For thousands of years, protection and shielding rituals have served an important function in magical belief systems worldwide. They have been used to ensure safety, prosperity, good health and positive outcomes since the since the dawn of history. These deeply human concerns remain with us today and impact the choices we make throughout our lives.

Today, as in ancient times, the goal of protection magic is to protect people and property from the harmful intentions of others. A protection ritual not only creates a barrier to the negative energy around you, it also enhances other protective measures you may take to ward off malicious spells, the evil eye, or destructive intentions. In almost any situation, protection magic adds an extra layer of security.  It is important to note, however, that protective magic can only do so much. You still need to be vigilant, particularly when it comes to your physical well-being and the safety of your valuables. Remember that protective magic tends to be most effective on the spiritual rather than the physical plane.

• Take a piece of thread or string long enough to comfortably wrap it around your waist. Next, add some eucalyptus and basil to a pot of simmering distilled water.  Place your string into the pot. Simmer for 3 minutes and let cool.  After it cools, take the string and let it air dry for the next three day. When its dry, you are going to make three knots in it.  As you tie each knot recite the Hail Mary. Tie this around your waist or you can simply triple wrap it around your ankle.

• Take an iron railroad spike and hang it on the inside of your door. Or, bury a railroad spike on the outside of each corner of your home.

• A traditional northern European amulet can be used to ward off evil. Find a stone with a natural hole in it. Historically this is referred to as hag stones. Wear this as around your neck or simply carry it on you. Carnelian stones or beads can also serve as protection and are particularly powerful when worn against the skin such as in jewelry.

• Salt can also be a wonderful to provide a protective shield around a specific place or person. In may experience any salts can be used although some people claim that black salt is the most powerful. There are a number of ways you can utilize salts. You can simply throw some on the entrance way to your front door or you can mix some with some hyssop and rue and place this in a black flannel pouch to carry on you. Make a protective bath by mixing ½ cup of kosher salt with 5 drops of rosemary essential oil and 5 drops of cedar essential oil. Frankincense and myrrh essential oils can also be added. For a more in-depth ritual, get some dead sea salt and create a circle of salt around you. Get 4 small candles and place them inside the circle. Make sure you place each candle in one of the four directions (NWSE). When ready, light the candle and recite Psalm 35 or you may simply recite a prayer of your own.

• For herbs that are readily available and usually carried in most kitchens, get some dried bay leaves and sage. Pulverize them into a powder. Lighting a charcoal disc, carefully burn this mixture in every corner of your home and along your front door. You may also fumigate yourself by drawing the smoke up your body and over your head. Sandalwood also works well for this.

* For candle divination we suggest the following ritual. Create your own protection conjure oil by mixing bay, sage, caraway and clove into a 1/2 and oz of olive oil. You may also want to consider adding black cohosh and burdock root. Or, you can simply try one of ours. We recommend our Fiery Wall of Protection Oil. 

For those of you who are fans of St. Michael, this ritual can definitely be used as a petition for his protection. Carve a white or blue jumbo pillar candle with your name and birth date. Then you get a red jumbo pillar candle and carve all the things you wish to protect yourself from. On top of this, carve the name of St. Michael. Above these two candles place an image of St. Michael. You are then going to anoint the blue candle with some Fiery Wall of Protection Oil. If you are seeking protection, keep the candle turned towards you and draw the oil up the candle towards the wick. If you are attempting to dispel adverse energies, anoint the candle with oil pushing down the candle. Do the same with the Red candle. Finally, take some salt and cast a circle around both candles. When ready, light the red candle first and then follow with the blue candle. Say a prayer or recite Psalm 23.

You may also use a dab of Fiery Wall of Protection Oil to wash down your doors or windows with it.  Pour a few drops of Fiery Wall into your bath water. You may even dab a drop or two onto any object or possession of special importance or value to you. Anoint a cotton ball with Fiery Wall of Protection Oil and carry it on you. Finally, anoint a garlic bulb with some Fiery Wall of Protection Oil and leave it by your front door or rest it in your fireplace.

Below are spells taken from a variety of resources, some new and some very old. Please note we may have slightly altered the original spells to make them more accessible and up to date. If you would like more information, we have included the sources below each spell.

