. Such a sigil being charged and activated to serve a single connection rather than everyone who chances upon it, can be a more powerful conduit. It is comparable to a dedicated VS a shared network.
Authoritative Texts With Demonic Sigils
Some grimoires contain extensive lists of demonic entities, their attributes, and corresponding sigils. Here are some notable texts that include information and drawings of demonic sigils:
• The Lesser Key Of Solomon (Ars Goetia, Lemegeton, Clavicula Solomonis)- Particularly the first section, known as the Ars Goetia, which details 72 demons along with their sigils and methods of summoning them.
• The Grimoire of Honorius- Attributed to Pope Honorius III, this grimoire includes sigils and instructions for summoning spirits, including demons, and is known for blending Christian and pagan elements.
• The Book Of Abramelin- Written by Abraham von Worms, this book describes an elaborate ritual known as the Abramelin Operation, designed to obtain the knowledge and conversation of one's guardian angel but also includes information on the summoning of demons as part of its broader magickal practice.
• The Pseudomonarchia Daemonum- An appendix of Johann Weyer's 'De Praestigiis Daemonum', this text lists 69 demons along with brief descriptions and is notable for its critical perspective on the practice of demonology.
• Grimorium Verum- (Latin for True Grimoire) is an 18th century grimoire attributed to one 'Alibeck the Egyptian' of Memphis, who purportedly wrote itnin 1517. Like many grimoires, it claims a tradition originating with King Solomon.
• The Munich Manuel of Demonic Magic (Codex Latinus Monacensis 849)- A 15th century grimoire, this manuscript focuses on necromancy and demonology, including sigils for summoning demons.
• The Grand Grimoire (The Red Dragon)- Known for its powerful rituals and the summoning of demonic forces, this book also contains sigils and instructions for making pacts with demonic entities.
• The Black Pullet (La poule noire)- While primarily known gor its talismans, this grimoire also includes methods for creating sigils and rings that are used to grant the user various powers, including influence over demons.
• The Sixth And Seventh Books Of Moses- These books are a collection of magickal texts that purport to describe the magick practiced by Moses, including the use of seals and sigils associated with both angels and demons.
The sigils found in these texts are often used in their original form even today. There have also been modifications and new sigils are constantly being created, especially by chaos magicians.
Good evening, readers and querents. Today we are taking the next step on The Fool's Journey. Sitting on their papal throne, The Hierophant invites The Fool to receive their blessing. Join in as we examine the imagery and meaning of this card with me today.
The Hierophant is represented by the number 5 or five. This number represents instability, conflict, change and loss. This connects to the stable structure the number 4 makes which is put under new pressures and changes when one is added. The Hierophant in this regard speaks about how we manage and deal with those struggles. As a major arcana, The Hierophant represents a force in life that will guide The Fool through such struggles.
Two apostles sit at the feet of the figure on the card. They are adorned in in white and red flowers on their robe. This signifies their wish to cultivate their strength and clarity academically. The crossed keys at The Hierophant's feet signify the figure has the info they need advance in their journey. Adorned in robes of red and white, The Hierophant's holy attire represents a strong and clear font of insight. The religious imagery signifies the importance this card places in faith and structure. The Hierophant's right hand points upward to heaven and downward to hell. This, and their firm and proper posture on the papal throne, indicate being placed as a conduit for the teachings of faith. Their left hand holds the triple cross.
This cross represents the office of the pope, and shows the command The Hierophant has over structure, tradition and faith. The triple headdress, with the three nails embedded, represent the crucifixion of Christ. The teachings of their faith and the struggles that lie within are always on their mind.
IN A READING: Receiving this card in a reading tells the querent to rely on the structures and traditions in their life. They are taking actions that are being met with brick walls or conflict. At this time in their life, the querent should lean on the teachings and traditions they have been handed down. Examining the why of these traditions will help the querent better understand how the traditions serve them. Interpersonally, the querent should lean on and learn from people in their life who embody The Hierophant. Diving into the structures that have been laid before by others will serve the querent deeply.
REVERSED MEANING: Drawing The Hierophant reversed tells the querent to fight against the structures that have constrained them. The querent is lacking control, and the powers that be are making them claustrophobic. Drawing this card shows the querent that a rebellious spirit and a new direction will serve them better than the traditions and structures before them. The querent should watch for people who enforce these structures just to enforce control on them.
This is the fifth in a series of posts designed to be a free resource for people looking to examine their tarot readings more deeply. You may use these to do your own readings or to simply supplement your own!
These posts will be gathered and edited into a cohesive PDF when this series is finished. This will be offered as an honor system pay what you can service.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my tarot blog today, check out my masterpost and go to my ko-fi if you'd like to book a reading! I also have memberships that offer my services at a monthly retainer and you can examine my glowing reviews throughout my blog. Please consider leaving a tip or reblogging if you enjoy my views here. Thank you so much.
If you haven’t already, check out my lessons on visualisation for the basic knowledge you’ll need to begin practicing shielding.
So what is shielding?
Shielding is a manipulation of energy, used to create a barrier between yourself and unwanted, usually negative or malicious energies. It’s a basic aspect of spellwork that everyone, beginner or experienced, should use to keep themselves safe.
What can I use shielding for?
Some beginner-level uses for shielding are drawing a circle, or casting a spell. A more experienced individual might use shielding in astral travel or spirit work, where there are a lot more malicious energies involved. Personally, I use shielding as often as possible, for instance when I do tarot readings, spells, spirit work, shadow work, and especially cursing. It gives that extra guarantee that you won't flood your personal space with unwanted energies.
Other uses include shielding against real-life dangers, to a certain degree. I often shield when I am walking through town at night for extra protection. But please remember to take other measures too! Call someone, pretend to be on the phone, plan your route, and even carry pepper spray if it's legal where you are.
An easy shielding method:
The easiest way to explain this is to think of your energy as a physical manifestation. Think how power attacks are shown in anime or cartoons - a streak of colour or light, or an element. Make it personable to you: fire signs (Leo/Aries/Sagittarius) might visualise fire, or a red energy or light etc.
Firstly, some people prefer to cleanse before shielding. I don't think its all that necessary but the choice is yours.
Begin by easing yourself into meditation. Get comfortable, and use whichever technique works for you. I have various methods for this in my visualisation lessons if you are struggling.
Attempt to visualise the energies surrounding you in your mind. It might be a swirling colour of light, almost like a cloud of dust. It could be flames, it could be water. Maybe try to see it held within your hand.
Now, attempt to shape this energy around your entire body. You might want to start with a bubble or a cube surrounding you. Feel this shape surrounding and protecting you. Visualise negative and unwanted energies being held back by it.
You can also layer shields, so if you are working with a particularly malicious energy you might want to have multiple shapes surrounding you, all within each other. You can also work with deities or spirits to ask them to shield you too.
Shielding Incantation
When I am shielding, I recite a spell as well as using visualisation techniques.
The shield of protection, I carry it strong,
No ill wishes or trouble shall come along,
You cannot harm me, or weaken my soul,
My light is my weapon, and peace is my goal.
Try it out for yourself and let me know in the comments how it went! Thank you as always for reading. Please message for requests.
Protection Work in Folk Magic: Herbs, Spells, & Charms for Protecting Yourself & Others
by Keziah
Times are hard, and hard times, unfortunately, often come along with an increased need for protection. Due to this, I felt it was only right to start sharing the protection work series I've been planning to do for quite some time now. In this first piece, I share a collection (both curations and creations) of magical workings within the realm of folk magic that can offer protection. From herbs and tools to turn to, to spells and charms to work, there's plenty of protection help to be found here.
What is Folk Magic?
First and foremost, I'll answer this question so there's no confusion as to what sort of spells will be found in this piece. Folk magic is a term that has come into more common use (thanks to social media) in recent years, but that use isn't necessarily the most accurate explanation or representation as to what folk magic is.
