[Kupala]

So—we are currently building a new house on our property. I am trying to think of some good ways to (permanently?) ward the house(besides the usual wards). Originally I thought of a witch bottle buried under the front steps, as is the traditional method. However, the house is built on steel struts and about 5 feet of rocks (because of the permafrost). So that's out, unless I buried it at the edge of the rocks, but if I did that it wouldn't be near the house.

My next idea was for a series of sigils or seals placed in the four corners of the house (or under it, in the insulation), but those are impermanent and I would not be able to recharge them since they would be inside of the walls. There's also the problem of getting them in there w/o my husband noticing! (He does not share my beliefs and they make him uncomfortable)

So now I am thinking of poppets, or maybe a little spirit house in the kitchen... (I know that spirit houses were mentioned on another thread, I've been reading a lot of old threads, but I wanted to start a new one, so I hope nobody minds!). The poppet would be charged with being guardian of the house. It would look like a mere decoration but it would really be a protective amulet/?. We already have a gnome doll house (one of those waldorf-y things, a toy for the kids), but I don't want my kids playing with “my” “doll”. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has done anything of this sort and how you kept the poppet away from prying hands and how I could keep people from touching it even if it was in plain sight. Although it would probably have a feel to it that sensitive people would be able to sense...I'm talking about general company...


Kupala

edited for formatting issues

also I think I put this in the wrong forum.

This post has been edited by Kupala: 18 March 2012 - 12:48 AM

[Autumn Moon]

Kupala, on 18 March 2012 - 12:11 AM, said:

So—we are currently building a new house on our property. I am trying to think of some good ways to (permanently?) ward the house(besides the usual wards). Originally I thought of a witch bottle buried under the front steps, as is the traditional method. However, the house is built on steel struts and about 5 feet of rocks (because of the permafrost). So that's out, unless I buried it at the edge of the rocks, but if I did that it wouldn't be near the house.

My next idea was for a series of sigils or seals placed in the four corners of the house (or under it, in the insulation), but those are impermanent and I would not be able to recharge them since they would be inside of the walls. There's also the problem of getting them in there w/o my husband noticing! (He does not share my beliefs and they make him uncomfortable)

So now I am thinking of poppets, or maybe a little spirit house in the kitchen... (I know that spirit houses were mentioned on another thread, I've been reading a lot of old threads, but I wanted to start a new one, so I hope nobody minds!). The poppet would be charged with being guardian of the house. It would look like a mere decoration but it would really be a protective amulet/?. We already have a gnome doll house (one of those waldorf-y things, a toy for the kids), but I don't want my kids playing with “my” “doll”. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has done anything of this sort and how you kept the poppet away from prying hands and how I could keep people from touching it even if it was in plain sight. Although it would probably have a feel to it that sensitive people would be able to sense...I'm talking about general company...


Kupala

edited for formatting issues

also I think I put this in the wrong forum.

How about going with the witch bottle you had planned. Put it in a potted plant in the house, and that plant could also be for protection if you choose the right one(s), so you would have two wards in one.

[Aloe]

You could make the doll to look like some sort of 'old woman' kitchen doll and put her on top of your cabinet, on top of your refridgerator, etc. Then she would be pretty safe from any prying hands. I agree with Autumn Moon that witch bottles don't necessarily have to be buried in the ground, putting one in a plant, on top of your refridgerator, or any other place out of sight would be just as good IMO.

Some other things - you mentioned sigils painted on the house, get a bottle of water (water charged under a specific moon phase or in some other way significant to you would be best) and put a few drops of your blood in it. Then use that water to paint sigils on your house that will dry invisible. Do this as often as needed. Spread your blood-water around the boundaries of your house. Place red brick dust across the entrance to your driveway, or even around the entire perimiter of your land. One of my favorite methods of home protections, if there are any trees on your land, build a relationship with them. Feed them your blood, speak to them, watch for changes in their energy, for them to awaken and acknowledge you. IMO having the protection of your trees is one of the best home protections there is.

