Tag Archives: familiar spirits

Spirit Snare

Despite the title, to simply call this a means by which to trap a spirit is to disregard its main function. In actuality, the spirit snare is more accurately not only an abode for the spirit, but a tool to be used in the construction of spirit. This will become clear as you read below, but first I must preface by saying that the “skeleton” — the underlying structure — of this ritual can be adapted with a nearly boundless collection of replacement tools, ingredients, etc., e.g. while the following will incorporate a clay figure, this could be replaced with a doll (cloth, stick, etc.), a stone, really anything. What matters is the action and process, not necessarily the materials listed. With that being said, take this as an example, not the definitive or singular way to accomplish the same task.

For this method, you will need a few “ingredients:”

  • Sticks — (in the above photo) you can see I used sticks of varying sizes, but all of which were collected at local cemeteries
  • Twine
  • Clay — I used natural, air dry clay; but if you happen to have (or have access to) a kiln, actual clay would be ideal; avoid plastic-based polymer clays
  • Batting — I used Spanish moss; natural fibers are best; an old (clean) bird’s nest would work well, I imagine
  • Fluidum vītae*
  • Wire
  • Paper
  • Tobacco/Incense

Optional:

  • Paint and/or other decorative elements
  • Rum or other offerings

* By fluidum vītae I mean blood or sexual fluids. Ideally, an animal sacrifice would be made and the blood collected, but to tie the spirit to yourself blood, vaginal fluid, menstrual blood or semen can all be used.

Instructions:

  1. Begin by collecting your sticks. It’s not necessary to go digging through cemetery refuse piles at the stroke of midnight under the light of the waxing moon (like some witches who will not be named: me), store-bought is fine. No, but really, just go out and get some sticks. Feel free to gather them from specific locations or of particular species that correspond to your aims in constructing this spirit. For example, sticks from your own property (cedar or oak) would work splendidly if you seek to create a protective spirit. Employ whatever correspondences personal or traditional. Try to keep the sticks no longer than your arm, and no wider than your thumb or they will be unruly to work with in the next step.
  2. Once collected, the sticks must be fashioned into a sort of flexible mat that will be rolled and fastened later. Have patience. While it seems quite simple, working with a long length of twine can get tedious, especially at the beginning. Take the first stick and anchor two lengths of twine onto it near the center, leaving 6 to 8 inches between them. The rest is a bit like a puzzle, taking each stick and finding which fits well with the one beside it. You needn’t do this all at once, I simply tried fitting each as I moved along. Once you find one that fits,  secure it with twine: I used overhand knots because they’re easy and can be moved and tightened accordingly, the ones on the left going over and those on the right under (or vice versa). It’s a bit like macrame. If you know better knots or methods, by all means employ them. Make sure to leave the long tails of twine, as these will be used later to fasten the bundle.
  3. Once you have woven the sticks together, it is time to work on crafting a figure. As I mentioned above, this doesn’t need to be a clay figure, but could be a small doll or stone or whatever makes sense to you. I have a penchant for sympathetic magic, so I simply molded a little, nondescript figure. Once it is complete and fully dry, take it and sit with it. Consider for what purpose you are constructing this spirit, what will its function be, and allow its characteristics to manifest. This is very much a sort of negotiation: the ambient energy can manifest in certain ways, you must sculpt it and guide it to meet your goals. Do not underestimate the power of music. Choose songs with intention. Now is NOT the time to hit shuffle. Once the spirit is assembled, and time has been spent with it, prepare the figure with smoke. I’m prefer tobacco because with each exhale you can impart its function, responsibilities, arrangements and characteristics. I suppose the same could be done with passes through incense smoke. The most important part is to give this spirit a name. Knowing its traits and appearance, you can decorate the figure to match. But not yet is the spirit tied to the figure.
  4. To do this, scrawl the given name on a square of paper and roll it into a scroll. Dress the figure with the fluidum vītae (if you elected to do a sacrifice, make sure you specify what the sacrifice is for; don’t be wasteful), imparting “life,” and wrap the scroll around the figure with wire. Make clear the association of the spirit and the figure, call it by its name, give it the power it needs.
  5. Place this fetish on the batting. Being that I used Spanish moss and it has a tendency to be messy, I also used a square of white fabric, placing upon in the nest of dry moss, then the figure. Make sure the fetish is nicely nestled, adding more batting if necessary. I then folded the cloth over it and tied either end like a nice, witchy Tootsie Roll. Place the assemblage on the mat or sticks and bring each end of the mat to meet. A little overlap is fine. Using the twine tails wrap the entire bundle, fastening it with an impermanent knot (in case you need to disassemble it).
  6. It is good form to present an immediate offering, and do choose one that matches the ascribed function of the spirit. Rum is a great general offering, given its fiery nature, but if you’re not looking to incite the spirit to action, perhaps something tamer is in order.
  7. If you find a bundle of sticks unsightly, feel free to decorate the exterior with appropriately colored ribbon. It’s also good to place a small offering dish before it so that occasional gifts might be easily presented.
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To Conjure a Familiar Spirit

