Category: Divination

Let’s Talk Witch – Knot Magick

Let’s Talk Witch – Knot Magick

 

In spellcrafting, knots offer a simple way to contain or loosen energy. The obvious symbolism of tying a knot indicates an intention to bind something or someone. If, for example, you wanted to prevent an enemy from harming you, you could create a poppet to represent your enemy and bind his hands and feet with string. If a witch preceives unwanted energies in a space–especially whle performing a spell–she can tie a knot in a piece of clothing or the altar cloth to trap that energy until after the magickal working.

You can tie energy of any kind into a knot.  Witches sometimes tie a line of knots on a long cord, placing thoughts, emotions, incantations, etc. into the knots. These lines are sometimes called a witch’s Ladder. Untying a knot at a later date frees the energy bound therein.

You can use knot symbolism in the following types of spells:

Binding and banishing ( especially illness and negative energy)

Channeling energy into a specific location (the energy can be captured in the knot, and then released when it’s most needed)

Securing relationships  (hence the term “tying the knot” to refer to marriage)

Tying up the loose ends of a situationo

You can tie intentions into knots too. Let’s say you want to stablize your finances. The best number for this purpose is four. You could make a money charm and secure the pouch with a gold ribbon. Tie four knots in the ribbon and concentrate on your goal each time you tie a knot. Or tie a ribbon around your bills, using four knots to limit the outflow of money.

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Axinomancy

Axinomancy

Divination by means of a hatchet or woodcutter’s ax. This was the divinatory method by which diviners predicted the ruin of Jerusalem as described in Psalm LXXIV. However as Francois De Tour-Blanche remarked, the psalmist’s description does not tell in what manner the hatchet was used by the diviners. It can only be speculated the tool was used in either one of the two ways which the ancients used it in divining and later used in the northern countries.

 In the first method the tool was used to discover treasure. A round agate had to be procured. The head of the ax, also, had to be made red hot in a fire. The ax was positioned so that the head stood perpendicularly in the air. The agate had to be placed on the edge. If the agate did not roll off there was no treasure to be found. If it did roll off that indicated there was treasure. However, the agate must be replaced three times. If the agate rolled in the same direction each time it indicated the treasure was to be found in that direction. But, if the agate rolled in different direction each time then the treasure must be further looked for.

The second method was to detect robbers. It involved casting an ax to the ground. The head was to be downward with the handle perpendicular in the air. Those present had to dance around in a circle until the handle tottered and fell to the ground. The direction to which the handle fell indicated the direction in which the thief must be sought.
Some said this method would never work unless the ax was thrown into a round pot. De Blanche countered with the question as to how could this be done. How could a round pot be patched and sewed after an ax smashed it to pieces?

Augury

Augury

Augury is an ancient form of divination. The practice was performed in ancient Rome by priests called augurs. It entailed the interpretation of auspices, that is the movement of birds and/or the movement of animals. Also included in this form of divination was the interpretation of the significance of thunder and lightening. Those signs on the augur’s left or east side denoted a favorable outcome, while those on the right pointed to an ill-omen. This method of divination was practically unknown in ancient Mesopotamia and Palestine.

Lots of Astrampsychsu

Lots of Astrampsychsu

 

Lots of Astrampsychsu was a divinatory system probably devised in the second or third century CE and attributed to an alleged Astrampsychus the Magician. The system was popular in late Roman and early medieval times. The Lots began with ninety-two questions, the querent chooses one, and then randomly picks a number between one and ten. The chosen number is then added to the number of the question, and the sum is looked up in a table of oracular gods (in the Pagan version of the Lots) or Christian saints (in the Christian version). Each god or saint has a table of ten answers, and the randomly chosen number is used to select the correct answer.

The basic structure of the Lots resembles that of Napoleon’s Book of Fate, although the latter also draws on the divinatory art of geomancy.

Astragalomancy

Astragalomancy

 

Small bones (each associated with a particular interpretation) were cast, in this system of divination, in the manner of throwing dice. Eventually dice were utilized in the place of bones. Numbers on the dice were associated with letters to form words that had a bearing on questions asked by the diviner. Sometimes used was an associated primarily ritual of writings questions on paper and passing it through the smoke of Jupiter wood.

