My sister and I are both avid readers. We enjoy the same subject matter. We like the same writing styles. And as such, we frequently suggest books and authors to each other. We also tend to wind up in bookstores during our annual visits, and because we're rather noisy—our exuberant exclamations of “Have you read this?” “This book's to die for!” and “This author will absolutely scare the bejesus out of you!” resound through the store—it's a wonder that we haven't been eighty-sixed from all of them. But putting up with our antics is probably a small price to pay, since by the time we're done, we each usually walk out with at least two or more shopping bags crammed with books, and the store's been paid handsomely for hosting a few hours of “Sisters Run Amuck.”
At any rate, one year's annual visit took place in North Carolina, and we wound up our last day together by visiting a local bookstore. My sister was looking for a specific title—it was something that she desperately wanted me to read—but couldn't find it. I told her it was no big deal. She begged to differ. I shrugged it off at first, but she was so adamant that I finally checked the computer, only to find that it was out of print.
Of course, this started a whole new thread of conversation. She quizzed me on sources for out-of-print books. I admitted that I had a few, and she insisted that I get in touch with them immediately. She said I had to find this book. And when I asked her why? She simply grinned at me and said I needed it. So, I jotted down the information and tossed it in my purse.
To say that I put off finding the novel would be putting it mildly. I had a ton of things to do—tour dates to book, writing to finish, and query letters to send out, just to name a few—and I already had novels enough to entertain me for a few months. So, the truth of the matter is that I forgot all about it. At least, until a package arrived from my sister.
And there it was: Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels.
Now common courtesy would dictate that I read it immediately, especially after she'd gone to all that trouble. But even if that weren't the case, something else should have spurred me into action. You see, my sister is a very magical person. She tends to know things that she doesn't even realize she knows. So when she says something to me, I know to pay heed. But for whatever reason, I didn't. Instead, I just put the book at the bottom of the stack on my bedside table and left it there until I got around to it.
Several weeks later, I sat down to begin actively writing Utterly Wicked and hit a stumbling block. I couldn't decide whether I really wanted to write the chapter you're currently reading. It had seemed like a good idea at the onset. What, after all, could be more intriguing than weaving a curse into some seemingly harmless object? Something so ordinary and so innocuous that safe use would never come into question? I also felt sure that just this sort of thing had been done by practitioners for as long as they'd existed on the face of the Earth. Still, I wasn't sure I had enough material to write a whole chapter. And I knew that my chances of finding someone with firsthand knowledge who'd actually be willing to discuss this with me were definitely slim to none.
After much debate and no resolution, I finally decided to take a break. My hope, of course, was that the solution would come when I wasn't actively dwelling on it, and the best way I knew to take my mind off the problem was to engross myself in a good book. So, I grabbed the first novel on the stack and, much to my surprise, discovered it was none other than Stitches in Time.
I wasn't even through the first chapter when I understood why my sister had been so insistent and had gone to so much trouble. For there, between the covers, a story of magical needlework lived and breathed. But it wasn't just an ordinary story. It was the story of an antique wedding quilt, pieced and stitched by a spurned lover and given to the bride of the man who had jilted her. And wouldn't you just know it?! Finely stitched into each and every block lay individual curses. Curses amplified by several layers of graveyard dirt worked into the batting. Curses that had taken on a life of their own, gathered momentum, and managed to survive for more than a hundred years.
Well, after reading that book, one thing was clear: I definitely needed to write this chapter, as no book on curses would be complete without it. Of course, I still didn't have contact information for the experts I'd need for my research, but I decided not to worry about that. I learned a long time ago that experts tend to find me when I'm ready for them. And, believe it or not . . . they did!
Most everyone loves quilts. There's nothing quite like curling up beneath one to make you feel cozy and loved. They make you feel better when you're sick as a dog. And with today's hand-dyed fabrics in a plethora of brilliant colors, they are often real works of art, delighting all who view them with their lovely patterns of patchwork and stitches.
