Sigil Witchery
Page 14
It’s pretty clear that Meg has been doing as much as she can to get Kim out of her life physically. She is seeking metaphysical protection for herself but is also compassionate toward Kim, despite wanting her out of her life. She doesn’t want to stop Kim by hurting her, but would rather see her get better—and not damage anyone else either. So there are several different kinds of layers here: separating Kim out of Meg’s life and obscuring the way while also preventing harm from coming to Kim or anyone else. These could be separated out into several sigils (one for protection, one for banishing, one for binding, etc.), but if you think about it, getting Kim contained and focused on a path of self-awareness and treatment could take care of a lot of the issues. She’s at the root of the issues, so I decided to focus on her.
I started by drawing an inverted pentagram to represent Kim, because in this scenario I’m visualizing her being turned upside down like the Hanged Man in the tarot. Next I contained her in a circle, and then drew a bounding box around the circle. In the center of each side of the square, I placed an outward-facing chevron. These create a repeating K around the box, and also stand in for listening ears or funnels of information. I lined up three dots in front of the mouth of each chevron—medicine to be taken, and 3 x 4 = 12 for the Hanged Man again, as well as a year’s time of holding. I wanted her energy to mirror back gently at her as well, so I placed an inward-facing crescent at each of the corners.
Meg could use a saltwater or herb-infused solution to mark her home, vehicle, office, etc., with the sigil to ward off Kim. She could also take a photo of Kim, draw the sigil on the back of it, and choose to either set it on fire and scatter the ashes away from her. Or she could put Kim “on ice” by placing the photo with the sigil in a plastic bag with some water, sealing it up, and then tossing it in the back of the freezer.
An Inspiration and Creativity Sigil
Solution: An Inspiration and Creativity Sigil
When considering Alex’s situation, what stands out to me is that he needs to break free from cycles, keep momentum going when he needs it, and be open to change. What often happens when we get stuck in cycles is that we get focused on seeing in only one direction. In order to be open to inspiration and creativity (and not get caught going in circles), we need to acknowledge more directions. So for Alex’s sigil, I started off with a stylized six-pointed star, making the triangles themselves arrowhead-like in shape—one shooting up and the other down. At the singular top/bottom points of the triangles, I placed double chevron “heads” accenting each direction. At the base points of each triangle, I placed double “tail” chevrons, to give an added sense of direction. Then I added spiral-like wings to either side of the star, which also forms a stylized version of the zodiac symbol for Aries while giving a sense of flight or lightness. Lastly I placed two asterisks at either end of the directional points, to signify inspiration and goals. The overall sigil gives a strong sense of movement, that either direction is the correct one, as long as you keep moving.
My suggestion for Alex to apply his sigil is to have it somewhere in his studio where he can see it—perhaps on a desk, easel, or doorway. If he’s so inclined, he may consider getting it tattooed. Another thought, if Alex is into ritual processes, is that he could light some stick incense and “draw” the sigil with the smoke when he feels like he’s hit a block. Or if he works on canvases, he could take a brush with just water on it and draw the sigil on the surface of a canvas before he gets down to work.
A Prosperity Sigil
Solution: A Prosperity Sigil
In this scenario, we have immediate needs/goals that in time will allow for bigger goals to be achieved. Liza has a very specific goal of bringing in another three hundred dollars a month for six months. In her profession, that amount of money could be made just by getting one or two more gigs each month. The sooner she starts, the faster she can get to planning a trip overseas that will boost her career. To start on this sigil, I considered math rooted in the number six: 6 x 50 = $300. We’re also looking at a period of six months. And the Six of Swords in the tarot symbolizes travel, usually to new places. So to reflect this math, I made a horizontal line overlaid with an X. In the middle of each “sword” I made an outward-facing chevron for a “hilt.” Then I tipped each of the swords with a five-petaled flower. These represent the potential for money opportunities to blossom. We can get the magnifying power of ten from the initial X. Finally I drew a large petal in between each intersecting line to focus the energy on the center of the whole sigil.
Liza may not have a lot of extra money right now, but she does have a large jar of dried thyme in her kitchen cabinet, and the moon is almost full. She can easily make a paste out of the thyme and some water, and squeeze it out of a plastic bag with a small hole cut into the tip. From there she can draw the sigil on the floor of the balcony of her apartment. For an added touch, she can place coins on the center of the sigil and each of the flowers.
[contents]
* * *
13. Pword is my catch-all term for Pagans, Polythiests, Pantheists, etc.
Chapter 6
Gallery
I thought you might find it inspiring to look at a collection of sigils that I have made—for myself, for general use, and for clients. I’ve also included some artwork I have made that includes sigil work.
