I’m opening up the asks and fanmail (I love saying that, but – in reality – they were never closed): Need a sigil? Toss an idea my way! For the next hour, I’ll be here with my trusty pen and paper, waiting to take your requests!
I’ll post them all up and tag you (unless marked otherwise) – as soon as the hour is up!
Drawn on the top of the left hand (oriented trident-to-fingertips) – used to better collect low-vibration energy, which can the be directed with the right hand in workings dealing with the material world, or the lower manifestations. Also good for luck in gambling.
Some mods on Qedava’s Left-Hand Serpent
Rather
than three tridents, as in the original, I changed the forks to
Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus (shown respectively top to bottom, in the
image above). I wanted to harness those lower vibrations on a broader
spectrum by reaching out to the other prominently placed slow-moving
planets in my natal chart.
“They have extremely long orbital periods: Uranus 84 years, Neptune almost 164, and Pluto 248 years. Saturn, which has an orbital period of 29.5 years, is also sometimes considered to be a slow-moving planet. Because these planets are so far from the sun they" … “ stay in the same sign for years.” Source
The specialization of this sigil is personal to my natal chart, as you can see with the symbols of Scorpio, in which is my midheaven conjunct Pluto, and Capricorn, in which is my Neptune (and Saturn, incidentally) conjunct ascendant. These placements indicate psychism, clairvoyance, occultism, and how I deal with chaos. The Left Hand Serpent took well to these modification, and could easily be adapted to other people’s planetary placement (just change the scoprio/capricorn to your particulars), so I thought I’d share.
Also
a shout out to Qedava, who has a whole collection of goodies that can
be checked out in this masterpost –> here
Yeeeeeeessssssssss!!!!! I love this!!!! I was sitting there, listening to Seven Wonders, when this popped up! Perfect!
Both are correct! And both are forms of energy manipulation, the latter just happens to be a more latent (and traditional) form. I, personally, prefer the latter, though I use the former almost as regularly.
There are many camps in regards to the nature and methodologies of the Craft, and I can only tell you what it is that I was always taught. So, here goes:
Everything has a unique energy or vibration – i.e. Atomic vibration, the condensing of fast moving energy into the more solid matter with which we are familiar – they also possess a chemical energy that also comprises their signature. It is through the combination of items, curios, herbs, etc., each with their own signature, that combine to form a catalyst through which the witch might enact his/her desire. It is also said that spirits rule over most herbs and curios, which impart their own energies to the physical – giving them their correspondences – and it is from them they gain their power.
While these may seem conflicting, I’m inclined to disagree – as it is only through the combination of these energies, the innate and the spiritual, that the correspondence is truly manifested.
These thoughts, of course, apply more so do the latter camp, whereas the above relies less on object energy and the “energy manipulation witch” more on ambient energy.
The best way I can think to describe it, is with an analogy:
The former (true energy manipulation) can be likened to light and a prism. The light is the energy and the witch is the prism. The witch bends the light with thought and desire and redirects and repurposes it to enact change. The witch is the catalyst.
The latter (passive* energy manipulation) is more like focusing sunlight with a magnifying glass. The combination of herbs, curios, fetishes, etc. build the catalyst and it is the witch who aims the glass. The sunlight is, again, comprised of energy.
It should be noted that the energy in both scenarios can come from a wide variety of sources – many channel energy from deities, spirits, the Earth, the Moon and other cosmic bodies, etc. to enact their desire, whereas some witches use their own energy. There’s nothing wrong with using your own, but it always wears me out quick. I need says to recuperate.
I digress, and find that the latter (passive*) allows for more pointed results – you have already laid the ground work with the catalyst, comprised of things which possess the energy of your desire, you simply have to aim. However, with that being said, ill-suited combinations can backfire or slow progress.
