SHOE & FOOT TRACK MAGICK
The Poulaine
From a very practical viewpoint, shoes are items specifically designed to be worn on the feet. Their original purpose was functional, as shoes protected the feet from the harsh elements of nature and helped us to avoid injury. However, over time, shoes have had a profound impact on society having developed into symbols of status and power.
Anyone unlucky enough to wear the “wrong” (i.e. cheap, generic) brand of shoe to school knows the effect that the right pair of shoes can have on his or her social standing. Similarly, in ancient Egypt what one wore or didn’t wear on their feet was often indicative of his or her place in society. For example, slaves often went barefooted while royalty wore painted sandals.
The Poulaine, a type of shoe, was created by an unknown shoe-maker in the late 14th century for a client who had deformed feet. They are identified by their elongated shape that ends in point which looks similar to an uncircumcised penis. Shocked at such outrageous displays of sexuality, the Church attempted to prevent men from wearing the Poulaine citing that it prevented them kneeling down in church to pray. Despite the Church’s efforts the Poulaine showed no signs of fading into fashion history.
In 1348, the Black Plague was cited by the clergy as God’s punishment for the continued wearing of the Poulaine. In 1367 Pope Urban V publicly scorned commoners who wore the Poulaine and threatened them with excommunication and in some cases death. However, those of royal blood were given permission to continue the style. Finally, in the 15th century the age of the Poulaine fell from fashion.
Shoes play a prominent role in many folk-tales and fables. In the story of Cinderella, a pair of shoes led to the heroine’s identity; and who could forget the role of the ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz? Some scholars believe that the story of Cinderella is based on older tales originating in China and reflects the custom of foot-binding which was not outlawed until 1915.
Similar to fairy tales, there are several superstitions throughout the world revolving around shoes which are often a reflection of cultural beliefs. In many parts of the world it is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering another’s house in order to prevent tracking dirt, mud, snow, etc… into the house. Therefore, in these parts of the world, it is also considered bad luck to wear shoes in the house. Other superstitions include
In some instances, certain cultures have performed a type of divination using shoes called scarpomancy. For example to dream of your future husband, one is instructed to place their shoes in the shape of a capital T before bedtime while reciting the charm below. The person is said to dream of their future husband. The charm is as follows: “I make of my shoes a T, hoping to my true love see!”
A similar divination calls for placing a sprig of rosemary in one shoe, and thyme in the other and then they are to be sprinkled with water three times. The shoes are placed at the foot of one’s bed and it is said that the owner of the shoes will have a dream of her future husband. Finally, a girl wishing to know if she is to be married within the year is instructed to wait until the Eve of St. Andrews Day, which is observed on November 30th, and then throw her shoe at a door. It is said that if the shoe points in the direction of the door then she will marry.
Shoe-Magick is closely tied to Foot-Track magick which is commonly found in the Hoodoo Tradition. Foot-Track magick is a form of magick in which it is believed that roots, powders, dirt, etc.. can be magickally deployed in such a way that they enter the body through the feet causing any number of consequences. People who believe they are the victims of foot-track magick often report bad luck that follows them for long periods of time, a lack of mental clarity, and pain in the feet and legs which results in an inability to walk on their own or being forced to crawl instead of walking.
In addition, sympathetic- magic, a belief which holds that like attract like, can be worked on individuals using personal items such as their shoes, socks, and even dirt gathered from their footprint. A few examples of foot track magick include the following:
In my personal practices, I always keep any mojo bag with which I am currently working in my shoe while I am sleeping as opposed to under my pillow. In this way I never forget to carry the mojo bag with me the following day. The fact that mojo bags are often anointed with condition oils and these oils would rub off on the sole of the shoe which would also be transferred to my foot strengthens the spell.
In addition, I personally know of a practitioner who often saves the shoe-strings from old pairs of shoes and uses them to practice knot-magick on the owners of those shoes; and another practitioner who often asks clients for old socks which she works with on their behalf at her altar(s).
As you can see, shoes are common, everyday objects associated with various beliefs and practices in human culture. They have been used as status symbols, to convey messages, to perform divinations, and to cast spells. While there are many traditional uses for shoes in the practice of magick, there are also many practitioners who have learned to deploy them in highly personal ways to perform successful magick.
Anyone unlucky enough to wear the “wrong” (i.e. cheap, generic) brand of shoe to school knows the effect that the right pair of shoes can have on his or her social standing. Similarly, in ancient Egypt what one wore or didn’t wear on their feet was often indicative of his or her place in society. For example, slaves often went barefooted while royalty wore painted sandals.
The Poulaine, a type of shoe, was created by an unknown shoe-maker in the late 14th century for a client who had deformed feet. They are identified by their elongated shape that ends in point which looks similar to an uncircumcised penis. Shocked at such outrageous displays of sexuality, the Church attempted to prevent men from wearing the Poulaine citing that it prevented them kneeling down in church to pray. Despite the Church’s efforts the Poulaine showed no signs of fading into fashion history.
