What is Poppet Magic you ask?
Well, I can help you with that! Poppet magic is a form of sympathetic magic that uses a doll to represent the recipient of the magic.
Poppets are awesome little tools with a wide range of uses.
When people see poppets (or any other folk art doll) they think voodoo doll. They’re not wrong…..poppets can be used in voodoo. However voodoo, or more accurately, Vodou, is a very specific set of spiritual beliefs and practices stemming from the Afro-Caribbean culture. Voodoo is, unfortunately, incredibly misunderstood and therefore has negative connotations. Pop culture and media have told us that Voodoo Dolls are scary. We can choose not to believe that!
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Use of poppets throughout history
Poppet magic has been used since the beginning of recorded history, if not longer. Archaeologists have found a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia that recorded a healing spell that required making a clay effigy.
Ancient Egyptians believed all statues and images contained part of the Spirit, whether the effigy was of a God or a servant. Children were known to play with paddle dolls; a female effigy created from wood in the shape of a paddle with exaggerated hips that were thought to promote fertility.
The ancient Greek/Roman culture created Kolossoi, small dolls that were used for curses. These were broken and taken to the cemetery to petition restless spirits to do their bidding.
This practice and idea traveled to Britain where they were used for both curses and healing. People would make wax effigies of themselves or their afflicted body parts to leave at sacred sites with the idea that the healing energy would continue to them through the doll even as they left.
The word poppet is old English in origin. It refers to a small doll and is also a term of endearment for a young child or small woman.
For more information check out this book :
My life-long Obsession
I’ve been making dolls since I was just a little freckle-faced kid.
I made pompom dolls, corn husk dolls,paper dolls and cloth rag dolls. Any medium I had on hand turned into a doll and developed a personality. I wrapped dried corn cobs and sticks with long grass and carved faces in apples. Once dried they turned into my Grandma dolls because the apple would be wrinkled and leathery when it dried.
As an adult I’ve made art dolls, mixed media, beaded, assembled, folk dolls, and Spirit dolls.
So of course I make poppets.
Using a Poppet for Magical purposes
For the purpose of this article, let’s just move forward with the assumption that we’re practicing beneficial magic with good intentions. Its not my job to police what you do in your practice so I’ll spare the lecture.
With that said….
Magical practice is all about intent! A poppet can be used to harm others or it can be used to heal yourself.
(I’m not a big supporter of using magic on others, especially without their permission, I prefer to use magic to adjust the energy around a situation)
The Fun part of Poppet Magic
A poppet stands in for a person. Usually it’s a cloth rag doll with some basic rudimentary people features; eyes, mouth, heart. They can also be made of wood or clay. Either way it should be in the shape of a person. It can be as detailed as you want.
I once made a poppet and then gradually shaped the body to resemble the curves I wanted in real life.
It can be stuffed with doll stuffing or herbs or both. You can add gemstones by either stuffing them inside or sewing chips outside. You can add ‘clothes’ by wrapping them with cloth, write words on them on them or decorate them in anyway you see fit.
When you’re happy with your doll you need to add a bit of yourself (or the person the poppet is representing). It’s best to add this inside the doll with the stuffing.
Hair or fingernail clippings are usually the easiest to access. Blood, sweat, spit or other body fluid would work too. The idea is to give the poppet and energetic connection to the recipient.
If all else fails, a scrap of clothing, an small object that belonged to the person or a picture of the person will work in a pinch.
Once you’ve added the personal touch, sew the opening closed.
Waking Your Poppet
Now you need to ‘wake ‘ the doll, give it a name and a purpose. First “breathe” life into it. (I’ve always interpreted this as blowing into its face) Then say something like this:
“ Wake up little poppet. You are complete, I will call you (whatever you name it) . Your job is (whatever you want it to do) .”
Poppet Magic
So….what kind of ‘jobs’ can you give a poppet? It can be anything you feel is necessary. Healing, love, peace, protection.
Healing Poppets are common and convenient. You can make one to stand in place for a distant loved one who may need healing. You can perform healing spells or Reiki on the doll, stuff it with healing herbs, anoint it with a healing oil and it will send the energy to its human equivalent.
Do you or a friend needs courage during a trying time? You can stuff it with herbs for courage and instruct it to absorb some of your fears.
Do you need protection from psychic attacks? Add some protective herbs and stones and instruct it to absorb and dissipate any negative energy coming your way.
Do you want to banish a bad habit or toxic relationship?
Do you seek peace? Want more love in your life? Looking for some good luck or more prosperity? You can create a poppet for any of these by adding the right colors, herbs, stones, oils and then giving your poppet a job.
Magic Correspondence
- Banishing: Black, swords or wands, dragons, nightshade, black salt, rue
- Creativity: Orange or yellow, suns or fire symbols, carnelian, sunflower
- Healing: Silver, white, blue, clouds or other air symbols, quartz,
- Love: Pink, red, hearts, roses, rose quartz.
- Money: Silver, gold, green, coins, mint, basil, cinnamon, citrine, aventurine
- Protection: black, grey, dark blue, shields, keys or locks, hyssop, plantain, obsidian
Here’s another book that might help:
I made a quick pdf instruction page for connecting and un-connecting with your poppet. You can find it here, in our Book of Shadows.
Can’t sew? It’s cool, I can. Check it out.
Have any questions, shoot me a line (either here or on Facebook)
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Do you have to make them on a certain day? Moon phase? Does it have to be made at your altar? When you are finished, do you give it to the person it was for? Or do you bury it it? What do you do with it when it is finished?
Thanks for asking and thank you for your patience, I’ve been away from the computer. Day/moon phase? You can choose a day or moon phase that works in conjunction with your intentions. That will add another layer of energy to your magic. You don’t have to.
When the poppet is done doing its work and your spell is complete, Thank the doll and release its energy. Then you can disassemble the doll; recycle or repurpose the components and bury the doll form. I tend to save the crystals (I will cleanse them and clear them of the intentions before using again). I’ll compost the herbs and toss the filling in the trash unless its 100% natural fibers.
I will also take off anything that won’t decompose, such as buttons, metal bits or beads. Then I’ll bury or burn the rest.
That’s what I do. I’m a little extreme with the “waste not, want not” and “Give a hoot, don’t pollute”.
Historically, all that was required was to thank the doll and release the spirit. Then burn, bury or toss it in a river to be carried away from you. It was also advised that you bury the doll or the ashes away from your home.
I hope that helps.
Hello
I will like to know can I use candles on the doll for a lover spell? To keep a man close to me? also can I rename a doll once a spell have already been cast on it?
Typically you name the doll when you ‘wake it up’. Changing it’s name might confuse it. I’m not sure what you mean by using candles on the doll. If you mean to light a candle as you instruct the doll of it’s job then yes. Use a color that supports your intention, such as red or pink for a love spell. It’s not my job to tell you what kind of magic you perform but I don’t advise doing love spells on other people without their consent. It just never works out the way we want it to. It usually ends in toxic relationships because the person doesn’t want to be there. I suggest doing a love spell on yourself. Ask the doll to attract the kind of lover you want in your life. You can tell it everything you want, like the kind of person he is and the way he treats you. Then be open to whoever shows up. It’s important that you are very clear about this and that you stay open to the possibilities.