Pow-Wow Magick:
Make Your Own Charms
and Hex Signs
Emyme
A golden safety pin, tiny jingle bells, a blue dolphin charm. Blank white paper, a compass and ruler, a pack of sharpened colored pencils. I invite you to join me on a journey into a small part of Pennsylvania Dutch pow-wow magick.
A few years back, I was introduced to, and quite intrigued by, this particular segment of our earth-based belief systems. Living in the Northeastern United States and being within a one- or two-hour drive of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, all my life, I was naturally familiar with the various round signs adorning many barns and homes along the roads in that area. Unfortunately, I was ignorant of the magick in pow-wow charms.
Here, I will address two elements of pow-wow magick that may be adapted to almost any earth-based belief system: charms and hex signs.
Charms
Charms figure in almost every branch of earth-based/Pagan/Wiccan traditions. For years I have created what I call Witch bags, or magick bags. I pack small fabric drawstring bags with me when I travel. Found items, such as feathers, stones, flowers, bottle caps, bits of paper, and leaves, all go into the bags to remind me of my travels and bring additional positive traveling energy. However, in these modern times, a bag—no matter how small—is not always the most convenient way to carry your good luck around.
My personal take on making charms of pow-wow magick begins with safety pins, which come in many sizes and colors. A perusal of brick-and-mortar craft stores and the Internet will reveal the bounty to be had. Indeed, you may find pins with special ornamentation specific to the charm you wish to create. Other options include fashioning safety pins with special designs or additions on your own, or using costume-jewelry pins. Should you choose costume jewelry, be sure the pin has a long, straight, pointed shaft on which to place the charms you choose.
As an example, you could use a large golden safety pin, with a flat charm of the sun affixed to the clasp and several smaller charms of flowers attached to the shaft. Attach this pin to another pin, which can then be attached to a garment, handbag, or backpack. And there you have a charm to encourage growth in a garden! The more advanced crafter (someone familiar with beading who has the tools) may also attach circular or lobster clasps to the baubles and beads. This enables use of both sections of the pin charms. Another option is what is called the French safety pin, or coilless pin. Charms can be affixed to the entire length of the shaft of this pin.
You have chosen your pins. Now for the charms. I’ve found the best place to begin your search is right back at any of the various brick-and-mortar craft stores. At those national chain stores that sell any and everything you might need for any and every type of craft, you will find walls and aisles of packets of beads, charms, pins, and findings galore. Almost every time I have visited any of these establishments, there have been packets discounted. If they are not marked down in the aisle, they will surely be marked down in the clearance section.
I am very big on buying items on clearance. For the beginner, it is smart not to spend too much on your first attempts at making charms.
I am very big on buying items on clearance. For the beginner, it is smart not to spend too much on your first attempts at making charms. When you get to a place where you are comfortable in your ability and can actually create what you see in your mind, then spend more on the materials. I have found packets of charms with letters, birds, flowers, religious symbols of all sorts, and beads and bangles of every color. Depending on the month, I have found charms with symbols appropriate for every season on the Wheel of the Year. Look for post-holiday sale items; bargains can be found for the following year.
After visiting the large chain stores, you may wish to look for a specialty store. I am fortunate that there is a lovely store in the next town over that sells only beads and charms. If they don’t have what I’m looking for, they are happy to help find and order it.
Finally, if you plan to gift your charms, purchase small organza drawstring bags. Every craft store carries them. The Internet has many options of color and size that may be bought economically in bulk.
So you have the pins, the beads, and the charms, but where do you keep all of it? Small items such as these need a designated place to live, all together. My space is a folding, water-resistant carrier designed to hold makeup and toiletries during travel. Slightly larger than a six-by-nine-inch book, it has several clear pockets with zippers for all the pins and charms. There are similar packets, carry-alls, chests, storage containers, and organizational pieces too numerous to mention that are available for purchase. Don’t limit your search to craft stores; hardware stores may have less expensive options—the sort of thing made for storing nails and screws and little bits of whatever it is that needs storing. Something as simple as small plastic bags stored in a shoebox will work too.
As with all magick, intention is the first and most important part of any charm you create. Use your imagination; it is not necessary to always be literal in your interpretation of what you wish the charm to embody.
As with all magick, intention is the first and most important part of any charm you create. Use your imagination; it is not necessary to always be literal in your interpretation of what you wish the charm to embody. To enhance the work of my yoga instructor, I made a small charm that reads “coach,” for she is a coach to the students in her classes. I also made a small dolphin charm to help bring the peace of the ocean to a friend who was grieving the loss of a loved one. And on every charm I make, I add at least one tiny golden jingle bell to attract the protection of the fey and their love of whimsy and cheer.
Once I have fashioned a charm, I cleanse it with my breath to make it “mine.” When I give it to the person for whom I have created it, I strongly encourage them to do the same, or to cleanse it in a mild saltwater solution and dry it thoroughly (or to use the cleansing method of their choice). The components of the completed charm have passed through many hands by the time the charm lands with the final recipient, so the charm must be cleansed completely to make it theirs so it will truly work for them.
With your supplies assembled and stored, now is the time for practice. Create charms for anything—let your imagination run wild! These wonderful items can be taken apart and reassembled over and over again. The possibilities are endless. I have crafted charms for safe travel, for calm after a negative experience, for renewed health after an illness, for good weather, to heal a friendship, and to find a new job—and always, always with good intentions and positive energy.
