Category: Articles

The Witches Magick for the 21st Day of the Blood Moon – White Light Meditation

goth fantasy woman
White Light Meditation

 

Before you go to sleep, turn on soft instrumental music. Lie back and get comfortable. Slowly inhale, filling your insides with air. Hold your breath momentarily before exhaling until all the air has left your lungs. Do several more deep breaths, each time becoming more relaxed and aware of your inner sensation.

Let your mind move like a spotlight searching out any negative energy that you may be harboring from the day. Gather up all these troubled feelings and move them downward into your legs and feet. With your mind, open up the drain at the tips of your big toes, and begin letting all those negative feelings drain out of you.

Now plug up the hole in your feet, and open a larger hole located on the top of your head. Streams of white light pour into the crown of your head and being pouring down into your throat and heart areas. Soon your entire body is filled with this white light that can transform into anything you need from courage to love. As you drift to sleep, imagine being filled with this white light.

 

Wiccan Spell A Night, 365 Spells, Charms, and Potions for the Whole Year

Sirona Knight

 

WOTC Footnote – Why Doing Black Magick Isn’t Such A Good Idea

goth fantasy woman
Why Doing Black Magick Isn’t Such A Good Idea

 

Maybe you’re wondering, why not use magick to put someone who’s wronged you in his place? It’s tempting, for sure. Except remember that in the world of magick, whatever you do returns to you like a boomerang. Indeed, many magicians say it comes back magnified threefold. That’s a good reason for keeping your thoughts focused on positive stuff. It’s also why usually the best way to get what you want— especially on days when everything seems to be going wrong— is to bless instead of curse.

 

The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

Skye Alexander

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Magick Isn’t Just Black and White

Woman

Magick Isn’t Just Black and White

 

Magick is ethically neutral, just like electricity is neutral. Both magick and electricity can be used to help or to harm. Magick is simply the intentional use of energy. Casting a magick spell is simply a means to an end. A witch uses willpower to direct energy toward a particular goal. Her intention is what colors the magick white, black, or gray.

You’ve probably heard people describe themselves as white witches, meaning they uphold the “do no harm” rule. The truth, though, is that most magick isn’t black or white, it’s gray— including the magick most self-proclaimed white witches perform. That doesn’t mean it’s bad or harmful, however. In fact, the spells of most witches and magicians fall into the gray area.

White, Black, or Gray?

Not every witch will agree with the following definitions of white, black, and gray magick. However, these guidelines can help you sort out the differences:

White magick’s purpose is to further spiritual growth, by strengthening your connection with the divine realm and/ or gaining wisdom from a higher source.

Black magick intends to harm or manipulate another person, or to interfere with his/ her free will.

Every other kind of magick is a shade of gray.

This means that if you do a spell to get a better job or to attract a lover you’re operating in the gray zone. Nothing wrong with that. It’s easy, though, to stray from the path and inadvertently cast a questionable spell— especially when you’re having a bad day or dealing with difficult people. Let’s say a coworker is a real pain in the neck and you do a spell to get even with her for a dirty deed. Your revenge may seem justifiable, but it’s still black magick.

Here’s another little-known fact: Most black magick isn’t performed by evil sorcerers or wicked wizards, it’s done by ordinary people who don’t even realize what they’re up to. Have you ever cursed some jerk for stealing your parking space or cutting in front of you in a long supermarket line? That’s black magick, too.

 

The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

Skye Alexander

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Irish Celtic Fighting Dragons
Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

 

Wednesdays are wild and wacky days. They are for communication, change, cunning, and the arts. This is a Mercury day, and just its patron god this day is full of contradictions, change, and excitement. Some suggestions for Wednesday enchantments would include:

Pulling a little Wednesday color magic into your life by wearing purples or orange

Carrying a multipurpose agate with you and tapping into its various charms

Working with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged.

