Magic & Charms

Through Fairy Tales we become aware of the world of magic and ritual at an early age. As adults, many things in life remain mysterious to us---what we cannot explain by rational means we may try to explain by magic. Similarly, when we find ourselves powerless to control the forces that affect us, we may look to magic. Many people still use spells to cure illness, to harm enemies, or to ensnare a lover. Even the skeptical among us may wear lucky charms, avoid walking under ladders, and consult fortune tellers. Magic and ritual, through disparaged by some as superstition, are still practiced by many people throughout the world.

Witch

According to folklore, witches could fly on broomsticks, brew magic  potions, and cast spells. Once they were thought to be in league with the devil and thus were symbols of evil. Women healers were often branded as witches. By 1700 more than 200,000 had been put to death.

Five Pointed Star

An upside-down five-pointed star was a symbol of evil. Right side up, it symbolized light and spirituality, and was painted on houses to ward off witches.

Mirror

The mirror symbolizes divine truth and the wisdom of the universe. This "vision" is shattered if a mirror is broken, and it is a popular superstition that seven year's bad luck will follow.

Love Potion

When all else fails, unsuccessful lovers often resort to magic to beguile the object of their desires in literature. This could take the form of love potions, usually made from phallic-shaped ingredients such as the mandrake root, ginseng, or ginger, plus an appropriate spell. Many foods are reputed to be aphrodisiacs or love enhancers, and are used in much the same way as the age-old love potion.

Feng Shui Compass

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art based on living in harmony with one's surroundings. Using this compass, Feng Shui diviners locate the right combinations of elements, such as time, wind, and water, which determine the best sites for homes, temples, or burial grounds.

Money Cures

Money is a symbol of power, and so by extension it has come to be imbued with spiritual, as well as practical, properties. In China, a sword made of coins was hung over the bed of a sick person to dispel the demons or evil spirits that might be causing the illness.

Love Dolls

These male and female dolls are traditional Native American charms. In the Menominee tribe, the dolls were given the names of a couple and tied facing each other to make sure they remained faithful to one another. In the Potawatomi tribe they were used as love charms to draw two people together.

Egyptian Knife

This curved knife of animal bone was used in ancient Egypt to strengthen the weak parts of a house. It would have been drawn against the relevant area to create a magical protective barrier. The various animals and patterns depicted on it endow the knife with their collective power.

Four-Leaf Clover

Finding a clover with four rather than three leaves is so rare that a four-leaf clover has become widespread symbol of good luck. The four leaves represent fame, wealth, a faithful lover, and good health--all important components of happiness.

Horseshoe

The horseshoe is made of iron, which has the power over the evil eye. It brings luck if it is hung on a door with the open end uppermost, because it will then catch good luck and hold it safely. If it is hung upside down, it is considered unlucky--the luck will run out.

Dice

Dice represent chance---the random pairing of numbers symbolizing life's unpredictability. Thus the phrase "the dice is cast" means that ones fate has been decided. Dice are also a Christian symbol: after the Crucifixion, soldiers threw dice for Christ's cloak.

Magic Eye

A belief in the Evil Eye is widespread in the Mediterranean and the near East. Charms that look like eyes are thought to turn away the Evil Eye or deflect the look of anyone with evil intentions. Such charms are often made of glass to make them seem lifelike.

Magic Carpet

Riding on a magic carpet is the stuff of many dreams. Flying symbolizes the release of the spirit and the overcoming of all physical limitations. King Solomon had a flying carpet that carried him, his throne, and both his armies wherever he wished. In "The 1,001 Nights," Aladdin also flew on a carpet.

Tooth Fairy

Fairies people children's stories as well as their imaginations. They have magical powers and are generally symbols of good--fairy godmothers can right the wrongs of the world.



                              Power to Protect

Many people wear charms to protect themselves from danger and illness. Certain objects and images are also used in healing the sick and are thought to be able to absorb illness, thus ridding a sick person of disease. Other objects are thought to give off energy, repel evil, or instill powers.

Votive Leg

Gifts are often promised to gods in return for a favor, such as curing an illness.

(e.g.)
The bronze votive leg, dedicated by a Roman named Caledus, was probably a symbol of his gratitude for having been cured of a leg injury or infection.

Protective Garment

(e.g.)
The Burmese undershirt is covered with charms, spells, and horoscope details. It was made to protect it's wearer, probably in battle. In the past, many Burmese men had tattoos with similar markings.

For Good Health

(e.g.)
The Nte'va people of the Upper Congo in West Africa use little figures, made up of rags, bone, leather, nut's, and wood, to "watch over one's body," providing protection from illness.

Witch's Familiar

(e.g.)
Because toads eat spiders, they are thought to be able to repel evil and poisonous things. Parts of a toad were also included in magic potions.

African Cure

(e.g.)
A Nigerian figure, covered in spots representing the smallpox rash, symbolizes the disease itself. When treated with spells and incantations by witch doctors, the figure can cure illness--or cause it.

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*Note: For more information on, Familiars, Paganism, Fairies and Charms, see the FAQ's Page.