It’s one of the oldest forms of witchcraft, found in almost every tradition in some way or another.
From poppets to cord cuttings, if you’ve seen any kind of spell work, you’ve likely seen an example of sympathetic magic.
When you understand that everything is connected, it's not hard to see how a representation of a person or situation can actually affect that person or situation.
That is the essence of sympathetic magic.
It allows you to use whatever resources you have at your disposal, no matter how much or how little, to enact your will.
Sometimes it can feel silly preforming it, like you’re a kid again, making mud pies and potions. And sometimes it can feel silly you didn’t think of doing it that way from the beginning.
Anything can be used for sympathetic magic, all you’ve got to do is shift your perspective a little. Tap into your imagination. Look at the world like a Witch.
Preliminary ritual considerations from the Book of Oberon
When I am doing elaborate ritual magic I often like to have some pre-ritual procedures to fortify my spirit and get me into the right magical headspace. There are various ways in which one can work and approach this grimoire, this is for when performing daily angelic conjurations or before a demonic conjuration. I would also recommend this procedure if you're holding a group ritual and want to concentrate the ritual area before others enter the space. Then when others enter you can use a simpler circle rite.
Fortification of the spirit
This process should begin at least 3 days before you undertake heavy ritual magic with this grimoire if possible. I find that starting that morning the moment I wake up can be effective, but doing the full 3 days is best. For these 3 days attempt to fast as best you can, maybe still eating fruit and still drinking water. Avoid swearing/obscene language, meat, sex, drinking alcohol, and impure behavior.
There are prayers that can be said daily throughout the day as well. One such prayer is,
Ebraxio Asa, Asaha, Nadrimibas, siloe, Anabona, biza, bonilla, Iadodoc Achatel cephice penci aru Atabanchata Adonay Eloy emagio Ebraaio achadele barach samanul malcadac Eray Iyoia Amistra Ugana Machea danit dama Rachiel helel homon segon gemas Jesus Lord God, grant to me that I may be preserved through that I intend to accomplish, through O holy Adonay, may I be worthy to accomplish this through our Lord. Amen.
Another option I use is a series of prayers from the Crossed Keys, specifically the Enchiridion of Pope Leo the 3rd. Each day having it's own prayer which I will provide. I simply would start my day with each prayer and a moment of contemplation while sensing the lighting of the diving shining down and cleansing me of impurity. The prayers are as follows,
For Sunday:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us, this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us nor into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. Forever. Amen. Thus, it is. Deliver me, O Lord, I, your creation, N from all evil, now and to come, of heart and body, and give to me your beautiful peace, the health and favor, as I am your creation. By the intercession of the benevolent Virgin Mary, and your Apostles, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew, and all the Saints. Grant peace and health during my life, and assist with your mercy. I would be neither a slave of sin, nor fear disorder, by the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who being God, sits and reigns, in unity, with the Holy Spirit, in this century and every century. Thus, it is. That the peace of the Lord is always with me. Thus, it is. That the Heavenly Peace, Lord, that you have given your Disciples, remains always firm in my heart, and is always between me and my enemies, visible and invisible. Thus, it is. That the peace of the Lord, His face, His body, His blood, helps me, comforts me, and protects me. I, who am your creation, N. Lamb of God, who condescended, and was born of the Virgin Mary, which hung on the cross, cleansed the world of sins, have pity on my heart and my body. Christ, Lamb of God, by which all the faithful ones are saved, give me your peace, which must always last, in this life, and the other. Thus, it is.
