Witchcraft: Basics of Sigils
A sigil is a symbol that is drawn for a specific magical purpose; to represent the intent of the drawer or to represent a specific entity. In modern magical systems, a sigil is often used in magical work to represent a specific intention.
Sigils are used as a method of making your affirmation come into being. A sigil is charged with the will of its creator. You can translate something you want to happen in your life from words or thoughts into a symbol which is meaningful to you. This brings it from your imagination and a step closer to coming true. Some people see sigils as tools to focus your will, others see them as a way to access the secret world of the supernatural.
The word sigil derives from the Latin sigillum meaning “seal” and is likely also related to the Hebrew segula meaning “word, action, talisman”. The plural of sigil may be sigilla or sigils.
A sigil may be drawn, carved or wood burned using any medium you like, but a pen and paper is usual. When the sigil is no longer needed, it can then easily be destroyed by tearing it up and/or burning it. While rituals surrounding drawing and activating sigils vary, the most important thing is to keep your mind on the goal while drawing the sigil. It can then be carried, hidden nearby or hung up where people can see it as is appropriate.
Sigils and Chaos Magick
Sigils and Chaos Magick Sigils are associated with a type of magick called chaos magick. Chaos magick practitioner’s believe that the world is built from your own perceptions and you can to some extent create your own world. Belief is treated as a tool for magic, and faith is placed in oneself rather than that of a spirit or god. Chaos magick is less complex and uses less tools than ceremonial magick.
This is a sigil made to last for a long time, so that is constantly working. Permanent sigil should be able to be recharged if need be. Best for purposes that work on a subconscious level, like protection spells.
Examples: Paint the sigil on a canvas which can be hung in your house, embroidered on a pillowcase, drawn digitally and saved on your computer desktop.
This sigil is created in a form that will naturally wear away over time or a form that is removable. Best for purposes that are time based, like a temporary increase of luck or surge of creativity.
Examples: Drawn in marker etc. on your skin - works until faded away, carved in a large candle that melts over multiple uses.
Destructible Sigils
This sigil is destroyed in some way in order to activate it. The act of destruction is the burst of energy the purpose needs to work. Best for purposes that call for a certain event to take place, with energy and action.
Examples: On a piece of paper that is burned over a flame, written in chalk then washed away, carved/imprinted on food which can be eaten.
There are several ways of creating a sigil. Here is the most common method of creating one.
Firstly find a quiet, interruption free time when you are ready to focus on this.
Next come up with a positive goal or desire and write it down as an affirmation, it is good to write it in the present tense rather than future tense.
Once written down, you can: remove all duplicate letters by crossing them out, remove all vowels, remove Y’s. A large part of this is up to personal preference.
Now you want to stop thinking of what you have remaining as individual letters, think of them as individual symbols which you want to join as one. Take them and start sketching them into one symbol, which will be your sigil. Take your time and feel free to rework it.
Things to keep in mind when designing a sigil:
What the purpose of the sigil is, and how does the sigil represent that: Is it whole and contained or free? Does it ramble like a story or is it symmetrical? Does it look sharp and active or soft and natural?
While there’s many ways to create a sigil, follow your intuition and do what feels right to you, when you feel connected to the pattern the sigil will probably end up stronger for it.
Wether you’re making a permanent sigil, temporary sigil or a destructible sigil, this should be kept in mind when choosing what tools you’re planning to use to make your sigil.
You can also use colour magick when creating a sigil:
Red: Energy, passion, strength, courage, creativity, warmth, security, lust
Orange: Creativity, self-expression, intellectual matters, legal matters/justice, joy, business success, ambition, vitality, fun, action, opportunity, celebration, investments, confidence
Yellow: Intellect, inspiration, imagination, knowledge, confidence, joy, comfort
Green: Luck, wealth, fertility, ambition, prosperity, vitality
Blue: Tranquility, health, patience, peace, truth, wisdom, protection
Indigo: Emotion, fluidity, insight, expressiveness, psychic ability
Violet: Spirituality, wisdom, power, spirit, devotion, idealism
Pink: Spiritual healing, love, friendship, emotion, companionship, affection
White: Purity, healing, purification, peace, innocence, illumination, truth
Grey: Stability, contemplation, neutrality, reserve
Black: Protection, retribution, mystery, force, stability, dignity
Brown: Practicality, material success, concentration, study, grounding, strength, solidity, endurance
Silver: Wisdom, psychic ability, intelligence, memory
Gold: Understanding, luck, inner strength, self-realisation, intuition
Charging/Activating a Sigil
Considering that in the very making a sigil you must keep the desire/intent of the sigil in mind throughout, the sigil charging process starts even during the process of making one.
General ways to charge/activate a sigil:
Pushing energy into the sigil by using energy work
Meditating intently on the sigil
Focus on the sigil intensely
Working out with the sigil
Burning candles around, or on the sigil
Anointing the sigil with essential oils
Anointing the sigil with holy water, or any other type of magickal water
Putting the sigil in the sunlight, or moonlight
Having the sigil by a crystal grid
Placing a charged crystal on top of the Sigil
Submerging the sigil in water
Place the sigil in front of music speakers, while music is playing
Allowing the wind to blow the sigil
Having the sigil outside in a thunderstorm, storm, or the rain
Placing the sigil underneath your pillow, while you sleep
Using a Tibetan singing bowl, or bell near the sigil
Sprinkling herbs and spices on top of the sigil
Charging/Activating a Sigil with the Elements
Water would help with sigils relating to emotions, wisdom, purification, love, healing, femininity and others.
Examples:
Drawing the sigil on paper and letting it soak in the sink
Placing the sigil out in the rain
Letting the sigil absorb moonlight
Drawing the sigil on your body while you swim or bathe
Earth would help with sigils relating to gardening, money, grounding, divination, fertility, employment, stability, and others.
Placing the sigil in soil
If it is a sigil to help with plants, place it under the pot or near the plant
Let the sigil absorb sunlight
Surround with crystals/rocks (selenite would be good!)
Any sort of physical way would be good
Fire would help with sigils relating to sex, courage, exercise, destruction, force, cleansing, protection and many others.
Draw the sigil on paper and burn it (be careful!)
Pass through incense smoke (or any smoke)
Draw the sigil on your skin and every time it moves it’ll charge
Air would help with sigils relating to flying, moving, intelligence, school, karma, and others.
Pass through incense smoke
Play your sigil some music
Toss the sigil into the air
Take it with you when traveling
Study with it nearby if it is to do with that
This is info I gathered from quite a few different places, if you see anything wrong or that needs to be added, let me know! Hope you enjoyed this!
Sources Used: (that I remember at least)
https://witchipedia.com/glossary/sigil/
https://wiccanspells.info/wiccan-pagan-articles/an-introduction-to-sigil-magick/
https://aminoapps.com/c/thewitchescircle/page/blog/sigils-a-beginners-guide/Dgwn_qduPuxpJBqkWzLKeVgQdlWr7er46J