Incorporating lavender into charms and spells for transformation

Using the charming scent of lily of the valley to improve your memory, or working with the aspen tree for communication

Calling on Athena, patron of arts and crafts, for inspiration for a new project

Fanning out a Tarot spell to increase you creativity

Calling on Hermes on a Wednesday night to bring movement and good luck into your lif

 

The Witches Correspondences for Wednesday, October 21

Celtic

WEDNESDAY CORRESPONDENCES

Mercury/Neptune/Air/North/West/Southwest/Female/Male/Gemini/Virgo

 

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel, Money Matters

Color: black, light blue, brown, gray, green, magenta, orange, peach, purple, red, silver, turquoise, violet, white, yellow; orange is the primary color

Number: 3, 5

Metal: mercury

Charm: distaff, rod, runes, staff, iridescent garments

Stone: moss agate, amethyst, bloodstone, emerald, hematite, lapis lazuli, lodestone, pearl, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, all blue stones

Animal: bear, dog, fox, magpie, swan, weasel

Plant: almond, bayberry, chamomile, cherry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, coltsfoot, ginger, hazel, hazelnut, jasmine, lavender, millet, oak, peppermint, periwinkle, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, sweet pea, tamarind, lemon verbena, violet

Incense: cassia, cedar, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, mastic, mint, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, storax, dried and powdered citrus peel, and all incense made from aromatic bark, wood, and seeds

Goddess: Carmenta, Hecate (Queen of Crossroads), Hel, Ishtar, Ma’at, the Morrigan, Nike

God: Anubis, Bragi, Elath-Iahu. Enki, Garuda, Hermes, Maximon (Black Magician), Mercury, Nebo (Wise God of Wednesday), Odin, Shango, Ullr, Vishnu, Wayland, Woden

Evocation: Agrat Bat Mahalat, Michael, Miel, Raphael, Seraphiel, Tiriel

 

Courtesy of Moonlight Musings

 

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, October 21st

Celtic-Irish Woman [°Ôřiġinåŀ ßy ВέẪ¢łčĈιã°]

The Witches Almanac for Wednesday, October 21st

Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination and wisdom.

Feast of the Black Christ Moon

 

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things toward you.

Moon phase: Second Quarter

Sign: Aquarius

Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt changes. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

Incense: Lilac

Color: White

 

Should Give You A Quick Heads Up

We are expecting another Fire Marshall, insurance adjuster and a man we have called for an estimate to show up at any minute. We are going to keep going till they get here. When they do arrive we will leave the net shortly. The Fire Marshall wants to talk to some of the other ladies. The insurance adjuster wants to survey the damage. Apparently the insurance company didn’t like their first adjuster’s estimate so they are sending another one. The last person is one we called because we need at least two estimates on the work to be done. Just as soon as they all leave, we will be right back.

Thought you should know, I didn’t want you to think we were burning down the building again. Now that you know, lets get this show rolling again.

Love ya,

Lady A

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

celtic princess
Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.
Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

 

Wednesday Witchery

FEMME IRLANDAISE
Wednesday Witchery

 

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Wednesday

CELTIC BEAUTYWednesday

 

Ruler: Wodin, Mercury

Colors: Orange, light blue, and gray

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following

Keywords: Success, creativity, communication

The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Wo (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.

In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.

On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.

 

Source: Gypsy Magic

 

What A Beautiful & Glorious Wednesday Morn’! Autumn Is In The Air, Blessings To All Our Brothers & Sisters Today & Always!

Celtic Greetings (Gp)...

~* ~ Time and Again ~* ~

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

Just as the phases

Of the bright moon’s glow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

We plant a seed,

And watch it grow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The magic moves

Through energy’s flow.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The Goddess is alive

As we all know.

Time goes by,

So fast, so slow;

Love warms our hearts

As the cool winds blow.

Times goes by,

So fast, so slow;

The Witches chant

“As above, so below.”

Time goes by….

By The Light Of The Crystal Moon: A Book of Pagan Poetry and Short Stories

Elizabeth Gardiepy

 

Gossip Stopping Poppet

GOSSIP STOPPING POPPET

Using black felt, a needle and thread, and stuffing, make a simple poppet to represent the offender. Cut a slit into the fabric for a mouth and stuff it well with slippery elm. Sew the mouth shut with a six-stranded piece of purple embroidery floss. As you sew, say: “Your mouth is closed. You cannot speak. To gossip, slander, or havoc wreak. Your mouth stay shut, but only ’til it speaks of friendship and good will.” Place the poppet in a box. Stuff the box with paper to force the poppet’s face into a corner. Leaving the poppet as such removes the offender’s urge to gossip.