So, how could any one object manage all of this and be anything less than magical?
The answer is simple: It can't.
Some practitioners define magic as the change of any condition by ritual means, and the quilt definitely meets those terms. For one thing, the piece is constructed of fabric that is woven from thread. Thread is spun from fiber that, even in this day and time, is often obtained from plants and animals and thus carries the energies of its source. And because of all the changes in condition—rituals, if you will—necessary to create fabric, some of these practitioners believe that all cloth, in and of itself, is magical.
Of course, some of them don't embrace that theory. They do, however, agree that once fabrics are removed from their bolts, cut apart, and pieced back together to create something new and different, the rituals involved definitely constitute a magical operation.
Other practitioners disagree stringently, but that's because they take the definition of magic one step further. They insist that, for magic to occur, the change of condition must be effected by unseen forces. And it's those folks who look at the rest of us as if we've lost our minds, pat us on the heads like small children, and inform us that quilts—because every change in condition involved can be seen with the naked eye—are simply not in the running.
Okay . . . I'll defend their right to believe anything they wish. But it's all I can do to stop myself from screaming “Bullshit!” right in their little self-righteous faces.
The fact of the matter is that they're missing the point. Everything that someone touches carries their invisible mark, their energy, and their vibration. And nothing, during its creation, is handled or touched more than a quilt. Every stitch carries the thought processes, attitudes, and emotional content of its maker. Those things definitely change the condition. And it's those things that make it magical.
But let's go a little further with this and talk about sleep. There we are, lying in bed, in a state of suspended animation. We have no control over anything. Not our snoring, our drooling, or our dreams. And because of that, it's the one time during every twenty-four-hour period when we are absolutely, positively, without a doubt vulnerable.
Now, put us under a quilt during that time of vulnerability, and what happens? Just as the quilt embraces us to form a cocoon of cozy warmth, all of the quilt maker's invisible imprints—every emotion, every thought, and every attitude—do as well. They seep right into our very pores. They become a part of us and we a part of them. And that, my friends, is true magic in progress.
The knowledge that every quilt (and every stitchery project, as well) is inherently magical is just the beginning: It's the base with which we start and the foundation upon which we build. It's what we decide to do with that project and how we decide to work with it that determines the magic that will live within. And that starts with design.
One of my favorite designs (shown below) is a very old and simple one known as the nine-patch, which provides powerful magic regardless of intent.
As each block employs three rows of three squares, the design automatically includes a visual spell binding of sorts—a binding that many practitioners know as the binding of three times three and used to seal their magical operations as well as to prevent them from backfiring. The most commonly used version was penned by Starhawk in The Spiral Dance and goes like this:
“By all the power of three times three
This spell bound around shall be
To cause no harm or return on me
As I will, so mote it be!”
And having a representative spell binding already worked into the project is definitely a plus when it comes to hexes and curses.
Another reason the nine-patch is a good choice is that, just as the name implies, nine pieces are used to construct the block. Nine, of course, is the number frequently associated with wishes, and in some cultures, it's even associated with general success. And since successful manifestation of your intent and wishes is precisely what's desired during magical work, there's no better symbol to incorporate.
But that's not all. One of the main reasons I like to use this particular design in curses is because the whole block pattern consists of squares. Aside from the fact that the square has many possibilities when it comes to symbolism—balance between the right- and left-hand paths, the Elements, the primary directions, and so forth—it can also be used to box your target in with whatever you've manifested. It's like locking the door and throwing away the key, and renders any attempt to avoid the associated magic completely futile.
While all of those are very good reasons to use the nine-patch in your work, there is one thing more about this versatile little block that truly seals the deal. Because the square has long been utilized to symbolize the Earth, it not only gives your magic the stability of solid ground in which to grow, but grounds your work as well. And this makes it the perfect base from which to form a curse.