Walk Backwards in bare feet out of your house for a total of nine steps. Make sure you do not look back. Then walk forward in the exact same tracks you made walking backwards. When you reach your front door, take sugar , alcohol, red pepper, saltpeter and Sulphur; and place them in your tracks right at the entrance of your doorway.

* Source: Haskins, James. Voodoo & Hoodoo: Their Tradition and Craft as Revealed by Actual Practitioners. Original Publications, 2005.

On a small piece of leather carve the following words, “Abrasax Abraischo’ou”. Carry this on you. You may also write this on a piece of parchment paper and pin it to your front door.

* Source: Lecouteux, Claude. Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells: from Abraxas to Zoar. Inner Traditions, 2015.

To create a protective amulet against witchcraft targeting your health and well-being, take dried vervain and pulverize it into a powder. Stick this in a pouch and carry it on you.

For protections against bad luck and negative intentions get a piece of parchment paper and write the following:  “Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Trine, Saxtile, Dragon’s Head, Dragon’s Tale, I charge you all to guard this house from evil spirits whatever, and guard it from all disorders and thievery and give this family good health and wealth.” Pin or nail this above the inside of your front door.

* Source: Mercer, A.D. The Wicked Shall Decay, Charms, Spells & Witchcraft of Old Britain, Three Hand Press, 2018.

To restrain and protect oneself from another person’s anger get a small piece of linen and some myrrh essential oil. On the linen use the myrrh oil as an ink and write out this word, “KHNUM.” Take the piece of linen and hold it in your left hand. Recite the follow, “I am restraining the anger of all, especially of him NAME of PERSON, all is Khnum”

- Khnum was an early Egyptian creator God who was associated with abundance of the Nile.

* Source: Betz, Hans Dieter. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells. University of Chicago Press, 1996.

We often get questions on how to perform the most effective Banishing spell.  Of course, the best method for applying each spell depends largely on what or who you wish to banish. People, for example, can require a different approach than dispelling unwanted habits or negative energies. In this post, we are going to focus on techniques that are known to help rid yourself of the nasty neighbor, roommate or obnoxious person that simply will not give you any peace.

The first thing you may want to consider is timing. If you follow the cycles of the moon than the most applicable time to perform a banishing spell would be during a waning moon. What is a waning moon? A waning moon typically appears about 4 days after a full moon has completed its cycle. This is the most effective time for any type of issue you would like to dispel from your life. The time of the week also plays a role. We always suggest Tuesdays for banishing Work. Ruled, by mars, Tuesday lends itself to anything that relates to expelling things. If you tend to be avoidant, then Tuesdays can also give you the necessary power and energy to confront things that have been bothering you such as really annoying person!

Here’s the kicker. I always tell people that they really need to be ready to detach to whatever they wish to rid themselves of. Sometimes, even though there are no warm feelings between two people, there can still be a kind of emotional investment. So you may want to perform a cleansing  before you do attempt anything.  For a quick cleansing ritual, simply simmer some basil and dried lemon peel in water. Take a cup of this and throw it in a warm bath.

For our purposes I have decided to list a number of spells and rituals for you to review. Feel free to customize them in any way you feel speaks to you. Keep in mind that certain spells, like herbs, work more effectively for some then for others. The key is to find what works for you. The best approach is to try and work with a spell that speaks to you.  Try one or more one of these spells and see what which one works best for you.

SPELLS

One of my favorite banishing spells is to simply write out your target’s name on a 3 x 3 piece of brown paper bag. Wrap this around a walnut and then tie it with a black piece of yarn. Drop this in a bottle of vinegar or urine.  Place this near the home or an area the target will be exposed to it.

Another simple technique is the Lemon Spell. Get a lemon and make a slit in it. Do not cut it in half. Get a piece of parchment paper and write exactly what your intention is. Fold the paper in half, making sure you fold it away from you. Then fold it one more time. Slide it into the lemon. Put the lemon is a paper bag and place it in your freezer.

If candle divination is your thing, we recommend using some Banishing Oil . Put the oil onto the candle by rubbing the oil down the candle making sure your movement is going away from you. Write on a slip of paper the object of your petition (this is whatever you want to get rid of). Make the shape of a cross with some oil on the paper. Place it under the candle, and recite either Psalms 7 or 9 when you prepare to light your candle. After the candle has finished burning, take what is left of it and your petition somewhere at a crossroads.