The Power Sigil
It was the day after the 2016 US presidential election, and the mood around the house, our city, and the majority of our friends and family was rather grim. I don’t do well being idle, nor feeling helpless. I needed to do something that would be productive, that would have meaning and impact. So I did what comes naturally to me: I made a sigil for others to use, and I posted it on my blogs.
The following text is what I prefaced the Power Sigil with:
So much is at stake, at risk, and in danger—yet these are the times we were made for. I seek to exchange my tears of fear and dread—for those of determination, spawn by the winds of revolution. I have put brush to paper, intent into action, by crafting a sigil for all of you who need protection and guidance against the impending storm. To summon its power and remind you of your own. To be a beacon to get us to the time of the Star, navigating safely through the time of the Tower.
Upright Power Sigil
Inverted Power Sigil
Description of the Power Sigil and the Meaning of Its Parts
The largest part of the form is a five-pointed star, representing protection and the elements that make us up: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Within that star is a second star, another layer of protection and a balance of conflicting identities, shining against the dark and the unknown. Within that star is an open circle representing an egg, a seed of truth, the eye of calm within, potential. Extending out from each arm of the larger star are tripled-barbed arrows. They guide our energy outward, reaching while protecting, their points digging deep into what they pierce. Flanking each internal chevron of the star is a crescent moon—its horns protecting the vulnerable areas while also representing the waxing and waning of the moon, of ideas, of waves. There is one moon for each of the next four years, with a fifth to mark the rising of a new era of hope and change. Behind each crescent is a black dot—a point of origin or destination, a new moon’s energy of facing fears and banishing the dark within and without.
I present the Power Sigil to you here in two variations: upright/upward-pointing and inverted/downward-pointing. I believe that the star, regardless of its direction, represents duality, both masculine and feminine energies. The intent of the sigil is the same for either direction, but one may appeal more visually to you and/or be more safe for you to use in the face of ignorance. It is a mark to remind you of your own power, and to take action.
I welcome you to share this sigil, to use it in your home, at work, on your body. You can print it out to look at, draw it again and again for yourself, make into a talisman, tattoo it o
n your body, trace it during meditation—whatever helps you activate it. I ask that you simply please respect my copyright of the design by not reproducing it for profit, and contact me for permission for additional uses or questions.
Thank you and so mote it be.
#witchpower
Festival Sigils
The following are examples of festival sigils. At each event where I teach my workshop, the class collectively works together with me to craft a sigil for the occasion as part of the learning process. We talk about what we’d like to get out of the event throughout the course of it—and perhaps what we will come home with—for ourselves, for our paths, etc. We brainstorm a list of words, and then go through each word and consider how we’d like that word to be presented. It’s a collaborative experience that’s always a lot of fun. I’ve included a few of these sigils, along with their associated lists of words.
PantheaCon Sigil
Paganicon Sigil
DragonCon Sigil
Workshop Sigil at Herne’s Hollow in Delaware
The Artist’s Sketchbook
I’ve noticed an interesting thing about how my notetaking has evolved since my days in academia. Back then I would make notes for homework, important points to remember for tests, detailing processes and procedures. Nowadays, if I’m taking notes I’m probably at a convention or conference of some sort. If I’m not up on the panel or presenting, then I’m sitting in the audience probably doing one of two things: writing down counter-ideas/thoughts to what is being said, or sketching while I absorb what I’m hearing. The former involves largely my left brain working in overdrive as I evaluate what I’m hearing and process counter-arguments or agreements in my head. The latter is almost like recording a record. It may seem like I’m doodling, but later when I look back at the image, I can remember a great deal of what was said. The image doesn’t even have to have anything to do with what the topic was for me to remember it (although often it’s inspired by it).
Similarly, when I’m working on paintings and listening to podcasts or the radio, I can often remember what story was being told at the time and how I felt about it, all by just looking at the painting—or a print of the painting! It doesn’t work quite the same way with music playing in the background, though. Music tends to sit back, while things I’m thinking about in my head move to the forefront. This is why I prefer to listen to something with a story, like a podcast, when I’m making art. It cancels out the talking part of my own brain, leaving it out of the conscious equation of the art-making process.
Sigil Crafting and Notetaking
Another Sketchbook Page
Mago Djinn Sigil
Mago Djinn is the part of my business where I focus on design, sigil witchery, and modern folkwear designs—www.magodjinn.com. To craft this sigil, I took M and D as my starting points, and considered what I wanted to do with this concept and where I wanted it to take me.
Mago Djinn Sigil
Custom Sigils
As part of my Patreon account, I’ve been designing sigils for those participating at certain levels and above. They describe to me what they’re looking for, and I create the sigil. Here are some samples.