Hex Signs
While doing some research, I was quite surprised to find that hex signs were not part of any ancient magical system but simply came into popularity during the fifties as part of the folklore craft phase—or not. There is more than one school of thought on this topic, and it is open to interpretation. What I discovered about hex signs brought to mind a similarity to totems, coats of arms, gonfalons, and family crests. Any of these items can be designed to suit the individual. The hex sign differs in that it may carry a little something extra, some additional magick, if you will, due to the insertion of elements from nature. Just as magick and miracles abound in our natural world, so does geometric symmetry. Leaves, flowers, spider webs, insect and bird wings … the list of symmetry in nature is far too long for this article. There is power in that construct, and that is where you should start when inventing your own personal hex signs. White is traditional for the background. All other colors should be dense and saturated, not pastel or translucent. This is another nod to strength of purpose, and it inhibits fading.
White disks of various materials and sizes can be found at craft stores. Less than a five-minute search on the Internet turned up cork, wood, and stretched canvas options, to name just three. The cork and the wood have to be painted white, but the canvas is ready to go. Another option is make your own circle with a round embroidery hoop and white fabric. Those of you who are involved in the fabric arts will surely enjoy this alternative.
Whatever material you choose, at whatever size, unless you are supremely confident in your abilities, I humbly suggest you create the design for your hex sign on paper first. Colored pencils, a ruler, and a compass are really all you need to begin. You may also seek and find round objects in your home to trace to make different sizes of circles. For a leaf pattern, trace an arc, then flip it over and complete the shape. A leaf-shaped button also works to ensure uniformity in design, and uniformity is important. If you are artistically blessed and able to work freehand, drawing consistent shapes will be no issue for you.
All the hex signs I have ever seen have one of two options: border or no border. I prefer a border, as it seems to hold the power of the sign in tight. No border lets the magic flow, which is good for a romantic or wedding hex, as the love flows out to all. The choice is totally one of personal preference, and as with all spells, intention is the first and main ingredient.
My foray into creating hex signs began with books. You can borrow or purchase a book about various symbols contained in existing hex signs. The Internet is one place to find examples of hex signs and other ideas. Your local library will no doubt have books on the subject, especially if you live within a few hours of the Pennsylvania Dutch of Lancaster County, as I do.
Once you have created your design on paper and are ready to transfer it to the permanent disk, paints are necessary. Again, a trip to the craft store will provide exactly the type of paint needed: finger paints. These paints are thick and ensure the required saturated color. No matter the brand, most of these are washable, so you will need to take care not to get the finished product wet. The upside is that the cleanup of brushes is easy. A coating of spray fixative will preserve the sign when you are done and the paint is dry.
Here is an example of how to create a hex sign for positive personal power, to promote success in your chosen vocation or avocation. I made a hex sign to enhance my skills as an author, with the hope that writing will be my complete source of abundant income in the future. First I drew two triangles, one atop the other, to create a six-pointed star. Three of the points are orange for career success, and the other three are brown for strength and to bring in the earth element for grounding and to reflect my star sign of Taurus. Around the border/edge I added a wavy black line with green leaves to symbolize growth and prosperity. The middle of the six-pointed star features a very simple stylized sun/moon circle in yellow and white for the aspects of male and female, flowing energy, and good health in general. This is the only part of my sign that is not symmetrical (however, it can be made so if you choose).
As is the case with charms, I cannot even begin to relate all of the design possibilities for hex signs. Love, marriage, health, prosperity, and protection are just a few. The main takeaway I got from my research is that hex signs should be simple, have symmetry, and reflect a positive personal intention. This is one magickal item I heartily recommend creating for yourself. To my mind, hex signs are different from charms in that you thoroughly imbue the finished product with your own spirit.
Hex signs should be simple, have symmetry, and reflect a positive personal intention. This is one magickal item I heartily recommend creating for yourself. To my mind, hex signs are different from charms in that you thoroughly imbue the finished product with your own spirit.
To review, first choose a topic for your hex, then research shapes and colors and their meanings. Obtain the supplies and create a pattern first on paper. Some people choose to bless all supplies before starting a project; that is up to you. After you have perfected the pattern, start in on the final project. Positive intention and a request for a blessing are in order, as is a final dry cleansing of the finished hex (perhaps a sage smudging). Hang your creation in a prominent place, one that will bring magick to the area in your life for which you have created the hex: a protection hex by the front and/or back door, a love hex in the bedroom, a good health hex in the kitchen, and so on.
Charms and hex signs are but a very small part of the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of pow-wow magick. Many books have been written about pow-wow magick. I do not profess to cite anything new here. This is merely what has worked for me.
Earth-based belief systems are numerous and flexible and adhere to one basic creed—do no harm. That is the most important part of any sincere daily spiritual routine. Imparting good thoughts and positive energy is paramount. Making pow-wow charms and hex signs is fun and creative and empowering. I send you blessings and wish you happy crafting!
Resources
Herr, Karl. Hex and Spellwork. York Beach, ME: Red Wheel/Weiser, 2002.
Phoenix, Robert. The Powwow Grimoire. CreateSpace, 2014.
RavenWolf, Silver. HexCraft. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1997.
Emyme is a solitary eclectic who resides in southern New Jersey with her beloved cats and specializes in candle and garden spells and kitchen witchery. Apart from her full-time job out in the world, she writes poetry about strong women of mythology and flash fiction with a modern twist on traditional fairy tales. Emyme is looking forward to retirement and the opportunity to devote more time to her craft and her writing, and to the fresh challenge of moving from Mother to Crone status. Please send questions or comments to catsmeow24@verizon.net.
Illustrator: Bri Hermanson