While you'll see many claiming that folk magic is strictly Christian, that simply isn't the case. Folk magic is bigger than any one religion, and the term applies to a broad spectrum of belief sets. In its most barebones definition, folk magic is applied to the magical systems of a common people, a magical craft that exists outside of the realm of ceremonial magic. Some folk magic exists outside of initiatory and hierarchical systems, some within such systems. Some folk magic is Christian or Christianized, some is simply not. For instance, there are forms of Jewish folk magical practices and countless other non-Christian paths of folk magic.
Folk magic is not always called witchcraft, and its practitioners don't always label themselves as witches. Each folk path has its own terminologies, but some you may have heard will be charmers, cunning men and cunning women, rootworkers, granny witches, conjurers, and much, much more.
And now onto the magic!
Herbs, Ingredients, & Tools Commonly Used in Protection Work:
Agrimony: Agrimony is excellent for protection work of various kinds.
It can be used to both protect against harmful magic sent your way and to reverse spells, break hexes, and reflect the malicious work back to its sender.
Agrimony can also be used to protect one from evil spirits.
Angelica: Also known as wild celery, angelica has long been used across a variety of historical and traditional European medicinal and healing practices, as well as being associated with protection magic and warding.
Angelica root is known to be used in protective charms and works throughout Europe and in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the US.
It can be used in spells and charms to protect from malicious and malevolent magic used against you - curses, hexes, evil eye, etc.
Angelica was used to ward off plague and, thus, is associated with protection from illness and safeguarding one's health.
Angelica can be carried (dried or fresh) for protection against evil, be it evil spirits, energies, people, or some other entity or force.
Burning angelica incense can provide protection and defense to the space it's burned in.
Basil: Due to basil's association with love, it can be used in charms to protect romantic relationships from hardship and infidelity. Basil can also be included in works or carried as a charm to protect those in transitionary periods of life - i.e. coming of age, transitioning, grieving and mourning, engaged to be married, moving into a new phase in life, being initiated or converted into a faith or creed, etc.
Garlic: Garlic is used across many cultures and countries in health, protection, banishing, and empowering work.
Dried garlic bulbs and garlic cloves have long been used as amulets against evil entities and forces, negative energy, and malicious people.
Minced and crushed garlic and/or garlic cloves are often used to infuse working oils for protection purposes.
Garlic cloves are added to jar spells and various pouch and bag charms - i.e. hex bags, charm bags, hands, sachets, etc. - to bring protection. Minced and crushed garlic can also be used in jar spells.
Braids and strands of garlic can be hung from window frames, doorframes, porch beams and rails, etc. to protect the space from evil, ill health and disease, malicious work, and negative energy.
Planting garlic on one's property is believed to keep away disease and illness, bring prosperity, and protect the land and household.
Ginger: Ginger is often used in healing work and can be used to protect against illness.
Carrying a piece of ginger root or sleeping with one under your pillow is believed to protect one from taking ill. The same is said of taking ginger (either a ginger shot, ginger tea, or ginger pastes) daily, as ginger boosts the immune system.
Carrying ginger or wearing it as an amulet is also said to offer a general protection.
Graveyard dirt: A versatile tool of the trade, graveyard dirt is used across many folk and ritual practices for a wide array of purposes. An ally that can be used to both harm and to help, graveyard dirt can both be used in hexing, cursing, and other such work, while also being used for protection, warding, binding, and the like.
Hair of a black dog: Dog hairs can be used as amulets for luck and protection. The hair of a black dog is considered especially good for protective purposes.
Holy water: In Christian religious and folk magical practices, holy water is water (usually from a sacred source, such as a holy well, holy spring, etc.) that has been blessed and sanctified by clergy (most often a priest in the Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian, Eastern Orthodox, Asian Orthodox, and Lutheran customs).
Holy water can be used to protect against evil energies and forces via the anointing of one's body, items, or home.
Holy water has been included in many protection spells and works, and to wash and purify ritual tools, by those who practice forms of Christian witchcraft and Christian folk magic.
Iron (cast iron): Iron is believed to protect from evil of all ilk - spirits, demons, curses, evil eye, etc.
Iron nails can be hammered into doors, walls, floors to offer protection to a space. Iron nails are also worn and kept as amulets to ward off evil eye and protect one from being cursed or hexed.
Keeping a cast iron skillet hanging on the wall (and some beliefs say to keep a cast iron skillet under one's bed) is said to protect the home from evil.
Iron is also believed to keep away malicious spirits and various types of fae folk.
Rosemary: Rosemary used across many cultures and countries to sanctify and protect in so many different ways.
Rosemary is considered a powerful herb that provides protection against all forms of evil.
Rosemary incense can be burned to cleanse a space of negativity, impurity, and evil, so as to make that space sacred.
Dried rosemary can be hung up in the home to protect the space, or it can be added to spells and charms to defend against evil, illness, and negativity.
Rosemary charms can be carried or worn when working against or facing an enemy, as it's believed to protect the wearer and to strengthen their work and purpose.
Oils and waters infused with rosemary can be used to bless and purify sacred spaces and tools, and can be used as anointing oils and waters on those in need of protection, healing, strength, and purification.
Salt: Salt is often included in charms and spells as a tool for protection. It's both a purifier and a great defender and can be used to ward one's home and shield one from evil, negativity, curses, hexes, and the like.
Salt water can be sprinkled on thresholds and walkways to keep unwanted entities and energy from the space. It can also be used to cleanse sacred spaces in preparation for work.
Salt can be used in all kinds of sachets and charm bags for protection.
Salt sweeps are often used in the Southern US to cleanse, bless, and ward the home. Salt can also be added to washes for the same purpose.
For General Protection
Hagstone Charms:
Hagstones, also called adder stones, serpent's eggs, fairy stone, and witch stones, are stones which bear a naturally occurring hole, holes caused by erosion or some other natural event. Hagstones have been used as protective amulets for long while in traditional folk magic of Britain. Hagstones can be used to protect from a number of things - general protection overall, as well as protection from spirits of various ilk, protection from harm on the sea, protection of livestock and farmlands, protection from nightmares, and more.
What you'll need:
Hagstone (one or more)
Thread, cord, or twine.
What to do:
-Pass your thread, cord, or twine through the hole of the hagstone. You can knot the thread beforehand for added protection as a form of knot magic. Knots are believed to strengthen protective work, as they can confuse or distract spirits.
-You can add as many hagstones as you like. One is plenty, but I've seen charms with as many as nine stones.
-Keep your hagstone charm on your person for protection. I wear mine around my neck. It hangs from a nail in my doorframe when I'm not wearing it.
Protection from Evil Eye
the Iron Nail:
Iron nails are used for protection in an array of folk magical traditions, including (though not limited to) in Jewish folk magic, British folk magic, Appalachian and Southern folk magic in the United States, and within a number of European folk magic systems.
What you'll need:
An iron nail
(optional) A red or black thread, string, or ribbon
What to do:
-Keep an iron nail on your person to negate evil eye or malicious energies and intentions from others. The nail can be kept in a purse, wallet, pocket, car, or anywhere it can fit.
-The nail can be tied to the end of either a red or black thread, string, or ribbon for added strength. I keep mine on a cord of red twine. I keep it in my purse, but I can take it out and wear it around my neck or wrist if necessary.
Fox Tail Hairs:
Fox tails and fox tail hairs were employed in Jewish folk magic as an amulet of protection from the evil eye. Keeping a fox tail for this purpose wasn't uncommon in medieval times, but keeping a hair from a fox tail serves the same amuletic purpose.
Coral & Jet:
In many cultures, including in both my own ethnoreligious culture and my own regional culture, coral is believed to ward off and protect against evil eye. In some traditions it's specified that a hand with closed fist made from either coral or black jet can be worn or kept to protect one from any evil eye sent their way as well as any wishes of harm or suffering sent to them.
Antique hand-carved coral pendant or charm; photo courtesy of Invaluable Auction House.
In general, coral and jet beads or charms, either together or separately, can be worn to protect against the evil eye. You'll find such customs in Jewish folk magic, Southern folk magic in the United States, and throughout much of Central Europe's folk magical paths.
