So, how could any one object manage all of this and be anything less than magical?
The answer is simple: It can’t.
Some practitioners define magic as the change of any condition by ritual means, and the quilt definitely meets those terms. For one thing, the piece is constructed of fabric which is woven from thread. Thread is spun from fiber that, even in this day and time, is often obtained from plants and animals and thus, carries the energies of its source. And because of all the changes in condition—rituals, if you will—necessary to create fabric, some of these practitioners believe that all cloth, in and of itself, is magical.
Of course, some of them don’t embrace that theory. They do, however, agree that once fabrics are removed from their bolts, cut apart, and pieced back together to create something new and different, the rituals involved definitely constitute a magical operation.
Other practitioners disagree stringently, but that’s because they take the definition of magic one step further. They insist that for magic to occur, the change of condition must be affected by unseen forces. And it’s those folks who look at the rest of us as if we’ve lost our minds, pat us on the heads like small children, and inform us that quilts—because every change in condition involved can be seen with the naked eye—are simply not in the running.
Okay...I’ll defend their right to believe anything they wish. But it’s all I can do to stop myself from screaming “Bullshit!” right in their little self-righteous faces.
The fact of the matter is that they’re missing the point. Everything that someone touches carries their invisible mark, their energy, and their vibration. And nothing, during its creation, is handled or touched more than a quilt. Every stitch carries the thought processes, attitudes, and emotional content of its maker. Those things definitely change the condition. And it’s those things that make it magical.
But let’s go a little further with this and talk about sleep. There we are, lying in bed, in a state of suspended animation. We have no control over anything. Not our snoring, our drooling, or our dreams. And because of that, it’s the one time during every twenty-four-hour period when we are absolutely, positively, without a doubt, vulnerable.
Now, put us under a quilt during that time of vulnerability, and what happens? Just as the quilt embraces us to form a cocoon of cozy warmth, all of the quilt maker’s invisible imprints—every emotion, every thought, and every attitude—do as well. They seep right into our very pores. They become a part of us and we, a part of them. And that, my friends, is true magic in progress.
A CURSE BY DESIGN: THE PATCH OF NINE
The knowledge that every quilt (and every stitchery project, as well) is inherently magical is just the beginning: It’s the base with which we start and the foundation upon which we build. It’s what we decide to do with that project and how we decide to work with it that determines the magic that will live within. And that starts with design.
One of my favorite designs is a very old and simple one known as the nine-patch, which provides powerful magic regardless of intent.
As each block employs three rows of three squares, the design automatically includes a visual spell binding of sorts—a binding that many practitioners know as the binding of three times three and used to seal their magical operations as well as to prevent them from backfiring. The most commonly used version was penned by Starhawk in The Spiral Dance, and goes like this:
“By all the power of three times three
This spell bound around shall be
To cause no harm or return on me
As I will, so mote it be!”
And having a representative spell binding already worked into the project is definitely a plus when it comes to hexes and curses.
Another reason the nine-patch is a good choice is that, just as the name implies, nine pieces are used to construct the block. Nine, of course, is the number frequently associated with wishes, and in some cultures, it’s even associated with general success. And since successful manifestation of your intent and wishes is precisely what’s desired during magical work, there’s no better symbol to incorporate.
But that’s not all. One of the main reasons I like to use this particular design in curses is because the whole block pattern consists of squares. Aside from the fact that the square has many possibilities when it comes to symbolism—balance between the right and left hand paths, the Elements, the primary directions, and so forth—it can also be used to box your target in with whatever you’ve manifested. It’s like locking the door and throwing away the key and renders any attempt to avoid the associated magic completely futile.
While all of those are very good reasons to use the nine-patch in your work, there is one thing more about this versatile little block that truly seals the deal. Because the square has long been utilized to symbolize the Earth, it not only gives your magic the stability of solid ground in which to grow but grounds your work as well. And this makes it the perfect base from which to form a curse.
That’s all well and fine. But what if quilting isn’t your thing? What if you’re simply not handy with a needle? Does that mean that you can’t use this wonderful symbolism in your magic?
Absolutely not. While patchwork and quilting is the most commonly used medium for employing the nine-patch, there are numerous other ways to incorporate it. And since no artistic talent is necessary to draw the design—all it takes is a pencil and a ruler and some paints to make it attractive—you can apply it to nearly anything suitable to gifting. Just be creative and summon your imagination. The ideas below will get you started.
Keepsake boxes: These are great little items for decorating with the motif, as they are usually anything but plain and kept within view. Moreover, the target is likely to handle the box and come into direct contact with your curse as items are placed inside or perused.
Scrapbook or photo album cover: As with the keepsake box, these items are handled by the target regularly as he or she creates pages and adds pictures.
Planter: If the subject of your intent is a plant person, this is the ideal gift. Just make sure to seal the curse so that it doesn’t include the plant.
