Here I shall post any interesting rituals or spells I come across on the net
(until someone moans and I have to take it down)
The following is taken from Negromanliska which is a 19th century Swedish 'black book' (book of magic)
It's actually via Thomas Johnson amazing dissertation on Swedish folk magic
To hinder thievery (tjufwahand) and fires (eldebrand).
"Go to a cemetery when graves are opened and take a dead man's skull and put it aside
in the cemetery; go then to the cemetery on a Sunday evening, silently, and say: "I take
you to use for my allowable needs during my lifetime." When you want to use the
above-mentioned errands, then take the dead man's skull between your hands and say, as
you go around your belongings as widely as you want: "You unnamed man, I invoke you
by the power of the name of the great triune God and lord Jehovah, and by the power of
the names of Jesum Kristum and of God the holy spirit.," or only "By the name of God
the father, of God the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that you bind and keep the hand of the
thief in its place at my wares until I get the same, and keep away fire from my belongings
and house and farm in the same power of the High Names, who created me and you.
Amen."
N.B. This is said three times, as you walk as many times around your belongings
and hold the skull between your hands. Then put the skull in your cupboard or trunk on
clean straw under lock and key when you use it. This shall be done with good respect
I like this one as it has the note 'untested' at the bottom
(I wonder if it would work with an animal skull or a resin skull with a little real bone skull added?)
Abracadabra
Directly related the ABRACADABRA above us this - The Annual Visit of the
West-Country Folks to the Pellar of Helston, to have their Protection Renewed
The ‘story’ contains the full and complete Protection
ritual.
According
to ancient usage, the folks from many parts of the west country make their
annual pilgrimage to some white witch of repute, for the sake of having what
they call "their protection renewed." The spring is always chosen for
this object, because it is believed that when the sun is returning the Pellar
has more power to protect them from bad luck than at any other season.
As
the Captn. was rather prone to indulge in a little too much drink at such
times, Aunt Joan persuaded her spouse to take along with him Jan Tregear, that
he might see the old man safe home: she couldn't well go herself; besides, the
good man much preferred her room to her company on such an occasion, when he
was sure to meet with many old cronies all as fond of a drop as himself.
There
used to be rare fun among the folks in going to the conjuror in the spring,
when they were sure to meet, at the wise man's abode, persons of all ages and
conditions, many from a great distance. Then the inhabitants of the Scilly
Isles came over in crowds for the purpose of consulting the white witches of
Cornwall, and that they might obtain their protection, charms, spells, and
counter-spells. Many of the captains
of
vessels, belonging to Hayle, St. Ives, and Swansea, often visited the Pellar
before they undertook a voyage, so that, with seaman and tinners, there was sure
to be great variety in the company.
The
Captn. and Jan started from Zennor, the master carrying before him a quarter of
pork, and the man riding on a sack of corn, some hours before the break of day.
They left thus early, not so much for the sake of arriving betimes at the
Pellar's abode, as for keeping the when and where of the conjuror a secret from
the neighbours, many of whom were become so wise in their own conceit as to
laugh at the ancient custom, even when they often resorted to the same practices
themselves whenever bad luck assailed them.
Though
they arrived at the Pellar's by the middle of the forenoon, such a crowd was
already assembled that they waited long before their turn came to be admitted
to the presence of the wise man. The conjuror received the people and their
offerings, singly, in the room by courtesy styled the hale (hall). Few remained
closeted with him more than half-an-hour, during which time some were provided
with little bags of earth, teeth, or bones taken from a grave. These precious
relics were to be worn, suspended from the neck, for the cure of prevention of
fits, and other mysterious complaints supposed to be brought on by witchcraft.
Others were furnished with a scrap of parchment, on which was written the
ABRACADABRA or the following charm:—
SATOR,
AREPO,
TENET,
OPERA,
ROTAS.