[Gramayr]

Being in the building trade, one thing I used to do when in a new build if I found a coin was to put it above the door casing before boarding it (front door usually). It's not so much for protection but is a tradition I've picked up from the older family members of placing coins above doorways to bring prosperity - I just make a permenent placement.
I also have a large hagstone hanging from my tree, there's also marking your boundary with urine though you might want to do that in a bottle beforehand as lobbing the old man out or squatting in the street could have plod knocking on your door, or if the weather is so cold you have snap it off when you've finished lol. Not too bad if you live in the country and have no one watching.

[Michele]

If it were me I'd make a witch bottle and hole it up within the walls (since you're building, lol). I'd even cut into the drywall and hide it within if you've finished the walls. Witch bottles aren't supposed to be dug up or disturbed so you wouldn't have to worry about being able to access it to charge it.

You can also make a "house" out of root or bone if you have a paritcular plant or animal with which you have a relationship and awaken that and bury it in the walls. If you will have a fireplace that will be a central hearth, then that is also a good place to "wall" it up.

For me, personally, I don't find things really need to be charged - awoken yes, but to me "charging" is telling them my purpose. I will change out some protections depending on what is going on, but the overall protiections of the witch-bottle, etc., sort I find for me don't need ot be charged once their purpose is set.

M

[Marabet]

Kupala, on 18 March 2012 - 12:11 AM, said:

My next idea was for a series of sigils or seals placed in the four corners of the house (or under it, in the insulation), but those are impermanent and I would not be able to recharge them since they would be inside of the walls. There's also the problem of getting them in there w/o my husband noticing! (He does not share my beliefs and they make him uncomfortable)

I just recently came across the idea of painting sigils on your walls with the same color paint you are using to paint the entire wall. So I would take me, let's say, blue paint and paint a sigil, maybe say some words, then paint over it. I had planned on just telling the people who were helping us paint (because we're hoping to have help. Fingers crossed!) that I was doodling.

A poppet is a great idea, too. What Aloe said about having an "old woman" doll is something I have thought on doing.

[Autumn Moon]

Aloe, on 18 March 2012 - 04:44 AM, said:

You could make the doll to look like some sort of 'old woman' kitchen doll and put her on top of your cabinet, on top of your refridgerator, etc. Then she would be pretty safe from any prying hands. I agree with Autumn Moon that witch bottles don't necessarily have to be buried in the ground, putting one in a plant, on top of your refridgerator, or any other place out of sight would be just as good IMO.

Some other things - you mentioned sigils painted on the house, get a bottle of water (water charged under a specific moon phase or in some other way significant to you would be best) and put a few drops of your blood in it. Then use that water to paint sigils on your house that will dry invisible. Do this as often as needed. Spread your blood-water around the boundaries of your house. Place red brick dust across the entrance to your driveway, or even around the entire perimiter of your land. One of my favorite methods of home protections, if there are any trees on your land, build a relationship with them. Feed them your blood, speak to them, watch for changes in their energy, for them to awaken and acknowledge you. IMO having the protection of your trees is one of the best home protections there is.

Nice, I like that!

One question, would you need the blood of all who live in the house for it to protect everyone, or would your blood being a link to your intent, ie. protection for all and the property be sufficient?

[Autumn Moon]

Michele, on 18 March 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

If it were me I'd make a witch bottle and hole it up within the walls (since you're building, lol). I'd even cut into the drywall and hide it within if you've finished the walls. Witch bottles aren't supposed to be dug up or disturbed so you wouldn't have to worry about being able to access it to charge it.

You can also make a "house" out of root or bone if you have a paritcular plant or animal with which you have a relationship and awaken that and bury it in the walls. If you will have a fireplace that will be a central hearth, then that is also a good place to "wall" it up.

For me, personally, I don't find things really need to be charged - awoken yes, but to me "charging" is telling them my purpose. I will change out some protections depending on what is going on, but the overall protiections of the witch-bottle, etc., sort I find for me don't need ot be charged once their purpose is set.

M

The old and traditional way.

One thing I would be concerned about with a WB in the wall, is if it leaked or exploded (I've read some have), which would ruin the wall.

