When our dog was still a small, furry critter, we had a problem with wild animals coming from the woods behind our house and invading our yard. Raccoons, possums, wood rats, and crows would poop all over, tear up our son’s toys, and just cause mayhem. Within a few days, our puppy had chased them all out and from then on did morning and nightly rounds of our property line, keeping every unwanted creature away by the force of his personality. Now that is dog magic. All dogs do this, it is in their blood, and this deep doggy-mission to protect extends into the spirit realm.

Dog Protection

The mandrake, a real and magically powerful root, was useful for sorcerers but was also capable of killing with a shriek when pulled from the ground. The old tomes had a solution; have a dog pull it out. Of course, the dog familiar is happy to do this because, as dog owners know, our dogs will do anything to protect us, even pull out dangerous roots. Dogs were (and are) common magical familiars for wizards, witches, and sorcerers. These dogs protected their magic workers from evil spirits, aided them in their spells, and helped them to see spirits. These companions help with divination and drive off all sorts of evil creatures, including unwelcome solicitors.

Dog magic was used in protecting places and people since Paleolithic times. Sad to say, dogs were sacrificed and buried under the entryways of temples, palaces, and homes for thousands of years, including church grims (guard dogs buried in the foundations of gothic churches). While this does indeed seem grim, it should be noted that this practice was replaced by either burying small spirit guard dog images with spells under the entryway of homes and temples or erecting dog guardian statues. This is why, even today, mansions often have dog statues protecting the entryway, though now they are just decoration. Once, however, these guardian dogs were serious business and even today stone or metal temple dogs, are very common sights in many countries.

Why dogs? The answer is: because dogs have always protected humanity. Wolves cohabitated with prehistoric tribes. They benefited by being fed and in return they protected humans from predators, thus our two species are bound symbiotically. This bond of loyalty, devotion, and protection is a sacred pact that exists today, extending into the spiritual realm. We certainly feel safer with our dog and often note that we see few ghosts, so it must be working.

All across Asia, “Lion Dogs” (Shi in Chinese and in Japanese,) guard temples, shrines, and holy spots in addition to palaces and important buildings. Something of a mythological blend of the lion and the massive guard dog, they are often called “Foo Dogs,” meaning magic or power. The famous “snow lion” protector of Buddha and the symbol for Tibetan Buddhism is one such guardian spirit. Today we know them by their smaller version, the shih tzu.

Such sacred dog guards are often in pairs representing Yin and Yang. In myths, they protect people, gods, and towns from demonic or negative powers. Many Japanese festival Kagura (or sacred plays) depict the fight between an invading evil spirit or demon and the repelling of that evil by the loyal, tenacious Lion Dog guardians. In Bali, this lion dog is called Barong and fights off the evil witch-goddess Rangda in many plays, songs, and sculptures.

In our travels we notice such guard dogs in front of many temples and palaces. When we asked why their noses were worn down, we were told that everyone who enters must pet them for luck. Of course, we thought, why wouldn’t you pet such friendly dogs, especially if they were protecting you?

Sometimes other magic canines protect people and temples, such as in Japan where special fox images protect shrines sacred to the mother goddess Inari and traditionally guarded the huge rice storehouses located at such shrines. Kitsune spirit statues are kept at homes and shrines to protect people, and the spirits are often depicted on amulets. When we visited a big Inari shrine with our infant son, an elderly woman ran out and gave us two small fox statues to protect our house and child. We still have those small images, and even now they smile at us.

Of course what we want protection from more than anything is death. There was a dog god long ago who did this and, when you finally did die, he protected you into the afterlife. Now that is a loyal dog spirit. We speak, of course, of Anubis (Anpu in Egyptian) the famous jackal or dog-headed god.

Oddly enough, dog spirits also guard the gate of death in Celtic mythology. Called “Dormarth” or “death’s door” we still see these guardian dogs (or wolf dogs) on the Moon tarot card, still guarding that gate to the other side. (Why are they and other Celtic dog spirits guarding this moon gate? Because it is the gate of death, rebirth, and of the astral realm, the spirit-world.)