These
charms were enclosed in a paper, curiously folded like a valentine, sealed and
suspended from the neck of the ill-wished, spellbound, or otherwise ailing
person. The last charm is regarded as an instrument of great power, because the
magical words read the same backwards as forwards. A gritty substance called
witch-powders, that looked very much like pounded brick, was also given to
those who required it. An aged crone of the pellar blood, mother or sister of
the white witch in chief, received some of the women upstairs to cure such of
the least difficult cases, as simple charming would effect; but the greatest
part of them preferred the man, as his charms only were powerful enough to unbewitch
them.
Instead
of the earthy powder, some are furnished with a written charm, which varies
according to the feelings of the recipients. Most of the very religious folks
have a verse of scripture, concluded with the comfortable assurance that, by
the help of the Lord, the White Witch hopes to do them good.
But
those who have no particular religious sentiments he furnishes with a charm, of
which the following is a literal copy:
On
one side of a bit of paper, about an inch and a half by one inch,
NALGAH.
Here
follows a picture of what must have been the conjuror's own creation, as such
an object was never seen by mortal eyes in the heavens above, the earth
beneath, nor in the waters under the earth. The only object we can compare it
to is a something which is a cross between a headless cherub and a
spread-eagle. Underneath what might have been intended for angel or bird, there
is an egg, on which the creature appears to be brooding. There is another egg
at the extremity of one of the outstretched legs of the creature. This picture,
which is the most singular part of the charm, can only be represented by the
aid of the pencil.
The word TETRAGRAMMATON,
is under it. On the reverse,
JEHOVAH.
JAH. ELOHIM.
SHADDAY.
ADONAY.
HAVE MERCY ON A POOR WOMAN.
JAH. ELOHIM.
SHADDAY.
ADONAY.
HAVE MERCY ON A POOR WOMAN.
From
the worn condition of the charm (which had been in use many years before it
came into our hands) it is difficult to make out the writing.
Another
amulet, which is commonly given by the Pellar to his patients, to be worn
suspended from the neck, is a small bag of earth taken from a man's grave.
Besides
the above-mentioned precious charms, the Pellar gives his neophytes powders, to
throw over their children, or cattle, to preserve them against witchcraft,
ample directions as to the lucky and unlucky times, and a green salve, which is
said to be an excellent healing ointment. I have talked with many who have
visited the Pellar every spring, for years running, that they might get their
protection renewed. Yet there is no finding out all that takes place at the
time of this important pilgrimage, as the directions are given to each
individual separately, and all are bound to preserve the greatest secrecy about
some portion of the charm, or it will do no good.
Others
were supplied with blood stones, milpreves, or snake-stones, and other
trumpery, manufactured by the pellar family, to be worn as amulets. The
blue-stone rings, in which some fancied they saw the figure of an adder, or
when marked with yellow veins the pattern of a snake, were particularly prized,
because it was believed that those who wore them were by that means safe from
being h armed by any reptile of the serpent tribe, and that man or beast, bit
and envenomed, being given some water to drink, wherein this stone had been
infused, would perfectly recover of the poison. The amulets, reliques, and
charms supplied by the white witch served to tranquillize the diseased fancy as
well as the bread pills, coloured waters, and other innocent compounds of more
fashionable
practitioners, or the holy medals and scapulars of other professors. There are
no new notions under the sun; the only difference is the fashion in which they
are disguised.
As
Captn, Mathy brought the Pellar a liberal offering he was favoured with an hour
of the conjuror's valuable time.
"Come,
Jan, boy," said the Captn., as he came out of the Peliar's sanctum, well
satisfied, "let’s be off homeward. I wish ’e well, friends, and good luck
to ’e all."
They
soon arrived at the old wayside public-house near what is now called the
Buck's-head. Here, many other pilgrims to the Pellar were collected, that they
might bait themselves and their beasts.