[CelticGypsy]

GADS but you all are amazing ! LOL, great suggestions everybody.

I just recently received my Horseshoes from Raven Flyer, and they are fabulous. ( Yes Gramayr-Goobyar, I am well shod now lol ) What I did with them was scrape off all the old rust, and will use the red rust as a paint to re-furbish my land wards, due to the winter elements havoc on my land wards.

Horseshoes are wonderful and so inconspicuous as protection wards, the holes where the nail is placed in the shoe to fit the horse, is an area that I've run ribbons or leather through the holes and attached talismans and hand made amulets to be hung from the ribbon or leather. I've used feathers for this, bits and bobs, ...ect. Keeping the horseshoe in this upward position. U
I've used horseshoes as a stencil as when you put 3 or 4 together, they make a 3 leaf clover or a 4 leaf clover.

Regards,
Gypsy

[Michele]

CelticGypsy, on 18 March 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

GADS but you all are amazing ! LOL, great suggestions everybody.

I just recently received my Horseshoes from Raven Flyer, and they are fabulous. ( Yes Gramayr-Goobyar, I am well shod now lol ) What I did with them was scrape off all the old rust, and will use the red rust as a paint to re-furbish my land wards, due to the winter elements havoc on my land wards.

Horseshoes are wonderful and so inconspicuous as protection wards, the holes where the nail is placed in the shoe to fit the horse, is an area that I've run ribbons or leather through the holes and attached talismans and hand made amulets to be hung from the ribbon or leather. I've used feathers for this, bits and bobs, ...ect. Keeping the horseshoe in this upward position. U
I've used horseshoes as a stencil as when you put 3 or 4 together, they make a 3 leaf clover or a 4 leaf clover.

Regards,
Gypsy

Oh - brainstorm (yayyyyy, lol) - I'd never thought of scraping off the rust and using it as actual paint - especially as it came from the iron, it would be as much a "war paint" protection against malefic (sp) magic as "war water".... Things that make you go "hummmmmmm" .......

M

[Whiterose]

Another thing would be to make a charmed door wreath of Ivy and other things like holly berries/leaves as well as they are traditionally used to protect ones doorway, or pine needlescones and specific flowers. I have one on my door with two witch balls attached to it so as to stop both baneful spirits and banefull people. Its a nice piece of witchery that blends right in. You could also get a specific painting or work of art and use that as a home for a spirit guardian instead of a doll although the doll idea is awesome. If you "youtube" Witchyliving in new orleans there is a member here that had a store and she had her store guardian in the display case in a witch doll. I won't post the link as it was filmed by a customer and I don't know if she wants a random video of her posted on here. I know I wouldn't.

Also, you live in a cold area right? You could charge your "snow melt" salt before you sprinkle the walkway with it and voila! Instant protection. (Plus it protects you from falling on your ass...lol)

[Kupala]

Autumn Moon, on 18 March 2012 - 03:14 AM, said:

How about going with the witch bottle you had planned. Put it in a potted plant in the house, and that plant could also be for protection if you choose the right one(s), so you would have two wards in one.

I didn't even think of that since I have a black thumb. But my vision for this house *does* have potted plants everywhere, esp in those huge clay pots--and a WB would be really easy to hide in one of those (esp if it was a plant that was already "protective" like a cactus or something else).

Aloe, on 18 March 2012 - 04:44 AM, said:

You could make the doll to look like some sort of 'old woman' kitchen doll and put her on top of your cabinet, on top of your refridgerator, etc. ... or any other place out of sight would be just as good IMO.
One of my favorite methods of home protections, if there are any trees on your land, build a relationship with them. Feed them your blood, speak to them, watch for changes in their energy, for them to awaken and acknowledge you. IMO having the protection of your trees is one of the best home protections there is.

Thanks, this is a great idea. When I read that I instantly thought of the Dolya, the slavic house spirit who is said to live behind the stove in the family home. The trees, too--we have a willow right beside our front steps in the cabin we inhabit now, and it feels as though it watches out for the house (although I've not given it any blood).