In 1348, the Black Plague was cited by the clergy as God’s punishment for the continued wearing of the Poulaine. In 1367 Pope Urban V publicly scorned commoners who wore the Poulaine and threatened them with excommunication and in some cases death. However, those of royal blood were given permission to continue the style. Finally, in the 15th century the age of the Poulaine fell from fashion.
Shoes play a prominent role in many folk-tales and fables. In the story of Cinderella, a pair of shoes led to the heroine’s identity; and who could forget the role of the ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz? Some scholars believe that the story of Cinderella is based on older tales originating in China and reflects the custom of foot-binding which was not outlawed until 1915.
Similar to fairy tales, there are several superstitions throughout the world revolving around shoes which are often a reflection of cultural beliefs. In many parts of the world it is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering another’s house in order to prevent tracking dirt, mud, snow, etc… into the house. Therefore, in these parts of the world, it is also considered bad luck to wear shoes in the house. Other superstitions include
- It’s bad luck to put your shoes on the kitchen table.
- If you put a four-leaf clover in your shoe, you will marry the first person you meet.
- When someone dies, their shoes are not given away (especially if they were considered a ‘bad’ person) but rather their shoes were taken out in the woods and thrown in separate directions.
- If your right shoelace becomes untied, it is believed to be an indication that someone you know is speaking kindly of you.
- Conversely, if your left shoelace becomes untied, there is malicious gossip being spoken about you.
- Placing a shoe on the wrong foot by accident is said to portend an accident.
In some instances, certain cultures have performed a type of divination using shoes called scarpomancy. For example to dream of your future husband, one is instructed to place their shoes in the shape of a capital T before bedtime while reciting the charm below. The person is said to dream of their future husband. The charm is as follows: “I make of my shoes a T, hoping to my true love see!”
A similar divination calls for placing a sprig of rosemary in one shoe, and thyme in the other and then they are to be sprinkled with water three times. The shoes are placed at the foot of one’s bed and it is said that the owner of the shoes will have a dream of her future husband. Finally, a girl wishing to know if she is to be married within the year is instructed to wait until the Eve of St. Andrews Day, which is observed on November 30th, and then throw her shoe at a door. It is said that if the shoe points in the direction of the door then she will marry.
Shoe-Magick is closely tied to Foot-Track magick which is commonly found in the Hoodoo Tradition. Foot-Track magick is a form of magick in which it is believed that roots, powders, dirt, etc.. can be magickally deployed in such a way that they enter the body through the feet causing any number of consequences. People who believe they are the victims of foot-track magick often report bad luck that follows them for long periods of time, a lack of mental clarity, and pain in the feet and legs which results in an inability to walk on their own or being forced to crawl instead of walking.
In addition, sympathetic- magic, a belief which holds that like attract like, can be worked on individuals using personal items such as their shoes, socks, and even dirt gathered from their footprint. A few examples of foot track magick include the following:
- Bury your husband's shoes in the front yard with the toes toward the door and he will never leave you.
- If you wear a dime in the heel of your shoe, your enemies cannot put a spell on you.
- Throwing a shoe after a person who is going off on a quest for some purpose is said to grant him or her good luck in their journey.
- Conversely, in Arab countries to throw your shoe at a person is a sign of serious contempt along the lines of throwing rotten tomatoes at a person giving a speech.
- To banish an enemy, lift their foot print out of the dirt and mix it with hot foot powder.
- To overcome an enemy, their name is often written on a scrap of paper an odd-number of times and placed in the left shoe so that one walks all over the enemy dominating him or her.
- A shiny dime, or penny, placed in the left shoe of a bride is said to ensure a wealthy and prosperous future for the couple.
- Conditions Oil and/or Powders can be sprinkles in a person’s shoes for a variety of effects depending on the type of oil and one’s intent.
In my personal practices, I always keep any mojo bag with which I am currently working in my shoe while I am sleeping as opposed to under my pillow. In this way I never forget to carry the mojo bag with me the following day. The fact that mojo bags are often anointed with condition oils and these oils would rub off on the sole of the shoe which would also be transferred to my foot strengthens the spell.
In addition, I personally know of a practitioner who often saves the shoe-strings from old pairs of shoes and uses them to practice knot-magick on the owners of those shoes; and another practitioner who often asks clients for old socks which she works with on their behalf at her altar(s).
As you can see, shoes are common, everyday objects associated with various beliefs and practices in human culture. They have been used as status symbols, to convey messages, to perform divinations, and to cast spells. While there are many traditional uses for shoes in the practice of magick, there are also many practitioners who have learned to deploy them in highly personal ways to perform successful magick.