Two relatively simple spells that are considered to be quite effective come straight out of Henry Middleton Hyatt’s book, Hoodoo Conjuration Witchcraft & Rootwork: Beliefs Accepted By Many Negroes and White Persons. These Being Orally Recorded Among Blacks and Whites, Vol. 3

Take red pepper and gun shell Powder and sprinkle it all over the floors and window sills.  Another method instructs to take red pepper and salt and sprinkle it behind the person who has left your home. Take your broom and sweep it out. Every time you sweep tell the person you want them to go.

In Papa Jim’s Herbal Magic Workbook, there are also several easy methods for ridding yourself of people

If you are dealing with jealous or spiteful people, simply place some horehound in a white flannel bag and carry it on you.

Sprinkle Cowslip on your front yard or doorway to prevent people from visiting you.

Write down your target’s name four times and then write their name 5 times backward. Melt a black candle and take the warm wax and paper with your targets name and roll it into a ball. The you are going to want to take 9 pins and stick it directly into the ball. Go to a river or running water and throw the ball away. Then, snap your fingers and recite the following, “St. Expedite, make him go quick.”  When your goal has been achieved, leave an offering to St. Expedite. (This particular ritual is sourced from Jim Haskins, Witchcraft, Mysticism and Magic. The original spell suggests you throw the ball of wax from a ferry boat in the middle of a river).

If the person you so wish to banish is considered an enemy and you wish them to lose interest in causing you harm, write their name out on a small piece of paper. Mix this with valerian root and warm wax to create a small amulet. Wear this on you or bury it near your front door. 

Sources

Hyatt, H.M. Hoodoo, Conjuration, Witchcraft, Rootwork: Beliefs Accepted by Many Negroes and White Persons These Being Orally Recorded Among Blacks and Whites, Volume 3, Western Publishing, 1974.

Jim, P. Papa Jim’s Herbal Magic Workbook: How to use herbs for magical purposes an A-Z guide, Old Bethpage, NY: Original Publications, 2001.

Haskins, J. Witchcraft, Mysticism and Magic in the Black World. New York: Dell, 1976.

Ryan, W. F. The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia. Sutton, 1999.

Timing can be a key element in any type of magical spell work and working with the phases of the moon can often prove to be extremely fruitful, particularly when it comes to love drawing rituals. There is no question that moon magic serves a vital function in manifesting one’s intentions. In matters relating to love, there are three phases that can amplify the energy of a love spell: a new moon, a waxing moon and a full moon.

Generally, new moons lend themselves to all things that relate to new beginnings. This would be the ideal time to perform any type of spell that involves drawing in a new love interest or rekindling a relationship from the past. As the moon grows into the waxing phase, the emphasis is on growing things you have already begun. This is a great time to work on rituals that focus on deepening commitments and open up new levels of communication. The full moon is when the energy of moon reaches it peak, thus, is the most powerful. Although this phase of the moon can most always be effective for any type of love workings, I always suggest this phase when attempting to perform binding spells between two people.

Now to perform a full moon love binding spell we need to begin with the two most fundamental elements; a representation of you and a representation of your love interest. For this particular spell, you need to create two wax poppets. To create these, you will need to melt down a red or pink candle and form two figure molds from the wax. As a practioner, I would add a number of herbs, oils or even personal concerns to the wax, but this isn’t necessary. You can simply take two small pieces of brown paper bag with your names written on it and work it into your molds (your name would go into your representation and your love interest would be molded into the other one). You will also need to get a single red candle that is anointed with a bit of your favorite conjure oil. If you do not happen to have any conjure oil on you, simply mix some cinnamon, cloves and coriander in a bit of olive oil.  Finally, you will need a long piece of red or blue piece of thread.

To prepare for the ritual, take your two wax poppets and place the red candle between them. Take your string and gently wrap the two figures to the candle. Make sure they are secure enough where they won’t fall from the candle. Tie a knot.  Now here is the important part. Make sure there is plenty of string left. You are going to need this to complete the spell.

