A Witch's World of Magick (18 page)

When you’re using the decoy principle to divert or prevent unwanted magick before it strikes, crafting a decoy that relies on energetic similarity is a solid option. Here, the decoy acts as a standin, or substitute, for the person that would otherwise be the target of the magick. In the example of the witch’s bottle, we see the decoy principle being applied in this fashion. Complete with hair, urine, and other human components, the bottle-turned-decoy object has an energetic similarity with the would-be victim that makes it appear to actually
be
the would-be victim, which confuses the curse into striking the bottle as if it has found its true target.

Energy knows energy, and when a curse hits a properly prepared decoy, it thinks it has hit its mark and that its work is done, which, of course, effectively prevents the curse from doing its intended damage upon the correct target of the magick. Here we see one of the special advantages of using energetic similarity to craft a decoy—the curse is “fooled” into acting as if it has reached its intended goal, and the curse-caster who might be checking up on his or her spell’s progress is likely to intuit the same diagnosis of success, and thinking the work is done, might back away from attempting any further damage.

Take care in planning and preparing a decoy that relies on energetic similarity. You don’t want the decoy to be too representative of the “actual” target—if you do so, it might strengthen rather than weaken the unwanted magick’s ability to take affect. The key is to give the decoy enough similarity so that its energy mimics the energy of the would-be target, but to hold back from too strongly connecting the would-be target’s energy to the energy of the decoy.

If you wanted to create a decoy to act as a standin for yourself, for instance, you would infuse the decoy with the basic energetic life force you project to other people—with an energy that mimics the most outer, surface you. This is enough to cause the decoy to appear to be enough like you that the curse or other unwanted magick will find it and be “fooled.” If the association is made too strongly, however, the energies of the decoy object can become attached to your own energies, making the decoy object not so much a substitute for you, but rather an actual symbol of you. Curses and other spells will easily travel on that connection and go from symbol you to real you with little or no hesitation.

This distinction between symbol and substitute is essential when crafting a decoy based on energetic similarity, so let’s examine it more precisely. When making a symbol, the intentions and visualizations are directed with the idea of the object becoming a representation of the larger idea it encompasses—a small poppet becomes a mini-you, for instance; a pentacle becomes the wealth or protection it calls to mind. Here, the connections are drawn deeply enough that the core energies of the symbol become attached to the core energies of whatever the symbol symbolizes. In contrast, when you are creating a substitute, the substitute is connected to the “genuine article” only through surface energies, not through the innermost, most real and unique essences that make the fake a fake and the real deal the real deal.

In creating a substitute, you only want to create a facade upon the object—think of it as putting a “you” costume on the decoy object. The decoy object does not become you, and it does not symbolize you. It is not connected to your core being in any way. Just like using baking powder instead of baking soda in a recipe, the decoy simply substitutes and takes your place. When we are substituting in magick, for instance, using rosemary rather than rose petals in a love spell, the rosemary does not in any way become a symbol of the rose petals—it is another thing entirely, but its energies are similar enough to the rose petals that it will have a similar effect in your spellwork. When you are substituting a decoy for yourself in order to prevent a curse or divert a spell before it strikes, the decoy is acting as the rosemary standing in for rose petals—the decoy simply takes your place, but it in no way becomes you.

In contrast, if you
did
want to create a symbol of yourself, you would want to actually name the object as such and think about it in those terms. You would sense the innermost energies of yourself and of the symbolic object, and you would consciously weave and join these energies together to form a bond. The object then becomes a symbol of you, a representation of you that is exacting and detailed enough that its energies are literally connected to you. Can you anticipate the problems that might arise if you were to accidentally use a symbol rather than a substitute when applying the decoy principle for spell diversion and curse prevention?

Creating a substitute rather than a symbol isn’t as tricky as it sounds, and there are many ways to prepare a decoy to an adequate extent without going overboard. Forging an energetic similarity between the decoy object and the person to be protected does take finesse, but that finesse is more in the mental process than in the method. As we’ve seen from the examples in this chapter, there are several very simple and effective ways to impart energetic similarity to a decoy. Let’s take a quick look at these, then we’ll discuss how to actually put this decoy magick into action.