That's all well and fine. But what if quilting isn't your thing? What if you're simply not handy with a needle? Does that mean that you can't use this wonderful symbolism in your magic?
Absolutely not. While patchwork and quilting are the most commonly used mediums for employing the nine-patch, there are numerous other ways to incorporate it. And since no artistic talent is necessary to draw the design—all it takes is a pencil and a ruler and some paints to make it attractive—you can apply it to nearly anything suitable to gifting. Just be creative and summon your imagination. The ideas below will get you started.
Keepsake boxes: These are great little items for decorating with the motif, as they are usually anything but plain and are kept within view. Moreover, the target is likely to handle the box and come into direct contact with your curse as items are placed inside or perused.
Scrapbook or photo album cover: As with the keepsake box, these items are handled by the target regularly as he or she creates pages and adds pictures.
Planter: If the subject of your intent is a plant person, this is the ideal gift. Just make sure to seal the curse so that it doesn't include the plant.
Sun catcher: If you're a stained glass artisan or like to work with the colored plastic resins that emulate the medium, give this a shot. Folks love a sun catcher and will hang it up immediately.
Wall hanging, eyeglass case, Tarot bag: These are excellent items to make and gift if you aren't clumsy with a needle but don't want to invest the time it takes to make a quilt. And as they'll be used constantly, the nine-patch will definitely have occasion to do its job.
Stitchery—from that wielded by the gown-designing mice in Cinderella to the tapestry-stitching women in The Mists of Avalon—has long been depicted as a source of magic and spellcraft. But only in books and movies, you say. Not so. Having been raised in the deep South where all female children are taught the arts of the needle as soon as they can hold one, I can assure you that there's more to it than simple entertainment. You see, I grew up in a time when embroidered samplers, linens, and dish towels were out of style, nobody would have dreamed of wearing darned socks, and it was completely unnecessary to sew one's own clothes. And yet, we were required to practice our stitches every day.
Of course, no one ever told us specifically that stitchery was magical. But somehow, we knew. Maybe it was the fact that—at that time, at least—it was reserved only for ladies. Maybe it was the fact that, even if we had more to do than we could handle, nothing—not plague, nor fire, nor the appearance of the Four Horsemen, Themselves—ever got in the way of that stitching hour after lunch. But I suspect it was something else entirely: It was in the care we learned to take in the planning phase, choosing just the right designs, just the right stitches, and just the right colors to make each piece our very own. And when you're taught that the planning is more important than the actual stitching . . . well . . . there's got to be a reason.
I was well into my teens before I purposely imbued a stitchery project with magic, and the results were so astounding that I've never again stitched anything without. But how could the results have been otherwise? Since stitches, themselves, are inherently magical—with each having its own strengths, its own energies, and its own functions—actively imbuing any project with magic only serves to strengthen its mission.
That's all well and fine. But what does stitchery have to do with this particular subject matter? More to the point, how can it be used to that end?
As with everything else in life, individual stitches have both passive and aggressive tendencies. This means that they can be used for any sort of magic, regardless of the desired outcome. And in the case of hexes, curses, and other unsavory magic, it's just a matter of examining the stitches in question, looking at their symbolisms, and seeing which will suit your purpose. It's as easy as that.
One of the best things about using stitches, though, nearly goes without saying: The possibilities for incorporating them into magic are positively limitless. You can showcase them or hide them. You can use them in embroidery and sewing projects, add them to handkerchiefs and scarves, sweaters, blouses, and pants, and include them unseen in the linings of pockets. You can even incorporate them in greeting cards, if the stock is heavy enough. The list goes on and on.
While nearly any stitch can be employed within a hex or curse or other magical manipulation, the space here doesn't allow for a comprehensive list. For your convenience, however, a few of my favorites and their purposes are included below. For more ideas, check out your public library or local bookstore. There is a multitude of wonderful stitchery books on the market, and any one of them will spur your creativity.