Jaime’s Sigil: grounding, creativity, fortune, inspiration, well-being, anxiety-free
This sigil has been included in memory of Jaime Johnson: 1980–2017. Jaime requested this sigil in the spring of 2017, and I provided a sketch for her then. Unfortunately Jaime tragically lost her life the following July, so I never got a chance to give her the digital version of her sigil. She was truly a beautiful and vibrant person, so I am choosing to include her full name, her request, and the finished sigil here to honor and remember her. Rest in power, Jaime <3
Jaime’s Sigil
Carolyn’s Sigil: regain health, happiness, adventure, spirituality
Carolyn’s Sigil
Jennifer’s Sigil: adventure, balance, find momentum and focus
Jennifer’s Sigil
Kim’s Sigil: being present, not dwelling on the past or fretting about the future, labyrinth
Kim’s Sigil
M’s Sigil: positive thinking, protection, love, exploration, the Morrigan, Anubis
M’s Sigil
Mary’s Sigil: health and focus
Mary’s Sigil
Matthew’s Sigil: luck and prosperity
Matthew’s Sigil
Megan’s Sigil: restful sleep
Megan’s Sigil
Paul’s Sigil: finding happiness
Paul’s Sigil
Stephanie’s Sigil: doors opening, growth, creativity, spiritual path
Stephanie’s Sigil
Veronica’s Sigil: discipline, focus, harnessing energy and wisdom, heading into uncharted territory
Veronica’s Sigil
The Mother Matrix
One of my most popular works of art to date is the Mother Matrix. What I think is particularly remarkable is that for the amount of meaning that many people see in her—and how much she has inspired people—she essentially came out of nowhere. A lot of my art is based on a specific idea or vision, then it comes into being. But there was no grand plan for the start of this piece.
Rather, a friend had talked me into vending at an event, mainly to keep her company. I didn’t feel very comfortable at the event, and there were long stretches of time when it was really slow in the vending room. I set myself up with a drawing station, nearly hidden behind my display, and opened up a large sketchpad. I took a pencil and began mixing organic and geometric shapes into the form of a goddess-like figure. After a couple hours, the figure was complete, in pencil. I shared some work-in-progress shots online and was knocked over by the response. The next day I inked her (without screwing her up!).
The following weekend I was selected to do an Art in Action demonstration at Norwescon. I had recently picked up a couple of 1' x 2' birch panels, so I decided that I would translate the drawing into a painting for the demo. I prepared one panel with gesso and, while at the con, used India ink and water to outline the figure and do layers of washes over the course of the demo. After the con, I took her home, and within one to two days the whole painting was complete.
Since then, both the original drawing and the painting have found their way into prints, clothing, tattoos, and more.
The Drawing of the Mother Matrix
The Painting of the Mother Matrix
Other Artwork
As mentioned in chapter 3, I often incorporate sigil witchery into my paintings. I’ve included a few of them on the next few pages to show you what that looks like. Many of these pieces were originally done in full color—and you can see them in full technicolor online at www.owlkeyme.com.
The Iconomage series is an exploration of deities and Witch myths, all painted on reclaimed cedar panels that measure 3' tall x 5 ½" wide. Twenty pieces from this group I make available as full-size and 1⁄3-size giclee prints that I mount on wood and then hand-embellish. I call the full-size pieces “Temple” prints and the 1⁄3-size “Shrine” prints, as they allow collectors to create personal and immediate sacred space.
Familiar Territory is a mixed media painting on birch panel that measures 2' x 2' and was part of my “Witch Heart” solo exhibition in 2016. It explores elemental energies with animal/familiar spirits. (The original is in a private collection. Small prints are available.)
Queen of the Sabbat is a mixed media painting on reclaimed canvas that measures 32" x 40". This is the painting that inspired me to craft the sigils for my own legs. (The original painting is currently in the collection of the artist. Small prints are available.)
The Shaman is a mixed media painting on reclaimed canvas that measures 32" x 40". This motif is something I have been revisiting since the nineties when I first came across drawings based on “The Sorcerer,” an image found at the Cave of the Trois-Frères in Ariège, F
rance, made around 13,000 BCE. (The original painting is currently in the collection of the artist. Small prints are available.)
Details from Paintings from the Iconomage Series:
The Star Goddess • The Huntress • Hekate • When Love Lay with Death and Darkness, Light Was Born
Familiar Territory
Queen of the Sabbat
The Shaman
[contents]
Conclusion
We have reached the end of our sojourn together into sigil witchery. I hope that you have found it illuminating and are inspired to try it out for yourself. Remember that it is perfectly valid to craft your own system of symbolism imbued with personal meaning. Your sigils don’t have to look like my sigils or anyone else’s, because they are yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try out new techniques, and most importantly give yourself time to practice and build up your abilities. Also, don’t be surprised if you start seeing the world around you with a new sense of insight. That tends to happen when you challenge yourself to see and think differently. Blessings and happy sigil making!
[contents]