Handling

Handling the decoy is one very easy, very quick way to impart energetic similarity. Through direct contact and touch—through the contagion principle or the principle of close proximity, in other words—the decoy is imprinted with the energetic essence of the person to be protected and is thus effectively converted into an adequate substitute. This is the method employed in the stone-throwing practices discussed earlier in this chapter. If you’d like to try the technique yourself, don’t over think it. You might simply hold the object momentarily, rub it briefly, or otherwise put it into contact with your body. Think only about your outermost surface energies “rubbing off” on the object, creating a substitute rather than a symbol of you. This is enough to impart your energy and “fool” the curse or other spell, but not enough to literally connect you with the decoy in potentially unfortunate ways.

Human-derived Ingredients

Another method you might use to create a similar energetic essence in the decoy object is to include personal ingredients like hair, urine, nail clippings, or saliva—just as is done in the construction of a witch’s bottle. When using such ingredients, you don’t need to do anything extra to empower them or impart intention—they are already strongly imprinted with your energy, and extraneous handling can risk imparting on the ingredients a symbolic quality that will directly connect you to the decoy.

Sympathetic Connection

Sympathetic connections are also a way to achieve energetic similarity in a decoy. In sympathetic magick theory, objects that share similar physical characteristics also share similar energetic characteristics—the star, or pentacle, in the cross-cut apple core becomes associated with wealth; thorny briars become associated with pain and curses. The eye beads discussed earlier in this chapter are a prime example of a decoy that gains its energetic similarity through sympathetic connection.

By choosing a decoy that already has a sympathetic connection to the person or place to be protected, much of your work in forging an energetic similarity is already done. For instance, if you’re tall, slender, and bubbly, a Barbie doll who has the same hair color as you could be a ready-made decoy to divert and absorb any spells cast your way. Likewise, if you were aiming to protect an animal, a plush toy that looks similar could be an adequate substitute. Keep in mind that a sympathetic connection doesn’t have to be natural. It can be consciously fashioned and created, just as the ancient Egyptians forged their own sympathetic connection between animal sacrifice and human sacrifice through the simple medium of adorning the animal’s body with an image of the human.

Decoy Magick Spells

As you can see, decoy magick is as varied and diverse as it is powerful. It can be used for curse breaking, curse prevention, spell diversion, spell recall, general protection, and more. It can work through enticement, confusion, or energetic similarity acquired through handling, sympathetic attributes, or human-derived ingredients. Your decoy object might be as simple as a stone picked up from the ground and held momentarily, or it can be as complex as a carefully designed, handcrafted poppet that looks just like you. Let the urgency and purpose of the decoy guide the design, and keep in mind the difference between substitutes and symbols as you craft your magick—you’ll want a substitute, not a symbol, and to accomplish that you need only to keep front and center in your awareness the fact that you are pulling a trick on the unwanted magick.

Below are a few techniques to illustrate some of the possible applications of decoy magick. Choose a method according to the general need, and adapt to suit.

Proactive Decoy Magick

Decoy magick can be used proactively, to divert and thwart spirits, spells, and curses alike before they find their way to your doorstep. Such decoys can be used for general protection, spell diversion, spirit diversion, or curse prevention. Since proactive decoy magick is meant to work in an ongoing and protective fashion, crafting a decoy object that can be kept around for a while is a good choice. Consider incorporating energetic similarity into the design of the decoy, and be sure to empower it with your intentions before use. Envision the decoy doing its work, absorbing the energies it aims to divert. If you like, say something such as, “This is your target. Go here; go here.” Once activated, simply place the decoy object near the person or place to be protected. You might want to keep the decoy someplace hidden, or you might choose to craft a very normal-looking decoy out of an everyday object that you can leave out in plain sight without rousing the slightest suspicion. Check the decoy object every now and then to make sure it’s still intact and that its energies feel fresh and active. If it seems damaged or dull in any way, destroy it and craft a new one.