Protection from Hexes, Spells, Curses, & Malicious or Malevolent Magical Work
Dime Steppin':
Where I'm from, wearing a silver dime in the heel of your shoe is believed to keep any spells put on you from reaching you.
Church Dirt:
It's believed in various Southern U.S. regions that keeping a bit of dirt taken from church grounds will protect you from any witchcraft sent your way. The dirt can be kept in a baggy, pouch, envelope, vial, or any small thing you can keep on your person or in your home.
Iron:
Again, iron comes to save the day! It's long been believed that iron protects from witches, demons, and other forms of evil, and that it repels or dispels evil spells, curses, and hexes sent the keeper's way. For this reason, a bit of iron can be kept on one's person, or forged iron jewelry can be worn. Iron charms, rings, and amulets can be worn to protect from all forms of nefarious magical workings.
Angelica Baths:
For those who feel they've had a curse or hex put on them, add angelica or angelica root oil to your bath. Doing so is said to remove any curse, hex, or harmful magic laid upon you.
Mirror Method:
This spell is perfect for when you have someone you suspect is trying to spell, curse, or otherwise harm you, even in it's just through malicious gossip. This spell aims to protect you by making sure their work doesn't reach you and instead bounces back on them.
What you'll need:
A photograph or drawing of the person(s) you wish to prevent from harming you or the written name of the person(s)
A compact mirror
Red string, thread, cord, or ribbon.
What to do:
-Tape, glue, or fix the picture(s) or name(s) inside your compact mirror, making sure the name(s) or picture(s) will face the mirror when the compact is closed.
-Bind and tie the compact mirror closed with the red string, thread, twine, or ribbon.
-Keep your mirror somewhere safe where it won't be broken or disturbed. The curses or malicious work of those contained within the compact mirror should always be reflected back to them instead of reaching you.
Protection from Violence, Assault, & Harassment:
Sator Squares:
Pennsylvania Dutch variation of a Sator Square found in 'Long Lost Friend' by German-American Pennsylvania Dutch healer and charm worker, John George Hohman; published in 1820.
The Sator Square / Rotas-Sator Square is a palindromic word square used as a magical charm or amulet. It's been around for quite some time (with the oldest known square possibly being from as early as AD 50) and has been found to have been used historically throughout Europe, Africa, Asia Minor, and the Americas. As to its origins and intended purpose, no one knows for sure, but the Sator Square has come to have a number of magical uses, including as a tool for curing ailments, aiding in childbirth, putting out fires, and, in fitting with the theme of this piece, in protection magic.
Medieval Sator Square etched into a wall; Oppède-le-Vieux, France.
There are many variations of Sator Squares / Rotas-Sator Squares, but the most common forms consist of five rows of five words, each with five letters, arranged in a 5x5 grid. The Rotas-Sator Square (in which rotas is the word listed first, pictured below on the left) was the more common in pre-medieval use, but the Sator Square (in which sator is listed first, pictured below on the right) became far more prevalently used than the Rotas-Sator variation at some point in medieval Europe.
Rotas-Sator Square (left) and Sator Square (right).
In Southern Appalachian and some Southeastern folk practices within the United States, one can use a Sator Square for protection from violence or assault against your person.
What to do:
-Write out a Sator Sqaure or Rotas-Sator Square and carry the charm with you. It can be kept in the pocket, especially a shirt pocket, in the shoe, or even be sewn into one's clothes.
It's also said to be used in/on charm bags for general protection from evil in Cornish folkloric based witchcraft.
Protection from Illness & Pain
Shielding from Illness:
There is an oral version of the abracadabra charm I use to safeguard one's health and keep from falling ill.
What to do:
-When you lay down to go to sleep at night, press your teeth together. Not enough to cause you pain or discomfort, just enough to keep your mouth fixed so that your jaw doesn't move.
-With your jaw fixed in such a way, recite this charm in a hushed tone of more breath than voice -
-This should be recited three times in the same manner in order to shield one from illness.
Banishing Illness & Pain:
I've used a few variations of this work for years to rid one of illness or pain. Here are two variations -
The "Hands On" Approach:
If you or someone you know is coming down with something, is ill, or has been suffering pains, either place the palm of your hand on the area of their body where the pain or illness is rooted to or hover the hands just over the body. Recite either aloud or in your mind these words either 3 or 9 times (I typically use 3, but I've used 9 in more serious situations) -
All the ails shall leave (me/you/him/her/them/the person's name),
All that pains shall go away.
Good health shall surround (me/you/him/her/them/the name),
Good health shall come to stay.
The Long Distance Approach:
What you'll need:
A candle (preferably white or any other color associated with healing)
Powdered or ground ginger
Salt
What to do:
-When one is unable to be touched due to distance from the worker, severity of illness or pain, desire to not be touched, or any other reason, take a candle (preferably white or any other color you associated with healing) and hold it whilst you think of them and their ailments and how you wish for them to get better.
-Select where you're going to burn your candle and, before lighting the candle, make a circle of powdered ginger and salt around the candleholder.
-Light the candle and look into the flame, keeping your intention of healing and helping close to your heart and mind.
-As you look into the flame, recite these words either 3 or 9 times -
All the ails shall leave (me/you/him/her/them/the person's name),
All that pains shall go away.
Good health shall surround (me/you/him/her/them/the name),
Good health shall come to stay.
Alternatively, a variation of this spell calls for the recitation of these words -
Sickness burns, good health returns.
Protection from Enemies
Binding A Dangerous Enemy:
To bind someone dangerous who could do you harm.
With Sympathetic Magic
Sympathetic magic is one of the most common means of working against someone else where I'm from. It entails using an image, belonging, likeness, or symbol of who you're working against. In this case, we'll be using one of those things above to try to bind that someone from working against you or from bringing trouble, maliciousness, or suffering your way.
What you'll need:
A photo or drawing of the person;
or a doll of the person (which can be made of clay, cloth, wood, grass, corn husk, etc.); and/or a scrap of clothing, hair, or item belonging to that person
Red thread, string, or ribbon
A candle (preferably black or red)
What to do:
-Light the candle, which can be carved with the target's name if you'd like.
-If you have an item or scrap of clothing or hair belonging to this person, press it against the likeness when you pick it up. If you don't have any such item, skip that step. Item or no, hold the likeness in your hands, focusing on the object and your intent. Once you're fully focused, recite these words -
I name thee (name of the target of this work).
Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh.
I name thee (name of the target of this work).
Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh.
I name thee (name of the target of this work).
Thou art (she/he/they/name) in the flesh.
-Take the likeness (and if you have an item, scrap of clothing, or hair belonging to them, make sure you keep it against the likeness or symbol while you work, so that it's trapped beneath the bindings as well) and begin wrapping it up, tying it tight with your ribbon, thread, or string. If you're using a drawing or photograph of the person, you can roll or fold the image first before tying it up. While you wrap and tie up your symbol, recite these words -
Your hands are bound, your hands are tied.
They cannot be raised against me.
Your feet are bound, your feet are tied.
They cannot move against me.
Your lips are bound, your tongue is tied.
They cannot speak against me.
You're bound, you're tied, you're bound, you're tied.
You cannot work against me.
-Recite this as many times as you need while finishing the tying work, or you can tie them up as much as you need whilst reciting these words 9 times. It's up to you.
-Let the wrapped and tied symbol sit in the light of the candle as it burns down.
-Do with the likeness, doll, or symbol what you will. Some bury it (far from your home, preferably under the light of a waning moon so as to diminish the power of that person to move or work against you), some (especially if it's a clay or paper doll) burn the likeness, and some keep the item in their home and occasionally recite the binding words and add to the wrapping and tying when they feel they need to again.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
Most of the spells listed above are variations found within the realms of folk magic which I've learned through my family, ancestors, and from simply being born and raised where I am. Spells similar to these can be found in the reading list below, as can any spells included that were not from my own family or regional homebrew of craft.