Poppet To Bind An Enemy

POPPET TO BIND AN ENEMY

A poppet to represent the person you wish to bind; Patchouli leaves ; Frankincense; Charcoal block; Black candle; Red ribbon; White cloth Make a poppet to represent the person you wish to bind. Burn patchouli leaves and frankincense on a charcoal block. Light a black candle and pass the poppet through the incense smoke saying: “Hecate, great Goddess of life and death, I ask you to acknowledge that this Creation of cloth be known as Flesh and blood of (name).” Wrap the poppet tightly in red ribbon, paying close attention to the area you wish to bind, i.e.: the genitals of a rapist, the mouth of a slanderer. As you wrap, say: “Between the worlds in Hecate’s eyes you (name) are bound powerless. In the eyes of this world, you are harmless.” Imagine a heavy net made from a white light. Imagine the net clinging to the poppet. Wrap it in a piece of white cloth and bury it close to the person’s house (or by the ocean and bid the sea to bless it).

Poppet Healing Spell

POPPET HEALING SPELL

Take a poppet and sprinkle it liberally with blessing oil. Rub a perfume oil all over your hands and hold them over the dolls head, palms open and say: “You are very ill-be healed. You will recover-be healed. Heal! Heal! Heal!” Now blend equal amounts of Rosemary perfume oil, Violet perfume oil, Voodoo oil and Damnation powder. Mix thoroughly until you have a paste. Completely coat the doll from top to bottom with this mixture and repeat the words given above. After several times, carefully wrap the coated doll in a piece of red cloth and hide it away, it must not be seen for several days. Then take the doll and burn it and scatter the ashes to the wind.

Poppet Spell To Gain Confidence

Poppet Spell To Gain Confidence

When to cast:

Moon in Gemini or Capricorn. Month of August. Waning moons. On bright, sunlit days.

Gather a piece or paper, one gray crayon, one bright crayon (orange- yellow is good), matches, and a small item to represent yourself (perhaps a pebble). On the left side of the paper write in gray the word “doubt”, and draw a cloud over the word. On the right side, use the bright crayon to draw a sun with the word “assurance” underneath it. Then lay the paper before you, placing the symbol of self on the left side.

Slowly, while repeating the phrase,

“From doubt to certainty, light to mark my way.

Misgivings be gone, I’m seizing the day.”

Move the stone across the page until it sets firmly on the word “assurance”. Next, take a deep breath and tear away the left side of the paper, releasing your breath as you finish tearing. Burn that side to literally destroy you doubt. Wrap the remaining paper around the stone or object and carry it to encourage confidence every day.

Protection Poppet

PROTECTION POPPET

You will need:

–dogwood twigs and shavings, black thread, an acorn, black cotton thread & stuffing
–eucalyptus, sage, thyme, oak leaves & an acorn, parsley fern, birch bark, nail clippings.
–hair blood cedar wood or another protective oil Dragon’s Blood ink
Perform actual ritual on the Full Moon. Construct the “skeleton” out of dogwood twigs, lashing the twigs together with black thread, using an acorn for the head. I’m used nine herbs, cotton thread & stuffing, eucalyptus, sage, thyme, oak leaves & an acorn, parsley, some dogwood shavings, fern and birch bark. I began consecrating and grinding these items, meditating on the purpose all the while three nights before the full moon. Mix in nail clippings, hair and some blood (not necessary, I just like to use it on my personal spells). On a piece of birch bark draw the rune of “Ohl” with Dragon’s Blood ink roll it up and tie it to the “torso’ of the poppet with black thread. Fashion clothes out of your own clothing and apply some of your own hair to the poppet. On the night of the full moon cast your circle and sew the clothes onto the little guy and stuff him. After your done stuffing it, anoint it with cedar wood or another protective oil and placing your poppet on the pentacle on the altar. Meditate in the purpose and then dedicate it to the south. incantation :
Magic doll, my little friend.
Away from me all harm you send.
Protect me now through day and night,
as I bless you with this rite.
All empowered these herbs within.
See me safe through thick and thin.
Protect me now oh little one.
Keep me safe and harm to none.
Blessed by the powers of three.
As I will, So Mote it Be!
Take the poppet and pass it through the flame to the south, the water to the west, the salt to the North, and the smoke (sandalwood) to the East. After that put it into a white muslin pouch with a black and white agate, some rose petals and a rosemary sprig. On the pouch again draw the rune of Ohl with Dragon’s Blood ink. Carry this pouch with you and recharge or change the herbs every so often.