Running stitches: Stitched crookedly, these stitches will keep your target from staying the course and cause him or her to meander from one thing to another. Stitch them in a straight line to keep the errant lover on the straight and narrow.
French knots: Use these to foul up your target's efforts and keep goals from being accomplished. They also work well in efforts where putting an end to undesirable behavior is the goal.
Chain stitch: Try these to impart continual misery with a domino effect. They can also be used to set a chain of events into motion, with each stitch representing one of the events.
Cross stitch: Since X marks the spot, these are perfect for any type of hex or curse. These stitches can also be used to bind two people together.
Feather stitch: Use this stitch to destroy focus, scatter energy, and force the target to take on more than is humanly possible. And because it creates “dead ends,” it's also useful when your goal is to send your target on a wild goose chase or cause his or her every effort to come to naught.
Herringbone stitch: Because this stitch resembles a split-rail fence, it's perfect for fencing your target in and blocking desires from coming to fruition.
Today's world is so busy that just doing our jobs isn't enough. Instead, we're forced to multi-task, expected to produce more than ever, and required to jump on the treadmill of overachievement. We race to work and juggle appointments, meetings, and a ton of other things that David Copperfield couldn't manage on his best day. And then we race toward home. But that's no better. We have laundry to do, grocery lists to fill, and family activities to coordinate. And when we're finally done—often in the wee hours of the morning—we're so exhausted that all we can think about is falling into bed and catching a few hours of sleep.
Taking all this into account, it's little wonder that the bed has become absolute refuge for most of us. It's the one place where we don't have to check off a to-do list, where we're immune to the barking of orders, and where we're safe from everything, including performance evaluation. It's the one place where we can sink into oblivion and embrace the peace that nothing else provides. And because it's the one place where nothing other than simple existence is expected of us, we've come to treasure that sanctuary and the restful sleep associated with it. In fact, we'd do nearly anything to protect it.
Perhaps that's why dream catchers have become such a popular gift-giving idea and why the recipients, whether they truly believe in the tool's power or not, never fail to hang them up immediately. It's also why curses connected with these fabulous little devices work so well.
While the dream catcher normally works to keep bad dreams out and allow pleasant ones to flow through, such is not the case with those prepared for cursing. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Not only do nightmares flow through to the dream world and plague the target, but the horrors involved showcase you and the harm that he or she has caused you. The target wakes in a cold sweat—heart pounding, hands shaking, and head aching—with neither respite nor escape until amends are made.
Of course, a ready-made dream catcher probably won't accomplish this—at least, not fully. You'll have to make one yourself; so the webbing is woven in a counter-clockwise fashion, and the curse is worked in from the beginning. But not to worry. A dream catcher is easy to make, and complete instructions can be found in the spell section of Part Two.
While hexes and curses can certainly be stirred into food, doing so can be downright dangerous. And because of that, I nearly excluded this section from the book. The problem is fairly obvious: You never know who might take a bite of that accursed casserole, and the last thing you want is for a child, a pet, or some innocent person to inadvertently consume the just desserts you've just whipped up for your target. None of us would want to be responsible for that.
Excluding it, though, presented another problem. As a kitchen Witch, I know that some of the most powerful magic known to humankind comes directly from the kitchen. Why? Because the kitchen is the heart of the home. It symbolizes our very sustenance. Further, we form strong emotional attachments to the aromas that emanate from that room—emotional attachments that linger in its very atmosphere—the sort of emotional attachments that can be used to fuel our very magic.
If that alone weren't a good enough reason to include the information, there's this: What better way to send magical effects directly to a target than through ingestion and forcing the two to become one? There is none. And because of that, I simply couldn't write this book without it.