For Monday:
O Great God, by which all things are delivered, deliver me from all evil. O Great God, who grants consolation to all beings, grant unto me also. O Great God, who helps and assists all things, help me also. In my necessities, my miseries, my enterprises, my dangers, deliver me; from all oppositions and obstacles of my enemies, visible and invisible. In the Name of the Father, who created the whole world + the Name of the Son, who redeems it + in the Name of the Holy Spirit, which achieved the Law, in all it’s perfection. Thus, it is. That the blessings of the All-Powerful God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are always with me. Thus, it is. + That the blessings of God the Father, who of His Holy Word, made all things, and is always with me. + That the blessings of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Great Living God, is always with me. + Thus, it is. That the blessings of the Holy Spirit, with it’s Seven Gifts, is always with me. + Thus it is. That the blessings of the Virgin Mary, with her Son, is always with me. Thus, it is. That the blessing and consecration of bread and wine, that Our Lord, Jesus Christ, made when He gave it to His Disciples, saying to them:
For Tuesday:
"Take this and eat: This is my body, which will be given for you, in memory of me, and the remission of all sins,” is always with me. + That the blessings of the Holy Angels and Archangels, of the Virtues, the Powers, the Thrones, the Dominations, the Cherubim, the Seraphim, are always with me. + Thus, it is. That the blessings of the Patriarchs and Prophets, the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and all the Saints of God are always with me. + Thus, it is. That the blessings of all of Heaven, of God, are always with me. + Thus, it is. That the Majesty of the All-Powerful God supports and protects me. That His Bounty Eternal leads me. That the Power of the Father preserves me; that the Wisdom of the Son vivifies me; that the Virtue of the Holy Spirit is always between me and my enemies, visible and invisible. Thus, it is. Power of the Father, strengthen me. Wisdom of the Son, enlighten me. Consolation of the Holy Spirit, comfort me. The Father is Peace. The Son is Life. The Holy Spirit is Remedy and Consolation and Safety. Thus, it is. That the Divinity of God blesses me. Thus, it is. That his Piety warms me. Thus, it is. That His Love preserves me. Thus, it is. O Jesus Christ, Son of the Great Living God, have pity on this poor sinner.
For Wednesday:
O Emmanuel, defend me. Counter my enemies, counter all my enemies, visible and invisible. Deliver me from all evil. Jesus Christ, King of Peace: God made man and suffered patiently. Be between me and my enemies, and defend me. Thus, it is. Jesus Christ Triumphs. + Jesus Christ reigns. + Jesus Christ commands. + Jesus Christ delivers me, always, from all evil, continuously. Thus, it is. That Jesus Christ condescends to make me triumph, in grace, over my enemies. Thus, it is. Here is the Cross of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, flee, my enemies, at this sight, as the Lion of Judah was triumphant over the race of David. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Savior of the world, save me and help me, who was redeemed by your Cross, and your most precious blood, I entreat you, my God, O Agios + Otheos + Agios Ischyros + Agios Athanatos + Eleison Himas. Holy God, strong God, merciful and immortal God, have pity on your creation, N. Be my support, Lord, do not give up on me; do not reject my prayers. God is my safety, be always my assistance. God is my safety.
For Thursday:
Fill my eyes with True Light, so they are not in sleep, eternal, for my enemy does not say I had the advantage on him. As long as my Lord is with me, I will not fear the evil of my enemies. O gentle Jesus, preserve me, help me, save me; that by only saying the name of Jesus, there is genuflecting, Heavenly, earthly, and infernally, and any speaking of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, enjoys the Glory of His Father. Thus, it is. I know, without doubt, that I will call upon my Lord, at any hour or any day, and be safe. Gentle Lord, Jesus Christ, only Son of the Great Living God, who made Miracles, through only the force of your most precious name, and enriched, so abundantly, the poor one, since by it’s force, all demons must flee, blind men see, deaf men hear, the lame go right, the dumb speak, the lepers are brought back to life. Because, once the very gentle name of Jesus Christ is spoken, the ear is charmed and delighted, and it is kept safe from temptation. And only by saying it, it will cause demons to leave, all knees to bend, all temptations to cease, and the worst of all people be cut from their roots. All infirmities are healed, all arguments and combats between the world, the flesh, and the devil, dissipate, and one is filled with Heavenly joy. Because, whoever called upon, or will call upon, the Holy Name of God, was, and will be, safe. This Holy Name, by the same Angel, before it conceived in the center of the Blessed Virgin.
