Knot or Cord Magic

[jadedsage]

Knot or cord magic is representational magic, and works well in conjuction with many other forms of magic. Knot magic, is unobtrusive magic and works on the principals of binding, or bidding spells, and that of weaving. The weaving is coupled with that of The Three Fates who are said to weave our lives. You can use ribbon, string, yarn, threads, or anything else that you can knot or plaite to represent your objectives. Once completed you can carry the plaited cord with you as a reminder and thus reinforcement of your will to accomplish what your spell was for, or untie it to represent the releasing of the energies when you are done. Color, form and energy are all used when practicing this particular magic.
Knot magic has been used since the time of Mesopotamia, and has not changed much in that time. The knots in the cord can represent the problems that an individual faces, or the steps being taken to affirm your spellwork. If they are representing the problem for an individual, then knots would be tied the cord to represent each aspect of the problem [usually an odd number]. A chant can be said, or an incantation if you prefer, at the same time as the knots are being untied, while visualizing the problem going away, and thus the person being released from the issue. It should be noted that to complete the working, and to be certain that the issue is gotten rid of completely, one should burn the cord when finished.
This particular kind of magic can be used both in healing and dispelling negativity, or, in extreem situations, had been known to be used for curses. The same principal could be used in the curses as in expelling negativity. The magician would recite a curse as the knots were tied into the cord, and then the cord was buried in the belief that without the destruction of the cord, then the curse remained active. The color of the cord also signified the meaning of the working.

[jadedsage]

There has been a resurgence of interest in know magic recently. Popular in Greek and Roman times, it was used in the folk magic of European witchcraft during the Middle Ages, but barely survived because it was not taught by the magisters (masters) of Renaissance magic. This may be because knotting was considered to be a woman's occupation. In the fishing and seafaring ports, for example, the women worked at making and repairing the nets using knots and there are tales of witches in the Middle Ages selling cords to catch the Wind. The idea was that the sailor would undo a knot for the type of Wind he needed. The beautiful Celtic know work is probably another example of how knotting was used both for protection and decoration.

*excerpt from Forms of Knot Magic Pamela Ball