Pure energy manipulation relies on the witch as catalyst – more than that, the witch’s mind and will. It requires concentration, a high perception of energy, visualization, imagination and self-control. Given the nature of my own mind (a “touch” on the manic side), there are a lot of variables for me to have to control by will-power alone, hence why this form tends to drain me nearly as quick as when I use my own energy – because, well, I am! Just not to power the ritual, but to maintain it.
So really, it’s a matter of personal choice on which process works best for you. Both can achieve the same result, both rely on the same principles, it’s really just a matter of which fits with your own personality.
To reiterate in answering your question, though, both are correct! But they involve different strengths.
The Womb of Creation || The Eye of the Goddess || The Forge
The ultimate manipulation of energy – to create consciousness from the unconscious – to imbue the lifeless with life – to build spirit from the dust ;; Used to forge new entities and spirits using outside energies.
While serpents ordinarily rule over life/death/rebirth, fertility and the dichotomy of “good/evil” and light/dark, wishes need not be confined to these parameters – apply instead the concept of the kundalini,the force of desire. || for more information on my use of the serpent, see Feeding the Black Serpent ||
A Few Uses
The Wishing Serpent: To use, simply write your desire, beginning where the neck of the serpent meets the head. If you choose to recreate the sigil in favor of printing (when this sigil is used at its exact size, the “uncoiled” measures around 3 feet), ensure there is room to complete your desire. Cut along the lines, which should leave you with a long, serpent ribbon. This is best performed outside, though it may be done inside away from flammables over a large-mouth bowl. Using a candle placed on the ground
(of a fitting color – red works as a default), allow the tail of the serpent to catch, holding the snake by its head, allow it to burn from the bottom to the top. If used inside, scatter the ashes to the wind, otherwise they have already been aptly scattered.
The Healing Serpent: Utilizing much of the same procedure as above, write the name of he/she you wish to heal 7 or 9 times upon the face of the sigil – again, starting from the neck of the serpent. Cut along the lines. Coil the serpent back and flip it over, on the reverse, write 3, 7, or 9 times the name of nature of their ailment(s). Using a black, white or red candle, perform the same process as above – reading the prayer:
Coiled serpent, now – Unwound – Behest: My bidding, go about The soil, Viper tongue splayed – Oh, Black Serpent, Recant the poisoned- Tooth venom, And devour that sickness That you hath cast, Recant – by witch’s will – And feed it to the forge.
The Witches’ Watch: Should an event arise that calls for a timed ritual, this serpent might serve as time-keeper –such as for opening the realms, crossroads work, evocations, invocations and possessions. Simply cut along the lines and drive a piece of cotton cord or thread through the head of the serpent and hang it in a safe place. When you are ready to begun your working, ignite the tail with your working candle – burn times vary based on paper used, circulation, temperature, etc. I recommend trying a test burn using the same paper and location, to get a general idea of your time frame. Play with the size of the sigil to shorten or lenthen your working time.
The Poison Serpent: On the face of the sigil, write out your unsavory desires, perhaps something to the extent of: “May the poison serpent rot the flesh and mind.” On the reverse, write your victim’s name nine times, beginning not at the neck, but at the tail. This pairs the elevation of your desire (over your victim) with the symbol of their force of will (to fight) being eaten away as the serpent is devour by the flame and freed into the aether. Collect the ashes and blend with sulphur powder, a poisonous plant of your choosing (ideally one that’s symptoms match the nature of your desire), iron oxide (optional) and bone dust (optional).
There are countless uses! Please, by all means get creative with it! I’d love to hear what some of you guys [would] do with it!
When I created this process, I had been through a very rough
period in my life. A dear friend and ex-lover of mine went missing and, if that
were not enough, I – as a witch – had a very hard time dealing with the fact I
was not able to find him. At was at this time, I made the choice to drink
Morning Glory tea and seek him out – what I found was all the more
heartbreaking. I knew he had gone from this life – and lo and behold, months
later the news arrived. It was at this time – because, even though I knew he
had perished, there was a touch of hope that perhaps I had misinterpreted the
signs, misunderstood the message – that I decided to remove my heart.