'Conjure/Doctors: An Exploration of a Black Discourse in America, Antebellum to 1940' by Brown, David H.
'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' -Cunningham, Scott
'Doctoring the Devil: Notebooks of an Appalachian Conjure Man' - Richards, Jake
'Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion' - Trachtenberg, Joshua
'the Master Book of Herbalism'- Beyerl, Paul
'On the Origin of the Rotas Sator Square' - Fishwick, Duncan
'Silent as the Trees: Devonshire Witchcraft, Folklore, & Magic' - Gary, Gemma
'Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways' - Gary, Gemma
I talk about this subject often, but I figured I'd write an incomplete guide encompassing a variety of things I've posted about for those interested!
Before the Work:
I know, I know. You're here to learn about spirit work, so why is there even a section prior to it? Well, it's because spirit work begins with the energy forces (spirits of energies), the spirits of herbs and our own spirits, before it begins with deities, fae and ghosts.
Before performing any kind of spirit work as you may know it, it's important to begin with these basics:
Thorough, layered protections that cover each of your bodies (physical, spiritual, etc), any of your items (especially once you may use in spirit work, such as divination tools), and your place of residence as a whole (the space you reside in most, that has most of your energy accessible inside of it, that you will likely perform a large portion of your spirit work as well). If you're worried, please also look into protections for other members of your household / residence, such as furry friends / "pet" family members, just keep in mind that while some protections automatically cover anyone else in the residence (including any spirits btw, be mindful), some protections can actually do harm to animals.
Ethics, morals, and values. This is going to encompass things like being respectful to other spirits, how to imagine them in your brain to ensure you aren't treating them as a commodity, recognizing their autonomy and self-determination, etc. This is meant to be general as each spirit type (learn more below) and individual spirit is different. This is also great to help you determine what path of spirit work you want to take - psychopomp work, bonding with nature spirits and growing plants / herbs, casual hanging out with spirit friends, etc etc etc
Cleansings and banishings. These are talked about a lot, but let me tell you, wards and sigils are not always the way to go. In fact, wards and sigils - even if done correctly - can lead to accidental spirit bindings / trapping spirits in your residence rather than keeping them out. These are not effective protections to lean on without any additional protections / support, and not bullet-proof whatsoever. If your protections are strong enough, they are the safety net. However, when inviting spirits into your space, you are sometimes giving them permission to bypass your permissions - so try looking into protections that can, without harm, force a spirit out of your space once they are unwanted there. This is known as a "banishing" as well, but really it's just a protective method. Cleansings are important when encountering any kind of spirit, and great for non-spiritual health too!
Vetting
Vetting is the process of verifying who a spirit is, whether you're sure you know who they are or not. It's a sign of respect to many spirits, such as deities, but also really important to your safety and well-being. Whether a spirit is harmful, a trickster, or just someone you misunderstand, learning who they are, why they're there, and how to properly communicate / interact with them based on those things is incredibly important to forming any kind of bond with a spirit and / or keeping yourself safe throughout your work.
Vetting is not just asking questions. In fact, it is meant to be a very thorough process. Spirits are just like us - they can lie, tell the truth, or be misunderstood. It's important you understand how to vett properly when learning spirit work.
The steps to vetting include:
Research / Familiarity
Divination
Research: This step is all about learning. What are you learning about? Depends on the spirit you're trying to contact, but obviously, that spirit haha. However, you gotta learn more than just the spirit you're working with, to be able to identify spirits that may show up that may not be them, spirits they introduce you to, other spirits you encounter in your daily life or practice that you may need to handle, etc. So, more specifically, what are you learning about?
-> Spirit classifications: different spirits (or "spirit types"), their traits, etc. Of course, every spirit is an individual, but their "type" still affects or shapes them, just like how being human affects or shapes us. This will help you to understand what's safe for them and what's not, if they're friendly to you or not, what they can help with and what they can't, what they like and don't like, etc. From there...
-> Spirit communication basics is the next step of research for if you wish to speak with them. Certain spirits have specific customs, preferences or conveniences. Which are safe to say xyz to, which are not? Etc. Learning about their spirit "type" can help because it will also help you with this kind of communication, as different spirits have different "ground rules" in terms of communication (what they find respectful / disrespectful, what is safe / not safe to say in their presence, etc).
You want to become familiar with these materials. Take notes, be thorough. You do not need to memorize what you've learned as long as you're in a protective space, but you shouldn't have any notes exposed at the time of vetting (more on this below).
How to research:
Do heavy and thorough research (personal stories, ancient beliefs, historical artifacts, studies, religious information, scholarly academia, non-scholarly "UPG" experiences, etc)
Verify the credibility and context of all sources and cross-compare / cross-reference
Some things to keep in mind when researching:
Memorize lore, stories, facts, associations, practices, etc, that relate to the god / spirit you’re planning on reaching out to. (Please keep in mind that during the vetting, you should not think the answers to the questions you're going to ask in your head, as for many spirits you're basically giving them the answer that way. Additionally, do not have your notes exposed or accessible in any way while you're vetting - it's based to avoid taking notes at all, or deleting them later. Saving the resources in a tab folder on your computer is a great idea to refer to when assessing the answers the spirit gave you)
Save the tabs of the resources you find in a dedicated folder on your computer. (If you're writing traditionally, make sure you take extra precautions to keep your notebook safe so that spirits can peek into it and find the answers during vetting.)
Divination
Most people tend to bust out a deck of tarot cards for this - I do not recommend this! As a tarot reader of about 9 years now, this is a one-way ticket to Frustration Town. Not only is it incredibly easy to misunderstand what the spirit is actually trying to say if you aren't advanced enough in tarot (or if the spirit themselves aren't as familiar with tarot as they are with other divination methods), but the spirit can get frustrated too! Do you know how painful it is saying the same thing 5 times but instead it's invisible charades? Lol
Instead, I recommend utilizing a pendulum. This is much clearer and more convenient for both parties. There's some things to keep in mind when utilizing a pendulum:
-> Yes / no is the easiest method, but you can also do a true / false or a more elaborate spread. (I do not recommend doing oujia-board style for a variety of safety and efficiency reasons.)
-> As mentioned, don't have your notes out and don't think the answers to questions in your head. Simply ask the questions, ask the spirit to leave your space (banish them if they don't; in which case, you likely shouldn't work with them anyways haha), and then deliberate over the answers.
-> Call on the spirit without loopholes. Do not call in "peaceful spirits." Know who you're contacting, even if you don't know their name, otherwise you're opening yourself up to a whole swarm of risks. There are other ways to meet random spirits without needlessly endangering yourself. When calling on the spirit, be respectful, kind, and I recommend verbal if possible.
-> When asking questions, don't ask the basic "are you so-so" or "is hades the god of the underworld" questions. If this information is commonly known and widely accessible to you, then it is also commonly known in the spirit world (especially since they're a spirit / deity you're even reaching out to) and accessible to them as well. You'll want to look into conventional things, uncommon information, stuff that isn't typical or well-known - if they are who they say they are, they will be able to answer correctly, even if the information is incredibly specific or niche.
-> Consider waiting until you're in a good space of mind to establish a relationship. This way, you're less likely to make mistakes that lead to a spirit taking advantage of you. If this is an unrealistic standard for you, make sure you've accommodated yourself in your practices and that you're still respectful to the spirit (some spirits appreciate being told if you're unwell, some this is dangerous to do when communicating with them).
-> Many people are worried about involuntary movements when it comes to using a pendulum. This worries are incredibly valid. That's why you should look into (yes, these exist) specific positions you can sit in and position your arms / etc in that limit the risk of involuntary movements when divining with a pendulum.
There's also some general things to keep in mind when divining throughout the vetting process in general:
-> Trust your intuition. If you have any spirit-sensing abilities, you're allowed to trust yourself there too, as long as you've ensured your healthy and well.