Aspidomancy

Aspidomancy

A little known form of divination practiced in the Indies. It was first described by the 17th century writer Pierre De Lancre. The diviner or sorcerer draws a circle in which he positions himself on a buckler (sheild) where he recites certain conjurations. He enters a trance and then falls into ecstasy. When he comes out he can tell his clients things which they want to know, or which the devil revealed to him.

Ashagalomancy

Ashagalomancy

A system of divination of casting small bones (each associated with particular interpretation). The method is similar to throwing dice. In fact, in later development of this divinatory system dice were utilized. The numbers were associated with letters which formed words related to questions put to the diviner.

In an related preliminary ritual the questions are written paper which is passed through smoke of burning juniper wood.

Arithmancy

Arithmancy

Divination by numbers (sometimes wrongly called Arithmomancy). The ancient Greeks examined the number and the values of letters in each name of two combatants. They predicted the combatant having the name of the greater value would be victorious. It was by using this science that some diviners foretold that Achilles would defeat Hector.

The Chaldeans also practiced arithmancy. They divided their alphabet into three parts, each part composed of seven letters which they attributed to the seven planets. Through this arithmetic method they made predictions based on the planets.

The Platonists and Pythagoreans were also strongly attracted to this form of divination which is similar to certain aspects of the Jewish Kabbalah.

Anthropomancy

Anthropomancy

Divination of human entrails. This horrid form of divination is very ancient. Herodotus wrote that Menelaus practiced it when detained in Egypt because of contrary winds. Because of his barbarous curiosity he sacrificed two country children in order to discover his destiny.

Also, Heligabalus practiced anthropomancy.


Julian the Apostate incorporated anthropomancy in his magical operations. He had large numbers of children killed so he could read their entrails. During his last experiment at Carra, in Mesopotamia, he enclosed himself within the Temple of the Moon, and having performed all manner of evil within, he had the Temple doors sealed and placed a guard there so no one would enter until his return. However, he was killed in battle with the Persians. When men of Julian’s successor entered the Temple at Carra they discovered a woman hanging by her hair with her liver torn out.


It is speculated that the infamous Gilles De Laval also performed such hideous species of this divination.

Amulets

Amulets

The usage of amulets seems universal stemming from the human desire for protection. The existence seems to extend from the cave dwellers to the present. As objects they come and go with fashion, taking on different designs and shapes, but their purpose remains the same. No matter how civilized a culture may be, the amulets are present.
The term amulet is derived from either the Latin word amuletum or the old atin term amoletum which means, “means of defense.” Pliny, the Roman naturalist, described three types of amulets: those which offered protection against trouble and adversity; those which provided a medical or prophylatic treatment; and substances used as medicine.


Among ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Arabs, and Hebrews great importance was placed on the use of amulets. The Egyptians employed them everywhere. The frog protected fertility; ankhs symbolized everlasting life and generation; the udjat, or eye, was for good health, comfort, and protection against evil; the scarab beetle was for resurrection after death and protection against evil magic. One of the most notable amulets of ancient Egypt is the Eye of Horus

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Cylinder seals were used as amulets by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Within them were embedded semiprecious and precious stones; each stone supposedly possessed its own unique magical powers. There were various animal shaped amulets; such as, the ram for virility; and the bull for virility and strength.


The Arabs, too, had amulets protecting them against evil. Small sacks containing dust from tombs were worn. They also wore pieces of paper on which were written prayers, spells, magical names or the powerful attributes of God such as “the compassionate” and “the forgiver.”


The Hebrews wore crescent moons to ward off the evil eye and they attached bells to their garments to ward off evil spirits.


In Africa the natives were discovered having amulets too which the Western explorers and missionaries called fetishes. The fetish symbolized protection to the natives.
Historically the two most universal symbols of amulets have been the eye and the phallic symbols. Eyes are thought to protect against evil spirits and are found on tombs, walls, utensils, and jewelry. The phallic symbol, represented by horns and hands, is protection against the evil eye.


