Knot Magic

The magic of knots stretches back at least 4,000 years, when cuneiform tablets were produced in the Near East describing various types of magic involving the use of knots.

Despite the fact that it has been known in every culture and most probably in every age, knot magic is falling into disuse today and is in danger of being completely forgotten. Why would a world-wide, simple, practical and effective form of magic be forgotten? Probably for the very fact that it is simple and practical. Too often magic has been elaborated with ritual to the point of absurdity; something easy was looked upon suspiciously by those who had been taught pageantry and stylized ritual.

Knot magic is still as powerful today as it was 2,000 BCE, and is still being worked with good results today. There are many 'survivals' of knot magic in contemporary culture. A 'survival', in folklore, is a custom or superstition practiced or remembered by people who have forgotten its origins. Why do we tie a string around a finger to remember something important, for instance? Just what is meant by the saying 'he's bound to do it'? The act of tying a knot brings into concrete, physical form an abstract idea, conception or thought. Thus, when you tie a knot, while thinking of the thing you wish to remember, around your finger, you are making a connection in your mind between the knot (the physical) and the thought you need to remember (the mental). On a more magical level, you tie the knot not to remind you of the subject, but to ensure that you do remember it.

One of the techniques of knot magic is to tie a knot, especially around an image of a person, literally 'binding' the image with a cord, or the image to an object, with the intention of inhibiting the person's actions, thoughts, and so on. 'He's bound to do it' hearkens back to a time when this was literally believed-someone would do something because his or her image had been bound.

Sound far-fetched? Several hundred years ago there were many laws and statutes against binding images, or of knot work in magic. In fact, at one time any ornaments twisted, knotted or plaited were considered heathen and idolatrous in Germany, while magical knots, on the other hand, were frequently carved into churches to guard against the entry of pagan magic or 'spirits'.

The history of knot magic is indeed long and fascinating, but the basic techniques are still more interesting. They are presented here, but a reminder is perhaps necessary. The actions you perform during a spell or work of magic aren't as important as the need behind them. You must send out your own energy (through your emotion) toward your need or the magic will be fruitless. Magic isn't the empty parroting of words and actions; it is an involved, emotionally-charged experience in which the words and actions are used as focal points or keys to unlock the power which we all possess.

THE CORDS

Knot magic is generally performed with cords. These can be of any color, but there are specific associations with colors and these are listed in APPENDIX 1. Cords should be of natural materials, such as wool, the best, or cotton. A void stiff, tightly woven, rough or plastic-based cords, like those of nylon, rayon or polyester. For most spells you won't need more than a foot or two of cord; however, if there are several knots involved, use plenty of cord, for knots 'eat up' a great deal of length.

Keep your magical cords out of plain sight, so that they won't be used for other things and won't thusly be infused with those vibrations. If you wish to braid, weave or spin your own cords they will be much more powerful, for they are of your own hands and you can concentrate on your need during their construction. Braiding is in itself a magical act. 

A SIMPLE KNOT SPELL

Take a cord of any color, provided it is pleasing to you and, preferably, is made of a natural fiber. Firmly visualize your need; take the cord, build up as much emotion as you can, then all at once tie a firm knot in the cord.

Pull on the ends of the cord until they are taut; this releases the power to go and do your bidding. The power isn't inside the knot; it is released to draw your need into manifestation. The knotted cord is a physical representation of your need, just as an image is. Until it arrives, keep the cord with you or somewhere safe in your house. Ensure that the knot doesn't come untied. If this does happen, start another knot spell.

When your need has manifested in the physical (always, of course, in a natural way-a diamond necklace or tickets for a trip around the world won't drop into your lap five seconds after you cast a spell for wealth or travel) you can do one of several things with the cord. You can bum it, to ensure that it will never come unknotted, or bury it, where it will disintegrate, or leave it safely in a box or chest where it won't be touched.

This spell can be used with any need. If you ever wish to undo or reverse the spell, take the cord and untie the knot. This doesn't always work, however, so be warned. If you've burned or buried the cord, you won't be able to reverse the spell. But this doesn't matter, really, for if your need truly is a need, time won't alter it, and ten years from now I doubt you'll look back and wish to reverse a spell! 

A DESTRUCTIVE KNOT SPELL

If there is a situation, problem, possible menace you are facing, there is a knot spell for this. Take the cord and firmly visualize the problem in all its agonizing detail. Become emotional about it; seethe with anger, crumble into tears, whatever works. Then firmly tie the knot. Walk away from it, out of the room if possible. Take a shower, eat, do whatever will get your mind off the spell and allow you to relax. When your emotions are stabilized return to the knot. With calm and peace untie the knot. See the problem vanishing; dissolving into a dust that is swept away by the cleansing, refreshing North wind. It is done.