It is always good to have a dog guarding the gate “between the worlds,” as anyone who has had their dog chase off a spook knows.Our dog has done this several times. Once the wind blew our door open (we assume it was the wind…) and our dog, barking, chased something around the room and back out the door as we sat with our mouths gaping. After shutting and locking the door, we gave him several treats. Sometimes it is better not to know.

From earliest times, dogs saw and protected us from things that go bump in the night including spirits, ghosts, and elemental spirits. In Shamanic traditions, dogs guard the shaman while they are soul traveling. Sometimes a shaman’s robes were made of dog skin, indicating the magical connections between the two. The spirit dogs of the Welsh god Arawn, lord of the underworld, were said to chase the evil dead back to the underworld at the coming of fall. According to this tradition, the voices of the geese migrating were their cries. Maybe this is why our dog insists on furiously barking at every flock of honking geese flying overhead.

Unfortunately, we mostly need protecting from other humans. This is why we have a Beware of Dog sign on our door, though standard poodles are just not that scary, they can certainly bark. People in the ancient world would see our black dog as a fearsome protector and a possible representative of the protector of travelers, the Goddess Hecate, or of the hunting moon goddess Artemis, or even the Mesopotamian goddess Belit-ili. All of these goddesses protected through their dog spirits, maybe this is why guard dogs developed a serious spiritual reputation over the ages.

Though often they were black dogs, like Hecate’s dogs, some protective dogs were different. Baby Zeus was protected by a special divine dog named Kyon Khryseos or “golden dog,” which was given to him by the goddess Rhea. Zeus grew up to become king of the gods, so that dog was obviously great at his job.

Once we had a con man come to the door and harass us until our loyal dog drove him away. Our beloved furry protector got all the treats he wanted that day.

No matter what we are doing, where we live, and who we are, our dogs love and protect us from the seen and unseen worlds, this we know. This is one of their primal tasks, and they take it very seriously, thank goodness.

Spells, Meditations & Charms

Charm to Keep Away Dangerous Dogs

Dog power is kind and loving and healing, but it is also martial, defensive, and aggressive when it needs to be. Dogs do bite, after all, and our canines all have sharp canines. Not all dogs are nice, just like people. This is a charm to keep dangerous dogs away from you and from your dog as well.

You will need:

• A small square of cloth that is red, maybe 5" by 5"

• Some black thread or cord

• Some dried hot peppers,

• A small nail

• A bit of dirt collected from a dog park or a place where many dogs go

• A small cigar

• A lighter or matches

Go to a quiet path that goes four ways at midday with your dog. Walk down each of the paths a few yards with your dog, saying:

Ashe, ashe, ashe, Ogu,*

Bring me power and protection.

At the point where all four paths meet place all the items in the cloth except the lighter, the cigar, and a pinch of the pepper.

Tie the ends of the cloth together to create a sachet. Sprinkle some pepper on the ground and on the packet, light the cigar, blow smoke in the circle to the four directions and on the packet five times and say:

Legba, Elegua, Exu,*

Help me now, protect me true,

From hunting dogs, war dogs, and crazy dogs, too.

Legba, Elegua, Exu,

Help me know, protect me true.

Ashe, ashe, ashe.

I thank you!

Blow up more smoke and leave. Keep the sachet with you, hang it by your door, or give it to a friend. If threatened by a dog, grab it and repeat the charm.

* Translation (Haitian Creole—roots in various African Languages): Ashe = Hail or Praise! ; Ogu = Afro-Caribbean Spirit associated with martial powers; Legba (Vodou), Elegua (Santeria), Exu (Candoble) = Guardians/Spirits of the Crossroads.

Guard Dog Spell

Your dog partner just wants to know what you want to do and how you want it done. So, if you want a guard dog, this spell will deeply imprint this desire within your furry friend.