The names of God and magical words and numbers have generally been thought to provide protection and fashioned into amulets. These methods of gaining protection extend back to antiquity and were extremely popular during the Renaissance to the early 19th century. Accompanying these were the grimoires, books of magical instruction written for and by magicians. In magic, using the name of a deity is the same as drawing down divine power. This is the reason why portions of grimoires resemble prayer books.
The Tetragrammation, the Hebrew personal name for God- -YHWH and pronounced Yahweh”- – , is believed to be very powerful in magic operations and has been fashioned into amulets by different spellings. It is believed to help magicians in conjuring up demons and give him protections from negative spirits.


The SATOR square has also been fashioned into amulets. Throughout the centuries attempts have been made to decipher the squire but it still remains unintelligible. It was discovered on walls and vassals of ancient Rome. In amulet form it is considered to be protection against sorcery, poisonous air, colic, pestilence, and for protecting cow’s milk against witchcraft.


Most all cultures hold the belief that sacred religious books such as the Koran, Torah, and Bible possess protective powers. Bits of parchment containing quotes from these books are carried in leather pouches, silver boxes, or like containers as amulets. Ancient pagans wore figurines of their gods as amulets. The remnant of this custom is still seen in the Catholic religion where some members still wear scapulars and medals of the saints.


Many pagans and witches presently wear jewelry fashioned in amuletic designs with their protective purpose in mind.

Amniomancy

Amniomancy

A form of divination practiced by using a caul, or membrane which sometimes envelopes a child’s head at birth. From inspecting the caul wise women would foretell the future of the baby. If its color is red then happy days or good fortune were ahead for the child, but if it is lead-colored then misfortune laid in the child’s path.

Alomancy

Alomancy

 

A form of divination by using salt. The diviner interprets future events by analyzing the patterns in which the grains fall, or travel through the air when thrown. Probably such practices gave rise to the beliefs that spilling salt is unlucky, and throwing a little salt over one’s left shoulder wards off misfortune.

Aleuromancy

Aleuromancy

An ancient divinatory practice which utilized flour. Sentences were written on pieces of paper, each of which was rolled up in a little ball of flour The balls of flour were thoroughly mixed up nine times and then divided amongst the curious, who anxiously waited to learn their fate. The custom lingered in remote areas into the nineteenth century.


Apollo, who supposedly presided over this divination form, was surnamed Aleuromantis.

Alectromancy (or Alectryomancy)

Alectromancy (or Alectryomancy)

An ancient divinatory for that utilized a cock. When practicing this divination a circle which was divided into as many parts as there were in the alphabet was drawn in a closed place. Then a wheat-corn was placed in each section beginning with the first letter, or A. Whoever placed the corn must recite a certain incantation while doing it. The time for this divination is when the sun or moon is in Aries or Leo.


The cock must be young and white. When his claws are cut off he is forced to swallow both of them together with a small roll of parchment made of lambskin upon which have been previously written words. Now the diviner holding the cock must repeat a certain incantation or conjuration. Next, when putting the cock with the circle, he must recite two verses of the Psalms, which are exactly the midmost of the seventy-two verses in the entry on Onimancy, and it should be noted on the authority of an ancient Rabbi that there is not anything within these seventy-two verses which is not of some use within Kabbalism.


The cock, being in the circle, is observed to see from which of the letters he peck the grains, and upon these others must be quickly placed because frequently some words often contain the same letter two or three times. The letters should be written down and assembled, for they will infallibly reveal the name of the person concerning whom the inquiry was made.


A story of doubt concerns the magician Iamblicus who used this divination to discover the successor of Valens Caesar in the Roman Empire. . However, the bird just pecked four grains that spelled “T h e o.” This left a great uncertainty. The letters could stand for “Theodosius,” “Theodotus,” “Theodorus,” or “Theodectes.” When Valens heard of this divination he had several persons murdered whose names began with these letters. The magician to escape his known fate drank a draught of poison.
This form of divination resembles the use of a planchette or ouija board.
Another form of Alectromacy is sometimes practiced when a cock crows or is heard crowing.