I regularly get quite a few asks in regards to recommended
books – asking if I have a list, etc. – and I always have to go into an
explanation about, while learning from books is perfectly fine and fitting for
some (I dare say even many) the true body of my practice comes not from books,
but from teaching spirits. Yes, I can’t deny, I’ve read plenty of books, but
they never stick with me like the lessons learned through spirit. Of course, I’m
also the person who is always saying: Just
do it.

Witchcraft is a continuous learning experience and sometimes
you have to just trust yourself to get things done. There always seems to be a
lot of fear-mongering in the community: words of warning, deterring and
mysterious statements – all of which I’ve never bought in to. I’m all for
pushing you into the pool – sink or swim – and if all else fails, I’ll throw
you a line and drag you back out (with an wink). Fear is the Witch’s worst
enemy: fear of the Unseen, fear of the Unknown, fear one’s true nature, and it
is in the deep and dark recesses that one might find truth. Do not give into
the fear – overcome it – for when the mind is poisoned by fright, the frightful
things come knocking.

I digress. Familiar spirits: the wise and knowing (occasionally
mischievous) dead – be they devils, discarnate witches, Ancestors, it matters
not! For the Witch and the Familiar are a dynamic pair!

Conjuration

In the night, collecting your items which you will take with
you to the cemetery: Chalk/Pemba, a black/white/red candle and a few offerings
that echo who you are. These offerings – paired with later spoken words – will attract
like-entities who jive with who you are and what it is that you seek. You may
bring a vessel with which to house the spirit, or – as I recommend – you may
wait and create a vessel befitting the spirit, with touches of personal flare.
These offerings need not be extravagant. Things like: beads, coins, spirits (as
in the alcohol kind), food, fabrics, and anything that you think sums up who you
are.

Once you arrive, locate a place such as a mausoleum, a brick
gate-column, anywhere with a wall on which you might draw a door. It’s best to
choose a place where no one person is
interred, but a variety or none at all. This is so that you don’t get stuck kicking
it with whoever happens to be buried there and disturbing their “peaceful rest”
or what have you. In regards to the door, don’t be afraid to personalize it as
well! I’ve always been favorable to the pointed-arch, but do what you feel fits.

Arrange your offerings before its mouth and place the candle
at its center. Take a moment to collect yourself and focus on the kind of
person you wish to bring through. Don’t dwell on minor details, just construct
a general energy or set of principles. Alternately, you can ask for someone who
will give you what you need and not what you want. This is for those who wish
to grow and grow quickly, accepting the obstacles that come along with growth.
When you’re fully prepared, light you candle and place your palm on the door.

Make a plea. Ask (aloud is best) for a spirit to come – one willing
to teach, one glad to teach (and perhaps one that is patient, if you happen to
need that!). Again, don’t get bogged down in the details. Be specific enough,
but receptive to what Spirits come. Knock three times – Beetlejuice, anyone? – and wait. It may take a few moments (I like
to blame in on the traffic) but you will know when they have come. Having the
Sight helps, but so long as you are attune, their presence will be clear.
Introduce yourself – if fitting your abilities, allow them to introduce themselves,
as well. Sometimes names are a little tricky to make out – for me, anyway – so it
may take a while before you get their name down completely. If you cannot hear
them, you may give them a name: you’ll know whether or not they like it, don’t
worry! If they don’t, keep spit-balling until you get one that sticks.

Spend a few days getting to know them – it may work out, it
may not. Be amicable, you can always repeat the process if you don’t jive quite
right. If you get on nicely, however, you should construct a Spirit Vessel! It
offers them a physical attachment to our plane and thereby allows their energy
greater access to this world. After that – I can’t say, as all relationships
are different and all have different lessons to teach and values to instill. It
can be a very personal experience and you may find that keeping a journal of
their teachings valuable, and it’s always fun to look back on the how far you’ve
come.

For more useful information on a similar subject, I
recommend checking out my post: La Muñeca de Tutela!

In retrospect, I suppose this doesn’t have to be
done at a cemetery – that’s just where I’ve always done it and is most probably
a reflection of who I am! So, by all means, mix up the locale! Go to your
witchy place – even if that happens to be a bedroom (chalk comes off of most
walls just fine – trust me, I know).

photo: Witch of Endor, Mikolaj Ge

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