Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share S1 E14 Poppets & Knot Magic
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
S1 E14 Poppets & Knot Magic
Tatjana Riedel, Sylvia Short
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Superstition
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Today’s Superstition is
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here (people.howstuffworks.com)
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
Please rate us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever else you’ve found us.
As always we have the references in our episode notes.
I’m ________ saying good-bye for now and I’m ______ saying so long and Thank you for riding with us. This has been powered by magic!
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Today’s Superstition is
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy by Tatjana
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
Please rate us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever else you’ve found us.
people.howstuffworks.com
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
https://www.listennotes.com/e/76be14c4c47d4a0b9d992a08a082a64c/
View all episodes
By Joshua Hoover
1
11 ratings
Tatjana Riedel, Sylvia Short
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Superstition
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Today’s Superstition is
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here (people.howstuffworks.com)
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
Please rate us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever else you’ve found us.
As always we have the references in our episode notes.
I’m ________ saying good-bye for now and I’m ______ saying so long and Thank you for riding with us. This has been powered by magic!
Frau Holle
Title
Germanic Goddess of winter, witches, weather, weaving, spinning, and flax
Description
An old woman with long teeth and a flat foot from spinning, or a kindly looking woman
Duties
Leader of the wild hunt, cause of weather, and watches over children in the midst of winter
Lineage
No beginning/ parents are noted and she has no children of her own.
Stories
One legend has a peasant coming upon her in a cave enthroned and surrounded by women. The man is captivated and then surprised when she offers him a gift. Modestly he asks only for the flowers in her hand, which turn out to be flax flowers. She sends him away with flax seeds and instructions for the growing of them. Over time she teaches the peasant man’s wife how to prepare and spin flax.
Interesting Facts
Unnamed or unbaptized children that die go to Frau Holle
The door to her world would be found in springs and at the bottom of wells
She would come around on Yule to check and see if people had finished their spinning and were resting.
She would reward industriousness and punish laziness, people who fell asleep during spinning might find their spinning done for them when they awoke and those that slacked might find their spindles destroyed somehow.
When she made her bed, the down feathers that fell would become snow and snow down upon the land
Symbols
Flax flowers, linen, spindle, thread, knitting, and crochet
Today’s Superstition is
Walking Under a Ladder
Today, much like with the umbrella superstition there is just plain common sense involved. Either the ladder may fall on you or you may knock someone off of the ladder if you walk under one.
That states the obvious
—But let's go back further. Like so many historical items I’ve been researching, one of the considered origins may be from the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Here the idea was that you didn’t want to see a God going up or down a ladder which the God might be using. I’m guessing you weren’t supposed to look upon the Gods.
It may have been that they saw triangles being formed by a ladder, the ground and the item it’s leaning against and therefore was connected to the Pyramids which were thought to have been powerful forces of nature. Walking under a ladder would mean you would be breaking that sacred power.
Or even still It may be because they believed the spirits of the dead buried inside the pyramids, (of which the ladder was leaning against), would use it to ascend to the heavens. The space between the ladder and the pyramid was considered to have housed good and evil spirits and if they were disturbed the spirits would be angered. It was simply not allowed to walk under a ladder.
—Later it could be connected to Christian times where a triangle formed the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A ladder against a structure formed a triangle and walking through it meant you were breaking the Holy Trinity, or that you had sinned against the Holy Trinity and you would never be forgiven. There is another thought which was that “since a ladder was leaned up against the crucifix it became a symbol of wickedness, betrayal, and death” according to Panati’s explanation .
—Then we have the gallows superstition. Ladders were commonly used at the gallows in the Medieval era. If you were to walk under one it foretold your death by hanging. Or it was thought that the ghosts of the dead were connected to the gallow’s ladder and if you were to walk under one you might become possessed.
Can you undo the bad luck?
There are a few different ways but I’ll site the easiest ones here
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy by Tatjana
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
Please rate us on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever else you’ve found us.
people.howstuffworks.com
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
Walk under the ladder while making a wish
Go under the ladder again walking backwards and then take a different route
Say “BREAD AND BUTTER” as you walk under the ladder (makes no sense to me)
Keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog (again, don’t understand it)
I didn’t find out why these various methods were supposed to work. If anyone else knows, please share.
