Sieves
This seemingly mundane kitchen tool has a long history of magical use. An old-fashioned term for a sieve is a riddle, as in riddled with holes.
The term does not refer only to the modern metal strainer, but to any type of sifter, including grain winnows. An example of ancient multi-tasking—frame drums may have tiny perforations, so that they may be used to finely sift henna and herbs, in addition to their musical uses.
Sieves have fallen out of fashion, exiled to the kitchen cabinets, but they were once considered common magical fare. The sieve is sacred to Isis; she collected Osiris’ limbs in a sieve. The sieve is also featured on many Gnostic engraved gems. The Roman Catholic Church would later ascribe the symbol to Satan.
Sieves are used in many spells, especially for fertility, influencing the weather, and divination.
(from The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes)
