[Correspondences:] Magick that works by a secret sympathy or symbolic likeness between
the cause and the effect.
—J. G. Frazer39
All things on the earth plane consist of energy. This energy pulsates (fast or slow) in a unique geometric pattern. A correspondence is the relationship between two patterns, either by size, shape, color, element, or historical lore. There are angelic, animal, herbal, gem, astrological, color, symbol, and deity patterns/correspondences in modern magick, to name a few. Patterns that are much like each other work well together and, when linked, build a network of energy that you can use in your spellcasting or ritual work. The patterns correspond to each other. This network of like energy is usually referred to as patterns working in sympathy.
Patterns/correspondences often fall into subcategories that relate to the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Other categories used are those of gender. Some planets, for example, are seen as feminine, and others as masculine. It is the same with herbs, gems, and stones. Gender doesn’t mean the item is “just for boys” or “just for girls”—here, it can mean active energy (male) or passive energy (female). As not all boys are active nor all girls passive, some new students have a problem at first with this qualification because they think it has to do with strength or weakness of one’s sexual makeup—which it doesn’t. Others see the male energy as positive and the female as negative. Again, this has nothing to do with people problems (or enhancements), but with energy pulsation. We could even say that male is a “sending” energy and female is a “receiving” energy and drop the gender bit all together.
The cataloging of correspondences began in ancient Sumer. In their view, the arts and crafts had been revealed to them by the gods above and were unchanging. Everything must have its name to assure its place in the universe, and one who knew the true name of something had a power over it. Among the earliest Sumerian documents are lists of stones, animals, and plants, classified on their outward characteristics.40 This belief was also paralleled by the ancient Egyptians. In both societies priests busily cataloged everything! The advent of Christianity didn’t change the idea of linking names and energy patterns together. Paracelcus worked out his own Doctrine of Signatures in the 1500s (see Herbs, part 3, for more information on this fascinating man) by studying classical Greek and Roman writings and conducting his own research. Then, in the 1800s, at the dawn of the alternative religion revolution, another fellow scientist-turned-visionary continued working on this same theory. Reflecting on the contemporary controversy about the significance of Egyptian hieroglyphics and the possibility of a universal language in 1784, Emmanuel Swedenborg41 wrote out his theories suggesting that there are three different levels of meaning in any symbol: the natural, the spiritual, and the divine.42 Like modern Witches, Swedenborg believed that the universe is ultimately a harmonious whole, and that sin does not exist, only human error. He believed that if people could develop intuition and imagination, then they could reach a higher level of spirituality. Swedenborg is important to our study of Witchcraft and magick because his revolutionary ideas—the theory of correspondences, the belief that one can access the Spirit world, the idea that positive change within oneself can ultimately affect world reality, and the melding of science and occult religious practices together to create a better lifestyle—represent part of the current Wiccan religious foundation. Should this information bore you to tears, take heart. Next time someone tries to tell you that the Craft is a product of deluded thinking and is ruled by the devil, you’ll be able to confidently tell them that you are in excellent company, listing such greats as Kepler, Swedenborg, Paracelsus, Mesmer, and any other number of famous historical names you’ll find in this book.
There are several correspondence lists in this book, including chakras, astrological symbolism, angels, herbs, gems, and colors, each listed under their own category (see individual part pages for their exact locations). Witches use the lists to design or enhance rituals and magickal operations, such as spellwork. You read about how these lists were developed under Herbs in Part 3.
Designing Your Own Spell
Using Correspondences
Spells are not hard to create if you remember the following:
• Each spell should have a statement of intent.
• Most spellwork should be done in the magick circle.
• All items you use in the spell should correspond to each other. There are exceptions to this rule, called spells of antipathy, where you want things to be opposite each other for a reason. Let’s say you wish to bring balance into your life. If this is the case, you might choose a black candle and a white candle. Light and the absence of light (black) are in antipathy.
• You should try to get a taglock if possible, especially if you are first learning magick. A taglock is something that belongs to the person for whom you are working the magick. Although outsiders often think it’s yucky that magickal people use hair and fingernails to work magick for someone, this practice isn’t as weird as it sounds. Given what we know today about DNA, the ancients were right when they said these things carry your energy pattern. They certainly do! If you find this particularly repulsive or if someone in your household would go ballistic seeing stuff like this on your altar (gee, Mom, I’m just cleaning your hairbrush so I can work prosperity magick for you—really!), then their photograph or something they have touched frequently will do. The closer the taglock to their DNA structure, the faster the magick works. Using a picture, for example, might take longer for a healing spell than if you included a lock of hair. However, my kids have used pictures from their school yearbook to work healing magick with great success for those friends who have been in unfortunate accidents or peers who somehow met with one of life’s many disasters. If you know a person’s birth date, time, and place, you can get a copy of their astrological chart off the Internet and use that as a taglock as well.
• Always work for “the best possible outcome” no matter what the problem or situation. If you do this, then ethical questions will not be that big of a deal. Remember, magick is the act of creating balance.
• Research all parts of the spell thoroughly. Know what deity, colors, gems, herbs, etc. match each other through their energy patterns before you mix them together. Given the correspondence lists in this book, this shouldn’t be too hard. Later, when you want to get fancy, you’ll be eager to discover new information on your own.
• Try to remain focused throughout the spellwork. No blaring stereos, interruptions, telephone calls, etc.
• Don’t work while you are angry or stressed. Always remember to ground, center, and breathe!
• Be honorable and honest in every magickal operation. Sometimes a spell isn’t needed—an attitude adjustment is what’s necessary.
• Don’t forget to use your “Secret Formula” (page 115).