To perform your binding spell, wait for the first day of the full moon. Next, on the first night of the full moon, light your candle and visualize your intentions. Then take your extra string and wrap it around the candle and poppets 1 time and say the following:

“I am bound to thee and thee to I. In love to be, I bind you to me.”

Allow the candle to burn a total of 20 minutes.

You will want to perform this for 3 consecutive nights. On the final night, let the candle burn all the way down. Finally, you do not discard any of the leftover wax. You are going to want to keep this until you no longer wish to be bound to this person. Keep it in a safe place.

When it comes to conjure, Basil is thought to be one of the more versatile kitchen herbs to work with. Known to aid in matters of luck, money, purification, banishment, love and a number of other magical uses, Basil serves as the perfect herb to always keep on hand. It has a vast history with numerous connections to ancient lore. In modern times it continues to be widely utilized for it's powerful effects, and this is certainly true when it comes to kitchen witchery.

Basil, once believed by the Greeks to have the power to aid in divination, once was used as a means to detect witches. One of the more popular methods employed by the ancient Greeks was to simply name out suspected witches while Basil was being burned. When it made a crackling sound as a name was called, it suggested who was practicing witchcraft. The ancient Hebrews used Basil for courage and strength while other middle eastern cultures used it as an herb of mourning.

The ancient Roman's, however, had quite a different take on Basil. The Romans used Basil as a means to curse their enemies. One of their rituals was to curse their enemies as they sowed the seeds. They believed that the more you mistreated the herb, the better it would grow. To ensure a good crop, one was to curse the herb and pray to the gods that the herb would not grow.

In India, on the other hand, both Basil and Holy Basil have is associations to Vishnu and Krishna. It is considered to be a sacred herb and is kept in the home to protect against Evil. It is also believed to have wonderful healing properties. Not only is basil used for it's medicinal properties, it is commonly prayed to.

When it comes to love, Basil also served many purposes. A husband could find out if his wife was unfaithful by having her hold a sprig of basil. If the leaves shriveled, the woman was believed to have been unfaithful. Another common belief maintained that if you smelled basil, you would attract a new lover. And another popular myth that suggested if a young maiden wanted a husband, she merely had to plant some basil and in a years times a new suitor would show up.

In Santeria, Basil can be for purification and luck baths. It is also widely used as a fumigating herb, known to remove spirits from a home. Mixed with passion flower, it can be made into a powerful cleansing bath. It is also commonly used in a number of sacred objects and talismans.

With so many magickal attributes, the use of Basil in spells can still be used today. Below, I mention a number of them:

Purification Spray:

Simmer cut lemon and fresh basil in water. When cooled and added to a spray bottle, it can be used to clean sacred objects, candles, altars, spaces, the work environment, etc.

Purification Bath:

Mix basil, eucalyptus and rosemary into some epsom or kosher salt. Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture into your bath. To banish bad habits or negative energy, perform a spiritual bath by lighting two black candles at each side of the tub. Mix the salt mixture into a warm bucket of water and pour over your body, from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.

Exorcism Incense (to remove evil spirits from the home):

Mix basil, rue, hyssop and myrrh and grind to a powder. Burn over a charcoal making sure you fumigated every corner of your home.

Banishing Incense or Banishing Bath (to remove negative people or bad habits)

Mix basil, pine, lemon peel and Devils Shoestring. Either grind to a powder and burn over charcoal for incense. Or Simmer in water for a bath wash.

Harmony, Love and Forgiveness Incense:

Mix basil, marjoram, lavender and balm of gilead and grind them down to a powder. Burn over a charcoal in the center of the home. This same recipe can be used for reconciliation, particularly if you add a bit of violet.

To Draw in Money:

Carry a basil leaf in your wallet.

Simmer basil, cinnamon and chamomile. Once cool, use as a floor wash for your home and/ or business.

Sources:

Watts, Donald. Dictionary of Plant Lore. Amsterdam: Elsevier/AP, 2007. Print.

Irizarry Jr., Mr. William J., Ewe Osain: 221 Plants, Herbs and Trees essential to the Lucumi tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012. Print

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1985. Print.

Beyerl, Paul. The Master Book of Herbalism. Custer, WA: Phoenix Pub., 1984. Print.