-> Be aware of how you feel emotionally / energetically / internally, how your nervous system feels, any changes in temperature, how your thoughts may be (as some spirits can influence thinking), any physical bodily sensations you may begin experiencing, etc.
Fear-Mongering
There is an incredibly ill-thought-out idea circling these days that spiritual protections are "fear-mongering" or speaking on harmful spirits is "fear-mongering" derivative of Christians being against witchcraft. I'm just gonna say it: this is fucking stupid and an incredibly uneducated, discriminatory take.
The idea of harmful spirits existed long before Christianity was even developed, despite efforts to destroy our cultures, and still exist outside the lens of Christianity today. (Stop taking my culture and spiritual practices, shaming me for it, and then calling me a Christian for practicing it. What kind of backwards logic is that from a witch / practitioner / pagan?)
If you're protected, then you have nothing to worry about. You do not have to feel afraid in order to do your due diligence. We don't ever hop in a car expecting a car crash, but we still put our seatbelts on just in case. We still take driver's tests just in case. We still look both ways before making a turn just in case. It's really not that big of a deal.
Fear-mongering would be "all spirits are out to get you specifically because you don't do what other witches do." But saying things like, "hey, keeping yourself safe is a good idea because bad things can happen" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "just as spirits can be our friends, they can be our enemies or purposefully / unintentionally harm us too; just like people can" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "making sure you feel safe and comfortable is important and should not be taken as disrespectful by any spirit / deity" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "there are consequences to your actions, even spiritually" is not fear-mongering. The idea that really basic practices based in centuries of tradition and developed in modern times are "fear-mongering christian beliefs" is a slippery slope to spiritual psychosis and getting yourself hurt / your spells or spirit work not working or going well / etc. It's also a great fucking slope to continuously erasing practices that Christianity and other oppressors have already been attempting to take, twist and erase for centuries.
Just because Christians took an idea from a traditional practice (multiple, really) without learning the intricacies about it and use it to hurt others, does not invalidate that actual practice they stole from. If it did, all of witchcraft, paganism and other cultural customs would be "fear-mongering." Y'all are just allowing the colonization of our practices and then shaming us for not following your ideals. Besides -- Christians do not speak on the subject more often than traditional practitioners in general, so maybe you guys need to do some more genuine listening and learning / finding actual traditional practitioners if you think Christian ideologies run our practices lol (yeah... people like y'all who preach this sound a bit indoctrinated ngl, and most of us would prefer if you didn't bring that into our teachings and try colonizing us instead of doing some really basic research and self-healing, thanks)
If you're going to talk about fear-mongering, then be knowledgeable about fear-mongering. It doesn't have to be as complicated of a mess as it is, truthfully.
Spirit Work Paths
There's a variety of ways you can lean on relationships with spirits, depending on the relationship and those specifically involved. Here's just a handful of ideas!
Psychopomp work
Spell work
Energy work (especially energy forces / spirits of the energies)
Divination practices
Additional protections
Baneful workings
Healing, health boosts and overall well-being
Attraction, confidence, abundance, etc
Learning about the spiritual world (or even the living world!)
Learning ancestral / cultural practices
Learning lessons and teachings from spirits
Bonding with nature and your environment or spiritual community
Deity work / worship
Animal bonding / work, and / or plant bonding / work
Inner peace, intuition enhancement, etc
Spiritual gift(s) unlocking, locking, development / enhancement, training, etc
Ancestral veneration
and more!
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read my post / learn from my personal knowledge, experiences, and beliefs!
You can learn more about spirit work in this guide to working with death. I also have a brief guide to vetting in this post. For research tips, visit this post and this post, as well as this post on finding traditional Greek practitioners (more focused on Hellenism). Check out this PSA on tricksters and also this post on fear-mongering in spirit work I came across recently. You can also take a look around my Table of Contents post for other posts on the topic, as I have shared a variety, and / or send an Ask any time!
If you haven’t already, check out my lessons on visualisation for the basic knowledge you’ll need to begin practicing shielding.
So what is shielding?
Shielding is a manipulation of energy, used to create a barrier between yourself and unwanted, usually negative or malicious energies. It’s a basic aspect of spellwork that everyone, beginner or experienced, should use to keep themselves safe.
What can I use shielding for?
Some beginner-level uses for shielding are drawing a circle, or casting a spell. A more experienced individual might use shielding in astral travel or spirit work, where there are a lot more malicious energies involved. Personally, I use shielding as often as possible, for instance when I do tarot readings, spells, spirit work, shadow work, and especially cursing. It gives that extra guarantee that you won't flood your personal space with unwanted energies.
Other uses include shielding against real-life dangers, to a certain degree. I often shield when I am walking through town at night for extra protection. But please remember to take other measures too! Call someone, pretend to be on the phone, plan your route, and even carry pepper spray if it's legal where you are.
An easy shielding method:
The easiest way to explain this is to think of your energy as a physical manifestation. Think how power attacks are shown in anime or cartoons - a streak of colour or light, or an element. Make it personable to you: fire signs (Leo/Aries/Sagittarius) might visualise fire, or a red energy or light etc.
Firstly, some people prefer to cleanse before shielding. I don't think its all that necessary but the choice is yours.
Begin by easing yourself into meditation. Get comfortable, and use whichever technique works for you. I have various methods for this in my visualisation lessons if you are struggling.
Attempt to visualise the energies surrounding you in your mind. It might be a swirling colour of light, almost like a cloud of dust. It could be flames, it could be water. Maybe try to see it held within your hand.
Now, attempt to shape this energy around your entire body. You might want to start with a bubble or a cube surrounding you. Feel this shape surrounding and protecting you. Visualise negative and unwanted energies being held back by it.
You can also layer shields, so if you are working with a particularly malicious energy you might want to have multiple shapes surrounding you, all within each other. You can also work with deities or spirits to ask them to shield you too.
Shielding Incantation
When I am shielding, I recite a spell as well as using visualisation techniques.
The shield of protection, I carry it strong,
No ill wishes or trouble shall come along,
You cannot harm me, or weaken my soul,
My light is my weapon, and peace is my goal.
Try it out for yourself and let me know in the comments how it went! Thank you as always for reading. Please message for requests.
I was originally going to make my own spell, but I decided it would probably be a better idea to help beginner hellenistic witches invoke Apollo in the spells they plan to do, since I didn’t have a post like this to help me in the beginning of my journey. Hope this helps all the baby witches out there, good luck!
Keep in mind that this spell is fine-tuned to work with Apollo. He is the only deity I work with, so it makes sense for me to call upon him during rituals. However, if you wish to ask for the aid of a different deity, you can make changes to this as you see fit.
Things You Will Need
💧Khernips
🔥Matches or a Lighter
🕯White Candles
🌿Bay Leaves
🔥Heat-Safe Bowl
🙏🏾Libation Bowl
Directions
Wash your hands and face with khernips before you begin.
Light the candles and burn the bay leaves in the heat-safe bowl.
Pour a libation and while you do this, invoke Apollo as follows:
“Blessed Paian, come in answer to my prayer,
O god of Delphi, whom we all revere,
O Delian king, whose light producing eye
views all within and all beneath the sky,
Whose locks are gold, whose oracles are sure,
Who, omens good reveals and precepts pure.
Hear me entreating for the human kind,
hear, and be present with a gracious mind!”
Make sure that Apollo is present by reading the flame of your candles. If the flame is flickering, that means that he is near you and listening to your prayer. You can now begin whatever spell you intend to do.
After you complete your spell, it’s important to bring it to a definite end. This includes dismissing and thanking Apollo as follows:
“Depart, O Master, to thy realm,
To thine own palace, to thy throne.
I thank thee for thy presence here.
Depart in peace and joy. Farewell!”
Sources
1. How to make khernips – “Hellenic Ritual.” Temple of Athena the Savior, Amanda Artemisia Forrester, 30 Mar. 2017, www.templeofathena.wordpress.com/writings/.
(This is also a great introduction into hellenic ritual, so I suggest reading the whole thing.)