Another version of the above divinatory incident was related by Ammanius Marcellinus in the fourth century AD. In this version the ritual is described somewhat differently. Sorcerers begun by placing a basin made of different metals on the ground and drawing around it at equal distances the letters of the alphabet. Then the sorcerer possessing the deepest occult knowledge would come forth, enveloped in a long veil, holding in his hands branches of vervain, and letting forth dreadful cries which were accompanied by hideous convulsions. Eventually, almost immediately, he would stop before the basin where he became rigid and motionless. He, then, struck with the branch in his hand upon a letter several times, and then proceeded doing likewise on other letters until the sufficient amount was selected to form a heroic verse which was then given out to the assembly.


Wnen the Emperor Valens was informed of this divinatory ritual, he was so appalled that the infernal powers had been consulted concerning his destiny that he ordered that not only the sorcerers but all the philosophers in Rome be severely punished that many lost their lives.


Details of the performance of Alectryomancy are exactly and curiously described in the fourth song of the Caquet Bonbec, written by the 14th century poet Jonquieres.

Aeromancy

Aeromancy

A form of divination of foretelling future events by observing atmospheric phenomena such as when a death of a great man is foretold by the appearance of a comet.


Francois la Tour Blanche stated that aeromancy is the art of fortune-telling by spectres which are made to appear in the air, or the representation by the aid of demons which are projected on the clouds as if by a magic lantern. “As for the thunder and lightening,” he added, “these are concerned with the auguries, and the aspect of the sky and of the planets belong to the science of astrology.”


Within Christianity an act of aeromancy might be thought of as the phenomena of the star over Bethlehem when Christ was born.

Let’s Talk Witch – Divination With The Pendulum

Faerie-Guardians

Let’s Talk Witch – Divination With The Pendulum

I will be the first to admit it. When I am in a hurry and want to know something, I reach for my pendulum. I know most people associate the use of pendulums with dowsing as a way of searching for water. But, of course, that is only one use of the pendulum. When you use a pendulum for the purpose of divination, you’re searching for answers hidden within yourself.

A pendulum consists of a small weight – a crystal or some other stone, for instance – hung from a short chain or ribbon. You hold the chain/ribbon, letting the pendulum dangle at the end of it, while you ask a simple question. The pendulum responds by swinging in a direction predetermined to mean either yes or no.

A pendulum isn’t capable of handling complex questions, but it can be used to answer any yes or no question. Most of the time, a pendulum will swing from side to side to let you know that the answer to your question is no. A backward and forward movement generally means yes. However, it’s a good idea to ask your pendulum aloud which direction will indicate yes and which will indicate no.

Sometimes the pendulum swings in a diagonal line. This can mean the matter is uncertain or that your question can’t be answered at this time. You might want to try asking later. If the pendulum doesn’t move, try asking a different question or phrase the question in a different manner. If your pendulum circles in a clockwise direction, it usually means the situation you’re asking about is favorable. If the pendulum moves in a counterclockwise circle, conditions seem unfavorable.

You can use a pendulum to dowse for just about anything, from buried treasure to the best spot to drill a well. You can dowse an area to find a lost object. You can dowse a house or apartment to see if it’s right for you. Or dowse the land to determine the  best place to build a home, business, shrine, garden, etc.

You can even dowse a map. This technique is great if you’re thinking about taking a trip or looking for a new place to live. Hold the pendulum over a map of an area that interests you and ask, “Is this the place?” If the response is no, try another area. Keep at it until the pendulum says yes.

Want to try something cool with your pendulum? When you purchase a candle from a store or buy a Craft item over the internet this is great to do. I always wonder if the item has any residue left over from its maker. Let’s say I just bought a new candle from the store. I bring it home, before I ever put it on my altar, I get my pendulum. Now I take the pendulum and hold it over the candle. If the candle has picked up any past residue the pendulum will start to swing outwards in a circle. This tells me that the candle does have past residue and I must take care in cleansing it. It the pendulum does not move, it has no past reside and I can cleanse as normal. But you can do this with any Craft item you purchase and it will work the same.

For such a small Craft tool, you will be amazed at all the things a pendulum can tell you can do for you.