How to include the information responsibly, though, took some thought. So, what you'll find here really doesn't fit the hexes and curses category. (If you want to go there, that's fine. But know that you're on your own.) Instead, it more closely resembles those “unsavory notions” mentioned in this book's subtitle. And what does that mean exactly? Precisely what the words imply. You'll find interesting tidbits related to keeping that errant lover at home, breaking up a relationship, and creating a case of lust so hot that nothing in this world could begin to cool it. Loosening your partner's hold on the bank accounts more your style? You'll find that too, as well as ways to get what you want when you want it, regardless of who or what is currently standing in your way. It's all very handy information to have at your fingertips and much more fun than risking an innocent party's demise.
It never fails to amaze me just how many cooking-related things we do in the kitchen that we simply take for granted. We don't know where they came from or why we do them. There's certainly no thought at all to their magical significance. And yet, we know that most every action has at least one.
Take adding grains of rice to our salt shakers, for example. While the rice does, indeed, absorb moisture and keep the salt from crystallizing, there's more to it than that. For one thing, it's said that dry salt brings good fortune—since it wards off evil, that makes perfect sense—but that damp salt is an omen of death in the family. Add that to the fact that the magical properties of rice vibrate to abundant blessings, and you have a veritable good-luck spell on your hands.
There's also the fact that we add salt to water we plan to boil. Although most of us think it's a simple matter of bringing water to a boil more quickly, there's more to that, as well. In ancient times, it was added as an offering to the Gods, so They'd bless the contents of the pot and prevent good fortune from escaping with the steam.
That brings us to stirring the pot. And whether right-handed or left-handed, whether working in a circular motion or a figure eight, it's something that everyone involuntarily handles in the same fashion: We all stir clockwise. How does this happen? Well, it's just one of those interesting human phenomena—a phenomenon with a basis in magic. When we stir clockwise, we emulate the movement of the Sun. And in doing so, we reap His blessings—general gain and success, health, wealth, good luck, etc.—not only upon the food we're preparing but upon all those who partake of it.
However, if we choose to stir the pot in a counter-clockwise motion—and this will take some doing as stirring in the other direction is completely automatic—it drastically changes the energies contained within the food. Need proof? When a pot is about to boil over, just point at it, move your finger clockwise around the outside perimeter, and see what happens. The level of the contents lowers in the pot, and there's no need to turn down the heat. That's because you've changed the vibrational energy of the substance. And it's precisely this type of energy that you'll want to accumulate when working extremely manipulative magic and build upon while visualizing your intent.
One other thing: if you're going to use food to accomplish your goals, be absolutely certain that you name your target during preparation. Why? Because you'll want to prevent the magic within the food from affecting you or someone else. In fact, it's a good idea to take things a step further and charge any prepared food with the incantation below. This is one case where it truly is better to be safe than sorry!
The magic that's within this dish
Is meant for (name of target), as is my wish.
On others who may hear its call
It shall not have any effect at all.
Pure delight is all they'll feel
As they fill their plates and eat this meal.
But (name of target), it will hit magically.
As I will, so mote it be.
The following comprises a few ideas as to what foods and seasonings may be incorporated into meals to accomplish your goals. As you expand upon this list—and you will—just one note of caution: some herbs are poisonous! With that in mind, please check a reliable herbal before incorporating any substance with which you're unfamiliar.
Basil: Season foods with this herb to loosen a partner's hold on the money and force him or her to spend some on you.
Bread braid: As it's pulled apart and consumed, bread baked in this form can be used to separate lovers and break up relationships.
Cayenne pepper: Commonly known as the “hot foot powder of the culinary world,” this little gem works wonders when it comes to getting your way. Be sure to apply it liberally.
Cinnamon: Fold and mix this into recipes to induce and secure love. (Pies, rolls, cakes, cookies, and wine are good options.) Sprinkle it on top of beverages to obtain money.
Clove: Long known for its powers of seduction, add ground or powdered clove to hot beverages and desserts to induce lust. (Once you've got the target in the position desired, add it to massage oil to really liven things up!)
Ginger: Add this to foods to increase sexual endurance and stamina.