BINDING OBJECTS

Binding is a practical example of how this usually harmful (and therefore strictly 'hands-off') form of magic can be an effective and perfectly harmless magical procedure. If a friend wants to borrow something, and you feel hesitant in letting the object out of your hands, but you must, take the object (if it's something small enough to move around and hold) and a cord. Bind the object to your body-literally, physically tie the object to yourself. Stand or sit a few minutes, visualizing yourself receiving the object back from the person you're loaning it to.

Afterward, cut the cord (do not untie the knot!) and loan the object out, assured you'll once more have it in your possession. If the object is too large, such as a car, take a piece of cord, tie your hand or arm to a piece of it (such as the steering wheel, antenna, and so on) and proceed as above. Put the cord in a safe place until the object returns.

A LOVE SPELL

Take three cords or strings of various, pleasing pastel colors, perhaps pink, red and green-and braid them tightly together. Firmly tie a knot near one end of the braid, thinking of your need for love. Next, tie another knot, and another, until you have tied seven knots. Wear or carry the cord with you until you find your love. After that, keep the cord in a safe place, or give to one of the elements-scatter and burn the ashes in the ocean or a stream.

A LOVE BINDING

This one is rather sneaky, but it should only be used when a relationship has been established. It is to give a little boost to the love for both parties involved. Take a garment, small and flexible, that belongs to your beloved, one that won't be easily missed. Take one of your own garments and tie them together firmly. Hide these where they won't be found. This can help you stay together happily.

A HEALING

Tie nine knots in a piece of red thread and wear around the neck to help cure ills and diseases. This is especially good for headaches. 

ANOTHER HEALING

Bind the sick one (or yourself) with red cord. Then untie the knot and throw the cord onto a blazing fire, saying: I put the disease upon the fire; let it consume away as the cord consumes; let it vanish as the smoke! As it burns visualize the disease doing just that.

A PROTECTIVE BINDING

Take a cord and tie nine knots in it, visualizing a shield, a flaming sword, a latched hook, a firearm; whatever you associate with protection against hostility, outside forces, physical violence. Hang up the cord in your home or carry with you for personal protection.

AN EGYPTIAN KNOT AMULET

In a long cord, tie seven knots and then a square knot to join the ends. Carry for protection. 

TO AID CURING ANYTHING

Tie a cord which has nine knots in it firmly around the part of the body affected. Untie the knot, then the nine in the cord, and throw it into running water. 

A WISHING LADDER

Obtain a long piece of cord of the color which corresponds to your need. Also obtain nine seeds, nuts, pieces of bark, dried flowers or sprigs of herbs which are magically related to your need. (see CHAPTER TEN: TREE MAGIC or APPENDIX III.) Take a bit of the herb and tie a knot around it with the cord, pulling it taut, firmly visualizing your need. Repeat this process eight more times until the cord is studded with nine knots, each of which holds a piece of bark or a flower.
Next, take the cord outside, hold it up to the sky, and say:

• Ladder of knots that numbers nine 
• I've fashioned you to draw me 
• The need that I wish would be mine.
• This is my will, so mote it be!

Hang up the wishing ladder in a place of importance in the home, or place it coiled around a candlestick in which you've placed a candle of the appropriate color.
Not only are wishing ladders magically effective, they are also highly decorative.

SOME KNOT MAGIC NOTES

Unfortunately, the vast majority of knot spells that have survived until this age are negative ones. While of historical interest, such knot spells have no place in a discussion of this nature, for such magic is not divine and will indeed lead to its worker's destruction. However, there are some other processes and tidbits of knot lore that are highly appropriate. It is best when performing magic of any kind to have the hair loose and unbraided, if long. The symbolism is obvious: the knots or twists might inhibit the power.

However, when casting a protective spell, braided or knotted hair, plus crocheted or knitted clothing (sweaters are ideal during the winter) are valuable plusses A net, for the same reason, is extremely protective. Many sea Witches and magicians have a net in their homes. Not only does it blend in with the sea-side atmosphere, it is also very powerful. So, too, for that matter, is a macram�hanging.

If you wake and have knots in your hair, it is said that elves and fairies have played in your hair while you sleep, thus accounting for the knots. The association of elves and fairies with knots is quite ancient, and hearkens back to an age when magic was science. If you ever need to do a knot spell and haven't a cord handy, or can't use one, go through the motions of picking up a piece of cord and knotting it, firmly visualizing your need, just as in a regular knot spell. It will be just as powerful as a spell you've performed with a physical cord in your hands. And if you ever wish to ensure that you remember something important, tie a string around your finger!