New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
Today is Safety Pin Day, celebrating an invention originally patented on April 10, 1849. Since then, it has provided a safer way of fastening things, but it also represents protection. Ukrainians put them on children’s clothes to repel evil spirits. Some folks wear them for good luck. A more recent use in public spaces indicates that the wearer is a “safe person” who will help if asked. Safety pins appear in many crafts, especially beadwork. This makes it fun and easy to wear ...
People are decorating eggs around this time. In Hoodoo and Santeria, two paths with West African roots, ground eggshells called cascarilla ("cas-ka-Ree-yah") are used for different purposes, including banishing spirits, clearing, and protection. To create cascarilla, set your oven to 225 degrees F. Grind a dozen clean, dry eggshells, preferably from a black hen. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake until brittle and crumbly. Remove from the oven, let cool, then grind with a mortar and pestle to ...
Witch’s ladders have been employed by magick workers since at least the seventeenth century. They are made with rope, often three feet long. Tied into the rope every few inches are knots, feathers, sticks, hair, fur, and all manner of charms, stones, and baubles. Witch’s ladders are used for protection, summoning, sending messages to spirits, and warding off onlookers. This take on a Witch’s ladder helps create balance. First get thirty six inches of rope or twine. Collect ...
February is in the dead of winter, a time of hibernation and withdrawal. It only makes sense to utilize the power of the season to help us with a protection spell. When we are threatened, it can be prudent to take active steps to ensure we are safe and secure. This spell is for when you know who is making an active attack either online or in real life. You can use a picture of the person in question or their name written on a piece of paper. Place the picture or written name in an ice tray or ...