After
dinner, the afternoon was spent in telling witch stories. Everyone present had
many cases, each within his own experience, to vouch for. They compared the
merits of the different conjurors of repute, and all agreed that none could surpass
the Pellar of Helston. Not even the "cunning man" of Bodmin nor the
"white witch of Exeter" could possess more power to lift a spell or
to punish a witch, or to find out who had stolen whatever was missed, and to
put out the thief's eye.
’Twas
long after dark when Mathy and Jan left the inn. Then the old Captn. was pretty
well slewed (drunk), yet not so far gone but that he could sit on horseback and
keep his tongue going. After jogging along a mile of two, the Captn, said,
"Jacky, boy, I'm afraid I mayn't remember all the conjuror told me to do;
so now I'll tell ’e some things, and mind thee doesn’t forget. The powder must
be thrown over the backs of the cattle, now and then, to prevent bad luck; but,
of any spells of witchcraft happed to strike, we must, after sunset, bring the
ill-wished beast into a ploughed field, there bleed it on straw, and, as the
blood and straw are burning together, the witch will either come bodily into
the field or her apparition will appear in the smoke plain enow for us to know
her. Many burn a calf alive to save the rest of their stock, and that ensures
them from bad luck for seven or nine years, I've forgotten which, the same as
bleeding a white hen on a mill-stone once in a while prevents danger from the
mill, for they say the mill will have blood every seven years." Yet, with
all the free talk about the cattle and charms Mathy, drunk as he was, couldn't
be got to say a word about the ceremony which is said to be performed by the
pellar, or priest of the old one, to protect the persons of his patients
against bad luck for the next year.
There
has always been profound secrecy observed respecting some of the proceedings
which take place between the white witch and his patients.
Master
and man were so deep in the mysteries of witchcraft that they got piskey-led
when near St. Erth Praze; and, instead of taking the
road
they intended, which would have brought them through St. Erth church-town and
out by Treloweth, they found themselves led down to Hayle, and the old mare
stopped at the door of the 'Standard' before they discovered that they were on
the wrong road.
The
old inn, as usual, was all alive with sailors—drinking, singing, dancing, and
carousing. Here the Captn. was well known and as good as at home, drinking the
brandy with which he and his crew supplied the house. Here they agreed they
would rest awhile as the tide would suit for them to cross the sands at any
time till nearly daybreak. The jolly jack-tars were delighted with the jovial
old buck. He joined in the chorus of the sailors’ roaring songs, or danced as
long as he could stand. Nor did Mathy spare the drink. But Jack Gregeer took
care to keep pretty fresh, as he was well aware of the danger of crossing Hayle
sands then, which was long before the causeway was built across the salt marsh.
At that time there was no artificial obstruction to the current which flowed up
to St. Erth bridge, and the quicksands, bars, and water-courses, shifting with
every tide and wind, made the crossing over to Lelant to be dreaded even in
broad daylight and at low water. About an hour before day some men, on their
way to work in Copperhouse, told Jan that they had no time to spare, as the
tide would soon be in. The smelters came over two hours before work-time, that
they might not have to take the journey of several miles round by St. Erth
church-town.
Captn.
Mathy was mounted and set going with all speed. However drunk he might be he
could sit on horseback as steady as an oak, and to all appearances as sober as
a judge. The old grey mare, at such times, took her own way, being well aware
that she was, then, the wisest of the two. It was clear starlight, and all went
right till they were near enough to the red muddy stream coming down from
Lelant, to make out the posts and balls, whitewashed, to serve as a guide to
persons crossing the sands to the village. Then Jan saw that they were too high
up. They hadn't gone many yards farther when the grey mare, determined to keep
the lead, to show herself the better horse, soused into a deep pit, which had
been washed out by the eddying tide, and was then full of red slime and slush
from the stamps and other tin-works up the bottom. The slime reached to the
saddle-girths. The old mare grunted and stood still, to think what she had best
do next. Mathy was so fast asleep that he only roused with the shock to snore
out, "Ah! Jackey boy, so we're come, are es? Dedn't think we should have
got home so soon. Now then, I'll get off and tumble into bed alongside of my
old ’oman. Drag off my boots a minute, west a, before turn the mare in the
craft?"