Kava-Kava root: This peppery-tasting substance induces a natural state of euphoria and relaxes the judgment centers, making them open to suggestion. The key, though, is that it must be fresh or freshly dried. And since it's most effective when added to a butter or milk base, it's the perfect addition to eggnog, cream sauces, or gravies.
Mint: Incorporate to cool anger and force your target to chill out—even if you're the one at fault.
Nuts: Want to plant the seeds of your desires in the target's head and make them think it was their idea? Just add any type of nut to the food you're serving. Nuts may also be used to plant seeds of doubt.
Potato: If a target is standing in the way of what you want, carve his or her initials in a potato, then cut it into small pieces before cooking and serving. (It's also useful to add a dollar sign to the carving if your target is being stingy with money.)
Saltpeter: A pinch of this added to any food will definitely keep any lover from straying. It's important to note, however, that while your lover won't stray, he or she won't be able to perform with you either.
Sesame seeds: Because these are sacred to both Ganesha and Hecate, they are excellent additions when used to remove obstacles and get what you want.
While most curses are designed to do their jobs and dissipate, upon occasion we have need of one that goes a little further. Sometimes, we need it to work indefinitely. And when those times arise, a little bit of aggravation simply isn't going to do the trick. We need something that, like the Energizer Bunny, keeps on going. And it's on those occasions that it's best to give a gift—a gift like no other—a gift that has a curse built right in.
Of course, not just any gift will do. It's going to have to be something that the subject of your intent is going to be delighted with and will love beyond all reason. Otherwise, it will just get tossed aside or thrown away, and all your efforts will be for naught.
Admittedly, this may be the most difficult thing you've ever done—especially since it requires you to purchase something absolutely lovely for your least favorite person in the world. However, there are reasons that you may actually want to go this route. And it's those reasons that will keep you smiling all the way to the checkout line.
What sort of reasons? Well, for one thing, your target is going to feel guilty as hell for having done you dirty if you turn up with a nice gift—and that, in itself, is part of the curse. Every time he or she looks at that gift or uses it, a vision of you and how you were treated will be the first thing to surface in the mind's eye. And that's exactly why it's important that the person not be able to part with the gift.
Another reason for handling things in this fashion is that while you can certainly weave any curse you'd like into the object, your personal energy is not attached to it in the same way it would be if you crafted the gift yourself. And this not only disassociates you somewhat from the target but helps to keep some of that negative residue at bay.
If that's not enough to convince you, there's this: Your target will never suspect that you are in any way responsible for the sudden turn that his or her life has taken. You did, after all, knock yourself out to obtain that wonderful gift. And anyone who goes to all that trouble couldn't be anything but kind, compassionate, loving, and gracious. Right?
Taking this avenue is easy once you get past having to purchase the gift. There are, however, a few rules of thumb. Do yourself a favor, follow them carefully, and those worrisome afterthoughts won't come to call.
Some of you already know that my ex-husband was having an affair with our next-door neighbor. And those of you who have attended my Swifting of Energy seminar know exactly when that knowledge came to light in such a way that I could no longer deny it. What most of you don't know, however, is that I'd delivered a curse upon the two of them long before I was completely enlightened—a curse that also included those who were actively involved in helping them perpetuate the affair and hide the truth, and caused everyone concerned a great amount of difficulty.
Oh, it was the curse to end all curses, all right. And the end results were much stronger than I'd ever dreamed. In fact, the word “difficulty” doesn't even begin to describe them. One man lost his wife, his family, his business, and his home. The ex-husband lost his nerve, his job, and all capacity for reasonable decision-making. And the girlfriend? Well . . . after attempting to commit suicide several times, she wound up getting exactly what she thought she wanted: My ex. But he wasn't at all the prize she'd imagined. Unfortunately for her, he turned out to be a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Even worse, he refused to have her in his life unless she gave up the most precious gift she'd ever had: her only child. And since she actually did that rather than turn her back and walk away, I guess it could be said that she lost her mind as well.
