'Types of Poppets In Various Cultures'
There are many types of poppets. And there are many names for them. They are known as vodoo dolls, hoodoo dolls, mojo dolls, kachina dolls, just to name
a few. Poppets can be made out of any material, the more common type being fabric and wax. The traditional voodoo doll is made from paraffin, fabric and wood. But anything will do. Its your personal energy and intent that activates and empowers it.
In Santeria, effigies or kolossi (Greek), made out of vegetables or fruits
are also quite popular in despojo magick, which is a cleansing ritual. The babalawo (high priest(ess) carves a human shape into the fruit, one of my
aunts favors the watermelon, for purposes of enfusing the fruit with the ability to "pick up" or "suck up" any and all bad mojo that the human shape represents. This "trabajo" (work) is then discarded where (hopefully) others will not step on it and inadvertantly pick up the other person's bad luck.
One ancient throw back to this form of magick is the carving of the pumpkin into the Jack o'lanter which is supposed to drive off evil spirits.
The Japanese daruma dolls are another fine example of doll magick.
The daruma doll is an ancient tradition in Japan. They are used to grant
wishes and are most especially popular during the New Year celebrations.
Unlike the traditional poppet, the daruma doll is made to very exacting specifications and markings.
Another alternative to making your own poppets, is to purchase ready made dolls that can be used for your work. This is a more modern contrivance since traditional poppet making is left to the practitioner or medicine man/woman. There are many types of "ready-made" dolls to choose from. Please remember
to stick to dolls made from natural materials and don't use any of the plastic or rubber types.
One of my personal favorites is the Russian Matryoska Doll, also known as
the Babushka Doll. These are a series of wooden, delicately painted dolls
which resemble a female. They are connected with fertility and motherhood
and is the reason why most Matryoshka Dolls are female. Each Matryoshka is smaller than the one before it and they stack neatly inside one another until only the largest Matryoshka is left. As a child I had a Matryoshka Doll set
and used it to plant little wishes. The smallest doll for the easiest to obtain wish and the largest doll for the really tough ones! And yes, the wishes were for the most part granted. Aside from the magick, the Matryoshka, because
of its association to Motherhood, brings a wonderful nurturing energy to any magicks created with them.
Other types of dolls which can be store bought are the famous Raggedy Ann
and Andy, although they have fallen out of favor, these dolls are made out only of fabric and come in small sizes. I have used them on occassion. And I have had success with them.
In working with doll magick, the materials used to create the poppet is only limited by your own imagination. Think about your need and the reason for creating a doll. Then match the need to the material, and from there, the colors, the accessories, etc. A creative witch can do amazing things with poppets!
So now we come to the poppet itself. You will be making a poppet for your own personal needs and use. Very well.
Does the poppet have to represent you? Not really...
I have made "goddess poppets" and "guardian poppets", and I have also
made poppets that are myself; my own mirrors.
How can you tell the difference? How do you know if you need to make a poppet that represents you or something else, like a guardian or goddess or warrior?
Making a Poppet of Yourself:
Fit the need to the magick ! Let us say you are suffering from severe headaches. You cannot sleep; you cannot tolerate any types of light. This
is impacting your ability to carry normal everyday chores.
What type of poppet do you make?
I would suggest a poppet that represents you, and one that addresses the
issue of the pain in the head area. Your poppet can be made of light blue fabric since light blue is a soothing, calming color. You can stuff the
poppet with a sprinkling of chamomille, rosemary, mint, and any other herb
that is known for its soothing and curative powers. You can glue a small blue or purple stone on the poppet's forehead (the third eye) to send soothing peace to this area. Mark the poppet with signs or symbols that represent healing.
Be creative...think about how a headache can be relieved.
A good rule of thumb to figure out whether you make a poppet representing yourself or not, is to analyze the poppet's job. If its to enhance your life,
health, fortune, etc, then you make a poppet to represent you and accessorize and mark it with items and symbols that represent this magick and energy. Placing a small magnet and clippings of your hair or nails inside the poppet
also helps to personalize it.
Making a Poppet to Represent Another Person:
In this section, we will deal with poppets made to represent divinity
or properties.
