The Magical Uses of Knots and Cords – Handout Knots in myths Hercules knot – for healing, marriage, this is also Solomon’s knot called a square or reef knot Valknot – Odin’s symbols Witch’s knot Everyday Uses of knots – As you use these cords and/or tie these knots, put your intentions for the day or occasion into them. Even though most people think of them as “mundane world” items, make them magical! Food – Braids and knots in pretzels, cookies, bread – as you shape these, add some magical intention to your baking. Onion and garlic braids can be braided for either storage and/or protection magic since both of these plants are good for protection. Here are two runes you could use as you braid them for protection magic: Layered bulb of power and might, Chase away all harm and spite Charm of onion, charm of string, Evil to thine own self bring, Charm of Onion and of twine, Thou shalt protect this house of mine Clothing and Hair– Shoes and other foot wear; Bows, belts, sashes, neck and bow ties ; Knotted buttons; Hat bands, scarves, shawls, sarongs!!; Putting Braids, twists, knots or decorates in your hair. Art and Crafts - Celtic and other knots, Heraldry knots and badges, Weaving on looms, with lucets, with fingers, etc; Sewing; Macramé / square knotting – Arabs in 13th century, to Europe during crusades, sailors ; Lace and tatting; Knitting; Crocheting; Embroidery work; Needle point; Drum making; Dream Catchers; Knotology (making 3-D figures from strips of paper); Chinese knotwork, Other Crafts - Nets, Ropes, Lanyard, Baskets and mats, Wheat weavings Decorations - Bows on packages, Flower crowns, Wreathes, Yellow ribbons tied to trees – as magical energy to help them return safely, Prayer flags and notes tied to trees – so that the wind can take the prayers to deity Practical Uses: Fishing; Sailing and boating; Climbing; Hunting; Building bridges and other structures; Cargo carrying; Controlling domesticated animals – harnesses, leads; Camping SPELL WORK Witch’s Ladder: Traditionally 9 (other traditional numbers are 3, 13, or 40) knots are tied into a cord to “store” the energy that is raised in this working so that it can be released at a later time. Some use their personal working cord, others get a cord specific to this working, with appropriate color correspondences & material (biodegradable if disposing of the cord in nature when you are finished). Choose a length of string or cord that has personal meaning to you, ex. 13 inches. The cord or string should be thick enough to tie knots in, and not so thin that it will be difficult to take the knots out. Some people braid 3 strings together to create a cord, choosing appropriate colors. Witch’s ladders can store energy (a magical “battery”) for use at a later time, untying each knot to release the energy as needed, OR be used as talisman or amulets for indefinitely protection, good luck, etc.; OR keep witch’s ladders tied until the working has come to fruition, then release the knots. Some tie or braid feathers, twigs, bones, etc. in their knots or cords and then hang it up in their home as a type of talisman or amulet and art object which is continuously doing its job. The order that you tie the knots is important, but different traditions use different orders, usually: 1 6 4 8 3 9 5 7 2 or 2 8 4 6 1 7 5 9 3 or 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Tie each knot as you are building energy through dancing, chanting, drumming, singing, etc. Ideally the peak of the energy cone is reached as you tie the last knot. The Magical Uses of Knots and Cords Presented by Vella Rose at Dragonfest August 10, 2007 1 of 4 Keep your mind focused on what it is you want to accomplish with this working, form a picture in your mind or however else you can keep the energy focused on this working. The intention is stated and willed with each knot or runes are spoken as you tie each knot. Here are a few variations of a traditional rune pattern, or create your own to match your needs: o By knot One, the spells begun / this spells begun o By knot Two, it cometh true / I will this true / It will come true / I make it true / my words are true o By knot Three, so mote it be / so shall it be / it comes to me / thus shall it be / it comes to be o By knot Four, this power I store / it is strengthened more / this I implore / the open door o By Knot Five, the spell’s alive / my goal arrives / so may it thrive / the spell comes alive o By Knot Six, this spell I fix / this spell is fixed / o By knot Seven, events I’ll leaven / descend from heaven / the earth and heaven / be it powered by the heavens / the answer is given o By knot Eight, it will be fate / the stroke of fate / Guide the hand of fate / may the power within be great / the hand of fate / I meld with fate / I’ll cast the fate o By knot Nine, what’s done is mine / this power is mine / this thing is mine / what’s done is fine After the witch’s ladder knots have been tied, place the cord some place special (such as on your altar) or wear them, or place them in a safe location. By untying the knots of the stored energy style of workings, you are releasing the energy. Opinion varies whether you should untie the knots in the same or reverse order from what you tied them in. As you untie each knot, focus what you want the released energy to accomplish, especially when untying the last, ninth knot. Each knot could be untied on the same day; or one knot on each consecutive day for 9 days. Others wait until the working is complete and then untie all of the knots, and cleanse the cord for further use. Some dispose of the cord by burning, burying, or putting in moving water. If doing one of these, make sure your cord material is natural & biodegradable – don’t put toxins in the air, water or earth. Another way to release the energy of the knots is to cut them. Moon knots/cords Knots are tied in a cord in a ritual way during the phase of the Moon you wish to store ( Full or new Moon). This technique is similar to a Witch’s Ladder, but may be done with fewer knots depending on the working. Build a cone of power and focus your energy on the type of Moon energy you are storing as you tie each knot. Once the knots are tied, the cord may be placed on your altar, wrapped around a white Moon candle, or put in a safe location such as a cloth bag specifically dedicated to storing magical tools. The knots are untied when doing magical workings at a different lunar time that needs to use the energy of the “knotted” phase of the moon. As you untie the knots, again focus on the type of energy that has been stored and that you are releasing for your current working. The cord may be cleansed and reused again to store Moon energy. Some people keep several Moon cords, one for each phase of the Moon (new, waxing, full, waning, dark) so that they will always have the desired Moon energy available for their workings. Witches Wheels or Web Weaving/Dancing - A method of raising group energy for a magical working. Traditionally males and females stand on opposite ends of long cord across circle from each other, these may be their personal cords, coven cords or special cords for this type of working. If more than one couple is taking part, the cords are attached together in the middle by looping the cords through each other or with slip knots. One way to raise energy is for females to exhale sending their energy down the cords as males inhale and vis a versa, keeping the cord taught, sending energy back and forth across the length of the cord – with conscious attention to the magical working at hand, raising energy for the working. Another way of doing this and raising a cone of power is to loop your personal cords in the middle of the circle so that each person is holding the two ends of his/her own cord and a web or knot in the middle loosely holds all of the cords (and attached people) together; then as a group you dance, chant, sing and/or tone as you each hold your two spokes of the wheel. This method does not require equal numbers of males and females. As the cone of energy is peaking, either the wheel is dropped, releasing the energy to the universe & carrying the working intention with it; or the Wheel is used to bounce/throw the energy into the Universe. Other Types of Workings – workings that can be done with candle work can usually be done with cords Bindings - Knot magic easily lends it self to binding workings, BUT this is a controversial type of magic. Please think carefully about what you are intending to do and whether it is for the good of all and to harm none. Never do a binding spell when you are experiencing strong emotions such as anger. Instead of using cord, some people like to use the plant/weed “bind weed”.