So, what did I do to effect all that mess? Well . . . I can assure you that it wasn't as involved as you might think. Nor did I intend for it to work as it did. It just goes to prove that the power of the mind—all alone and without any magical accoutrements whatsoever—is much more potent than we could possibly imagine.
It all started innocently enough, or so it appeared. The husband and his best friend were going hunting for the weekend, and during hunting season, that was a normal course of events in our household. So, I did what I normally did. I cleaned the camper, stocked it with groceries, made sure the bedding was clean, and packed his clothes and gear for the weekend. I kissed him goodbye as he left and went on about my business.
All went well until a few hours later when I realized that my neighbor hadn't come home from work. And then, I remembered something. She'd packed her car to the brim with luggage and all sorts of other stuff before she'd left that morning. And suddenly, it hit me: The woman next door was on that hunting trip too, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was my then-husband she'd gone to meet.
Well . . . I didn't just see red. I saw the most brilliant shade of scarlet known to the color wheel. And then I got downright pissed. I romped and stomped, screamed and yelled. I paced through the house until I'd worn serious tracks in the carpet and repeatedly called his mobile phone to no avail until the numbers on my telephone keypad were completely illegible. Then I worked myself into one hell of a tizzy. And when I was done with that, I threw the biggest hissy fit ever known to humankind. By the time I was finished, that “hell hath no fury” line that's so often associated with angry women didn't even begin to describe my state of mind. I was out for blood. And I intended to have, at the very least, a figurative bucket full.
Yes, I'd decided to go out to the hunting site and irrevocably reinvent their personal realities. But as I stomped my way to the door, something changed my mind. You see, even though the day had been calm and clear, the sky had suddenly turned dark. The winds began to blow. And as it twirled through the leaves, I relaxed. As it picked up force, I smiled. And when at last, it began to howl that incessant howl that scares the hell out of small children and sends wildlife scurrying for cover, I did what any other Witch in my position would do: I laughed right out loud.
Truth be told, I've always been somewhat of a weather mage. But my real talent—if you could call it that—has always been in transferring the force of my displeasure into storm creation. And since I'd already managed to brew one up, there was certainly no point in letting it going to waste. So, I talked to the winds. I talked to the clouds. I talked to the sky and the rain and the lightning. And when I was sure all were well on their way to the hunting site, I talked some more. Only this time, it was to Kali—one of my Patronesses—best known for Her role in absolute destruction.
Now usually, I'm not an advocate of leaving anything up to the Universe, the Deities, or anything else. So why I did it that night is still unclear to me. But after listing my grievances, I told Her that I wanted the ultimate revenge and that I wanted their world rocked and set on end. But most of all, I wanted them to be forced to eat their just desserts. Not just once, mind you. But over and over and over again until they literally gagged at the thought of having to take one more bite. And I finished up by saying that I didn't give a damn how She made it happen as long as it happened posthaste and the results were very miserable and extremely long-lasting.
Well, I got what I asked for, all right. And an early morning phone call delivered the news. My then-husband and his buddy, David, had cut their outing short—a severe storm had seen to that—and were on their way back to town. Furthermore, they wanted to take me to breakfast.
Of course, I was dying to find out what had happened, but to mention it might have meant giving myself away. So, we were halfway through our meal when David finally demanded to know just exactly where I'd been the night before.
“At home,” I said, meeting his gaze directly. “Where else would I have been?”
He stared at me from across the table, his face a picture of disbelief.
“I don't know,” he finally answered. “But some really weird stuff happened last night. And the only time I've ever seen that much crap happen in one place at one time was when you were . . . well . . . when you were . . .”
I cocked an eyebrow and smiled at him sweetly, innocently, and as if I had no clue in the world as to what he might be referring to “When I was what, David?”
“Well . . . when you were . . . involved!”
