'Poppets'
A. History of Poppets:
Poppets, dolls, titeres, you name it, there's dozens of names for them: the representation of the human shape.
Some come with hair, others are bald. Some are elaborately and delicately painted; others are thread bare. No matter what they look like, the end result is the same: the human form in its many shapes, colors and sizes. There are baby dolls, Ken and Barbie dolls, corn husk dolls, porcelain dolls, Kewpie dolls. The list seems endless.
Where did the first poppets (dolls) originate?
Historians know that the Classical Greeks (4th century BCE) used ritual poppets called "kolossoi" for the purposes of defense against hostile forces. The word
itself "kolossos" is of unknown meaning and origin and because of its association to this ritual, has become associated with effigies of any type.
Kolossoi were made of metal, wood, clay or wax.
Are there references to dolls before 2,500 years ago?
Yes, there are. The oldest known tradition of doll making comes from Japan, during the Jomon period about 3,000 years BC (about 5,000 years ago) and the oldest known doll found is dated at about 24,000 years old.
The first thing we see about dolls is that they cut across time and culture. It seems all civilizations made use of dolls and poppets. And not just for play,
as we have seen in the example of the 4th century Greeks. The Romans had them and buried their children along side their favorite toys and dolls. Ancient
Egyptian graves have been discovered containing elaborately beaded poppets. The Chinese used them; as did the Babylonians who borrowed doll making techniques from India; Native Americans used them. Almost always they were made out of whatever material was most abundant; in some cases out of bone and ivory, wood and stone; rags and beads. As technology progressed, so did the technique of doll making. But the use of poppets in magick is as old, if not older, as the dolls itself.
Poppet magick is symbolic magick. That means that an object, in this case a poppet, is endowed with characteristics and properties that "awaken" and
"charge" it into a talisman or shield that can repel, attract, heal and represent a real live human being.
So, it must be clearly stated that poppet magick is a big responsibility and not something done for fun.
B. Uses of Poppets:
Poppets are believed to have originally been for ritual and ceremonial use. They had a religious meaning and importance. Somewhere along the way we forgot this and gave them to our children as toys.
The poppet's original intention was not to be used as a toy. It was an item of symbolic magick, meant to represent a person, a deity, a specific magickal
energy.
Poppets were used for binding, protection, healing, cursing, and attracting things to you, such as love, money, power.
Today, those who still possess the knowledge of this ancient magickal heritage of mankind, still use poppets in about the same way.
Poppet magick is most often associated with Voodoo, Santeria, Candomble and Ifa, the religions that have their origins in Africa. The use of poppets in these religions is ancient, attesting to the true age of the practice itself.
Before you set about making a poppet, make sure you decide first what it's use will be. It is said that when you create the poppet in your mind, it already
exists and has "life". So be sure what it is going to be used for.
If you are beginning to use poppet magick, a simple rule of thumb is: match the need to the poppet. How you make the poppet, decorate it and paint it, is
dependent on what it will be used for.
Example 1: a poppet made for healing can be made from green or yellow colored fabric. It can be stuffed with tissues sprinkled with healing herbs. The dolls face and body can be decorated with healing runes and symbols.
Example 2: a poppet made for attracting money can be made from green fabric and it can be stuffed with tissues sprinkled with money-drawing herbs like mint,
basil, cinnamon, etc. The doll's face and body can be decorated with money-drawing runes and symbols and you can even place a little magnet inside the doll.
I am sure you get the idea?
Match the need to the poppet. So this means that before you begin making a poppet you should have a very clear idea in your mind of what it will be used
for, and thus what it will look like.
C. Abuses of Poppets:
As in any magickal application, poppet making and its use must be approached with care. Why? Because poppets work, they do work. I have used poppet magick for over 30 years and I can tell you from personal experience: they are powerful, they work and they should not be abused.
In all religions, Pagan and not, there is a neat little admonition, and it goes like this: What you do, for good or for bad, is paid back to you, and usually
with interest. In wiccan circles it is called 'The Law of Three'. Christians call it The Golden Rule. Scientists also say that every action is met with a
reaction.
Abuses of poppet magick can be costly for the maker of the poppet. Ancient religions and those that still practice poppet magick today, like Voudoun, Santeria, Candomble and Ifa, encourage people to study the information, and be skilled before making one. You must also have experience in herbs, colors, crystals, etc that are to be used when making a poppet.
However, as witches we know that the best magick is the one we make ourselves. So, one can make a poppet, just be sure to follow the same guidelines you would
for any other magickal working. These are:
Know what the poppet will be used for. I covered this in section B.
Use the correct herbs, colors, signs and symbols. Covered in section B.
If the poppet is to represent a person, then obtain as much information as possible about the person so the poppet can properly and accurately represent the person (date of birth, special hobbies, favorite colors, etc) Use this information ONLY for making the poppet and in no other application.
Do not make a poppet for purposes of revenge, in anger, or as a payback. The poppet will work nevertheless, but remember the old warning: what you
send, comes back to you. If you are emotionally upset over something and your first reaction is to make a poppet in order to correct the situation, and get
even, then don't. Wait until you are calm. And then think about the poppet.
Don't ever make a poppet for another individual without first asking their permission; exceptions are cases of binding an evil or protection of self or
family. If you wish to make a healing poppet or a shield of protection for another person, then tell them your intent and ask them if it is okay to make
the poppet. If they give you a go ahead, then proceed. If they say no, then don't make the poppet.
In cases where you know you or your family are being attacked, whether psychically, or in real life events, by another person and you have proof of this without a doubt, then it is reasonable to make a poppet to represent the attacker. However, and I caution this, make the poppet to bind and stop the attacker. Not to hurt or destroy the attacker. (Binding an attacker can be a poppet with its hands tied behind its back).
Remember: what you do to a poppet who represents a human being, happens to that human being as well!