Interesting side note, according to a couple of different sources, back in England during the 1600’s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder before their death.
Poppets
Earth-North
A poppet, at least in Britain, is either a doll or a young girl. What we’re referring to here as a poppet, is a doll made of any number of materials, usually fashioned into a likeness of a person, used to cast spells on someone or to help one in spells. Poppets can be made out of cloth, clay, metal, sticks, grass, and just about anything else you can think of. To tie the magic with the person or object of the spell you need a taglock. A taglock is simply the hair, blood, nail clippings, or piece of paper with the person's name on it that is used to connect the person you're casting on behalf of, to the magic.
History of poppets
Poppets have been used for millennia. First evidence of poppet magic, that has been found so far, is on a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia. Requiring a poppet made out of clay, it was a healing spell for dog bites. One would spread the clay on the bite and say some magic words over it, then take the clay and make a small figure with it. Then leave it out to dry and crumble in the sun.
They were in use in Egypt too, with the feeling that both dolls and statues and other images contained a bit of “soul”. Ramses the III had more than a few enemies, some of which had wax dolls made to “kill” the Pharaoh.
The Kolossoi are another known poppet that was in use in ancient Greece. These could be made out of stone, clay, or wax, and other things. These were often used for curses. The doll would be named for whom the curse was supposed to work on, then destroyed and taken to a cemetery where spirits could be contacted to do the bidding of the person doing the curse.
In Britain, which the kolossoi influenced, dolls were used both for cursing and healing. One practice was to make a doll of oneself with whatever injury one had and leave that doll in a place of power. The doll would soak up the atmosphere of the place and it’s healing power transferring that healing to the maker of the doll.
In the modern day however, the most well known poppet is the Voodoo doll. Given a bad name by Hollywood the voodoo doll is actually not as prominent in the religion of voodoo as one has been led to believe in the media. Unfortunately the whole of the Voodoo has been badly represented in western media. One of the things that can be done by those of us not practicing the religion is to call the dolls poppets.
Addendum to Episode 12 Kitchen Magic I forgot to add Kitchen Magic is connected to Water magic, and West
Knot Magic, connected to Earth magic, North
Knot magic may also be referred to as cord or string magic. It seems that it dates back to the Egyptians and medieval times. In Knot Magic the number of knots and (in some cases) integrated items, make up a spell. In old folk magic it is a knotted or braided cord (sometimes hair is used) done with a specific intention to create the spell.
One such spell work is called The Witch’s Ladder aka rope and feathers or Witch’s Garland- in this case charms are added to hone in on the intent.
While the knots are being tied one would say their intention with each knot that is done. There seems to be a common thread in the older magic of the Ladder. They apparently have feathers of a cock, hen or both which were used in the making of them. In some accounts a black hen was used for its feathers and the feathers had to be plucked and placed one by one. From what I’ve read it would seem these witches' ladders were used as negative magic towards their intended victim(s). In older times the use of the Ladder was often used to cast a death spell over the intended person. One would create the magical Ladder, infuse it with the intention and then hide it. To undo the spell you must find the cord and then undo each knot.
To find out more about the Witch’s Ladder you can look into The Wellington Witch Ladder, or Charles Godfrey Leland, and also Sabine Baring-Gould
Modern Day Wicca
Sometimes you will hear the term Witches Ladder but more likely you will have heard it as cord or knot magic. A modern Witches Ladder is said to consist of 40 knots and 40 beads along with trinkets, feathers or bones. Each bead added would represent the energy of intent directed into it while tying the cord. Later this can be used as a way to say your intent repetitively, using each bead added as your focus but not having to remember your count as you do it. This can also be done by just tying 40 knots in a rope or braided cord. I have to say that this really reminds me a bit of the nuns and the Catholic Rosary beads.
The importance of the number 40 in Christianity seems to refer to an angel number. In Numerology it incorporates the angelic idea but breaks it down differently. A quick surmise is that the number 4 equals blessings, foundation and diligence and that 0 equals the infinite, wholeness and inclusiveness.
Earlier on in Wiccan tradition the number of knots used were generally what were considered to be “magical numbers”, 3, 9, and 13 are the ones that had been used. Now you might add in 7 or possibly 5 depending on your intent and the strength of the magic you are doing.
