For what purpose to cast a love spell?

The concept of casting love spells has intrigued and captivated human hearts for centuries. Love, as one of the most powerful and elusive human emotions, has driven people to explore mystical and metaphysical practices in their quest for romance, passion, and connection. In this article, we will delve into the various purposes for which individuals cast love spells, the ethical considerations surrounding them, and the impact of these enchanting practices on the quest for love. I also recommend the article  https://www.love-spell-reviews.com/what-is-love-binding-spell-and-is-it-effective/

1. Attracting a New Love

One of the most common reasons people turn to love spells is to attract a new romantic partner into their lives. Whether you've been single for a while or are simply looking for a deeper connection, love spells are often used with the intention of drawing love into your life. These spells may involve rituals, chants, and the use of crystals or candles to enhance the attraction.

2. Strengthening an Existing Relationship

Love spells are not limited to sparking new romances. Many individuals use them to strengthen and deepen the bonds in existing relationships. These spells aim to rekindle passion, improve communication, and foster emotional intimacy. They are often sought when couples face challenges or feel that their connection has waned over time.

3. Healing Emotional Wounds

Love spells can also be used for healing purposes, helping individuals mend their hearts after a breakup or traumatic experience. These spells are designed to promote emotional healing, self-love, and resilience. They often involve rituals that help release negative emotions and invite positivity and self-compassion.

4. Self-Love and Self-Confidence

Before seeking love from others, many people understand the importance of self-love. Love spells can be employed to boost self-confidence, enhance self-esteem, and encourage a positive self-image. When you love and value yourself, you become more open to receiving love from others.

5. Rekindling Lost Love

Sometimes, individuals seek love spells to rekindle a past love or reunite with a former partner. These spells are typically cast with the belief that the connection between the two people is still strong and can be revived. They may involve elements of forgiveness, healing, and communication.

Ethical Considerations

While love spells are a fascinating aspect of mystical practices, they come with ethical considerations that should not be ignored. Here are some essential ethical points to ponder:

1. Consent: Respect for free will and consent is paramount. Attempting to manipulate or control someone's feelings or actions without their genuine consent is considered unethical. Love spells should never be used to force or coerce someone into a romantic relationship.

2. Personal Responsibility: It's crucial to recognize that love spells are tools, and their effectiveness is often linked to the practitioner's intention, belief, and emotional state. It's important to take personal responsibility for your actions and decisions in matters of love.

3. Karma and Consequences: Many mystical traditions, including some that use love spells, believe in the concept of karma or the law of cause and effect. Engaging in spells with harmful intentions may bring negative consequences upon the practitioner.

4. Ethical Practitioners: If you are considering a love spell, it's advisable to seek guidance from experienced and ethical practitioners who can provide responsible instruction and ensure that the spell is conducted with respect for all parties involved.

5. Self-Reflection: Before resorting to love spells, it's worth reflecting on the underlying reasons and emotions that drive this desire. Sometimes, personal growth, therapy, or self-improvement can be more effective ways to achieve the desired outcomes in love and relationships.

The Controversy Surrounding Love Spells

The practice of casting love spells has been a subject of controversy for various reasons:

1. Ethical Concerns: As mentioned earlier, ethical concerns often arise when love spells are used to manipulate or control the feelings and actions of others. This can lead to issues of consent and personal boundaries.

2. Unrealistic Expectations: Love spells can create unrealistic expectations and dependency on magical solutions for relationship problems. They may divert individuals from addressing the root causes of their relationship issues.

3. Lack of Scientific Evidence: Love spells lack empirical scientific evidence to support their efficacy. Skeptics argue that the power of these spells is largely based on belief, suggestion, and the placebo effect.

4. Psychological Impact: Engaging in love spells can have a psychological impact, affecting the practitioner's mental well-being. The disappointment resulting from unfulfilled expectations can lead to emotional distress.

Conclusion

The use of love spells is a complex and multifaceted practice with a rich history and a wide range of purposes. While they may hold allure for those seeking love and connection, it's essential to approach love spells with mindfulness, respect for consent, and ethical considerations.

In matters of the heart, it is often healthier to prioritize self-love, personal growth, open communication, and ethical conduct. These principles can lead to more authentic and fulfilling connections with others, whether in attracting new love, strengthening existing relationships, or healing emotional wounds. Ultimately, the quest for love is a deeply personal journey, and the choice of whether to employ love spells should be made with care and thoughtful reflection.

Where to start with a love spell?

 Rituals are an excellent tool for influencing our destinies, they can help solve various problems and regain peace of mind. However, when performing them, we often forget that a ritual is much more than words spoken and gestures made. Every ritual consists of specific attributes which cannot be replaced by others and only when combined with the right words and, most importantly, an attitude - will they add up to a full ritual that is likely to have an effect.