So, I sat down and worked out the specifics, knowing well
what I was doing. When the time came to do the ritual, I prepared. I had
crossed every “t”, dotted every “I” – but as I began, I knew this was not what
it seemed. I had written it to free myself of the heartache by means of
metaphorically removing my heart. What I found was all the more placating. As
the ritual proceeded, I knew I would not be removing my heart – but memorializing
it. I penned out a lengthy letter, in which I tied up all loose ends – not just
with the aforementioned, but all loose ends of my life. I wrote them all out
and folded the paper inside the heart, let the wax seal it in and I had done what
needed doing, and made an oath then and there:
All these things, I
will carry with me always, but no longer might they hold me back. They have
been sealed in the past, so that I may move forward – but forever, all of them
will remain, tucked away in my chest.
I sealed up that heart, wrapped it in cloth and then stowed
it away in a miniature, wooden chest (Word
of wisdom, though, make sure you remember where you stash it, because I spent
20 minutes searching all over for the damned thing so I could take a photo or
two!).
So, if you are ready to allow the past be the past, and seal
up the memories – I have brought to you the ritual.
Things You’ll Need:
For the Heart –
Air-Dry or Oven Bake Clay – however, if you have a kiln, by
all means… – also, as a last ditch, you can use clay-rich soil/dirt, I talk
about the process here
Wax – you can use candlewax or paraffin, which can be found
at most supermarkets (you’ll have to ask someone, because no place puts it in
the same damn section [I’m not still bitter])
(Optional) Paint – I used red and pink wax, so I forewent
the painting process
For the Rest –
A Box/Chest/Bag or other Storage Option
Time (& other supplies of your choosing) – as I said, I
sat down and wrote everything out, but that isn’t the only way. If you want to
burn some things, scream, do a little crying, do what you need to do, just make
sure you have something to stuff into the heart!
The process is relatively simple, but somewhat time
consuming. Begin by sculpting your heart – as you can see, I went the more
anatomical route, but the symbolic heart is perfectly fine – it’s your heart,
sculpt it however you damn well please. However, you’re going to want to hollow
it at least partially out. That’s where you’ll be shoving all the memories and
tokens and whatnot. After complete, allow it to cure – through air drying or
oven baking. This can be a timely process, don’t rush it.
Once completely dry, in a double boiler, melt your wax. It’s
not recommended to melt paraffin in the microwave, as it’s a minor fire hazard.
If you don’t happen to have a double boiler, a bowl that snuggly hugs the sides
of a pot will work just fine – though not plastic, that would be another
hazard. Once the wax is thoroughly melted, remove it from the boiler and allow
it to cool momentarily. On a nonstick surface, such as wax paper or aluminum
foil, place your heart hollow side up. Pour the wax into the hollow and turn it
so that it evenly coats the inside. This may also take some time. After a few
moments, the wax cools enough to touch – so you can work it with your hands.
Once the inside has cooled enough to remain solid, cover the
rest, following the same procedure, allowing it to cool and then working it
with your hands. This seals any cracks and also gives the added bonus of a
nice, smooth, shiny coat once hardened.
Once the heart is complete, the rest is very much up to you –
however you wish to go about it. I went through a lengthy process of setting up
an entire table for the working – covered in photos, keepsakes and the like
(which I then boxed separately for safe keeping, out of sight and out of mind).
After having written the very long letter, I folded it up and placed it inside,
then melted a bit of wax over it to secure both it and a candle – which I lit
and let burn down so that it would seal it the rest of the way.
As seen above, I keep
mine in a small cedar box, wrapped in a handkerchief on a bed of Sulphur – but your
choice of storage is entirely up to you.
As a word of warning, since the “removal” I become a witchy-nun – vows and everything, so that could be a possible side effect, I’m not entirely sure.
The Qedavian Apocrypha 