For Friday:
O gentle name, name strengthening the heart of man, name of life, safety, joy, precious, rejoicing, glorious, and pleasant name, name strengthening against sin, name that saves, leads, and preserves all; that you are, thus, pleased, most pious Jesus, by the force of the very precious name, eliminate in me the demons. Give me light, O Lord, for I am blind. Dissipate my deafness; rectify my lameness; return to me Thy Word, for I am dumb. Heal my leprosy, give to me health again, for I am sick. Resurrect me, for I am dead, give me life again. And surround me in all parts, inside as well as outside, so that being provided and strengthened by this Holy Name, I always live in you, honoring you, because you are all there is. Because, only you are worthy of the Glory. The Lord is the Son of the Eternal God, by whom all things are governed in joy. Praise, honor, and glory, is ever returned to you, in this century and in all other centuries. Thus, it is. That Jesus is always in my heart, in my entrails. Thus, it is. That Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is always inside of me, that He restores me, that He surrounds me, that He preserves me, that He is before me, that He leads me, that He is behind me, so that He keeps me, that He is above me, that He is beneath me, that He is in me, that He vivifies me, so that He is close to me, so that He controls me, so that He is above me, so that He delivers me of the penalty of eternal death. He who sees and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit in this century and all other centuries. Thus, it is.
For Saturday:
Jesus, Son of Mary, safety of the world, let the Lord be favorable to me, gentle and favorable. That He grants the Holy Spirit, voluntarily, to me, to return honor and respect to Him. He, the liberator of the world. Nobody can put a hand on Him, because His hour has not yet come. He, which is, which was, and which shall ever be. He, who has been God and man, Beginning and End. That this prayer I make to Him eternally guarantees me against my enemies. Thus, it is. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, of honorable title; gossamer clothed Mary, have pity on this poor sinner, N. Lead me, accordingly, to your mercy and the way of safety eternal. Thus, it is. However, Jesus, knowing all things that were coming to Him, came forward, and asked, “whom do you seek?” They responded to him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And Jesus said to them, “I am he.” However, Judas, who had delivered them, stood with them. They fell back, dropping to the ground. However, Jesus asked, once again, “whom do you seek?” They answered Jesus, who replied, “I already told you, I am he. If it is me that you seek, let these men go. The lance, the nails, the Cross, the spines, death, which I suffered to prove to you, and erase and expel the crimes of the sinners. Preserve me, Lord, Jesus Christ, of all wounds, poverty, and obstacles of my enemies, that the five wounds of Our Savior are used to redeem me continually. Jesus is the way. + Jesus is the life. + Jesus is the truth. + Jesus was crucified. + Jesus, Son of the Living God, have pity. + However, Jesus, passing in the midst of them, went, and nobody put their hand on Him, or bruised Him, because Jesus’ hour had not yet come.
The Ritual Bath
This bath will cleanse the spirit and be an opportunity to perfume the body. As this will make the magi's calls more alluring to the spirit. As it is my observation and others that spirits are sensitive to scents, so cleansing ourselves of the smells of daily life can make us more attractive to certain spirits. Angels being one class of beings that seems to apprentice this.
Prior to working, bathe in flowing water. When you are naked for your bath have with you prepared exorcised water, which can be imbued with herbs such as bay, lavender, and hyssop.
When you enter the running water say,
I exorcise you, O creature of water, by him who established you in your place, that without any delay expel all impure spirits and phantasms that would harm me, through our Lord Jesus, your son, our defense, who lives and reign forever and ever. Amen.
And then while you wash yourself,
In the name of the Father, Narbalia Misalia Dalphalia Annamalia, Racharilia Geodocheria Balohalaria, Germaria, Gegeon Faria Iesse Faria Gogay or Goiodits Gomtay Yayl Dayl Mysayl Yoyl Trachyl Puni Godep Sabaoth Adonay Agalon or Tetragramaton Celion or Cedyon Agenefeton Stimulator Primeunaton.
Before exiting the bath pour some of the exorcised water over your head so it runs down to your feet. while doing so say this prayer,
O Lord Jesus Christ, who has made me, an unworthy and wretched sinner, after you own likeness; deign to bless and sanctify this water, that it may be a purifier and salvation of my body and soul. so that no deceit may be ablee to appear.
O Almighty and ineffable Father, who permitted John the Baptist to paptize your only-begotten Son, grant I beseech you, that this water may be my baptism, although I am unworthy, and that I may be cleansed from all sins, past, present, and future, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
When finished, emerge from the bath making the sign of the cross (+) while saying, "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Wash you face with the exorcised water and say, "Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
Perfume the body with oils, incense, and such if you desire. Begin putting on your garments. Other players and psalms may be added if the magicians wished, but I find this to be sufficient.
The Circle
The BoO gives many different ways of casting a circle. For this I will be focusing two methods. The first being a shorter circle consecration to be used for the initial making of tools and talismans. The other circle being a longer series of conjurations and actions for when working with angelic or infernal powers.