Gramayr, on 18 March 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

Being in the building trade, one thing I used to do when in a new build if I found a coin was to put it above the door casing before boarding it (front door usually). It's not so much for protection but is a tradition I've picked up from the older family members of placing coins above doorways to bring prosperity - I just make a permenent placement.
I also have a large hagstone hanging from my tree, there's also marking your boundary with urine though you might want to do that in a bottle beforehand as lobbing the old man out or squatting in the street could have plod knocking on your door, or if the weather is so cold you have snap it off when you've finished lol. Not too bad if you live in the country and have no one watching.

LOL! The dog has marked the boundaries with urine for me already... We have the midnight sun here in the summer and while there are trees, they're not trees you can just squat behind, too spindly.

Michele, on 18 March 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

If it were me I'd make a witch bottle and hole it up within the walls (since you're building, lol). I'd even cut into the drywall and hide it within if you've finished the walls. Witch bottles aren't supposed to be dug up or disturbed so you wouldn't have to worry about being able to access it to charge it.

You can also make a "house" out of root or bone if you have a paritcular plant or animal with which you have a relationship and awaken that and bury it in the walls. If you will have a fireplace that will be a central hearth, then that is also a good place to "wall" it up.

I won't be able to do this w/o my husband noticing, unfortunately, although I do like the idea. Maybe in the hearthstones--we won't have a fireplace, we have a massive wood stove which will have its own "nook". He'll freak out if I cut into the outer drywall (although I might be able to pull it off in the inner walls) because of some sort of airtight insulation thing he's doing. I really, really like the root or bone idea too.

Marabet, on 18 March 2012 - 04:28 PM, said:

I just recently came across the idea of painting sigils on your walls with the same color paint you are using to paint the entire wall. So I would take me, let's say, blue paint and paint a sigil, maybe say some words, then paint over it. I had planned on just telling the people who were helping us paint (because we're hoping to have help. Fingers crossed!) that I was doodling.

I love this and the blood water idea that Aloe mentioned as well! Also maybe I could do sigils that go with the "feel" of the room like "comfort" for the living room, kitchen, etc.

CelticGypsy, on 18 March 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

What I did with them was scrape off all the old rust, and will use the red rust as a paint to re-furbish my land wards, due to the winter elements havoc on my land wards.

Horseshoes are wonderful and so inconspicuous as protection wards, the holes where the nail is placed in the shoe to fit the horse, is an area that I've run ribbons or leather through the holes and attached talismans and hand made amulets to be hung from the ribbon or leather. I've used feathers for this, bits and bobs, ...ect. Keeping the horseshoe in this upward position. U

I've heard you're supposed to do the upside-down U so your luck doesn't all fall out! Hmm, there are quite a few horses in the neighborhood and a stable on the other side of the valley...they have to get shod somewhere...I bet I can find out! Plus the whole "horseshoe as decoration" thing is so common I know I could pull that off. Great suggestion, CG, thank you!

Whiterose, on 18 March 2012 - 08:15 PM, said:

Another thing would be to make a charmed door wreath of Ivy and other things like holly berries/leaves as well as they are traditionally used to protect ones doorway, or pine needlescones and specific flowers. I have one on my door with two witch balls attached to it so as to stop both baneful spirits and banefull people. Its a nice piece of witchery that blends right in. You could also get a specific painting or work of art and use that as a home for a spirit guardian instead of a doll although the doll idea is awesome. If you "youtube" Witchyliving in new orleans there is a member here that had a store and she had her store guardian in the display case in a witch doll. I won't post the link as it was filmed by a customer and I don't know if she wants a random video of her posted on here. I know I wouldn't.

Also, you live in a cold area right? You could charge your "snow melt" salt before you sprinkle the walkway with it and voila! Instant protection. (Plus it protects you from falling on your ass...lol)

,
Thanks, you have lots of great suggestions too. However we don't use snow-melt salt here because it would just melt and refreeze, we use sand or gravel, but I do like all these ideas!

Keep 'em coming, guys!