You can make a Goddess Doll. This can be a poppet made to symbolize
the goddess as you envision her. To do this you may wish to research
as much as you can about your goddess and then go about creating the
poppet that is dressed/made out of the colors, that particular deity
is associated with; markings and symbols it is known for. A recent
Goddess Poppet I made is decorated in white and purple. She is
trimmed with silver and marked with the pentacle, the crescent moon
and the spiral. She is wearing a crocheted purple hat with glittery
beads. Why? Because for me white and purple represent the goddess, as
purity, power, wisdom and knowledge. Silver is associated with the
moon as her metal; the crescent moon is also a sign for the goddess
as is the spiral. The hat is meant to give her a very celtic look and
initially was meant to be used as a shield, but it became a hat with
glittery beads. Why glittery beads? Because in magick it is believed
that those things that reflect light attract higher energies.
You can make a Guardian Poppet, one that will be a protector of your home.
You do not have to select a specific spirit or deity, but instead made to represent special energies of protection. The poppet can be decorated and marked with signs, colors and symbols that for you represent protection. Or
you can make a poppet and accessorize it as a warrior, complete with a
shield and even helmet if you wish.
Following is a small list of ideas for specific magick poppets and suggested colors, symbols and accessories. Please remember these are based on my personal experiences and do not represent the ultimate source of information. Always use what works for you.
Stuffing:
Stuffing an entire poppet with herbs is very costly. My suggestion is to use plain tissue paper and sprinkle the herbs you will be using lightly into the poppet as you are stuffing it.
Types of Poppets & Their Use:
1.) Health-
a.) For the doll:
fabric made of yellow, white, green or purple. Also dress it in any of these colors.
b.) Accessories:
stuff with sprinkling of herbs known for their healing properties.
c.) Crystal:
amethyst or clear quartz (you can glue it anywhere on the poppet, or put it inside).
d.) Symbols:
the Sowulo rune (an S) which symbolizes the Sun, for healing; the sun symbol; the pentacle.
2.) Prosperity:
a.) For the doll: green fabric; dress it all in green.
b.) Accessories: stuff with basil, cinnanom, mint, patchouli and one dollar bill. Dab with magnet oil or place a small magnet inside] the poppet.
c.) Crystal: any green colored stone. Place inside the poppet (I believe that spells for money should not be put out in public view).
d.) Symbols: the money sign used in your country; the sun symbol; pentacles.
3.) Love and Romance:
a.) For the doll: pink fabric and dress it in light green, pinks & mauves.
b.) Accessories: stuff with rose petals, rosemary, lilac.
c.) Crystal: place a pink/rose quartz crystal over poppet's heart area. Use
a good glue.
d.) Symbols: draw hearts on the poppet. Or any other symbol that symbolizes love to you.
4.) Protection:
a.) For the doll: red; dress the doll in shades of red.
b.) Accessories: Oak chips and willow chips for the legs of the poppet;
mugwort and anise; shields, (no weapons), a little mirror glued to the
poppet's chest to suck in the evil inside of it.
c.) Crystal: a small red coral or onyx if possible; or any red and black stones. Glue one stone to each of the poppet's hands.
d.) Symbols: the Eye of Horus; the sun symbol; the spider's shape; the
crescent moon.
5.) Binding:
(Note: there are times you will be faced with a very difficult magickal decision, and this will be whether or not to bind. Binding is to stop an individual from doing any further harm to self or others; binding is not attacking, it is immobilizingthe other party from a continued attack. It is
the method in which you bind that determines whether or not you are
attacking as well. To repel evil, as many do, is actually to initiate the
same type of magick and thus this renders you an attacker. However, not all traditions follow the same definition presented here. This is a very personal issue. I present the information here as part of an educational series.)
a.) For the doll: black; dress the doll in black.
b.) Accessories: a length or rope or cord; a nail or screw.
c.) Crystal: optional, you can glue a clear quartz crystal to enhace the
magick to the poppet's chest area.
d.) Stuff with tissue paper sprinkled with mugwort, this is optional.
A binding poppet is totally different from the above examples. A binding
poppet will carry the marks and signs that will identify the person you are binding. It could be their name or birthdate. Using the rope or cord, tie
the poppet's hands behind its back and place the nail into its mouth.
This sounds like a very dramatic form of magick for a poppet and it is. Therefore it should only be made when you HAVE to and without malice
intended. If there is any malice in making a binding doll, its magick will
land squarely at your feet. A binding poppet should be used for stopping a person who is hurting himself and through their actions, others as well. However, not all witches and pagans believe in binding and no one should be pressured into this. This is, as I said before, a very personal and private decision.