Let's start with the objects themselves - almost every ritual requires the preparation of candles. One or more, depending on the ritual. However, what kind of candles they will be also matters immensely, to be more specific - the colour of the candle is important. The candle itself is an important magical artefact because it symbolises the four elements. The wax is earth, but melted wax means water, the flame is of course fire and the smoke is air. On the other hand, depending on the colour of the candle, the vibrations of the candle change, which bring a specific energy into the ritual. If the ritual is about love, a red or pink candle should be used, for a career, an orange candle, or, for example, to improve one's financial situation, a yellow candle. These are, of course, not all the colours, and therefore not all the candle possibilities, but it shows how important this detail is for the performance of the ritual.

With candles, other things are also important. There are many rituals. Some require daily repetition with the same candle, so it obviously needs to be large. Sometimes, on the contrary, we need a candle that will burn out quickly, so we must remember to pay attention to the size of the candle as well. Each ritual should explain exactly what items we will need. Another issue that needs to be addressed in connection with candles is our safety. Rituals are good to perform on a white tablecloth, but it is better not to place the candles directly on it. A tray or a plate of some kind will be useful for this.

Besides candles, ribbons, cards or incense are often used for rituals. These also vary. With ribbons and cards, as with candles, the colour plays the most important role - we have to match it to the ritual. With incense, the problem is greater, because they are powerful on their own and can be used independently. It is better not to add any ideas from ourselves with burning herbs, but to follow the instructions of the ritual exactly. This will protect us from any mistakes. However, it is always possible, and even advisable, to perfume the room where the ritual will be performed with burnt sage. This will cleanse the place of negative vibrations, thus creating an atmosphere conducive to the fulfilment of our desire.

It is the cleansing and mental preparation that is the most important and also the most difficult part of any ritual. All the necessary items will be given in the ritual instructions - it is good to prepare them in advance, so that when we start the ritual, we have everything at hand. Looking for something, or worse, leaving the prepared room is distracting and almost nullifies the chances of success.

But back to the mental preparation, let's reiterate what we established at the beginning - ritual is not just about words and gestures. What really makes a ritual work is the positive energy we bring in, and the power of our mind mainly contributes to this. The words and actions in a ritual only facilitate this, but the power lies in visualisation, or the ability to imagine what we care about. The imagination, however, must be complete, we must be focused, fully concentrated and relaxed. This is why a ritual cannot be planned in a few minutes. We need to prepare well for it. We must be confident and determined, but also aware of the time that will be needed. The room must be clean, tidy, with all the objects prepared in advance. Only in such conditions will the ritual make sense.

It is also important to remember how to behave after the ritual. Unburnt candles or other used objects must be destroyed, giving them to one of the elements. The best way is to bury them in the ground or throw them into a river. At all times, however, if the ritual prescribes something else, let us observe it. Let us also not spend all our time thinking about the ritual we have performed, wondering when we will see the effects. There is no way of predicting when we will achieve what we wanted, and with nerves and anxiety we can only push that moment away. Let's calmly and consciously think about what is missing in our lives and prepare for the ritual that will help us get it.

Using a pink candle in a love binding spell

Love, with its transformative and binding qualities, has long been a source of fascination and inspiration for individuals seeking to deepen their connections and commitment to their partners. One of the tools used in the world of spellcasting to achieve this end is the pink candle. In this article, we will explore the art of love binding spells and the central role that pink candles play in harnessing their enchanting power. I recommend you also read https://magical-rituals.com/blog/2023/06/20/how-to-cast-an-effective-love-spell/

Understanding Love Binding Spells

Love binding spells are a subset of love spells designed to strengthen and solidify the emotional and spiritual connection between two individuals. Unlike traditional love spells, which focus on attracting new love or enhancing self-love, binding spells are intended for established relationships. They are used to deepen the bond, increase trust, and foster long-lasting commitment between partners.

These spells are typically performed with the utmost care and caution because they involve influencing the free will and emotions of another person. Ethical considerations are paramount when undertaking binding spells, ensuring that all parties involved willingly and genuinely desire the deepening of their connection.

The Symbolism of Pink Candles

The use of candles in spellcasting dates back centuries and spans across various traditions and belief systems. Each candle color is associated with specific energies, intentions, and purposes. Pink candles, in particular, hold a special place in the realm of love magic due to their connection with affection, romance, and emotional bonds.

Here are some key symbolic associations of pink candles:

1. Love and Romance: Pink is often associated with the gentle and tender aspects of love. It represents romantic love, affection, and emotional warmth. Using pink candles in love binding spells signifies a desire for a loving and harmonious relationship.