2. How to pour a libation – “LIBATION IN HELLENISMOS - ΣΠΟΝΔΉ.” Www.HellenicGods.org, 2010, www.hellenicgods.org/libation-in-hellenismos—sponde.
(Once again, I suggest reading the whole thing if you’re new to hellenismos.)
3. The invocation and dismissal were cited from – Opsopaus, John. The Oracles of Apollo: Practical Ancient Greek Divination for Today. Llewellyn Publications, 2017.
(A really good read if you’re planning on getting into divination.)
Quick PSA for those that don’t know this, but you should always, without fail, ask permission before you call on a deity for a spell. Before you attempt the spell, communicate with that deity and see if they’re okay with it. See what they’re boundaries are and respect their wishes. The gods aren’t accessories to your spells and shouldn’t be treated like one more ingredient for the pie.
At midnight, as the moon is waning close to new, weave a six-foot rope using yucca fibres, the hair of a black horse’s tail, and the hair of the intended target. Take up nine feathers from a black vulture and tie each feather into the rope by means of an overhand knot. With each knot, say this chant:
Cum nodo primo, incantare incipio;
Cum nodo secundo, incantatum verum exsistet;
Cum nodo tertio, simultatem meam incarnabit;
Cum nodo quarto, inimicum meum patietur;
Cum nodo quinto, sauciationem faciam;
Cum nodo sexto, sanitatem suam putrescet;
Cum nodo septimo, fortunam suam abolescet;
Cum nodo octavo, fatum est;
Cum nodo nono, illum feci.
(With the first knot, the spell begins;
With the second knot, the spell shall become truth;
With the third knot, my hatred becomes flesh;
With the fourth knot, my enemy shall suffer;
With the fifth knot, I shall wound;
With the sixth knot, their health shall rot;
With the seventh knot, their fortune shall fade;
With the eighth knot, it is destiny;
With the ninth knot, I have done it.)
As immediately as possible, place the witch’s ladder in the home of the curse’s target, ideally in an attic or somewhere else they are unlikely to find it. Do not enter the home again after placing the curse within.
In order to break the curse, the yucca from which the fires came must be killed, and the root sliced. The root must be used to make a wash for the floors of each room of the house, and the witch’s ladder must be completely burned, the ashes thrown into a river. Subsequent purification of the home with smoke of sage or rosemary may be necessary.
NOTE: Curses are difficult for a reason. You must be very sure you want to perform a curse before you do it. They must not be done in the heat of anger, or for trivial reasons. With any curse, there is a possibility of negative effects coming back to you, or to innocent people related to or near the target. This is not a long-distance curse, and keeping this witch’s ladder in your home may cause you serious harm. Breaking and entering is also a crime, and you may be subject to legal action such as fines or imprisonment if you attempt to carry out this curse and are caught.
A circle of protection
here I cast.
No evil shall enter,
no ill shall pass.
A shield rise up
and surround us all;
Protect those who dwell
within these walls.
Within this space,
may safety be found.
No ill shall enter
our circle round.
Ancestors! Beloved Shades!
We call to you in your realm of Shadows!
We call to you from near and far, and deep below the earth.
You to whom we owe our very existence,
You are the highest of our loves,
Come now unto us here, from your Undying Lands.
Here to drink and feast with us
Upon this water and bread we have set out of you.
Come forth, mighty dead, here unto this space.
KA!
For an object to be cleansed of its old powers, bring it to the elements.
Wrap the object in black cloth and carefully bury it for a number of days.
Unearth it, unwrap it and pass it over the smoke of juniper and cedar.
Touch the object with water or a special cleansing oil.
Then lastly, bear it before a candle’s flame, carefully, so as to warm it.
With each step, speak these words:
“Buried by earth,
Purged by air,
Renewed by water,
Cleansed by fire.”
I think this can be a great info posts about amulets and hand gestures within Italian folk magic. But some of the gestures or amulets aren’t strictly just for Italians but also Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Greek people surely other groups I haven’t mention. These amulets and gestures are historically being part of the culture and identity for centuries pre Christian and modern day. Just a little mention Sicilian/Sicily isn’t considered to be Italian yes they are part of the peninsula and speak a variation of Italian or their own dialect Sicilian they see themselves sovereign from Italy, they have their own unique culture and folk traditions and Italians here in America Sicilians kind of blended in with Italians of America. So when I mention Sicily and Sicilian that is why they rather seem themselves separate from Italy so I am going to respect that.
Some Amulets/Talismans and Hand gestures are used interchangeably so for instance the fig hand is used as a amulet and gesture so I’ll obviously mention when it comes up these few. These gestures and amulets are common to protect from the evil eye or Malocchio a curse that is cast whether intentionally or unintentionally from someone by simply looking. I’ll leave some good book recommendations on it at the end, also I am part Italian American so it’s going to be slightly more around that specific tradition.
The Mano Corna or Horned Hands
This is a hand gesture and a amulet that is very prevalent among Italians, you may see it commonly as known as “Metal horns” or “The Devil Horns” which isn’t a coincidence; the famous metal singer (one of my favorites) Ronnie James Dio popularize it among the metal community as he did it on stage, he learned it from his Italian grandmother. But they’re not originally known as “The Devil horns” or even symbolizing evil. Rather it is a defensive, challenging, and protective gesture and amulet.
Rather than the devil it depicts a charging bull ready to strike but stands it’s ground as a warning, if you point your fingers downward or straightforward you’re making a stand, but also plucking out the eye of evil. Whether it be someone staring at you or a deflective gesture to avoid misfortunes. When you cast this gesture you would say several key phrases, “Corno!”, “Tieni!”, “Facchio le corna!” Translates as “I make the horns!” Offensive and defensive gesture as well, Corna or Tieni (tee-yah) is for the eye that is present and “I make the horns” as a warning.
But not just when someone giving you an odd and suspicious look and stare for long periods of time. Mano Corna works as a “knock on wood” gesture, say for instance someone says to you “Your Honda has dull tires and not great in snow, make sure you don’t get in a crash!” You would hold up your hand and say the phrase “I make the horns!” Deflecting the unwelcome fate that may befallen on you. But also when someone might be envious towards you, for example, “I love your look today, wow I wish I could be pretty as you.” This may seem as an innocent statement but whether person knowing it or not it can be lace with jealousy and envy towards the person they directed to. Think of those mean girls who pretend to be nice, the fake compliments, their condescending and they will compliment you but they will talk behind your back in the next. Another common gesture as well is to spit (doesn’t have to be actual spittle but mimicking the action) after a compliment to avoid getting the eye of envy I don’t recommend it doing it in front of people but when they walk away or do it none suspiciously same with casting the horns, do it behind your back, beneath the table, when the person isn’t looking.
The Mano Fico/Figa or The Fig Hand
This gesture and amulet is representation of the female genitalia, it protects and wards away the evil when female fertility, children, female reproductive health, relationships, etc. are threatened. It is quite offensive in Italy almost to that of the middle finger so be careful of casting it towards someone who may know what it entails. Using reproductive parts as symbols or gestures of protection isn’t uncommon in folk magic, it’s said the eye hates the sight of the genitals of either gender it gets offended when it is shown, men will grab their groin to ward it away or they just don’t like a person.
The fig hand was used by the Romans since fica is a woman’s genitalia they believe that her prowess and essence and all things feminine comes from there. The fig tree was scared to Bacchus but it was also sacred to Juno/Iuno, whom deals with all things womanhood, children, marriage, relationships, etc. it is said in ancient Roman custom all girls has a Iuno a spirit that like of a guardian spirit but it’s the girl’s likeness, consciousness, personality, yet is a companion to the child as she grows up and throughout her life. With boys they have one called Genius.