Sun catcher: If you’re a stained glass artisan or like to work with the colored plastic resins that emulate the medium, give this a shot. Folks love a sun catcher and will hang it up immediately.
Wall hanging, eyeglass case, Tarot bag: These are excellent items to make and gift if you aren’t clumsy with a needle but don’t want to invest the time it takes to make a quilt. And as they’ll be used constantly, the nine-patch will definitely have occasion to do its job.
STITCHES THAT BRING NERVOUS TWITCHES
Stitchery—from that wielded by the gown-designing mice in Cinderella to the tapestry-stitching women in The Mists of Avalon—has long been depicted as a source of magic and spellcraft. But only in books and movies, you say. Not so. Having been raised in the deep South where all female children are taught the arts of the needle as soon as they can hold one, I can assure you that there’s more to it than simple entertainment. You see, I grew up in a time when embroidered samplers, linens, and dish towels were out of style, nobody would have dreamed of wearing darned socks, and it was completely unnecessary to sew one’s own clothes. And yet, we were required to practice our stitches every day.
Of course, no one ever told us specifically that stitchery was magical. But somehow, we knew. Maybe it was the fact that—at that time, at least—it was reserved only for ladies. Maybe it was the fact that, even if we had more to do than we could handle, nothing—not plague, nor fire, nor the appearance of the Four Horsemen, Themselves—ever got in the way of that stitching hour after lunch. But I suspect it was something else entirely: It was in the care we learned to take in the planning phase, choosing just the right designs, just the right stitches, and just the right colors to make each piece our very own. And when you’re taught that the planning is more important than the actual stitching...well...there’s got to be a reason.
> I was well into my teens before I purposely imbued a stitchery project with magic, and the results were so astounding that I’ve never again stitched anything without. But how could the results have been otherwise? Since stitches, themselves, are inherently magical—with each having its own strengths, its own energies, and its own functions—actively imbuing any project with magic only serves to strengthen its mission.
That’s all well and fine. But what does stitchery have to do with this particular subject matter? More to the point, how can it be used to that end?
As with everything else in life, individual stitches have both passive and aggressive tendencies. This means that they can be used for any sort of magic, regardless of the desired outcome. And in the case of hexes, curses, and other unsavory magic, it’s just a matter of examining the stitches in question, looking at their symbolisms, and seeing which will suit your purpose. It’s as easy as that.
One of the best things about using stitches though, nearly goes without saying: The possibilities for incorporating them into magic are positively limitless. You can showcase them or hide them. You can use them in embroidery and sewing projects; add them to handkerchiefs and scarves, sweaters, blouses, and pants; and include them unseen in the linings of pockets. You can even incorporate them in greeting cards, if the stock is heavy enough. The list goes on and on.
While nearly any stitch can be employed within a hex or curse or other magical manipulation, the space here doesn’t allow for a comprehensive list. For your convenience, however, a few of my favorites and their purposes are included below. For more ideas, check out your public library or local bookstore. There are a multitude of wonderful stitchery books on the market, and any one of them will spur your creativity.
Running Stitches: Stitched crookedly, these stitches will keep your target from staying the course and cause him or her to meander from one thing to another. Stitch them in a straight line to keep the errant lover on the straight and narrow.
French Knots: Use these to foul up your target’s efforts and keep goals from being accomplished. They also work well in efforts where putting an end to undesirable behavior is the goal.
Chain Stitch: Try these to impart continual misery with a domino effect. They can also be used to set a chain of events into motion, with each stitch representing one of the events.
Cross Stitch: Since X marks the spot, these are perfect for any type of hex or curse. These stitches can also be used to bind two people together.
Feather Stitch: Use this stitch to destroy focus, scatter energy, and force the target to take on more than is humanly possible. As it also creates “dead ends,” it’s also useful when your goal is to send your target on a wild goose chase or cause his or her every effort to come to naught.
Herringbone Stitch: Because this stitch resembles a split rail fence, it’s perfect for fencing your target in and blocking desires from coming to fruition.
DISTURBING THE PEACE WITH THE DREAM POLICE
Today’s world is so busy that just doing our jobs isn’t enough. Instead, we’re forced to multi-task, expected to produce more than ever, and required to jump on the treadmill of overachievement. We race to work and juggle appointments, meetings, and a ton of other things that David Copperfield couldn’t manage on his best day. And then we race toward home. But that’s no better. We have laundry to do, grocery lists to fill, and family activities to coordinate. And when we’re finally done—often in the wee hours of the morning—we’re so exhausted that all we can think about is falling into bed and catching a few hours of sleep.
