A Triune Moon Magickal Moment
Creating and using poppets is an amazing way to add to your magickal repertoire. Poppets are an old, time-tested form of sympathetic magick. Sympathetic magick works on the principle that like affects like. When you create a poppet you are making a visual representation of a person. This representation then becomes a focus device. You are able to “see” and interact with the individual you are working for by using their image, the poppet, you’ve created.
Poppets can be as simple or elaborate as you like. The basic rule is that it should be easily recognizable as who you are working for, with or against. If it is a person it should have two arms, two legs, a head and body. The exception to this rule would be a working for a differently-abled person. I use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to give me a basic shape. I am not very artistic so this works well for me. Feel free to create your own pattern or draw free-hand if you like.
Next, add features, hair, clothes, anything that would identify the poppet as the individual it is to be. Try using yarn, markers, paint, embroidery and other embellishments to achieve the look you desire. Don’t worry if you are not an artist, if you can visualize who it is, then even the crudest poppet will work.
Below are simple instructions on creating and using poppets. I’ve also included a simple chant to charge your poppet for its intended purpose.
Creating your Poppet
Before creating your poppet you should have a firm idea of why you are creating it. Are you doing healing work for someone? Are you trying to banish someone out of your life and social circle? Perhaps it is something for yourself that you are working. Keep whatever the intended goal is for the poppet in your mind as you go about creating and using your poppets
There are only a few simple materials required for creating your poppet. Most can be found quite inexpensively at your local craft store. Below is a list of items to complete the “shell” of the poppet.
- Cotton material – I used white but you may use any color that suits your purpose or the individual you are working for. It needs to be large enough for the cookie cutter, cut double.
- Thread
- Needle
- Gingerbread man cookie cutter – large
- Scissors
- Pen or pencil to trace around the cookie cutter.
Place the cookie cutter on the material. Be sure that the material is doubled. Trace around the cookie cutter, then cut along the pen/pencil line. Sew the poppet close to the edge with small stiches, leaving a large enough opening for stuffing your poppet. Alternately you could use a sewing machine, but I like to place magick and intention in each stitch. Once you have stitched the poppet you will need to fill it.
Filling and Personalizing Your Poppet
You will want to fill your poppet with not only something to give it shape but to add to the magick you are creating. Herbs, stones, and crystals that correspond to your working are beneficial. Adding something personal from the individual will bring an even bigger boost to your work. Hair, fingernail clippings, a scrap of material from something they’ve worn are all items that are easily added to your poppet.
Below are items I used for the poppet pictured. This was a personal healing poppet so I am using herbs for healing the stomach and sinus issues. Please, use items that best fit your intent. Note: I also used hair from my head to add some of “me” to the poppet.
- Fiberfill – this is used for all poppets. It can be made of cotton or synthetic materials.
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Feverfew
- Mullein
- White Willow bark
- Marshmallow root
- Slippery Elm Bark
I did not include any stones or crystals in this poppet because I did not feel called to do so. Use your intuition and magickal senses to choose each item so that it will aid in achieving your final goal.
Fill up the legs and arms of the poppet. You may need to use the end of a long-handled spoon or some other long, thin device to push the fiberfill into the corners. Place a small amount of fiberfill in the body then add in your herbs, stone, etc. Finish filling the poppet then sew up the opening.
Now you can personalize your poppet. Add on facial features, hair, clothing, etc.. You may even want to place a picture of the person where the face is. Use your intuition to create a connection between you and the individual.
Charging your Poppet
While you were creating your poppet you were keeping your intentions in the forefront of your mind. Now, it is time to reinforce that intention and charge your poppet.
Place your poppet on your altar or a table. Holding your hands over the poppet visualize its intended purpose. While keeping that purpose in your mind, “see” the poppet as the individual that it represents. Focusing on both the person and the intention say the following (or something similar that has meaning to you):
“The poppet I see before me is a part of (insert name of individual) and as such all that I do with the poppet I do for (name). I send (insert what you are working for here) into this poppet which is (name). May (name) be (healed, banished, etc).” Continue to send your desires into the poppet until you feel that the work is completed.
End the charge with “As I will it, so shall it be.” or something else to signal that you have completed your work. Place the poppet in a safe place.
Releasing the Poppet Energies
You will want to keep the poppet until such time as you feel the magick has manifested. After that you will need to release the individual’s energy from the poppet and dismantle it. Below is a simple “de-programming” verse you can use.
“I separate the energy of (name if individual) from this poppet. What was once connected is now separated.” Repeat this until you feel that the energies have been disconnected. Then remove all the stitching, take out the stuffing and otherwise dismantle the poppet. Dispose of all the parts by burning, burying or throwing away. Caution: Do not dispose of the poppet without first disconnecting the individual from the poppet. This may cause undo harm to the individual.
Poppets are a simple, creative, and highly effective way to work powerful magicks. No matter how cute they may seem, they should always be treated with the respect you would give to any magickal working. May you find working magick with poppets as rewarding as I have.
Blessed Be!