Conducting a Ouija Session

Conducting a Ouija Session

by Jenni Kosarin

If you do decide to use it, it’s important to have a good reason and have all your questions prepared in advance. Be sure to review the section on conducting séances—all of that information should apply to using the Ouija board, except that you can have fewer than three people participate. Also, make sure that you don’t conduct the Ouija séance over a bed or near the bathroom. (The bed is a personal place and may be inviting to spirits; conducting the séance near the bathroom is bad feng shui.) The best thing to do is use a table.

Be careful when choosing those you invite to participate; overemotional, nervous, fearful, or anxious people should never attempt to use the Ouija board. Love attracts love—the feeling when using the board should be one of projecting love and confidence in order to call and successfully connect with higher spiritual guides. Be sure that everyone is decorous and polite—don’t interrupt each other or shout.

Let the Session Begin

To begin, perform a protection spell or meditation, as previously explained. The people involved should then place their hands lightly on the edge of the planchette, or pointer, which should move freely around the board. Keep in mind that if you’re pressing down on the pointer, or if it makes a sound when moving, you’re probably steering it. If you have successfully contacted a spirit, the planchette should move on its own. You should be barely touching it.

Once the session begins, psychics advise that you ask to communicate with an agreeable spirit who can keep the more confused, wandering ones away. It’s always best to state up front what you are looking for from this contact. (If you don’t know, you shouldn’t be using the board.) Ask each question slowly, one at a time. The answers to the questions are then spelled out by the planchette, which points to letters, numbers, and Yes or No. Don’t just assume a session is over when you feel like it. No one should get up and leave until you officially end the session by pointing to Goodbye (a word on the board).

How to Use a Ouija Board – Ouija Board Do's and Don'ts

How to Use a Ouija Board – Ouija Board Do’s and Don’ts

By , About.com Guide

If you are thinking about trying to communicate with the spirits using a Ouija board is a fairly easy way to begin your exploration.

Some people are really nervous about using a Ouija or talking board for spiritual communications. There is a concern that using a Ouija board could possibly be an invitation for dark forces to enter into the room. The use of Ouija or any other mediumship aid does warrant caution. Really, think about it. Do you leave your front door unlocked at all times? Or is there a neon sign out in your front lawn flashing 24/7 beckoning every stranger who walks past your street to step inside your home? Of course not!

When you wish to communicate with the spirit world via the Ouija or another channel (automatic writing, visualizations, thought, etc.) it is best to be specific about “who” you are wishing to receive communications from. If you didn’t like to hang around with Uncle Jimmy when he was living, then you’re not likely going to be thrilled hearing from him beyond the grave either. Intention is key!

How to Use a Ouija Board:

I’ve listed below a few do’s and don’ts for using the Ouija Board – Ouija Etiquette if you will…

Ouija Board Do’s

  • Do darken the room and entice the spirits to visit by lighting some candles.
  • Do avoid possible distractions by turning off the television, cell phones, etc.
  • Do balance the board upon your knees if possible.
  • Do warm up the board by moving the planchette in circles or figure eight pattern.
  • Do be specific about who you wish to communicate with (Aunt Mary, personal spirit guide, Ascended Master, etc.)
  • Do be cordial to your spirit guests, although it is okay to ask them to leave if they are rude guests (using foul language, taunting you or your seance guests, etc.)
  • Do write down the messages letter by letter. Spirits often misspell, use slang, or will even txt speak.
  • Do have fun!

Ouija Board Don’ts

  • Do not use the Ouija board by yourself, it is best to get a buddy to assist you.
  • Do not confuse the spirit with questions from too many people, assign one person in the room to ask questions.
  • Do not ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to such as “When am I going to die?” You’re not going to get a serious answer to these types of questions.
  • Do not ask questions you already know the answer to like “What is my middle name?” It’s a seance, not a pop quiz!
  • Do not allow the invited spirit guest to control the session, you want answers, not a lecture.
  • Do not accept all communications as fact, discern all information given. Only accept what feels accurate in your gut.
  • Do not be upset if your seance is a bust, sometimes spirits don’t feel like talking.

Are Ouija boards harmless children's toys, or tools of the devil?

Are Ouija boards harmless children’s toys, or tools of the devil?