"Stay
where you are, and don't ’e budge for your life," says Jan. "We are
still on Hayle sands, the old mare es stuck fast in a slime-pit, and the tide
es rising fast."
"Why
thee art drunk, or dreaman," the Captn. replied; "here's the old mare
stopped at the door, and now I shall get off."
The
tide was then flowing in and spreading over the sands like a rapid river. Jack
was aware of the danger of delay, but didn't know what way to turn. If the
Captn. got off in the mud there he would lie and die. The old mare couldn't get
out of the pit with his burthen on her back, and not without help, even when
disencumbered. By good luck, Mathy soon fell asleep again; and it was all the
same, for all that he cared, whether he was at his own door, or fast in the pit
of slime and quicksand, with the tide rising round him.
By
good luck, Jan Tregeer saw two men in great haste crossing over the stream, on
the stepping-stones a few hundred yards farther down. The sands were two feet
under water when Jan called to them "What cheer, comrades? Come and help
us, do. Here's Captn. Mathy Thomas fast asleep and dead drunk on his old mare,
stuck fast in a pit of slime and quicksand. Corn and help us, do! The mud and
sea is above the saddle-girths," "Hold on," replied the men,
"we'll get a clue of ropes from the dock, and be to ’e in a crack."
The men seeing the only way of getting man and horse out of danger was to
unhorse the rider, made a loop in a rope's end, cast it over the Captn's head,
pulled him off the mare and out of the slime-pit in a moment. The shaking roused
Mathy a little. Whilst one of the men, with Jan, got the mare out of the pit,
the other held the old Captn, in a sitting position to keep his head above
water, which was two feet deep or more on the level sand. Next, without opening
his eyes, he shouted out, "Jacky boy! Jacky boy! woo! Where art a, woo!
Strike a light! strike a light! and fry some pork and eggs. I'm hungry and cold
rather; and how's the bed so wet as muck?" The Captn. again fell fast
asleep by the time he was once more settled on horseback, and beating through
the water, now so deep in places as to float the horses with their riders and
the two Lelant men holding fast by the stirrups. At last they were all safely
landed on the St. Erth shore.
’Twas
by a mere cat's jump they got off the sands in time to save themselves from
drowning. Many would prefer to swim their horses across at high water(as was
then often done), rather than to pass over the sands between Lelant and
Treleesec (dwelling on the dry land) or Carnsew (rocks left dry) in that state
of the tide. When once more on dry land they passed round the salt-marsh at St.
Erth Bridge, and came out into the Penzance and Harle road at Treloweth. It was
near sunrise when they arrived at Rose-an-grouse smelting-house. They wer glad
enow to rest at the old inn of the "Lamb and Flag." Here the landlady
provided them with dry clothes and a good breakfast of pork and eggs,
beef-steaks cooked on tin, in the smelting-house close at hand, and many good
things besides.
During
the day, several persons came to the smelting-house with their tin, which was
then mostly carried on horses or pairs of moues (mules). As all the carriers
stopped at the public-house, to have a drink
with
their pasties, there was a large number assembled at the "Lamb and Flag"
by noon, and more continued to arrive. Everyone knew the Captn. and Jan, and
all would treat them to drink because they had a narrow escape from the dreaded
quicksands of Hayle. Captn. Mathy made light of the matter. It would, we said,
have been all right with him and the mare (she knew well enow what to do) if
they had been left alone; for as soon as the tide rose high enough she would
swim across, as she had often done before now, with half-a-dozen tubs of liquor
and he on her back. This he had often done for a wager, or when hard pressed by
the riding officer, who seldom ventured to follow Mathy and his mare through
the brine. As Captn. Mathy and his man Jan are now as good as at home, we shall
wish them fare-well. And what follows is merely an appendage to their story.
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