Apparently, the night had been a complete disaster. The storm had rocked the camper unmercifully; so much so, in fact, that nobody had been able to sleep a wink. But that wasn't the worst of it. The area had begun to flood, so even though the rain was coming down in sheets, they'd not only had to move camp to higher ground right in the middle of that mess, but they'd had to do it without benefit of light, since their flashlights were all on the blink. No sooner had they gotten set up again than lightning hit a dead tree less than thirty yards from the camper. And if that hadn't been bad enough, the four-wheeler—which had been battened down securely on the trailer—had come to life and taken on a mind of its own. Yes, it had loosened its bonds and rolled off the trailer, made a left, and kept on going until, finally, it ended its midnight journey by climbing up the camper steps and landing with a thud against the front door.
I forced myself to look shocked, but it was all I could do not to jump for joy. For at that point, I realized that Kali had, indeed, begun to serve Her version of just desserts. What better way, after all, to dole out misery than to trap three claustrophobic people in a small pop-up camper with no way to get out and armed only with the knowledge that they'd have to stay in that situation until daybreak?
Of course, I had no idea what form the remainder of their just desserts would take. Nor did I realize just how much retribution there would be. I only knew that the curse was alive, well, and on track. And all that I had to do from that moment on, was sit back, relax, and watch the rest of it manifest.
The fact of the matter is that there is nothing on the face of this Earth—not an oil, a powder, a wash, or even the best planned ritual—that can manufacture or deliver a curse as well as simple mind power. And as there's no physical evidence to point in your direction, there's no better way to hide your tracks either. It's the best possible way to immerse a curse, bar none.
So, why don't more people go this route? The reasons are many, but the most common is that they just don't believe it will work. They think they've got to have the trappings of ritual items to do the job properly. And since successful magic is nine-tenths belief that the intended results will manifest, they're probably right. They're much better off sticking to what they know and handling things within their comfort zones.
Another reason is that they lack focus. How do I know? Because the number of emails I get from folks who can't even manage a simple spell from my book Everyday Magic tells the tale. In order for any sort of magic to work, the mind cannot be allowed to wander. It must be totally focused on the task at hand. And sadly enough, most folks simply don't have that sort of attention span.
With enough practice, however, focus can be learned. And once it is, lots of things begin to happen in the personal realm. Self-confidence returns, and with that, the perception of what is possible changes drastically. It becomes much easier to believe that your magical efforts—even those engineered without benefit of ritual props—will not only work, but will work to their full capacity.
The mundane side effects are fabulous too. For once you learn to focus and extend your attention span, you'll discover that most of those normal, day-to-day problems—the ones that drive you crazy on a regular basis—simply cease to exist. And it's all because you've learned to pay attention and follow things through.
So, how exactly do you learn to focus? It's not as difficult as you might think. In fact, the following exercises put me on the right track years ago, and I'm willing to bet that they'll help you too. Just remember to practice often, practice long, and practice hard. If you don't, it's a sure bet that none of the spells in this book are going to work for you as planned. And that would, indeed, be a shame!
For this exercise, you may either write on paper or use the word-processing program on your computer. (If the latter is your choice, set the program to double-space, and set all the margins—top and bottom, right and left—to one inch.) Now, letting your mind wander, write or type your thoughts just as quickly as you can think them. It doesn't matter if it looks like psychobabble. It doesn't matter if your thoughts don't resemble complete sentences. Just get them down as quickly as you can, and don't stop until you've filled three pages.
As in the first exercise, you'll either use paper and pen or your computer. Place an object in front of you—anything will do, be it an apple, an ashtray, a piece of jewelry, a knickknack, or some other item—and examine it carefully. Now keeping that object in the forefront of your mind, begin to write about it. Start with its color, its shape, its texture, and its lines. Proceed with any specific odor it may exude, then talk about why you have it, what you use it for, how you feel about it, and why you haven't gotten rid of it. Keep going until you've written three pages.