2. Compassion and Understanding: Pink also represents compassion, empathy, and understanding. It encourages open communication and fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect within the relationship.

3. Healing and Reconciliation: Pink candles can be used in binding spells to heal emotional wounds, mend misunderstandings, and reconcile differences between partners. They promote forgiveness and the willingness to work through challenges.

4. Harmony and Balance: Pink is a color that promotes harmony and balance within relationships. It encourages compromise and cooperation, making it an ideal choice for binding spells intended to create a harmonious partnership.

Performing a Love Binding Spell with Pink Candles

If you're considering performing a love binding spell with pink candles, it's essential to do so with the utmost respect for the free will and consent of all parties involved. Here is a general outline of how such a spell can be conducted:

1. Set Your Intention: Before beginning the spell, take time to clarify your intention. What do you hope to achieve with this binding spell? Ensure that your desire is sincere and for the highest good of all.

2. Gather Your Materials: You will need a pink candle, a piece of parchment or paper, a pen, and a safe, fireproof dish.

3. Preparation: Find a quiet, sacred space where you won't be disturbed. Light some incense or play soft, soothing music to create a conducive atmosphere.

4. Write Your Intentions: On the parchment or paper, write your intentions clearly and concisely. Be specific about the qualities you want to enhance in your relationship, such as trust, communication, or commitment.

5. Dress the Candle: Dressing the candle involves anointing it with a love oil or essential oil that resonates with your intention. As you do so, visualize the love and harmony you wish to cultivate in your relationship.

6. Light the Candle: Place the dressed pink candle in a safe holder and light it. As the flame flickers, meditate on your intentions, focusing on the love and unity you seek to strengthen.

7. Read Your Intentions Aloud: Speak your written intentions aloud, infusing them with your sincere emotions and desires. Feel the energy and power of your words as you do so.

8. Burn the Paper: Carefully ignite the paper with the candle flame and place it in the fireproof dish. As it burns, visualize any negative or stagnant energies being transformed into love and positive connection.

9. Meditate and Reflect: Sit quietly for a few moments, continuing to meditate on your intentions. Imagine your relationship growing stronger and more loving with each passing day.

10. Extinguish the Candle: Allow the pink candle to burn down completely or safely extinguish it if you need to leave it unattended. The spell is considered complete when the candle has burned out.

11. Dispose of the Ashes: Once the ashes are cool, scatter them in a natural body of water or bury them in the earth, returning the energy to the universe.

Ethical Considerations and Consent

It cannot be emphasized enough that love binding spells should only be performed with the full and informed consent of all parties involved. Attempting to manipulate or control another person's feelings or actions without their consent is unethical and can lead to negative consequences for all parties.

In summary, pink candles play a significant role in love binding spells, symbolizing love, compassion, and the deepening of emotional bonds. When performed with respect, sincerity, and ethical considerations, love binding spells can be a powerful tool for strengthening the connection between two people who genuinely desire a loving and harmonious relationship.

Kabbalistic Angels

 Angels are incorporeal beings with higher than human energy levels, emotional and intellectual potential. They all originate from God, which is reflected in the syllable 'el' contained in each angelic name, denoting the divine element (names of God: El, El- Shaddai, Elohim known from the Torah and the Old Testament).
At the dawn of time, there was a split and rebellion among the angelic entities. Those that denounced obedience to God became demons. This is why demons too have the fragment "el" in their names, reminding us of their former connection with the Divine Being. Legions of demons have taken up residence in the depths of hell, but, as incorporeal entities, they can roam the world unhindered and constantly urge people to do evil.
Angels are a kind of intermediary between God and the earthly world, often messengers of various messages. They are also mentioned in esoteric-mystical writings such as the Kabbalah. According to the data contained therein, there are more than seventy angelic entities whose names are mentioned in this mystical book. All angels are said to number more than 49 million.

Below is basic information about the most important of the Kabbalah's angels:

Metatron
He is the only angel of human origin. When he was alive, his name was Henoch, and he was a man distinguished from his contemporaries by his uprightness in conduct, purity of intention, and deep faith. So he was distinguished for this by being taken to heaven minus the stage (or moment) of death: "In the glory of the fiery chariot and the fiery horses, in the sound of the trumpets and the horns of the shofar, Henoch was taken up. The Lord of Hosts, the King of great glory lifted him up on high to the seventh palace of the Shekhinah and set him before His Throne".