You will need:

• A small piece of paper and a red pen

• A calm home

• Dog treats

• Matches

Before beginning, with very short, simple sentences, write the five things you want your dog to do, like: “Guard the house at night” or “Protect us when we are out.”

When ready, center yourself and hold the paper, telling your dog how good it is and saying you have something to show it.

Read the five sentences to your dog in a clear, calm voice. Now take the treats and lead your dog to the front door, saying:

You are Fu Shi,

The great lion-dog.

Protect and defend,

Hu.*

Give your dog a treat. Next, take your dog to the rear door (or back of the apartment), and say:

You are Cerberus,

The three-headed dark guardian.

Protect and defend,

Hu.

Give your dog a treat. Go to the right side of the house and say:

You are Cu Sith,

The giant green fey forest dog

Who sees and knows all.

Protect and defend us,

Hu.

Give your dog a treat. Go to the left side of the house and say:

You are Anubis; Anpu,

The jackal who knows all ways.

Guard every path and door,

Protect and defend,

Hu.

Give your dog a treat. Go to the center of the home, sit with your dog and say:

You are the dog of Odin, Artemis, and Herne.

You are the wolf and fox and dingo spirit.

Protect and defend,

Hu.

Give your dog a treat. Burn the paper and scatter the ashes around the outside of your home. Now, go play with your awesome dog. If it pees near your home, it is renewing its territory protection vows.

* Translation (Egyptian): Hu = Power word—first word of Creation; let it be!

Dog Spirit Home Protection Charm

There is an ancient tradition of dog charms protecting one’s home and this spell reenacts this in a more modern context. It is unlikely that you can dig up the entryway of your home to bury something anymore, but we can adapt. If you can find a place to put this charm near your door or bury it next to your front door, you will add a layer of magical protection to your abode thanks to the Dog Spirit. This is based upon a real ancient Mesopotamian spell.

You will need:

• A small amount of bee’s wax

• A bit of your dog’s hair

• A pin or a ritual dagger with a small point

On the full moon, at noon on a sunny day, in a sacred place of your choosing knead the wax and the dog hair together. Focusing your will, chant:

Sun mother, Arinna,

Moon man, Kashku,

Sun and moon

Empower you.

Kalbum.*

When done, mold the wax into a small dog. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Using the pin or knifepoint, take the little wax dog and in it carve a small moon on one side, a small sun on the other, and your name along the top. Then say:

You are a powerful dog

Of the table of the royal pair.

Just as by day you protect this home,

So too let no evil come by night.

Ari-n-na.

Ka-sh-ku.

Kalbum.

Let it be so.

Now bury the charm near your front door or place it by your door and say:

You are banished by the three.

Come too close and you must flee.

By this charm so shall it be.

Ari-n-na.

Ka-sh-ku.

Kalbum.

Let it be so.

Get your dog to bark and, after it barks, say:

Tread not here.

Tread not there.

Touch nothing.

All beware.

Kalbum.

Your spirit dog will protect you even when your real dog is out for a walk.

* Translation (Akkadian): Kalbum = Dog. Arinna is the Hittite goddess of the sun, and Kashku is the god of the moon.

Spell to Protect Your Dog from Thieves & Harm

One thing scary about loving your pooch so much is the idea that some truly evil, dastardly thief might take your beloved furry friend. Though it doesn’t pay to be paranoid, it also never pays to be slack. This is where magic fits the bill. Worried about nameless dognappers? Do this spell to repel all dog thieves. And don’t leave your pal unattended (or in a hot car)!

You will need:

• A dark purple permanent marker pen

• The dog’s collar

• Some lavender oil

On a Wednesday morning, open your window to the breeze and place all three items on the windowsill. Raise your hands and say:

Hermanubis lightfoot,

Dog god of the fleet,

Protect my friend

On path and street.

Thieves and dog

Never meet.

Chaire amyntor.*

On the inside of the collar, draw the following sign with your purple pen:

After that, put some of the lavender oil on the symbol. Then hold it up to the sky and say:

Chaire amyntor.

Chaire Hermanubis.*

So may it be

Forever more.