Decoy Magick for Spell Recall

To use decoy magick to call back or divert a spell post-cast, you’ll need to first locate the magickal energy you’re aiming to distract. Unless the spell you want to undo is attached to a specific object or location, this part can be a bit tricky. Try to decipher as much as you can about the originally cast magick; if it’s your own spell you’re recalling, you’ve got this one in the bag because you’ll already know everything about it. If it’s another person’s spell, use what you know about their typical methods to make your best guesses. Make use of items, symbols, or ingredients known to have been used or likely to have been used in the original spell. For example, if you suspect the original spellcaster used either plants or stones in their magickal act, refer directly to both the spell “cast with plants” and to the spell “cast with stones” in order to give yourself the best shot at correctly identifying and thus gaining the attention of the original magick. Likewise, if it’s your own spell you’re breaking and you know for a fact you cast it with a candle, place the same candle on your altar to summon back the original spell. You might use words, symbols, and actions from the original spell also. Simply imitate what you know or suspect of the original spellcasting, then use new words, intentions, and the action of the decoy magick to reverse, twist, or undo the unwanted charm. This act of similarity forges a connection to the original casting that reverts the spell back to an earlier, more malleable stage of the magickal process where it can be more easily deflected and deterred. Elements of confusion or enticement can also be incorporated. Once the original magick has been located or summoned back through imitative words, ingredients, items, symbols, or actions, use confusion or enticement as a decoy to steer the energy in a new direction. Keep in mind that a decoy doesn’t need to be an object, nor does it need to be solely one thing—it might be a dance, a song, a bit of theatrics, or any other form of tempting or disorienting distraction.

Decoy Magick for Cursebreaking

If you’re using decoy magick to free a person from a curse, within and around the curse victim is where you will find the offending energy. Directly call out the baneful vibration; implore the ill-wrought magickal energy to take notice and pay attention. Once the energy to be thwarted has been summoned to the forefront, use decoy magick to distract and tempt it. When working with strong or very negative energies, using an actual object for the decoy is beneficial as doing so provides a more solid, stable structure with which to attract and hold the original magick. Use enticement or confusion to do the trick. Wave the decoy object around, light candles around it, ring bells—anything you can think of to draw attention towards the decoy. Think of the curse or other unwanted magickal energy that you are hoping to deflect, and envision these energies exiting the victim and going straight into the decoy object, bypassing all else without notice.

Be aware of the energies present. When you sense the unwanted energy has entered the decoy object or has otherwise turned away from its original target, remove the newly freed curse victim or spell target from the area. If the energy has entered a physical decoy object, stamp the object on the ground, bury it, or break it to prevent the energy from escaping back to its original host. Beat drums, ring bells, or clap loudly to further drive away any lingering offending energies.

Points to Ponder

• This chapter presented several examples of decoy magick from around the world, including the exorcism ritual of the Wanika tribe and the witch’s bottle used in England, America, and elsewhere. Do you agree that these practices could be described as decoy magick? Why or why not? How else might such techniques be classified?
  
• What other examples of the decoy principle in action can you identify? Have you ever used such techniques in your own practice?
  
• Have you ever been in a situation where employing decoy magick for curse prevention, curse breaking, spell diversion, or spell recall could have been beneficial? How might you have crafted such magick?
  
• This chapter offered several methods for constructing a decoy using energetic similarity, including handling, using sympathetic attributes, and including body-derived ingredients like hair or urine. Can you think of any other ways a decoy could be made energetically similar to a person? How might a decoy that shares an energetic similarity with a place be constructed?
  
• We discussed how decoys can operate through energetic similarity with the intended target, through enticement and temptation, and through confusion. What other foundations of decoy design can you think of?
  
• The decoy principle offers a way to veer magick off-course. Do you agree that the effects and actions of spells can, and sometimes should, be altered post-cast? What reasons might a witch have for doing so?
  
• Have you ever cast a spell that didn’t work as you expected, that perhaps affected something other than its originally intended target? Might the decoy principle have been at work?
  
• This chapter discussed the use of body-derived ingredients to provide the energetic similarity required for certain types of decoy magick. How does this differ from the use of such ingredients for the purpose of magickal identification?
  Is
  there a difference? If so, is the difference in the method, or in the mental process?
  
• Could the decoy principle be employed to help prevent needless worry? Could it possibly be used to aid in disguising one’s appearance? What other creative applications of the decoy principle can you think of, and how might such magick be accomplished?
  
• Could it be said that a decoy attracts energy as much as it diverts it? Why or why not? Instead of using a decoy to divert and ward off negative magick cast your way, could a decoy be used instead to actually attract positive energies? Why or why not?
  
• Is the power and purpose of a decoy more in the design or in the intent? Why do you think so?