The Consecration of the Circle:
I conjure you, O circle, and consecrate this place by the living and true God, creator of the Heaven and Earth, and indeed this circle and place, by these names of the creator of Heaven and Earth Theos + Iskiros +Athanatos + Ioth + Atheo + Sabaoth + Pheabaoth + Hele + Hubiet + Antrielle + Amarelle + Condonelle + Agios + Chebenas + Theleas +Ymas +Ban + Hen + Hely + En + Vaus + Ethen + Bury + Tallens + the name + Ianayara + and by all the most holy names of God, whether known or unknown. May the site of this circle be granted the gift of the grace of the almighty and most high God. May it be blessed and consecrated, sanctified and guarded by the company of all saints, preachers, martyrs, patriarchs, prophets, Angels, Archangels, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, strengthen and restore this circle or place so that it may take on virtue, power, and holiness from the sign of the living and true God and from the holy cross of Christ and from the holy Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ full of grace, consecrated therefore so that no terrors, fears, and tempests may be able to enter this circle, or harm us in any way, that it may be stron for helping and defending us, which all heavenly, earthly, and infernal powers are subject to. Amen.
Circle Work:
This method of casting a circle uses a few different tools such as the sword, holy water, incense, and a pentacle. It can be utilized for calling infernal or angelic powers, and I will provide slight variations for both. The circle casting rite within the text that I'll be drawing on is lengthy, so I have made modifications for practicality.
To consecrate the circle, stand in the center and say:
I conjure you, O circle, and this place, by the God who created this Earth. I sanctify + and consecrate + you, O circle, and this place, by the Creator himself who created and fashioned the whole universe from nothing, and by the most holy names: + Theos + Otheos + Yskiros + Athanatos + loth + Agla + On + Eloe + Eloy + Elyon + Ya + TETRAGRAMATON + and by all other most holy names known or unknown by me, may this place and this circle by the gift of the grace of the most almighty and most high God be + blessed + and consecrated + and sanctified + and guarded + and the society of all of God's saints and holy Angels and Archangels, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Cherubin, and Seraphin, and of his prophets, apostles, evangelists, martyrs, patriarchs, confessors, and virgins, powerfully strengthened, and restored circle and this place, that it may have such virtue and power, and may keep and posses holiness. May no evil spirits have any power or place or advance into this circle, nor cause any terrors, phantasms, fears, nor temptations, of any kind, nor have any power over me. By God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exorcise the water, fire and incense. As well as your other tools.
Then sprinkle the water while walking clockwise around the circle, saying:
Arise, O holy ones, from your dwellings: sanctify our places and, bless all spirits who have gathered here, and watch over us humbly in peace.
Go to the 4 parts of the circle, going East to West then South to North, say:
By the sign + of the cross, may all evil flee away, by the same sign may all good by preserved.
Take up your chosen incense which has been exorcised and blessed. Say the following while you compass the circle 1,3,5,7, or 9 times:
Let my prayer be guided to your sight, O Lord, like incense: the lifting up of our hands, like the evening sacrifice.
Take up your sword in your left hand, making sure to wear your enchanted ring on your left pinky finger.
Say the following beginning in the East:
O God of all piety, author, and foundation, who by the mouth of your only begotten son you said “my house shall be called a house of prayer” deign to + purify + bless + sanctify + and consecrate + this eastern part, and deign to protect against all unusual hostilities and illusions’ which inhabit it, through your most glorious majesty, in which you reign and will reign most gloriously, forever and ever. Amen.
Go to the West and make the sign of the cross, then say:
O God, who through your only-begotten, as you sanctified the gates at the entrance to Jerusalem, we humbly beg that you deign + to purify + bless + sanctify + and consecrate + this western part and its inhabitants, and protect against all evil deceits of spirits, by your most majesty, in which you reign and will reign most gloriously, forever and ever. Amen.