[aurora]

I made a few witch bottles with blood from all of us urine nail clippings honey (to keep us sweet) then sent all the boys and hub by of around perimeter collecting nails pin glass all sharp stuff
Ones up the chimney rest are buried ,just to make sure, planted rowan elder and apple trees in front, ivy up the sides of house lots of bay and rosemary out back that did it
don't think I went over the top lol well maybe a little

[CelticGypsy]

Kupala, on 18 March 2012 - 08:45 PM, said:

Thanks, you have lots of great suggestions too. However we don't use snow-melt salt here because it would just melt and refreeze, we use sand or gravel, but I do like all these ideas!

Keep 'em coming, guys!

Hey Kupala, are you familiar with the Ogham Alphabet ? That is something I'm seriously pondering with re-vamping some of my protective wards. Using some metalic paint mixed with "other" properties, to have a reflective /deflective operative design.

I found this link pretty interesting : http://www.omniglot....iting/ogham.htm

Regards,
Gypsy

[Aloe]

Autumn Moon, on 18 March 2012 - 04:35 PM, said:

Nice, I like that!

One question, would you need the blood of all who live in the house for it to protect everyone, or would your blood being a link to your intent, ie. protection for all and the property be sufficient?

Thanks!

I consider my blood sufficient, for two reasons. One, when the relationship with the trees is established I ask them to guard the land and home, and this encompasses all family members living on the land and in the home. Two, my daughter shares my blood, and in the traditions of my family, uniting through 'sacred sex' (ritual sex or marriage consummation) forms the same family bond as shared blood so my husband is linked to my blood too.

[Autumn Moon]

Aloe, on 19 March 2012 - 12:59 AM, said:

Thanks!

I consider my blood sufficient, for two reasons. One, when the relationship with the trees is established I ask them to guard the land and home, and this encompasses all family members living on the land and in the home. Two, my daughter shares my blood, and in the traditions of my family, uniting through 'sacred sex' (ritual sex or marriage consummation) forms the same family bond as shared blood.

Now, that is very cool - thanks! Just to make sure I understand: your children have some of your blood and so are protected through the use of your blood. Your husband is protected through sex and fluids shared which then puts you in the same family? Do I have that right?

[Aloe]

Autumn Moon, on 19 March 2012 - 01:24 AM, said:

Now, that is very cool - thanks! Just to make sure I understand: your children have some of your blood and so are protected through the use of your blood. Your husband is protected through sex and fluids shared which then puts you in the same family? Do I have that right?

Yep I think you do... I consider my blood indicative of my family because we are linked in these ways, so asking my trees to protect those of the blood I'm giving them (who live on their land) naturally encompasses my husband and daughter.

[Autumn Moon]

Aloe, on 19 March 2012 - 01:35 AM, said:

Yep I think you do... I consider my blood indicative of my family because we are linked in these ways, so asking my trees to protect those of the blood I'm giving them (who live on their land) naturally encompasses my husband and daughter.

Nice...thanks for sharing!

[Kupala]

CelticGypsy, on 18 March 2012 - 11:38 PM, said:

Hey Kupala, are you familiar with the Ogham Alphabet ? That is something I'm seriously pondering with re-vamping some of my protective wards. Using some metalic paint mixed with "other" properties, to have a reflective /deflective operative design.
Regards,
Gypsy

CG, can you explain a little more? Thanks

[CelticGypsy]

Kupala, on 19 March 2012 - 08:34 AM, said:

CG, can you explain a little more? Thanks

Well darlin' if you look at the link for a minute, it shows the "alphabet" of the Ogham. Those series of lines correspond with a letter, thus the creation of a phrase or word. To an ordinary person, they appear like just lines and lines, but in actuality they are letters. One could create a word, or phrase and place that as an Ogham in, lets say the drywall around your door threshold, before the actual framing is put up. The framing would hide the Ogham phrase.

I use Ogham at times when prompted to dress a candle, for flame magic, and I use an old hat pin, that I inherited from one of my Aunts, to do the line language. I don't see why that same concept wouldn't work in drywall, or even in the grain of wood, since the lines are so subtle. Use a grain of wood as your base line, and fashion your phrase with other vertical lines or horizontal lines.

Regards,
Gypsy