Today you will find that knot magic is used for handfasting, initiations and spell casting. It is considered another symbol of a circle which represents infinity. In one reference I found that cords of a metre in length or 9 feet long are commonly what are used. These are to be wrapped around the practitioner’s waist as an extra circle of protection or in some cases to hold their tools. This makes me think of monks.
Knot magic can be arranged around the timing of the moon cycles. If you wanted to invoke something you might tie your cord with 9 knots beginning at the waxing moon. Leave it on your altar, or someplace where the moon can shine in on it, and then 9 days prior to the full moon each knot should be undone. On the full moon itself the final knot is untied and thus the magic has taken hold. Equally this can be done when doing Releasing Magic, from the full moon through to the waning moon.
Now to the “How to”
Begin by considering what color or colors of cord you want to use. Each color represents an aspect of the spell. Then consider the number of knots you want for your intention. What might the number represent for you? For example 3 knots might represent -past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit. 5 knots could represent the five points on the Wiccan star and what their meanings are.
Before you begin the magic itself cleanse the cord by passing it through some incense or sage envisioning it being clear of any other energies. Then begin the act of doing the Knot Magic. As you tie the knots repeat your intention with each one you tie. A simple chant might work nicely as well. Something that I was taught was a similar method to doing the same type of magic, by braiding a cord and with each movement you repeat your intention. In this case usually you would use just a single word or words like; security, abundance, success. You could also combine the 2 methods. Braid and say your words then add a knot saying a chant. You can get creative is what I’m saying.
Let's not forget that we can add beads. That way you can use them for easy counting if you need to do this more than once or over an extended period of time. Here again the color AND type of beads would add to the meaning of your spell.
When you think of knots you might also consider Celtic knots. These were symbols rather than actual ropes or cords. They were equally powerful and were found carved in or used as gravestones, seen on marking posts, jewelry, some house structures, and ships. There were many different types of knot work to serve different intentions. This is just another example of how knots were used over the ages.
The Grims fairy tales has a Cinderella like story wherein a man has a hard working daughter and marries a woman who has a lazy daughter. After the man dies his daughter is made to work and work. Often sitting by the well to spin till her fingers get bloody, one day goes to wash off the blood so she can continue and loses the reel in the well. She tells her stepmother, and the stepmother is so mad she tells the girl to jump in the well and get the reel. The girl does so and in the process loses consciousness. She wakes up in a beautiful meadow. Walking across it she comes to an oven filled to the brim with bread hollering,”Take me out, oh take me out, I’ll burn if you leave me here.” So the girl begins to take out piles of bread from the oven. Walking farther she came to an apple tree just full of apples screaming,”Shake me, shake me. We apples are all ripe.” So she went and shook it till all the apples were raining down. She then left all the apples in an orderly pile at the base of the tree and walked farther along. Eventually she came to a small house. There was an old lady with large teeth looking out from the cabin. The looks of the old woman scared the girl, but before she could run away the old woman called out to her,”Don’t be afraid, dear child. Stay with me, and if you do my housework well, it will go well with you. Just pay special attention to making my bed and shake it till feathers come out, then it will snow in the world. I am Frau Holle.” Because the old woman spoke so kindly the girl took heart and smiled and agreed to be of service. The girl took care of everything and Frau Holle approved of her work. The girl shook the bed each day until feathers fell. It was a good life, there were no harsh words and the girl ate meat every day. Now after she had been with Frau Holle for some time the girl began to notice that she was unhappy. It took her a while to pinpoint why, but at last she had it, she was homesick. Even for her horrible stepmother and stepsister. “I know you have treated me very well, but I am very homesick and must go home to my family” said the girl. Frau Holle smiled and said,”I am glad you wish to go home, and because you have served me so well, I will take you home myself.” and with that Frau Holle took her hand and led her to a gate. The gate was opened and while the girl was standing in it a great rain of gold fell, and the gold stuck to her so that she was covered with it. “This is yours because you have been so industrious” said Frau Holle and she gave the girl back the reel that she