Poppets 101 – Introduction to Poppet Magic

Poppets 101 – Introduction to Poppet Magic

The poppet is simply a doll. Although TV shows and movies typically show poppets as the stereotypical “voodoo doll,” poppets have been around for a long time. There are a number of different ways to create a poppet. This is one of the most commonly used implements in sympathetic magic, which follows along on the theory that “like creates like”. They can be used to harm or to heal, so if you create a poppet of a person, anything done to the poppet will affect the person it represents.

Bear in mind that some magical traditions discourage the use of poppets. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s okay for you to use poppet magic, you may want to check with someone in your tradition.

A poppet is usually made from cloth or fabric, but you can also make one from clay, wax, wood, or just about any other material. You can fill your poppet with herbs, stones, bits of wood, paper, or anything else that suits your needs. In addition to magical items, it’s a good idea to include some cotton or poly fill as stuffing material. Once the poppet is created, you’ll need to connect it to the person it represents.

Here’s how you can make a poppet of your own: Create Your Poppet. You can have a lot of fun with them, and all you need are a few pieces of scrap fabric and a few craft supplies.

 

Create Your Poppet

 

Planning Your Poppetry

A poppet can be as simple or as elaborate as you like — it all depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it. You can construct one out of just about any material — cloth, clay, wood, wax. Use your imagination! In some magical traditions, it’s believed that the more work you put into it, and the more complex it is, the stronger your link will be to your goal. Because a poppet is a device for sympathetic magic, all of its components will be symbols of what it is you hope to achieve.

You can do your poppet-making as part of the working itself, or it can be made ahead of time so you can use the poppet later on. Which method you choose is really up to you.

Remember, your poppet represents a person, so figure out before you begin who it symbolizes. Is it you? A friend who’s asked you for help? An un-named lover you want to bring into your life? A gossip you want to shut up? The possibilities are endless, but just like in any spell working, you’ll need to set a goal before you begin. It keeps you from having to deal with “do-overs” later. These instructions are for a basic poppet construction, using fabric. Feel free to modify your design as you need to.

Selecting Your Fabric

There are no real rules when it comes to choosing your material, but it’s not a bad idea to select fabric based on your goal. If you’re doing a money spell, use a piece of green or gold cloth. If you’re looking at healing, perhaps something in a soft blue or silver would be best. Check out fabric stores around the holidays, and you can find all kinds of neat patterns.

Valentine’s Day designs are perfect for matters of the heart, and there are plenty of prints with dollar signs, coins, stars and moons, and other fun designs.

Another option is to use fabric that links the poppet to the person it represents. Doing a healing spell for a friend? Ask the person for an old t-shirt. If you’re trying to draw love into your life, consider using a scrap from that sexy lingerie you wore last night. If you just can’t find the right material, use a plain muslin or white felt. Here are a few ideas for designs and colors for poppet magic.

  • Animals: Brown or green fabrics, patterns with cats or dogs, anything pet-related
  • Banishing: Black fabric, designs such as swords or wands, dragons or fire
  • Creativity: Orange or yellow fabric, prints of suns or other fire symbols
  • Healing: Silver, white or blue, with designs of clouds or other air symbols
  • Love: Pink or red material, designs like hearts, roses or other flowers, Cupids
  • Money: Silver, gold or green fabric, or designs of dollar bills or coins, cups or earthy symbols
  • Protection: Red or white material, with patterns of shields, keys or locks, fences, mistletoe

When it comes to types of fabric, use what’s easiest for you to work with. Cotton prints are easy to sew, but if you’ve never used a needle and thread before, you might want to try something stiffer like felt — it comes in every color you can imagine, and will hold its shape as you sew. If you’re an experienced sewer, use anything you like.

Cutting and Sewing Your Poppet

A poppet represents a person, so ideally it should look (sort of) like a person. Give it a head, two arms, two legs, a torso. You can make your own outline or you can use the ultimate poppet pattern — a gingerbread man. If you’re doing a spell for an animal — such as a healing spell for a sick pet — make the poppet shape accordingly. Your poppet doesn’t have to be huge, but it should be big enough that you can stuff it with your ingredients later.

Take two pieces of your fabric, and place them right side together on a flat surface. Place the pattern on top, pin it in place, and cut it out. Leave a little room around the edges for a seam allowance — usually a 3/8″ margin is good. Remove the pattern, and there are your two poppet shapes. Time to start sewing!

