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"Steal This Book of Shadows"
ver 2.0
by
Azzerac
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Page 43
Spellcasting #10
Objects
(Because I already called Writing "Symbols")
(Brought To You By,...)
It would be great if these were a hard & fast delineation, but it isn’t. Too many Objects are Triggers, and vice-versa. Your classification system needs to differentiate them, on a per-use basis, but before you do, you’ll need to be able to see them as a magical practitioner does. Here we go,…
Objects: Those items that help us develop a psychological link with the targets & concepts that are to be affected by the spell caster.
Triggers: Those items & environmental modifications that trigger a mental change in accord with the spell casters intent.
“Aren’t they the same thing”?
NOPE!
The way they differ is in as much as both The Car and The Driver are both on the road, but the objects are “steered”, where the “Triggers” do the steering. Both help to get you there, but one helps you to specify every aspect of the casting. The other leads you to the general area, and leaves you to do the final adjustments.
Objects focus on appearance. Triggers focus on feelings.
Visualization vs. Emotions.
There are certain items that incorporate both, and the best items do. There are other times, if you are dependent upon triggers, the same items will lead you down the wrong path, and add to your works’ difficulty.
Let’s look closely at Objects, for today:
The voudon crouches in a circle cast of salt. The doll sits atop a small cigar box, as the voudon sticks long hatpins through a spot on the doll where the tumor grows in the person they are helping. That doll wears a picture of that persons’ face, and contains their hair & nails.
Which are the “Objects” and which are the “Triggers”?
The doll, the pins, picture on the doll, and even the cigar box, are items used to focus the spell caster on the task. They embody the “who”, the “what”, and the “where” (on the patient). The cigar box serves as a definitive workspace, aiding concentration, to the exclusion of all else.
The hair & nail clippings are a trigger. The souvenirs of the patient are a “Contagion” element, in accordance with the “Twenty-Something Laws of Magic”.
What about the circle of salt?
It’s both.
The circle defines the boundary, in which energy is raised and contained, that will be directed through the doll. The salt is intended to crystallize the circumference, utilizing inherent & innate attributes of the salt. These attributes require further scientific experimentation, but salt is a time-honored tool/component for just this use.
This is simply one
example.
Shall we try another?
The Wedding Ring:
Symbolically, depending upon the wearer, it’s everything from “An Unbroken Circle of everlasting love”, to a “Shackle for the slave of another’s affections”. The materials, though, are traditionally chosen for their inherent frequencies, conductivity, and other Triggers.
Seeing the patterns yet?
Objects give us a Relationship to the concepts within a spell casting. Triggers (which we'll need numerous pages to cover) are used to enhance energy & mind-state. (That sounded WAAAY New-Age. I must be slipping! ~L~)
Now that we have a basic ‘gist’, let’s start breaking them down:
Tools: In most metaphysical traditions, we see the same associations.
Elements=Mentalities=Tools
Earth=Money/Objects=Circle/Pentacle
Water=Emotion=Cup/Cauldron
Air=Intellect=Wand/Staff*
Fire=Power=Dagger/Sword*
This afore-mentioned circle is most times a disc shaped workspace, as was the cigar box in the previous example. Oft times, though, it is cast fully on the surrounding ground or floor, as with the high magic, several feet in diameter. Sometimes it is to keep things out. In summoning spells, it’s to keep things caged. In witchcraft, a ground-based circle is used to define the boundaries of control, in which the ‘cone of power’ is raised.
The chalice or cauldron, cup or bowl; are always a symbol of ‘receptivity’. Scrying with ink, to receive images, is an age-old replacement for tarot cards, or crystal balls. Wine is blessed, potions brewed, libation offerings are made, and curses are cast ("The Drowned Image") through this standard symbol. Sea & Weather Castings are performed with this tool, as well.
…but wait: There’s more!
When one is looking to affect the emotions of another, this is the most common-used tool to reach-out to/at them. This symbol is often used to represent the very essence of femininity, as it symbolizes the womb. The circle is also perceived as “Feminine”, as it is like unto the very earth that receives our footfalls. To this mans’ mind, it seems to symbolize where “Will meets Result”, and seems an amalgam of the Aggressive (Masculine) & Receptive (Feminine) attributes, combined.
When it comes to Obejects, the final arbitrator is the Spell Caster, himself or herself. If you don’t make the connection between ‘Object & intent’, then it’s a useless distraction at your casting table. Get rid of it and find something else.
Now, the definition of Air & Fire being either Wand or Blade is an argument that has raged through decades, if not centuries! This object-set needs a deeper examination & consideration than the remainder of this installment has time or room for. We’ll dig deep into this Collective Unconscious Conundrum in the next page-thread.
It’s gonna’ take some wading.
I'd better get started! ~L~
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