had lost. At that the gate closed and the girl found herself back on earth near her mother's house. And as she entered the yard the rooster cried from the wall “Cock-a-doodle-doo, our golden girl is here anew” She went inside to her mother and because she was covered in gold both her mother and sister welcomed her. The girl told the whole story and the mother wanted her other daughter to be as rich. So she made her lazy daughter go sit and spin by the well. To make it go faster the lazy girl pricked her fingers and stuck her hand in a thorn bush to get the reel dirty. Then she threw the reel in and dived in herself. Like her sister she also woke up in the meadow and in walking saw the oven with bread that cried,”Take me out, take me out. If you don’t I’ll burn because I’v been in here a long time.” The lazy girl answered,”As if I’d want to get all dirty,” and walked on. Soon she came to the apple tree full to bursting. “Shake me, oh, shake me, we apples are all ripe.” “Yes, but one could fall on my head if I did that.” she answered and walked on. She soon came to the small house and was not scared of Frau Holle, she immediately began working for her. On the first day she did well, she was industrious and obeyed all Frau Holle said, because she was thinking of the gold. But on the second day she began to be lazy and on the third day more so, then she didn’t even want to get up in the morning. She did not make the bed for Frau Holle, she did not shake it till the feathers rained down. And soon Frau Holle became sick of it and dismissed the girl. This is just what the lazy girl wanted since this meant that now she would get the gold. Frau Holle led her too, to the gate. The lazy girl stood beneath it, but instead of gold, a kettle of pitch rained down on her and stuck to her. “That is the reward for your services,” said Frau Holle and closed the gate. The lazy girl walked home covered in pith and when she walked in to the yard the rooster cried,”Cock-a-doodle-doo, our dirty girl is here anew.” And the pitch stuck to her for the rest of her life.
Activity
Spell for Energy
A piece of yellow or orange yarn, or embroidery floss, cut into 3 equally sized pieces (at least 9” long)
Prepare your cord by cleansing it carefully through the smoke of sage.
On the night of the New Moon tie your first knot. Bring all three strands into one knot and say, “By magic knot my energy regained”
On the Waxing Crescent Moon tie the second knot (all three strands of same cord) and say, “By nothing will it be restrained”
On the Waxing Gibbous Moon tie all three strands again and say, “By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
The spacing of the knots is entirely up to you, whatever feels right
On the Full Moon say all three in order,
“By magic knot my energy regained, By nothing will it be restrained, By Goddess might, make it so tonight”
then tie the two ends of the cord together and add, “Thrice round is this intent now bound. So Mote It Be” Now, take your Knot Magic and place it on a branch of a tree so it can get ever closer to the moon’s energy. Preferably a tree near you.
Using the number three represents body, mind and spirit in this case. The yarn color represents the energy you are invoking.
Tarot
The Ace Of Swords
The beginning. Divine knowledge being handed down to us. This is when dreams come to us, inspire us and then start the analytical process of a project. Let it flow through to you and then let it percolate for a bit.
In terms of today’s podcast it suggests taking a minute to become one with the concept of a new venture. The light is slowly returning and so are new hopes and dreams. Your insights on the new project at hand are precisely what is needed. Now is a point of mental clarity, and the expression of creative ideas will come easily. This is a time for setting new foundations and Earth Magic is a great place to start.
Use Poppet Magic to represent yourself in any magic you are going to work with at this time. Use Knot Magic to set the foundation and add protection to your work. You could combine them and use the cord to wrap around the waist of the poppet as spoken about before in the Knot Magic section. The magic you create should be inspired by your dreams.
wikipediA.org
Gail Thackeray.com
Evil.fandom.com
Laddersukdirect.co.uk
Livescience.com
https://www.learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015
http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/holda/about.html
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html
Wigington, Patti. "The Legend of Frau Holle." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/legend-of-frau-holle-2563015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppet
https://thepoppethouse.co.za/a-history-of-poppet-magic/
https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-magical-poppets-4072783
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html
https://greenwitchfarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-poppet-magic-before-you-practice/
Poppet Magick by Silver Ravenwolf
https://www.listennotes.com/e/76be14c4c47d4a0b9d992a08a082a64c/
More shows like HowStuffWorks via myPod
View all
Stuff You Should Know
77,717 Listeners