If you’ve never sewn anything by hand before, don’t panic. It’s not hard, but it does require some patience. You could always use a sewing machine if you’re pressed for time, but most experienced poppet-makers agree that it’s worth the effort to do it by hand. Pin the two pieces of material with the right sides together, and stitch around the edges. Leave an opening somewhere, wide enough to stick a couple of fingers in. Turn the poppet inside out, and begin stuffing.

Personalize Your Poppet

Fill your poppet with something soft, like polyfill or cotton balls. Old pantyhose work nicely too. Work the stuffing all the way into the nooks and crannies of the arms and legs, and then fill the torso and head.

This is where you’ll place your spell components — herbs, stones, whatever. In some magical traditions, something from the person represented goes inside the poppet. This is alternately referred to as a taglock or a magical link — it can be bits of hair, nail clippings, body fluids, a business card, or even a photograph. Once everything is inside, sew the poppet completely shut.

The more you can customize your poppet, the better. Even if you’ve placed a magical link, or taglock, inside, you’ll want to decorate the outside too. Draw or paint or sew a face onto your doll. Add yard or string for hair. Dress your poppet in something that looks like the person’s clothing. Copy any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing features onto the poppet as well. Add magical or astrological symbols if you like. While you’re doing this, tell the poppet who it represents. You can say something along the lines of, “I have made you, and you are Jane Jones.”

Your poppet can be used for any number of things — love, money, protection, healing, to get a job. Anything you can imagine, you can make a poppet to bring it about. Simply figure out your goal and the means to achieve it. The only limits on poppet construction are your own creativity and imagination.

Source:

Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article located on & owned by About.com

Poppet History – Global Poppet Magic

Poppet History – Global Poppet Magic

 

Ramses and the Poppets:

When most people think of a poppet, they automatically think of the Voodoo doll, thanks to this item’s negative portrayal in movies and on television. However, the use of dolls in sympathetic magic goes back several millennia. Back in the days of ancient Egypt, the enemies of Ramses III (who were numerous, and included some of his harem women and at least one high-ranking official) used wax images of the Pharaoh, to bring about his death.

 

Greek Kolossi:

It wasn’t uncommon for the Greeks to use sympathetic magic in workings related to love or war. Christopher Faraone, Professor of Classical Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago, is one of the foremost authorities on Greek magic today, and says that Greek poppets called Kolossoi were sometimes used to restrain a ghost or even a dangerous deity, or to bind two lovers together. In Idyll 2, The Witch (Pharmakeutria), written about 200 b.c.e., the tragedian Theocritus refers to melting and burning wax dolls. He relates the tale of Simaetha, rejected by Delphis, attempts to get her lover back with magic.

The Princess Who Played with Dolls:

Wax dolls certainly weren’t limited to the ancient classical world. The one-time Princess of Wales, Caroline of Brunswick, was married to the man who later became King George IV, and evidently couldn’t stand him. She spent many hours forming wax dolls of her husband and jabbing them with pins. Although there’s no concrete evidence as to what this may have done to George, when Caroline ran off to Italy with her young lover, George didn’t object.

The royal couple remained married but lived separately until Caroline’s death in 1821, according to Witchcraft and Evidence in Early Modern England by Malcolm Gaskill.

West African Fetish Magic:

West African slaves brought with them a doll called a fetish when they were forced to leave their homes and come to the American colonies. In this case, the doll is not so much representative of an individual, but is in fact possessed by spirits connected to the doll’s owner. A fetish contains significant power and is typically worn or carried by its owner as a talisman. During America’s Colonial period, slave owners were allowed to kill any slave found with a fetish in his possession.

American Hoodoo and Folk Magic:

In American Hoodoo and folk magic, the use of poppets as a magical tool became popular following the Civil War. There is some dispute as to whether the dolls are used at all in Haiti, which is the home of Vodoun religion, and a few sources disagree on whether the use of poppets is truly a Vodoun practice or not. However, the Voodoo Museum of New Orleans does stock a variety of dolls in their gift shop.

Regardless of how you make your poppet — out of cloth, a chunk of meat, or a glob of wax, remember that poppets have a long tradition behind them, and that tradition is influences by the magical practices of a wide range of cultures. Treat your poppets well, and they will do the same for you.

 

Source:

  Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article located on & owned by About.com