Cornciello or Corno “Little Horn”
The one of the oldest known symbol of pre Christian Italy, the cornicello dates back to the Neolithic period of Italy, many Wiccans use this symbol as “the horned god” which isn’t true but rather probably relating to the moon goddess most likely Diana who is traditionally was associated with bull horns and the crescent moon which if turn upwards looks like horns if not Luna or Lala the Sabine moon goddess. Diana and her moon aspects came later on but identified with Luna/Selene when she was Hellenized. So certainly not linked with the horned god but Cornicello is linked with the phallus, phallic symbols are also common to ward away from the eye but to be less obvious Cornciello is often seen as the phallus and if the Fig Hand is more attune with femininity than the Cornciello is more masculine and protects against infertility and male impotency.
Typically you’ll see it as red resembling a red hot chili pepper but the red means victory against enemies relating to St Michael or Mars, usually made twisted and tough but it’s also made with different interpretations like natural curve horn and the Corno is made from numerous different materials to cheap to expensive but common is silver, gold, and coral. Traditionally you be given one by a family member or in some Italian customs someone who isn’t blood related, to be honest with you some Italians are relaxed about it but in my case I didn’t know nor did I have anyone to give me one. But when I got mine I put it on my ancestral altar and have my Italian ancestors bless it as a gift to me even though I did buy it for myself I wanted to make a connection and the purchase as a reminder and bond between me and my ancestors rather it’s just a symbol to put around my neck because “I need to” it’s more of a I want to because what it represents more than just a symbol of protection but a cultural identity and remembrance and connection to my family and community and heritage. I do recommend people by from actual Italian handmade jewelry craftsmanship it can be from Italy but also other subcultures and diasporic cultures of Italian communities like Italian American, Canada, Argentina, etc where a lot of Italian people reside not just from Italy or Sicily or Sardinia. Also I have heard that Cornicello does last longer when it follows the traditional custom of someone giving one to you than buying it yourself but I have mine for awhile now it seems doing okay, a notion of when something breaks it has done its purpose so if a amulet breaks it’s good to get a new one. Plus another superstition is that if one does buy for themself the must not pay for the whole thing unless they get bad luck, again do whatever suits you best just giving you the information that was provided to me :)
Other relations to the Corno, It has a connection between the Cornucopia or “Horn of Plenty” which represents abundance and wealth and fortune, you may see this with the goddess Fortune as well but also Ceres/Demeter who is the goddess of fertility which harkens back to the Corno protecting fertility for man and even woman. Another example is when Zeus/Jupiter broke off a horn from a goat filling it with fruit and flowers and offering it to humanity.
I’ve mention materials like red color but with specific materials can have meanings what the Cornciello can be used for
Coral: Often represents Venus, sexuality and love and relationships and ensured fidelity
Gold: Wealth, abundance, Prosperity and luck
Red with the gold crown: Victory against enemies
Silver: Associated with Luna and Diana
Any material: is said to be blessed by Priapus the Roman God of Fertility and gives many blessings to the wearer.
This amulet was also placed on domestic animals and livestock protection from the evil eye as well and hanging in a doorway which is evident of a pre Christian custom as it was seen in Pompeii from the eye to get in or evil spirits which is linked with the eye as well. The Cornciello is also seen in other cultures like Hispanic and Portuguese.
The Cimaruta “top of rue”
A sprig of the plant which is Rue which is a extremely powerful plant in Italian folk magic to cleanse and banish negative energies the Rue plant is associated with Diana. The amulet like the cornicello can be strongly associated with Diana, origins is unclear but most certainly pre Christian whether it originated in Etruria or Mezzogiorno (Southern Italy). But like the Corno, it’s also called portafortuna (luck-bringer) so it’s used as a good luck charm. The little symbols are amulets into amulet to ward away Malocchio, also connected to several goddesses like Hekate and Proserpina with the key and serpent commonly to hanging it over a baby’s crib typically newborns. It’s common to see it with association with Catholic saints and sacred heart of Christ due to the heart symbol but the heart charm is pre Christian as well.
There is different variations of the charms on the sprig there is wands, dolphins, roses, an owl etc. usually the charm is made of silver.
Mati/Malocchio amulets:
This symbol is depicting the evil eye itself, a common symbol within Mediterranean mostly associated with Greeks and Turkish culture who refer it to as “Nazar”. It’s blue because of an ancient superstition that people with blue eyes being not so common in the Mediterranean region can cast the eye easier the amulet itself is mirroring the eye to deflect it, like how Medusa saw herself in Perseus shield which she turn herself frozen in fear of her own terror gaze, gorgons especially their faces can deflect the evil eye as well. The Mati is not just a random and simple symbol it represents a identity of a people like Greeks who sell them at gift shops and vendors in many different places and interpretations. Though commonly among the Greeks Italians also wear the Mati if the Mati amulet breaks it means it’s done it’s purpose and it’s time to get rid of it. Different colors and ways you can use them like bracelets, necklace, sun catchers, amulets or talismans, you can paint them or draw them, etc.
Red: Enchances strength and courage but also love and fertility
Dark Blue: Tranquility, comfort, and protection
White: New Beginnings and Wealth
Yellow: Health and cognitive abilities
Green: Abundance and Fertility
Black: Against jealousy, wrath, and baneful magic.
Sacrilegious amulets and gestures
of course as Italy became Christianized their culture adapt around the these new beliefs and traditions they kept their pre Christian beliefs and evolved and adapt it into this new religion. Rosaries, Saint cards and medals, prayers, etc so much engrain it be wrong to not mention these important beliefs.
The Rosary/Crucifix
Many of the charms stated above you’ll find on a necklace with a crucifix to prevent affliction of Malocchio but also in banishing and healing. Using the Crucifix as a talisman and rosary as both an amulet and talisman to ward off the evil eye.
Saint cards or Saint Medals
Commonly when you go to a Catholic owned store or someone’s car you’ll see a Saint card like on the right these are common in Roman Catholicism not just strictly Italian, Hispanic communities and traditions also very popular among their own traditions. It’s the picture of the Saint and a prayer on the back. The medals are similar both instances the saints are petitioned to protect the person of evil not just the evil eye but it includes it, medals can be used in Santucci “saint charm bags” where you sew a piece of fabric as a small bag with Saint medal inside for blessings and protection and never to be open and it’s made by hand. There is different Saint cards and medals certainly you can buy them just is or get the Saint relics which is basically the card or medal touched the human saint’s remains.
Mano Pantea “two fingers”
This is a common gesture throughout Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity a sign of benediction but also used for warding the evil eye away. But it’s also pre Christian probably In ancient Egypt may have represented Isis and Osiris the thumb represents Horus the Child.
Other common amulets/talismans you might see
Key: protection from the evil eye seen in the Cimaruta
Iron horseshoe: Iron in general against bad luck
Nails: in amulets or just themselves, to curse or ward it away draw an eye and hammer the nail straight into the pupil
Coral: used in jewelry like the corno
Sea Shells: for Venus and luck of love and love amulets
Soil: common use in Saint charm bags against baneful magic
Peperoncini: Long red hot peppers strung up as a lucky charm and protection against evil eye and misfortune not to be mistaken with Cornicello red horn.
Garlic: in general this herb is extremely protective against evil spirits, braided garlic stung up can be used as a ward. Link with St Michael, in ancient times taken a bite from raw garlic expels any evil spirits nearby. Associated with Hekate as well.
Salt: Extremely potent weapon against malocchio used in basically any ritual of curing and warding away the evil eye used as a talisman like a jar of salt or with the amulet itself.
Recommendations
These are the books I used mainly for this post which I highly suggest reading them and following them on their respective platforms!
wanted to show you ukrainian folk spells. called zamovlyannya (замовляння), ukrainian spells usually feature an appeal to a spiritual force (god, saints, natural entities, etc) and a metaphor that is supposed to convey the intention of the spell to the spiritual being listening. it was believed that the otherworld speaks in riddles, therefore intention of the spell must be translated into a metaphor. now i am going to give examples.
