Tag Archives: doll magic

La Muñeca de Tutela

La Muñeca de Tutela,
or “Doll of Tutelage,” is something that – to the best of my understanding –
crosses nearly all faiths and is utilized by most traditions, even if I find
very few modern mentions. Which is upsetting, if I dare say –
something I find that most solitary witches (like myself) could truly benefit
greatly from.

The idea surrounding La
Muñeca de Tutela, is simple: it is a vessel that anchors a spirit or guide
to the physical plane. It’s really that simple – most dolls and poppets used in
the craft have similar purposes, but La
Muñeca de Tutela has a more concise job. It is used as vessel for a teacher
or guide entity – of any number of origins, depending on one’s specific craft
or needs. A few examples being: ancestral teachers, former lives, familiar
spirits, animal totems, etc.

The process of creation is as simple or difficult as you
desire to make it, but I will outline my own process that I have used most
readily (in that it’s not the only processed I’ve used, but basic enough to be
altered in any way one sees fit).

Things You Will Need:

A Vessel

A Door

A (preferably Willing) Spirit

That’s not so hard, is
it? But I will be the first to say – being a medium helps, if not even almost
necessary to utilize this process. There are many ways to convene with spirit,
but trust me when I say for this – mediumship makes things a lot simpler.

For my process, I usually use a rudimentary doll as a
vessel. Something simple, plain and unspecialized – (if I know who I wish to bind the doll to, I will cater its
appearance to that of the spirit, and, if not, will leave it plain until I come
to meet the spirit that inhabits it, then specialize it). Don’t let that deter
you. You can use anything from a rock to (while not suggested) another human.

*for ancestral dolls, I also recommend the use of your own blood, wherein they still reside*

As for a Door – that’s quite simple. In favor of an actual
door, which would actually work just fine, I create a door with chalk. In fact,
I have a chalk door drawn on the wall of my bedroom so that I might invite any
spirit through (otherwise, my bedroom is barred to all spirits). While it is preferable to
know a spirit by name, charms and conditions may be scribed around the door –
inviting a willing spirit of x, x, and x criteria to pass through and make your
acquaintance.

Which, of course, leads to the last ‘item:’ The spirit. Undoubtedly
the most important part – be cautious about who you invite. Always. Much less
ones you ask for Guidance. Be cautious, be weary and be safe. Conditions are
key. Invitations are much like wishes – think things through to their entirety.
And then do it again. Once written or vocalized, the invitation may be done. At
which point, discuss with the spirit the conditions of this agreement, and
their “qualifications.” And yours, for that matter. Understand that this
relationship will most likely entail mutual respect and obedience. While it’s
not impossible to find a spirit charitable to Guide simply out of the
kindness of their heart, it’s rare.

When all things are accounted for, connect the spirit in
whichever way you see fit to the vessel. It’s nice to present it with a small
offering, a token of thanks for their travel, if you would. Place the vessel in
a convenient location or one of the spirits behest.

Do not take them for granted.

Do not believe, for a moment, that you own them.

And be receptive to their tutelage.

To sever the tie,
explain to them that no longer are they bound to the vessel, and thank them
(regardless) for their guidance. Deconstruct the vessel or wash with salt and
vinegar.

image credit: African Fetish Dolls

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Breathing Life

Dolls and poppets are utilized across many faiths, however often witches neglect to “breath life” into them. Not doing so doesn’t make them wholly ineffective, however going the extra step really amps up the potency, especially when using it as sympathetic magic or creating a protective being! It’s a relatively simple step, but highly dependent upon which path you follow. I’ll briefly cover my methodology.

Foremost, I would like to specify the difference between the two types of dolls I utilize. One being sympathetic magic, the one most often thought of when people think of dolls and witchcraft. Voodoo dolls. This is a misnomer, as the common portrayal off voodoo dolls in media have skewed the original purpose of such dolls. Originally the dolls were used by practitioners not to affect people, but as a guide to the sufferers ailments and treatments – more akin to a “medical chart.” However, they have since (and really, in European magical traditions for centuries) been used to heal or harm a specific victim in which the doll was made to their likeness. This is a sympathetic doll, made in their likeness, usually incorporating some sort of personal affect (hair, clothing, blood, etc.).

The second type, and the kind I most often use, are dolls not based on any individual, but instead exist to act as a guardian of sorts or facilitate change/growth/health/etc. These are unique and very much a product of your imagination. Create them to be whatever you see fit.

That being said, let’s begin;;

Sympathetic Dolls: Begin by first, stitching the doll together in the likeness of he/she you wish to influence. You can be as general or as specific as you want – matching hair, eyes, facial features, build are all common concepts. Traditionally the dolls were stuffed with Spanish Moss (most probably due to the abundance in the American South) however you can stuff it with anything you have on hand. If you have anything of the persons, now would be the time to use it, hair can be wrapped and stuffed in the doll, pieces of their clothes can be folded and placed inside, blood should be on a scrap of cloth, dried and then added.

Once the doll is complete and you’re satisfied with its image (in truth, dolls have been made out of anything and everything, the only crucial step is the following), you must give it life. For sympathetic dolls, this can be as simple or difficult as you wish. I prefer to take the simple route and sit with the doll and focus intently on the person you wish to connect to it. I then mentally stitch the spirit of the person to the doll (either at the heart or at the feet – as a short of shadow). Vocalize your intent and revel in your creation.

Conceptual Dolls/Guardians: These are my personal favorites to create, in all honesty. I find poppets to be a lot of extra work, however they are useful in remote healing/hexing. These, as I mentioned, are beings of your thoughts. Tulpas, in a way. Begin by gathering your materials and ideas. Create a doll to symbolize whatever you wish to accomplish. As far as this tutorial goes, I’ll use the example of a Guardian or a doll for protection. It can look however you wish, and be as simple as sticks tied together, to the most intricately created doll you could muster. I, personally, stick with a small doll (no bigger than 8 or 10 inches) with yarn hair, simple clothing and a painted face. I often stuff mine with herbs associated with my will, as well as batting and sometimes stray scraps of fabric.

After your doll is complete, take it to the Crossroads. It can be a door, a gate (I use the gate of a remote cemetery near me), a cemetery, even a maternity ward if you’re that committed and light a candle. Fill your mind with intention, then connect with the energy of your crossroads. Feel the planes converge, and bend this erratic energy to your will, funneling it through your consciousness and into your doll. See the energy shape, bend, coalesce into a being of your intent and give it a Name, as there is much power in a Name. Connect its energy to our physical plane by allowing it refuge within the fabric of the doll you have created. Leave a gift at the Crossroads, and blow out your candle, sealing in the doll’s spirit. Use it as you desire, but do not neglect it.

Thus ends this tutorial!

Best of luck,

Q

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