Cord and
Knot Magic
In magical history, spinning and weaving to create knots, threads, and cords goes back countless centuries. To create one thing from another is seen as a magical act in and of itself. When a witch weaves together a cord—tying knots and chanting with sweetly scented smoke swirling in air illuminated only by candlelight—the witch is creating an object with a specific intention out of the randomness of the individual components, harnessing potential through a deliberate act of will. This action focuses the energy and leads to a powerful tool of manifestation. Cords and knots are used as elements in a number of spells found in this book, so it is a good idea to examine the use of cords as magical devices in their own right.
To be magically effective, any material used in cord magic should be of natural fibers. Synthetic fibers no longer carry their own life energy; whatever natural energies were in the raw materials used in their creation have been processed beyond recognition. The cords themselves should be in a symbolic color appropriate to your goal, as should any other items used. There is a basic procedure to the creation of each of these magical cords. I will give it as a template rather than be needlessly repetitive in describing the basics for each intention.
The basic process is to gather your ingredients, ritually bathe, cast your circle, meditate, and finally assemble and charge your cord. In the making of a cord, certain items are frequently stuck through the knots and braids in the cord in order to enhance its magical strength. These may either be added during the knotting and braiding process or added afterward just prior to the charging of the cord. I prefer to add them last because you otherwise risk breaking the items as you continue to braid the cord. These cords are made by first tying a single knot in three lengths of twine, string, yarn, or ribbon on one end, then braiding them together while you focus on the intent and rock slowly back and forth to “pull” the goal to you. Once the length has been braided, tie a second knot at the other end of the cord. This is followed by tying seven more knots in the cord, the same distance apart. Do this by tying one on the left side, then one on the right, gradually moving inward toward the center. Once completed, it is charged in the usual way (see Charging Ritual, page 75). I will give the correct incense and correspondences for each intention. It is best to use the “basic altar layout” when making these cords.
Love: Use white, pink, and red cord. To the knotted cord, add an apple twig, a rose bud, a lock of your own hair, a white feather, a small bell, a seashell, and a beloved piece of jewelry (earrings work well). In the charging ritual, use love incense and the appropriate love oil to anoint a red (left) and pink (right) candle and the cord itself.
Money: Use green, gold, and royal blue cord. To the knotted cord, add an oak twig, coins tied in a green cloth bag, chamomile flowers or a chamomile tea bag, a key, a lodestone wrapped in wire or placed in a gold bag, the amount of money that you need written on parchment (which is then rolled up and poked through the cord), and a drop of blood or saliva. In the charging ritual, use money incense and money oil to anoint a green (left) and gold (right) candle and the cord itself.
Power: Use yellow, red, and purple cord. To the knotted cord, add your own blood, a clear crystal, seven pine needles, an oak twig, a sprig of mint, a metal (preferably iron) spiral, and a crescent moon charm. In the charging ritual, use power incense and power oil to anoint a red (left) and purple (right) candle and the cord itself. Protection: Use blue, black, and red cord. To the knotted cord, add a sprig of mistletoe, an iron nail, a hazel twig, a rowan twig, a birch twig, an ash twig, and a small bag of salt. In the charging ritual, use protection incense and protection oil to anoint a black (left) and red (right) candle and the cord itself.
Spirituality: Use purple, indigo, and white cord. To the knotted cord, add a lock of hair, a moonstone, a willow twig, a small image or medallion of your personal deity, a white feather, a black feather, and a piece of driftwood or a seashell. In the charging ritual, use spirituality incense and spirituality oil to anoint an indigo (left) and purple (right) candle and the cord itself.
There are many more uses for magical cords. Some people create cords to capture the essence of each holiday or moon phase while others use cords to capture elemental energy. Cords are frequently used to alter weather patterns, and knotted cords can be used as something akin to prayer beads. Imagination is the only limitation to their use. Be creative, but remember to follow the basic outline for their creation and to always use items in harmony with your stated goal. Once you have a cord, there is much that can be done with it. You can hang it up on a wall by tying a loop in it or tying a bow; you can coil it up and place it in a charm bag to carry with you; or you can hide it somewhere it can send out its energy but remain undisturbed (like under the bed or in a drawer). The options are many.