By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

 

The Ouija board is one of the most controversial forms of divination.

Question: Are Ouija boards harmless children’s toys, or tools of the devil?

I bought a Ouija board because I want to talk to spirits. My dad says it’s a tool of the Devil but I think I’ll be fine. What do you think?

Answer:

Erm… well, I’m going to let the whole “devil” bit slide, but let’s look at this a bit more in depth, shall we?

Here’s the problem with a Ouija Board — anyone can use one, and no skill is required. In other words, the thing that makes the Ouija Board so easy to use is also what can make it potentially troublesome. Toy and game companies sell them by the thousands, but most people don’t realize exactly what they are. Are they evil? No, no more than your Monopoly board is. Are they dangerous? Well, in the hands of someone who’s untrained — or an idiot — they could be. Look at it as a spiritual version of the chat room, if that helps. There’s nothing at all wrong with talking to thirty strangers… until one of them turns out to be a serial killer or a pedophile. And the thing is, you don’t KNOW who is what when you enter that room. Same with a Ouija board.

A Ouija Board is, quite simply, a divinatory tool. Its purpose is to answer a question by inviting spirits to speak to the people using the board. There’s no guarantee that anything will happen at all… but there’s also no way to control what DOES happen.

The use of a Ouija board is a form of voluntary possession. In order to get the spirit to contact you through the planchette, you basically have to give up your will — it’s the only way for them to work through you. The spirit isn’t moving the planchette, but it’s causing you to move it with your hands by way of possession. Once you’ve opened up the Ouija board, it’s a crapshoot as to what’s going to try to make contact — you don’t know who or what is moving that planchette around, or what its purpose is.

The bottom line — if you’re unsure about what you’re doing, or inexperienced with dealing with spirits, you may want to find some other method of divination that doesn’t involve voluntary possession.

Ouija Boards

Ouija Boards

Definition: Supposedly the name “Ouija Board” is derived from the French and German words for “yes” (oui and ja). The device is used to supposedly contact immaterial  spirits who control the hands of the human participants for the purpose of answering  questions. These questions can involve the nature of the afterlife, events which  occurred while these spirits still existed in the physical realm, or events which will  occur in the future (divination). The Ouija Board has often been used by both kids  and adults as basically a game, but it has also been used by people who are “true  believers” in the presence and power of spirits.

A Ouija Board is a simple device, consisting of a flat board covered with all the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and four words written large: Yes, No, Maybe and Goodbye. In addition it comes with a triangular object, a bit larger than a fist, resting on three short legs. This is called a planchette, and one corner is used as a pointer.

The original version of such boards consisted just of the planchette and paper – a pencil was put through a hole in the planchette and the “spirits” were supposed to transmit their messages in this fashion. This design was changed in the late 19th century by Isaac Fuld, a Baltimore toymaker who added the board with letters and numbers, thus simplifying the transmission of messages. Sales were tremendous, especially after World War I when millions of people were mourning the loss of loved ones and were anxious to get some sign, any sign, that they might still “exist” in some fashion. 

For tax reasons, Fuld insisted that his Ouija board was not a game but rather a  scientific instrument. The government attempted to impose a tax upon his sales like they  did with other games, something he fought all of the way to the Supreme Court. He lost.

Today, all rights and trademarks are owned by Parker Brothers because Fuld’s children sold the business in 1966. Although they no longer manufacture it, anything which was not made by them is not an authentic Fuld board. As it currently stands, it is operated by having one or more people sit at the board with one or more hands on the planchette and they ask questions of spirits. The planchette is then supposed to move about the board, pointing to the answers – numbers, words, or letters which spell out more specific information. 

In practice, the answers are produced by the ideomotor effect, not spirits. That this  is the real cause was recognized even early on – the original patent for the Ouija  Board included the statement that “A question is asked and by involuntary  muscular actions of the players, or through some other agency, the frame will  commence to move across the table.” 

It is also interesting that if opaque paper is placed over the board, hiding the letters and numbers from the people who are using it, the “spirits” are no longer able communicate. Are we really supposed to believe that these spirits are unable to see through plain paper?

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