• a love spell
brother-moon, you fly high, you see all, you hear all, how captured girls and boys cry for their father and mother, how a cow cries for the calf, how a horse cries for the foal, how the sea cries for the sea. god, make it so ivan will cry the same for me, born and baptized, the servant of god.
original:
місяцю-брате, ти високо літаєш, ти все бачиш, ти все чуєш, як невольники і невольниці плачуть за батьком та за матір’ю, як корова за телям, як лошиця за лошам, як море за морем. даруй же, господи, щоб так за мною нарожденою, хрещеною рабою божою іван плакав.
• another love spell
you stars, ladies, there is three of you sisters in the sky: one cold, one cheerful, and one sorrowful. take needles and pins, beat him, burn him, don't let him sleep, nor lay, nor eat, nor drink, nor love someone else. bring him to me, the born and baptized servant of god ivan, to the born and baptized servant of god mariya.
original:
ви зорі-зоряниці, вас на небі три сестриці: одна нудна, друга привітна, а третя печальна. берить голки і шпильки, бийте його, печіть, не давайте йому ні спать, ні лежать, ні їсти, ні пить, ні других любить. тягніть до мене нарожденого, хрещеного раба божого івана до нарожденої, хрещеної раби божої марії.
• a beauty spell
you stars, ladies, there are three of you sisters in the sky, and the fourth is born and baptized mariya. go, take all the beauty and give it to baptized, born mariya. how you are bright and beautiful among the stars, make me beautiful among the girls.
original:
зорі-зірниці, вас на небі три сестриці, четверта хрещена нарождена марія. Ідіть ви, зберіть красу, покладіть на хрещену, нарождену марію. як ви ясні, красні межи зірками, щоби була така красна межи дівками.
• a spell to stop the toothache
the moon is in the sky, the dead is in the grave, the stone is in the sea. when those three brothers meet together and start a feast, only then* will teeth ache for the born and baptized servant of god ivan.
*with the implication that they will never meet so the teeth will never ache
original:
місяць на небі, мертвець у гробі, а камінь в морі. як ці три брати до купи зберуться і будуть бенкет робити, тоді в мене, раба божого, зуби будуть боліти.
Planetary Hours Are A Scam, Part III: A Reference for When You’re Tired But Still Want to Vibe
So you’ve read the essays in Part I and Part II. You’ve stared into the time spiral. You know Saturn is judging you and Mercury is screaming in memes. But now you want just the info. No metaphysics, just the magical HR schedule.
This is your quick-reference field guide.
Use it when your brain is soup, your candle is half-burned, and you want to do witchcraft but can’t math.
HOW PLANETARY HOURS WORK (without tears)
12 hours of day • From sunrise to sunset, divided into 12 weird, wiggly “hours”
12 hours of night • From sunset to sunrise — also 12, also cursed
Hour lengthsChange every day. Summer: long. Winter: short. Time is a vibe.
Planet order • Follows the Chaldean Order (Jupiter » Mars » Sun » Venus » Mercury » Moon, repeat)
First hour • The planet of the day. (Monday » Moon, Tuesday » Mars, etc.)
The cycle • Just keeps going, hour by hour, forever. No breaks. No mercy.
HOW TO FIND THE ACTUAL HOURS (without selling your soul to an app)
Step 1:
Look up sunrise + sunset for your location
Step 2:
Subtract sunrise from sunset = total daylight length
Now divide by 12 = the length of each day hour
Repeat for night hours (sunset → next sunrise)
Step 3:
Assign the first day hour to the planet of the day
Continue the cycle in Chaldean Order
(Jupiter » Mars » Sun » Venus » Mercury » Moon, repeat)
But also: yes, you can use an app. We are modern witches with smartphones and questionable sleep schedules. Go off babe.
PLANETARY HOUR ROTATION TABLE
Covers:
Hour-by-hour planetary rulership from dawn to dusk to dawn again
Works with any day, any time
You’re literally looking at Mesopotamian Time Sudoku
💡 Match this chart to your local sunrise, and you’ve basically time-traveled.
PLANETARY HOURS VIBE CHART
(aka “should I cast a spell or go cry in the bathtub”)
Covers:
Ruling day/planet
General energy
Use it for...
Maybe don’t use it for...
🔮 Pro tip: Mars hour is for rage spells and warding. Venus hour is for glam rituals and flirting with ghosts. Saturn hour is for folding laundry and communing with your ancestor debt collector.
DO YOU NEED TO BE THIS EXTRA?
No. But it’s more fun when you are.
Some witches like electional astrology. Some just want to burn cinnamon at the right vibe.
Use planetary hours when:
You want to sync a spell with planetary resonance
You want structure without pressure
You’re a chaos witch with a spreadsheet kink *that's me*
Ignore them when:
You’re tired
You’re late
You’re alive in late-stage capitalism
Planetary hours are not mandatory.
They’re romance.
You’re not obeying time, you’re flirting with it.
APPS TO TRACK PLANETARY HOURS (choose your fighter)
Planataro: Planetary Hours — (iOS/Android) includes moon phases + widget support, for the witch who likes their magic with clean UI (iOS link below)
ChronosXP (Windows) — nerdy desktop app that yells the hour at you like a well-meaning spirit guide with a degree in astronomy
Time Nomad (iOS) — for when you want electional astrology, planetary transits, and your soul gently judged by the stars
A spreadsheet — because that’s literally what the Heptameron was, just medieval Excel with more Latin
Draw it on your mirror in eyeliner — if you’re hot and unhinged
🔚 FINAL NOTE (for the Planetarily-Cursed)
✨ You don’t have to believe in planetary hours.
✨ You just have to notice what happens when you treat time like it’s watching.
✨ You’re not casting because Mars is awake. You’re casting because you are.
Time is weird.
The planets are haunted.
You are a little flame with Wi-Fi and a god complex. act accordingly.
Download Planetary Hours by Planetaro by S3soft OU on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Pl
❦ OCCULT MECHANICS 101: Foundational Spell Theory for Feral Thinkers
✧ Welcome to Occult Mechanics 101✧
A crash course for magical girlies, theybies, and cryptid-coded grad students who accidentally developed a thesis-level obsession with ritual structure
and just want to know why their spell didn’t work
without getting gaslit by Mercury Retrograde.
This is spell theory for the spiritually overcaffeinated.
We're not blaming the vibes.
We're building the system.
What we’re covering (so far):
Core Lessons:
✥ What Is a Spell? — Function vs. Form
Types of Magic — Sympathetic, Contagious, Apotropaic, other sexy categories
🜋 Spell Anatomy — What are spells made of and why does it matter?
🜏 Magical Materials 101 — Your herbs, bones, metals, and metaphysics
🜲 Ritual Structure — Scripted vs. Improvised; how not to confuse enteties
❉ Energy Work — Without the fluff
⦗⦘Magic as Code — Syntax, runtime errors, and energetic execution
⚖︎ Magical Ethics — With zero Abrahamic guilt and no cosmic police
⋈ Magical Ecology — Offerings n’ shit
Extras & Add-Ons (aka DLC for your brain):
⚯ Build-A-Spell Flowchart — Like Build-A-Bear, but with more fire
⚙︎ Diagnostics Manual — “Why Did My Spell Flop: A Brutally Honest Guide”
⚭ Comparative Systems Table — A cross-cultural look at ritual forms
↮ Future expansions as the spiral deepens
This will be modular, expandable, and occasionally feral.
There will be diagrams. There may be memes.
There will definitely be opinions.
If you’ve ever gone from
“I found this spell on Pinterest”
to
“I accidentally wrote a dissertation at 2am while sobbing over a planetary hour calculator and now I’m in a codependent relationship with my citation manager”
❤ welcome home ❤
This is a safe zone for overthinkers, ritual theory goblins, spreadsheet sorcerers, and anyone who wants to cast spells and cite sources like their grimoires are peer-reviewed.
Information spirals are my love language.
Hopefully posted once or twice a week.
Light a candle. Scream into the æther.
And of course, bookmark the tag and stay tuned
Series tag: #occult mechanics 101
Book of Shadows @magicraven - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
annaxmalina
baratheonpilled
pixelskylines
dededos
blakekathryn
stormborns
