![]() ![]() ![]() Speaking of which, the Huld – named after the Norse word for "secret" – manuscript contains a number of galdrastafir ( galdur meaning "magic," and stafir meaning "characters" or "staves") involving different areas of the household: The first time I used it, I burned it into a wooden spoon as part of a gift I gave to my sister, and she has avoided quite a bit of misfortune since having it in her house. The Huld manuscript in which it’s found states that “whosoever bears these staves on him will not meet with mishaps on sea and land." Essentially, it's a luck-bringing symbol. The symbol I’ve used most in the past is the lukkustafir (technically, a pair of symbols, shown above). They can appear virtually anywhere, depending on their purpose. Galdrastafir – these more elaborate symbols have been recorded in magical Icelandic books written in the medieval period.Pentangles - ironically, often associated with witchcraft but can actually be used against witchcraft (image source: Vincent Reed).Scorch marks made by taper or tallow candles – possibly the simplest witch marks, found in homes across England (image source: taper burns at Haddon Hall, via Wikimedia).Hexafoils and intersecting circles – both beautiful and simple, these are one of many kinds of “witch marks” made on houses to keep out malevolent spirits (image source: Vincent Reed).There are a number of symbols to protect the household – which includes the land itself as well as the structures, goods, and all spirits (living and non-living) that dwell within its borders – that can be inscribed onto walls and door frames, marked onto skin, or written down and carried. It doesn’t require much in the way of tools: for protection, you can often make do with just a knife, a candle, or a pen and paper. Fortunately, household folk magic is rooted in simplicity. Unfortunately, all of my tools (except my tarot cards and spiritual journal) are packed away in boxes. It's almost comical, except that we’re so tired and overwhelmed and almost broke from it all. January was a series of large and small disasters, expenses, inconveniences, and illnesses. Two months later, we still haven’t been able to really move in. Scarlet Magdalene recently published a helpful guide on Patheos Pagan for deciding whether or not someone has been cursed or hexed I recommend checking it out and giving it a good think if this sounds like your situation.Īs I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I recently bought an old house in the mountains. This can happen when a shift or transformation happens - a birth, a death, moving house - creating liminal times and spaces that make everything within its sphere more vulnerable (and desirable) to misery-making things. ![]() Rarely, however, I do find that something else seems to be at work. Not every misfortune is a product of the evil eye or a malefic spirit but part of the natural flux of life that keeps a necessary, healthy, wavering sort of balance. Most of the time, I believe that bad things just happen. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |