Thewildcalledmeback - Beautifully Wild, Long Lost Child - A Dance Of Intentional Chaos

Medium

Brevi: an Italian folk magic charm against the evil eye and how to make your own

Learn how to protect yourself and others from the evil eye with this Italian folk remedy.

I’m back with more European folk magic! This time we’re diving into Italian folk magic practices. This isn’t a comprehensive look at Italian magic (though if you’re interested in an overview I’d be happy to write one) rather it’s a close look at a particular protective charm from southern Italy. It’s a simple, yet effective charm with a long history. Everything is thoroughly researched through academic sources in anthropology, folklore, and first hand accounts. You can either click the link or read this post, either way I hope this is meaningful and educational for you🌛🌝🌜

Brevi: an Italian folk magic charm against the evil eye and how to make your own

Like many Mediterraneans, Italians are greatly concerned with the potential to be afflicted with the evil eye. Many of the folk magic practices performed by jana and benedettihealers are intended to divine the cause of the malocchio and rid it from those who come to them. Their craft has been passed down for generations and their services are highly respected. Like with other folk magic healers, most jana and benedetti do not consider themselves witches, instead they see themselves as “having the sign”, people chosen by god to help others. Clients come to them for a variety of needs both physical and spiritual. These healers perform divination rituals, locate lost objects, make love charms, and more — though mostly, they remedy the malocchio.

Remedies range from complex, lengthy multi-step rituals, to simple prayers and gestures. Whatever means a cunning person uses varies from region to region, though in Basilicata/ Lucania where my family comes from, the evil eye is typically cured and prevented with brevi. These are small black cloth pouches filled with various sacred herbs, protective amulets and stones, objects made of iron, images of saints, and Palm Sunday ashes. These bags are worn close to the skin, either around the neck, tucked into a bra, or in a wallet. Contact with the skin is considered to be an important part of this protective charm, depending on the region and advice of the healer. Though brevi are typically prepared and empowered by the prayers of the healer, it is not uncommon for mothers to make them for their children.

What goes into the brevi bag is highly subjective and personal, though there are commonalities in their contents from state to state. Medals of the Madonna, a small cross or charm, and rosemary are common in most places. There are more specific additions such as the cimaruta, the cornicello, the mano cornuta and mano fica, or pieces of coral. The cimaruta is a popular Neopolitan talisman typically worn around the neck or hung above an infant’s bed. Made of silver, the cimaruta is meant to resemble a sprig of rue, one of the most sacred herbs. Each of the 3 rue branches blossom into protective magical symbols. These include, but are not limited to: a crescent moon, the sun, a heart shaped key, a sacred heart, a fish, or a rooster.

Charm available: on Etsy White Peach Cottage.

[Image description: A typical silver cimaruta charm. Made to resemble a sprig of rue, the branches end in protective symbols. This particular pendant features a cross, a crescent moon, a sacred heart, and a rooster.]

Along with medals of saints, the cornicello, mano cornuta and mano fica can be added to brevi bags. The corno is a popular Southern Italian amulet, symbolic of a ram or bull’s horn. It signifies virility and strength, projecting a masculine energy. These charms are typically made of silver, gold, or coral, all are considered significant sacred materials. The red coral is reminiscent of blood and vitality, bringing luck to the wearer and silver has long been used as a protective measure against evil spirits. The cornicello is typically worn by men. Mano charms have ancient origins — dating back to the Etruscans. Mano fica, the fig hand, is associated with femininity and is thought to have the power to oppose the evil eye. The mano cornuta, the horned hand, has similar roots and meanings to the cornicello, and if done as a physical gesture, it can reflect the malocchio back to whoever cast it. 

In addition to the medals, several sacred herbs are utilized. Many of the herbs are associated with Saint John or the Virgin Mary, though if you are a secular witch like me or worship pagan pantheons, you can forgo the Catholic aspects of this charm. Many of the herbs have ancient associations dating back to the classical Roman period, making their meanings highly adaptable. The Romans associated various herbs with Diana (Artemis), Juno (Hera), and Phoebus (Apollo). So it is not difficult to transcribe the correspondences.

The primary herb used in brevi bags is rue. Rue is sometimes referred to as “the herb of grace” and has long been used in blessing water and exorcisms. Rosemary protects against negativity and is used in cleansing rituals. Roses symbolize the divine love of the Madonna and evoke healing energies. Lavender has a long history in Italy of being a prophylactic against evil, with evidence dating back to ancient Rome. Mugwort is associated with witchcraft and magic, mostly in connection with Artemis/ Diana and the moon. Some brevi contain chili pepper seeds — the fruit itself resembles the cornicello, carrying a similar meaning. The seeds are associated with protecting and warding.

Once the charms and herbs are chosen and brevi are assembled, cunning folk recite prayers and bless the charm. They recite common Catholic prayers 3 times and typically perform these blessings on holy days and Saint feasts such as notte di san Giovanni — St. John’s eve, and Christmas eve. St. John’s eve takes place around the same time as the summer solstice and the celebrations across Europe still have elements that resemble pagan celebrations such as the Roman Vestalia festival. Some healers do not pray over the bag, rather they recite poetry that evokes their intent. The process of making brevi is highly personalized to each healer and region.

[Image description: author’s personal brevi elements. They include a black sachet, rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, red clover, obsidian and a white gold cornicello.]

I have adopted and adapted making and carrying a brevi bag into my own practice. It gives me a sense of deeper connection with my ancestors, especially since brevi are a popular folk remedy in the region we come from. In my own brevi rituals I include herbs that are personally meaningful to me with magical correspondences that resonate with my intent. I typically use rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, and local red clover. Harvesting and foraging some of the herbs brings me closer to nature and makes the bag that much more meaningful. I also include a shard of obsidian which is a powerful warding stone. I like to think its reflective nature is aiming the evil eye back to whoever or whatever is aiming negative intent towards me. I put a family heirloom in my bag as well —  my great grandfather’s cornicello, passed down from my father to me. It gives me a sense that my ancestors are protecting me. I write my own personal incantations for my brevi, typically poems or prayers to nature spirits. Finally, I charge it every full moon, imbuing it with magical energy and replace the herbs every so often to keep its power.

Crafting charms and spells can be highly personal and meaningful. Creating your own brevi bag can invite in positive energies, bolster spiritual defenses, and connect you to a long history of spiritual healing. Brevi bags are a low effort, simple way of practicing magic, making them highly accessible. I hope you found this interesting and perhaps you’ll choose to incorporate brevi bags into your magical workings.

(sources available at the end of linked article)

An introduction.

Hi, world. I haven't been active on tumblr for a while so I'm a bit rough. I'm making a new account, where I'll actually post rather than only ever sharing others things.

A bit about me. I'm a bisexual married witch living a vanlife. I intend to be many more things, we'll see where life leads me. I do tarot readings and will talk more on that another time.

Feel free to dm me if you feel like it.

FATIGUE-BE-GONE JAR SPELL

I’m a witchy soul with chronic fatigue syndrome, so I whipped up a jar spell to help me banish fatigue from my life and welcome energy and healing! 

You Will Need: 

1 cleansed jar of any size

amethyst point ( protective, healing, and purifying)

orange or yellow string

dried dandelion flower (happiness, strength, perseverance)

wings of a bumblebee (strength, hard work made easier)

yellow candle 

dried orange peel (love, divination, luck)

leaf of an african violet ( spirituality, protection, and healing)

anise seed ( find happiness, and stimulate psychic ability)

basil flowers (dispels confusion, fears & weakness)

cloves (protection, banishing hostile/negative forces, and gaining what is sought)

coffee (dispels negative thoughts, overcome internal blockages, energy; provides peace of mind and grounding)

blessed salt

sugar (joy, peace of mind, sweet thoughts, energy)

ginger (personal confidence, prosperity, and success)

jasmine (charging, magickal energy)

mustard seeds (courage, faith, and endurance)

oregano (joy, strength, vitality, and added energy)

rosemary (completing tasks, improve memory and aid clear thinking)

To Do: 

cleanse your jar using sage incense or spray

add ingredients to your jar one at a time, layering them, with the basil flowers, dandelion, and bee wings on top

tie your amethyst point using the orange/yellow string and tie it around your jar

use yellow candle wax to seal your jar

give your jar a kiss on the lid and thank the components for the help they will bring to you

set the jar near your bed or on your headboard, give the lid a kiss every time you need a boost of energy

~ King’s Grimoire 

War Water

What is it?

War Water is a particularly powerful bit of magic stemming from American witchcraft traditions in the South. Contrary to popular belief, war water is not rooted in Hoodoo but in European-influenced folk magic practices. Due to this, debates about which is the most “authentic” recipe for war water are unproductive. Folk magic practices in the early parts of white American history were not well documented and the specifics of these practices were likely kept within close-knit family circles. The result is that spells such as this one have always had quite a bit of variation. This lack of homogenization leaves us with many traditional recipes for spells such as war water and most of them do contain the grain of authenticity that many modern witches crave in their practice.

Tools and Ingredients

2 large glass jars, preferably with glass lids and rubber gaskets.

Distilled white vinegar

Salt, roughly 1/2 of a cup

A railroad spike or iron nails

A carbon steel hunting knife, stripped of its furniture (handles, etc)

Water

Process

Charge each item individually with intent.

Place the iron in one jar. Fill it with water and set it to the side. If the iron already shows signs of rusting that can speed up the process.

Heat the vinegar to just about boiling. Add salt and dissolve.

Stir it clockwise with the knife.

It helps to let this breathe for at least the first 24-48 hours, and then to give them a day or two of air every now and then after. When rust starts to form and tinge the water, give the jars careful swirls just to keep the rust suspended in the water and new oxide layers forming constantly.

Eventually, your railroad spike water will turn muddy looking and the knife-vinegar solution will turn almost black and you will see little flakes of metal swimming around in there if you look closely.

After a year or so you will have some pretty good product and then you can combine the two liquids, refill the jars, and start another batch.

Now, to finish it off, you can add any number of ingredients to augment its power. Black and red pepper, mustard or poppy seeds, devil's snuff, or gunpowder are some examples. The best thing, however, is your own urine.

Tips, Tricks, and Uses

You want to make sure to have a glass lid on this one or to change lids often because this stuff WILL eat through a regular Mason jar lid in no time War Water is often used to place a curse. War Water is a traditional and allegedly potent weapon during psychic warfare and witch wars. It can be used to reverse a curse and send it back to where it came from. War Water is not intended for consumption, rusted nails should be handled with care. These are simple standard recipes, they can be personalized and adapted as necessary to give the water more kick. Should mold or bacteria ever form, discard everything, including the jar, and start again from scratch.

Some basics of Crystals!!! Enjoy lovelies!!

Part 1 ☆♡☆

My favourite magical protection methods

draw protection symbols on the soles of your shoes to protect you wherever you go

throw a pinch of salt and rosemary over your shoulder to get rid of stagnant energy or any negativity that is thrown your way

keep a jar of salt and protective herbs on your altar to protect and cleanse your space

if you include animal spirits / remains in your craft: ribs are great for protective wards because their function in the animal is to protect vital organs

make protection sprays or oils that you can quickly anoint yourself with throughout the day (if you want to be more subtle about this you can put them in empty perfume / cologne bottles)

hang up bundles of dried protective herbs over your doors, mirrors, bed and altar

Introduction to Shielding

If you haven’t already, check out my lessons on visualisation for the basic knowledge you’ll need to begin practicing shielding.

So what is shielding?

Shielding is a manipulation of energy, used to create a barrier between yourself and unwanted, usually negative or malicious energies. It’s a basic aspect of spellwork that everyone, beginner or experienced, should use to keep themselves safe.

What can I use shielding for?

Some beginner-level uses for shielding are drawing a circle, or casting a spell. A more experienced individual might use shielding in astral travel or spirit work, where there are a lot more malicious energies involved. Personally, I use shielding as often as possible, for instance when I do tarot readings, spells, spirit work, shadow work, and especially cursing. It gives that extra guarantee that you won't flood your personal space with unwanted energies.

Other uses include shielding against real-life dangers, to a certain degree. I often shield when I am walking through town at night for extra protection. But please remember to take other measures too! Call someone, pretend to be on the phone, plan your route, and even carry pepper spray if it's legal where you are.

An easy shielding method:

The easiest way to explain this is to think of your energy as a physical manifestation. Think how power attacks are shown in anime or cartoons - a streak of colour or light, or an element. Make it personable to you: fire signs (Leo/Aries/Sagittarius) might visualise fire, or a red energy or light etc.