Put the collar on the dog, then rub a very little bit of the oil on your dog. See your dog protected by blue light. No one is going to mess with your cosmically charged pooch.

* Translation (Greek): Chaire amyntor = We welcome you, Defender!; Chaire Hermanubis = We greet you, Hermanubis (the dog-headed)!

Help Prevent a Lost Dog Spell

If you have a flighty dog or one that wanders often, or even if you are just worried about your dog straying, this spell is for you.

You will need:

• A small silver bowl with natural sea salt

• Spring water in a silver bowl

• An arrow

• A rattle

• A yellow or “golden apple”

When the new crescent moon first appears, take your dog to the front door and stop on your stoop, just as you walk out of the house.

Take the salt in your hand and salute the crescent moon, saying:

By the light of Artemis bow,

This you now shall see and know.

If you wander off and then,

She shall guide you back again.

Sprinkle a small pinch of salt on your dog’s tail, head, and four paws. Taste the salt and give your dog a tiny bit to taste as well. Sprinkle water on both of you, drink some, and give the rest to your dog to drink.

Pick up the arrow in one hand and the rattle in the other. Slowly circle your dog and visualize it shielded and protected while shaking the rattle and holding the arrow up above your head, saying:

Protect, empower, and heal!

With this chant

I make it real.

Eulogia bios.*

Now take a bite out of the apple and let your dog smell it. Remove the seeds as you chant:

Seed to beast,

Seed to beast,

I am the large

And the very least.

Take the seeds and put them in the bowl that had water in it. Hold the bowl up to the moon. Sprinkle the water and the seeds around your doorway and say:

You are mine,

And I am yours.

This is your home

This spell will ensure.

Once finished, raise your hands to the moon in thanks. To the goddess Artemis say three times:

Thelema. Agape. IAO.

Now take your dog inside and lock the door.

* Translation (Greek): Eulogia bios = Divine Praise for Life; Thelema. Agape. IAO. = Will. Love. Healing/Light.

Take Your Dog to Work for Protection & Help Charm

All would be perfect in the world if you could bring your beloved dog to work. In some workplaces it is the norm to bring your dog to spend the day with you at your office. This is a charm that will make even coworkers at the office who don’t own a dog welcome your tail-wagging friend. Your dog can also protect you from office trolls and negative people, such is the power of its positive energy. If a welcoming work environment for you and your dog is what you desire, then try this charm to influence policies at work. This little bit of magic should soon allow your furry companion to join you at your work site.

You will need:

• Picture of your dog printed from your work computer

• Your business card

• Stapler/staples

• A black pen

• A blue candle

• A brown candle

• Matches or lighter

• A sheet of your company’s stationary

• An office envelope with the return address for the name of your company

• A stamp

When the moon is waxing take your business card and staple it to the photo of your dog. Now take the pen and draw the image of the company’s logo or name on the back of the photo and say:

(Name of your dog) must come everywhere with me,

Especially to (name of company or place).

At work or at play,

(Name of your dog) and I want to stay

Together all day!

Light the blue candle and say three times:

Tui.*

Light the brown candle and say three times:

Ken.*

Now say three times:

Tui ken.*

Now say three times:

Hsien.*

So may it be.

Draw on the sheet of stationary this I Ching Hexagram:

This I Ching Hexagram means “influence, success, and perseverance,” and it will help you to further your goals.

Now fold the piece of stationary and place the photo and card inside it. Take the envelope and address it to yourself at work, all the time visualizing your dog snoozing under your desk. Lick the envelope closed and visualize your dog giving you a kiss, place the stamp on it, and drop the envelope in the mail.

When your charm arrives back to you, tape it under your desk directly over where your dog will lay. Now wait for the memo from your job announcing the change in the company policy, that now it will allow dogs at your company. Now you both will be together at work and play all day.

* Translation (Chinese): Tui = Lake; Ken = Mountain (both are trigrams); joined together they make the I Ching Hexagram Hsien = Influence.

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