Cord Magick

     Magick with cords is another simple magickal operation that can be used together with the Gates, candle magick, and petitioning.  Cord magick entails the following:

              Choice of cord color
              Choice of cord length
              Choice of a disposable cord or one you use over and over again
              Choice of divinity

     Standard cord magick uses red, white, or black cord thirteen inches in length, with the intention of giving it away or disposing of it when you are finished.  Of course, you can certainly work with every color of the rainbow or something in between -- that is your choice and depends upon your own experimentation.

     Cord magick requires the magickal operation of charging.  Each knot is charged as a charm or chant is recited.  Disposal of the cord depends upon the purpose of the spell.  If it is to banish negativity, you  would bury it immediately.  If it is for healing or drawing something toward you, keep the cord until the job is done, then release the magick and burn the cord.

     The knots are done in the following manner:

                         1------6------4------7------3------8------5------9------2

     An example:

     By knot of one, this spell's begun
     By knot of two, my words are true
     By knot of three, it comes to be
     By knot of four, power in store
     By knot of five, this spell's alive
     By knot of six, this spell is fixed
     By knot of seven, the answer's given
     By knot of eight, I meld with fate
     By knot of nine, the thing is mine!

     There are three types of cord magick.  The thirteen-inch cord, s indicated above, is explained above.

     The second type of cord magick is used by traditional Witches.  The Witch takes his or her cord of measure (which was given to him or her at the time of initiation -- though sometimes it is kept by the High Priestess at the Hearthstone Coven) and uses it to access the group mind of the coven and tradition.  This group mind can include lineage, ancestry, or the present group of people who make up the tradition or coven.  The initiation cord is used to draw more power to assist the Witch in the task he or she is performing.  This cord of measure is extremely important, as it is marked with the initiate's blood.  When the initiate die's the cord is to be buried with him or her.  If this is not possible, the initiate is expected to have covered this in a will, Stating that the cord should be sent back to the Original High Priestess, who is then to ritually bury the cord.  This cord of measure is white and slender in thickness (1/4" to 1/8").

     The Third type of cord magick is also employed by the traditional Witch, however, a solitary Witch can use this type of magick, as I will explain in a moment.  First, let's get the general information out of the way.  When one enters a tradition with a degree system, often nine-foot cords in various colors are given to the initiates according to their station.  For example, a first-degree Witch may wear a white cord, a second-degree wears a white cord and a red cord, and the third-degree wears a white cord, the red cord, and a black cord.  Some third-degree Witches only wear the black cord.  This is a matter of preference within the tradition.

     The degree cords are knotted at three feet, six feet, and nine feet (at the end).  A loop is then tied to the opposite end of the cord.  If you are outside and needed to measure a three-foot circle, you would place your athame in the ground through the loop, making it easy to measure a perfect three-foot circle.  The procedure is similar for making a six-foot (some traditions say seven-foot) or nine-foot circle.  (the three-foot circle is for solitary work; the six- or seven-foot circle if for two to four people; the nine-foot circle is for larger groups.)  As one moves through the stations (or degrees), the new cords are tied together at the three-foot, six or seven-foot, and nine-foot marks. as well as wound together to make the loop for measuring.  These cords are much thicker than the cord of measure, and are worn at all traditional and open functions, unless clan law dictates otherwise.

     Some traditional Witches Link these initiation of station cords together in a ritual setting to manifest a desired end, as an asset for either the group as a whole or for a group member who is ill or needs special attention.  When the result has been achieved or the rite is done, the cords are taken apart and returned to their respective owners.  This means that each cord must be marked before the technique is employed.  Many traditional Witches mark their cords with amulets, talismans, or gifts from other magickal people.  I have seen skull beads, animal claws, silver bells, equal-armed crosses, and pagan rosaries used in this way, to give a few examples.

     These station cords can also be used individually.  To work with the gates of the underworld, only second- or third-degree station cords would be used to access the properties that those stations represent.  As another example, a third-degree Witch can use cord and knot magick to employ the eyes of the spirit with the third-degree cord.  If it is a process of inversion, then the second-degree cords would be uses.  If it is an application of learning and study, the first degree cord would be employed.

     Can a solitary work this final type of cord magick?  Yes, However, I would be very careful here as your cord will not denote a station in training or a degree level, but a link between yourself and the Universe.  This cord should be nine feet long and fashioned by your own hand.  It can be plain, multicolored, have thingies hanging on it--it doesn't matter, because it is your cord.  Before using the cord, like any other tool, it should be cleansed, consecrated, and blessed.  If you don't know how to do this, again, find a Wicca 101 book to show you how.  This out of the way, what do you do with the cord?  For starters I would work with this cord for personal fulfillment and self-esteem matters.  The number of knots you employ should be an uneven number for banishing unwanted influences (or habits) in yourself, and an even number of knots to pull desired traits toward you.  Remove the knots when the desired result is obtained, or leave them there to remind yourself that you have completed something wonderful.

From: "To Stir A Magick Cauldron" by Silver RavenWolf   pgs 176-179

Transcribed by Panther Rhiannon