Of Sigils & Seals
What Are Sigils?
Dollar Sign for Money
It has been stated that "magic speaks in the language of symbols" and if that is the case, then sigils are the unlimited alphabet of that language. They represent our ideas, our goals, and---most importantly--- our needs. Sigils are believed to have the power to manifest our desires. They take many forms from simple designs like an "X" mark or a "five-spot" to the Seals of Solomon and complex Veve's found in the religion of Vodoun.
Some sigils have universal meanings such as a simple heart design with an arrow drawn through it which is commonly associated with love and the heart's desire; or the dollar sign, seen at left, which speak of money and wealth. Other sigils are highly personal. For example, it is known that Elvis Presley adopted the symbol of the lightning bolt after his favorite hero Captain Marvel adding the initial's TCB to the lighting bolt, which stands for "Taking Care of Business".
That is not to say that sigils are limited to the practice of magic. Sigils are all around us in our everyday lives. Corporate logos, street signs, even emoticons are all symbols used to communicate an idea or to influence yo in some way (buy my product, be happy, etc...)
Some sigils have universal meanings such as a simple heart design with an arrow drawn through it which is commonly associated with love and the heart's desire; or the dollar sign, seen at left, which speak of money and wealth. Other sigils are highly personal. For example, it is known that Elvis Presley adopted the symbol of the lightning bolt after his favorite hero Captain Marvel adding the initial's TCB to the lighting bolt, which stands for "Taking Care of Business".
That is not to say that sigils are limited to the practice of magic. Sigils are all around us in our everyday lives. Corporate logos, street signs, even emoticons are all symbols used to communicate an idea or to influence yo in some way (buy my product, be happy, etc...)
Conjuring Sigils
"IMELTY" Sigil
There have been several methods devised to create sigils. One of the most famous methods of creating a sigil developed by Austin Osman Spare (1886 - 1956) consists of writing your goal on a piece of paper as briefly as possible. The next step is simply to eliminate any letters that occur more than once in your statement. Finally, you take the letters that remain and using your creativity combine them into a cohesive symbol that is pleasing to the eye.
For example, you are ill and wish to be well again. You might write "I AM HEALTHY" on a piece of paper. Now omitting the letters which repeat more than once you would be left with I M E L T Y. Using your own creativity you then re-arrange these letters into a sigil of your own design.
Another popular method of creating a sigil makes use of Kameas, or magic squares. Kameas represent planetary energies in a mathematical format. Click here to learn more about the use of magic squares.
For example, you are ill and wish to be well again. You might write "I AM HEALTHY" on a piece of paper. Now omitting the letters which repeat more than once you would be left with I M E L T Y. Using your own creativity you then re-arrange these letters into a sigil of your own design.
Another popular method of creating a sigil makes use of Kameas, or magic squares. Kameas represent planetary energies in a mathematical format. Click here to learn more about the use of magic squares.
How Sigils Are Used In Hoodoo
Sigils are very similar to written petitions in how they can be used in the Hoodoo Tradition. They can be anointed with condition oils specific to your goal(s) and then placed under candles, included in mojo bags, placed inside a doll-baby, carried in one's shoe or wallet, etc... In addition they can be printed out and glued to Vigil Lights or spell bottles, they can be drawn on fixed candles or painted on magic boxes.
In the case of a sigil used to attract love or sex, you may wish to anoint it with your sexual fluids in place of, or in addition to, a specific condition oil. In the case of a sigil meant to bring harm to an enemy you may wish to spit into the center of the sigil and draw cross-marks in the air over it to activate the power of the sigil before deploying it to secure your goal.
In the case of a sigil used to attract love or sex, you may wish to anoint it with your sexual fluids in place of, or in addition to, a specific condition oil. In the case of a sigil meant to bring harm to an enemy you may wish to spit into the center of the sigil and draw cross-marks in the air over it to activate the power of the sigil before deploying it to secure your goal.