I have recently been perusing literature related to Abramelin the Mage. What's so fascinating about the history behind the 15^th century grimoire, is it's influence on both Neo-Paganism and Hoodoo. For those of you who have strong feelings about the discrepancy regarding the differences between the two, you can not escape the fact that ancient grimoires have influenced both modalities. For example, Macgregory Mathers did indeed translate the “Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage .” Mathers was one of the original founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Now if you are a fan of the Tarot, you will certainly understand how widespread Mathers work has influenced occult practices. In fact, when exploring the first book of Abramelin the Sage (there are three) I was immediately struck by the journey of the Fool as he transcends into an enlightenment through his passage of the Major Arcana. For Tarot Enthusiasts, the Golden Dawn Tarot deck is a reflection of Mather's work. Mather's would later influence both Aleister Crawley and A.E. Waite.

There is no question the Talmud did indeed influence “The Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Sage.” It truly does reference the need for “righteousness” which is unquestionably Hebrew. There are also references to the Kabala (please keep in mind I'm not a Kabala scholar). However, there certainly are other influences. The first I recognized was the magic of the Ancient Egyptians. Not surprisingly, Mathers does do an excellent job of referencing ancient influences. So he deserves quite a bit of credit. What is more interesting, is that the ingredients of the popular Conjure oil, “Abramelin Oil” tends to utilize Mather's recipe rather than the one used in the 15^th century manuscript. But this does vary from practioner to practioner. The recipe dictated from the original manuscript seems to be more of the likes of “Holy Oil”. In either case, the ingredients in both encompass ancient herbs that have been utilized for centuries. They both work.

The underlying concept of The Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Sage” is that of developing a relationship with your Guardian Angel. If you are at all familiar with Santeria, then you may be aware of the process of bringing down your guardian angel. In Santeria your Guardian Angel is one of the Orishas. This is the Orisha that crowns a person's head. There is always an element of fate in this relationship. You can not choose your guardian angel as your guardian angel is there to help you in spiritual matters that you are destined to work through. I have had my own guardian angel brought down. It certainly was one I did not expect although it does make perfect sense! The concept of a Guardian Angel certainly has it roots in ancient history. The old testament for example references the significance of Angels. Early Christianity seems to have really developed the guardian angel concept believing that individuals can have specific angels that do indeed “guard” them.

With that being said, you can not deny the Christian influence on “The Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin” There is a great deal of controversy over who the actual 15^th century author was. I don't really think it matters. In my opinion it is not solely based on Hebrew mysticism. Like I mentioned earlier I am not a Kabala scholar. All I can say is that from what I understand of Judiasm is that the primary relationship for man is that with God, “Hashem.”

The concept of working with Angels and Demons also relates to Obeah. Of course, this process is in many other grimoires including those in the 6^th & 7^th Books of Moses. Again I'm not a scholar and from what I understand, Obeah developed in the Caribbean during the slave migration. Sources report that Obeah developed out of the religion of the Igbo tribe but also has influences from other tribes particularly those from the Congo and Nigeria. When it comes to the modalities of folk magic, particularly those from the West Indies, Cuba And Haiti, it becomes very easy to see the influences of Christianity and the texts of notable European grimoires.

When it comes to conjure, you simply can't deny the impact and significance of historical grimoires. Now, whether you choose to study these is completely up to you. Fundamentally, if you really want to understand Conjure you should familiarize yourself with them. You can find all sorts of literature and websites that explore Hoodoo and Conjure most of them proclaim that conjure is something that is taught not learned. Keep in mind that the folk magic from this country is simply not that old even though it does have ancient influences. Quite frankly, all religions have ancient influences and even though Hoodoo is not a religion, it too has ancient influences. If you really want to learn more about conjure, I suggest beginning by researching a bit of history. For example, I was recently reading the “The Leyden Papyrus”, an ancient Egyptian manuscript. Talk about conjure! I have always wondered about the origins of dove's blood and within this manuscript I saw a spell that utilized it. Who knew it's use dated as far back as the Ancient Egyptians? Somehow I'm not surprised.

Sources:

http://www.hermetics.org/pdf/magick_revival.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Abramelin

http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/apologetics/guardianangel.htm

http://www.golden-dawn.org/truth_mathers.html