Taking all this into account, it’s little wonder that the bed has become absolute refuge for most of us. It’s the one place that we don’t have to check off a to-do list, where we’re immune to the barking of orders, and where we’re safe from everything, including performance evaluation. It’s the one place that we can sink into oblivion and embrace the peace that nothing else provides. And because it’s the one place where nothing other than simple existence is expected of us, we’ve come to treasure that sanctuary and the restful sleep associated with it. In fact, we’d do nearly anything to protect it.
Perhaps that’s why dream catchers have become such a popular gift-giving idea and why the recipients, whether they truly believe in the tool’s power or not, never fail to hang them up immediately. It’s also why curses connected with these fabulous little devices work so well.
While the dream catcher normally works to keep bad dreams out and allow pleasant ones to flow through, such is not the case with those prepared for cursing. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Not only do nightmares flow through to the dream world and plague the target, but the horrors involved showcase you and the harm that he or she has caused you. The target wakes in a cold sweat—heart pounding, hands shaking, and head aching—with neither respite nor escape until amends are made.
Of course, a ready-made dream catcher probably won’t accomplish this—at least, not fully. You’ll have to make one yourself; so the webbing is woven in a counter-clockwise fashion, and the curse is worked in from the beginning. But not to worry. A dream catcher is easy to make, and complete instructions can be found in the spell section of Part 2.
WICKED WITCHIN’ IN THE KITCHEN
While hexes and curses can certainly be stirred into food, doing so can be downright dangerous. And because of that, I nearly excluded this section from the book. The problem is fairly obvious: You never know who might take a bite of that accursed casserole, and the last thing you want is for a child, a pet, or some innocent person to inadvertently consume the just desserts you’ve just whipped up for your target. None of us would want to be responsible for that.
Excluding it, though, presented another problem. As a kitchen Witch, I know that some of the most powerful magic known to humankind comes directly from the kitchen. Why? Because the kitchen is the heart of the home. It symbolizes our very sustenance. Further, we form strong emotional attachments to the aromas that emanate from that room—emotional attachments that linger in its very atmosphere—the sort of emotional attachments that can be used to fuel our very magic.
If that alone wasn’t a good enough reason to include the information, there’s this: What better way to send magical effects directly to a target than through ingestion and forcing the two to become one? There is none. And because of that, I simply couldn’t write this book without it.
How to include the information responsibly, though, took some thought. So, what you’ll find here really doesn’t fit the hexes and curses category. (If you want to go there, that’s fine. But know that you’re on your own.) Instead, it more closely resembles those “unsavory notions” mentioned in this book’s subtitle. And what does that mean exactly? Precisely what the words imply. You’ll find interesting tidbits related to keeping that errant lover at home, breaking up a relationship, and creating a case of lust so hot that nothing in this world could begin to cool it. Loosening your partner’s hold on the bank accounts more your style? You’ll find that too, as well as ways to get what you want when you want it, regardless of who or what is currently standing in your way. It’s all very handy information to have at your fingertips and much more fun than risking an innocent party’s demise.
STIRRING THE POT
It never fails to amaze me just how many cooking-related things we do in the kitchen that we simply take for granted. We don’t know where they came from or why we do them. There’s certainly no thought at all to their magical significance. And yet, we know that most every action has at least one.
Take adding grains of rice to our salt shakers, for example. While the rice does, indeed, absorb moisture and keep the salt from crystallizing, there’s more to it than that. For one thing, it’s said that dry salt brings good fortune—since it wards off evil, that makes perfect sense—but that damp salt is an omen of death in the family. Add that to the fact that the magical properties of rice vibrate to abundant blessings, and you have a veritable good luck spell on your hands.
That brings us to stirring the pot. And whether right-handed or left-handed, whether working in a circular motion or a figure eight, it’s something that everyone involuntarily handles in the same fashion: We all stir clockwise. How does this happen? Well, it’s just one of those interesting human phenomena—a phenomenon with a basis in magic. When we stir clockwise, we emulate the movement of the Sun. And in doing so, we reap His blessings—general gain and success, health, wealth, good luck, etc.—not only upon the food we’re preparing but upon all those who partake of it.
However, if we choose to stir the pot in a counter-clockwise motion—and this will take some doing as stirring in the other direction is completely automatic—it drastically changes the energies contained within the food. Need proof? When a pot is about to boil over, just point at it, move your finger clockwise around the outside perimeter, and see what happens. The level of the contents lowers in the pot, and there’s no need to turn down the heat. That’s because you’ve changed the vibrational energy of the substance. And it’s precisely this type of energy that you’ll want to accumulate when working extremely manipulative magic and build upon while visualizing your intent.
One other thing: If you’re going to use food to accomplish your goals, be absolutely certain that you name your target during preparation. Why? Because you’ll want to prevent the magic within the food from affecting you or someone else. In fact, it’s a good idea to take things a step further and charge any prepared food with the incantation below. This is one case where it truly is better to be safe than sorry!
Utterly Wicked: Curses, Hexes & Other Unsavory Notions Page 8