Go to the South and once again make the sign of the cross, saying the following:
O God, whose nature is to elevate the humble, trusting in you to always raise the fallen, we humbly beg you from your gift of grace, + to purify + bless + sanctify + and consecrate + this southern part, and all its inhabitants, and protect against all evil deceits of spirits, by your most majesty, in which you reign and will reign most gloriously, forever and ever. Amen
Go to the North and again make the sign of the cross, saying the following:
O almighty Lord who created all things from nothing, who clearly hears the voice calling out to you, and rejoices, + we praise you, + we honor you, + we bless you, + we glorify you, + we humbly beseech you, + we beg you to protect this northern part and all its inhabitants against the deceits of all evil spirits, by your most majesty, in which you reign and will reign most gloriously, forever and ever. Amen
Return the middle of the Circle, face the direction you'll be calling the desired spirit from, then say the following:
O God the Creator of all things, which hast separated heaven and earth, and hast placed the deep in the bottom thereof, and hast given original increase unto all creatures in fire, in air, in water, and earth, which hast made the Sun, the Moon, and orders of stars, which hast created angels in the appointing of light, which hast formed man unto thine own similitude, and hast inspired him with the breath of life, hast coupled Eve unto him for his wife, being formed of a rib taken out of his side, which hast cast them from the paradise of pleasure, for the breach of thy commandments, which spakest unto Moses thy servant in the midst of the fiery bush, which didst cause the rod of Aaron to wax green and to bring forth buds and fruits, which opened a way unto the people of Israel, through the midst of the Red Sea, and didst therein overthrow and drown Pharaoh with his whole army, which gravest food to Elijah by a raven, which didst deliver Jonas from the belly of the whale, wherein he lay three days, which preserved the three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, from the violence of the hot burning oven, which didst send thy only begotten son into the world for the salvation of mankind, which didst raise Lazarus, being dead and stinking, which gravest sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and restored the health to his limbs, which by his death hath restored to life the lost world, O God, which hast done these things and others innumerable that neither tongue can express, nor man’s mind conceive, we humbly pray and beseech thee that thou wilt vouchsafe, with thy great might to purify + bless + sanctify + and make holy both us and our circle, that it may be a place of preservation, protection, and defense for us against all wicked illusions of deceivable spirits, and that by thy holy and blessed commandment and virtue of thy Son’s cross + grant Lord that they have no power over us, by thy glorious majesty, in the which thou dost and shalt reign most gloriously, now and forever and world without end. Amen.
Writing out my witchy workings - ✦Charging my Strength Sigil✦
I'm currently building a digital Grimoire in my notes app so I figure I should also occasionally post my workings on here!
Its late spring in Australia which means storm season. I have been sitting on a strength sigil I created recently, waiting for the right moment to charge it, and I saw the forecast saying another storm was likely happen this afternoon.
As per usual, the storm didn't happen when it was originally forecasted to and I wrote it off as another "not yet" situation, but as I started wrapping up my work and headed out to buy some wine to celebrate the Friday night as per, I began to hear the rumbling of thunder in the distance. I knew that now was the time.
As the rain started and the thunder and lightning got closer, I tuned in to what felt right to me. Storms have always been a harbinger of raw strength and energy for me and I knew I finally wanted to incorporate it into my work, especially as this one was particularly active. I have listed what I did below.
Ingredients:
✧Scraps of paper/card (I have some paper pouches to use in place of jar spells and cut one up in this instance, quantity doesn't matter much but I had x8)
✧Nettle
✧Angelica root (To promote positivity, intuition was drawing me to this one)
✧Cinnamon
✧Thyme
✧Myrrh (As a catalyst/booster and offering to the storm)
✧Paper pouch
Process:
Drew my new sigil on the scraps of paper, repeating my intentions while drawing it multiple times.
Gathered my herbs into my pestle and mortar and ground them as fine as I could.
Pushed the herbs into the paper and layered them to make a small stack. (Paper/Herbs/Paper/And so on)
Drew the sigil again on both sides of the paper pouch. One to face the earth and one to face the sky
Filled the pouch with the stacked paper and any remaining herbs, repeating my intentions and sealing it with a kiss
Threw it outside under the stormy sky and let it charge, occasionally pulling my energy towards the location of the pouch to keep my energy and intention active.
(Still tossing up whether to bury or burn the sachet after this, leaning towards bury)
Another fun thing to note is that a massive purple bolt of lightning struck seconds after I threw my pouch down. It was 100% the closest strike to our house tonight and while likely a coincidence, it really affirmed that the process I was following was perfect for me :)
Thankyou for reading! please let me know if you have any thoughts or take inspiration from my process, I'd love to make more witchy friends ❤︎✧