Firstly, some people prefer to cleanse before shielding. I don't think its all that necessary but the choice is yours.

Begin by easing yourself into meditation. Get comfortable, and use whichever technique works for you. I have various methods for this in my visualisation lessons if you are struggling.

Attempt to visualise the energies surrounding you in your mind. It might be a swirling colour of light, almost like a cloud of dust. It could be flames, it could be water. Maybe try to see it held within your hand.

Now, attempt to shape this energy around your entire body. You might want to start with a bubble or a cube surrounding you. Feel this shape surrounding and protecting you. Visualise negative and unwanted energies being held back by it.

You can also layer shields, so if you are working with a particularly malicious energy you might want to have multiple shapes surrounding you, all within each other. You can also work with deities or spirits to ask them to shield you too.

Shielding Incantation

When I am shielding, I recite a spell as well as using visualisation techniques.

The shield of protection, I carry it strong, No ill wishes or trouble shall come along, You cannot harm me, or weaken my soul, My light is my weapon, and peace is my goal.

Try it out for yourself and let me know in the comments how it went! Thank you as always for reading. Please message for requests.

Quelques Lagerthas sont encore disponibles en ligne 🙂 Chrysocolle, Labradorite, Lapis-lazuli et Péristérite ! Je suis pas mal occupée en ce moment avec la mise en place des ateliers, le 1er de la saison a lieu ce soir 😁 Toutes les places sont prises, mais je peux faire un second groupe. N'hésitez pas à m'envoyer un message si cela vous intéresse. Au programme : 2 séances de 3h de Micro-macramé et la conception d'un bracelet et d'une paire de boucles d'oreilles. Du coup, plus beaucoup de temps pour la création, voilà plus d'une semaine que je travaille sur un gros plastron avec 3 pierres sans avoir le temps de le finaliser …. la semaine prochaine, je refais des boucles d'oreilles rondes comme les dernières que jai posté et surtout je me mets sur une somptueuse commande personnalisée d'une parure Agate dendritique et Péristérite 💙 Je vous posterai aussi des photos des ateliers, en attendant, allez faire un tour sur le shop Etsy, pleins d'articles vous y attendent. J'envoie toujours dans les 48h vos commandes … ce matin, un collier est parti pour le Canada 🍁 Merci à vous tous pour votre confiance 🌱 . . . . . . . #macrame #micromacramejewelry #macramenecklace #witchstyle #frenchfashion #bohemia #bohomacrame #moonwitch #goddessjewelry #alternativefashion #altgirl #bohojewelry #macramejewelry #stonejewelry #micromacrame #macramelover #vintagejewellery #vintage #torque #hippiestyle #gypsystyle #stonenecklace #witchjewelry #witchcraft #bijou #bijouxcreateur #hautecouture #besançon #franchecomte #mmejeannette (à Franche-Comte, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGH1V_DHh8D/?igshid=1t03ugiftkhcy

Hey so I’ve collected snow water, but I don’t know what to use it for - do you have any suggestions?

hey there!

well that partially depends on your personal correspondences for snow! for me, it represents new beginnings, innocence, transformation etc, but it could mean something entirely different to you, so I’d start by figuring that out! I’d also recommend making sure the snow is as clean as possible, and maybe boil it before use, but I wouldn’t drink it, if I were you. 

uses for snow water:

❄️make a ‘spritz’ for refreshing spaces. this is what I’m thinking of doing with mine! the air in my room is feeling pretty stagnant, partially because it’s too cold to open any windows so I’m going to make a spritz of snow water and other vitalising ingredients to freshen up my room. (I might make a post detailing my recipe?)

❄️on a similar theme, perhaps clean any ritual items or your altar etc with a lil’ snow water to reinvigorate and charge ready for the arrival of the spring

❄️add a little to a ritual bath, especially with the intention of starting new habits, making changes in your life, purifying etc

❄️it’d be good to use in any spells that involve its correspondences, for example, I wrote a spell for washing away bad habits and snow water would be perfect for it!

❄️give it to any houseplants for a little boost!

❄️some deities or spirits might appreciate it as an offering

❄️if you’re into art magick,, you might like to paint with it, or make inks etc, it would be especially great to use in your grimoire!

hope this helps!

nymphie🌸