Angelisation: 'Then all the members of Henoch were transformed into splitting flames in order to purify him from all imperfection and to give him authority over the angels of fire' .
Metatron serves before the Throne of the Most High not only heaven but also earth. For this reason, he has been granted many qualities (while the other archangels patronise only one each): intelligence, prudence, life, peace, power and might, strength, goodness, love, beauty, fear of God, balance, justice, survival, mercy and gentleness

Raziel
His name means: angel of the secret worlds and the highest mysteries. According to mystical and esoteric literature, he was said to be the author of a book named after him, containing the wisdom of the heavens and the earth. It was given to the first man, then stolen by angels. Later Raziel was to pass it on to the righteous representatives of the human race - Noah and then Henoch.

Tzaphkiel
The angel Tzaphkiel symbolises love and compassion, and teaches unconditional love, the kind the Creator loves. This angel, often depicted in a female form, prompts people to deeds of love and mercy. On an esoteric level, she symbolises the feminine element, passivity, the dark, primordial waters of the primordial ocean. Tzaphkiel in New Age ideology is partly identified with the ancient, pagan mother goddesses, set to protect humanity from evil. The colour of this angel is blue. She evokes and patronises all good feelings, forgiveness, harmony, selfless love. Tzaphkiel is often depicted as a figure standing on a cloud and embracing the earth with a caring gaze. On an esoteric level, he is combined with Saturn.

Tzadkiel
Tzadkiel also called Zadkiel, is the archangel of mercy. His name literally means "Righteousness of God". Astrologically, he is associated with the planet Jupiter, the zodiacal signs of Pisces and Sagittarius. In terms of energy, the colour assigned to the angel Zadkiel is red. He is often depicted in paintings with a knife in his hand (a reference to the sacrifice of Isaac/lamb). The angel Zadkiel is also a good guide on the path towards emotional balance and towards taking full responsibility for one's well-being, as well as a sense of happiness in life.

Sammael
He is the twelve-winged executor of divine commands, often judgements. In all likelihood, he was behind the driving force that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, for the fact that their inhabitants led a highly entertaining life, quite immoral by the standards of the time. Because Sammael's missions often had a rather dramatic and, to put it mildly, negative impact on people's lives, he was given a dark name. Sammael literally means "poison of God". Sammael's evil influence on the human race was already evident at the dawn of time, when Eve succumbed to the serpent's persuasions in paradise. It is possible that the serpent acted under the influence of the aforementioned archangel, or that the archangel used the reptile to 'test' the willpower of the first legendary woman. Therefore, some believe that the personification of evil, long known as Satan, could also take the name Sammael.

The magical power of bells

 That bells have evoked certain feelings in us from time immemorial, even a child knows. They are mysterious, powerful - though often not enormous. Always, in every culture, the sound of bells has been a sacred sound. But often also fearful - for as far back as we can remember, they announced all sorts of situations, apart from calling the faithful to prayer. The bells were rung to announce a fire, to announce pain, e.g. the death of high church dignitaries, and also when the population was in danger, e.g. from the water. Bells were rung and rung. The sound reverberated and carried joy and hope, symbolising God.
In one Swiss cathedral there is a motto engraved like this - on the bells: "Vivos voco, mortuos plango, fulgura frango". That is, translated: "I summon the living, I mourn the dead, I crush the thunder".
Bell! An eternal voice associated with Christian culture, it accompanies us from birth until death. But is it only with us that the bell has great significance? In India, the sound of the bell was said to be circular, and according to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian art of healing and restoration, a circle signified, among other things, perfection.
In many cultures, bells have different purposes, and with that, shapes. Everywhere, however, they have been believed, and not without foundation, in their magical power. In the magical vibrations of bells.

We are accustomed to the shape of bells, bells that are used in our tradition. In churches, powerful and down to the smallest, but almost the same shape, we also find such in the towers of fire stations, and even in our homes they have from time immemorial signalled the time for meals, in schools they heralded the end of one lesson, a break, etc.
The shape was deeply engraved in our memory. While listening to them, we could feel this strange vibration, arousing admiration and at the same time calmness or "respect" for its history, but everyone always felt this vibration of bells, chimes etc.


The shapes of bells and chimes are not the same everywhere. Even here, for example in the Podkarpacie region, we find different shapes of bells The bell is one of the simplest and at the same time most noble instruments. Its sound disperses negative energies and raises the level of vibrations in the surroundings.
In ancient Europe, the sound of bells accompanied people throughout their lives, announcing births and deaths, warning of war, fire, pestilence, notifying of holidays and festivities, and calling to church services.
The bellmakers who produced the bells were held in high esteem, and they themselves guarded the secrets in their art of creating these magnificent specimens. Unsurprisingly, for some instruments were attributed extraordinary symbolism. For example, the sound of an organ was said to imitate the harmony of the universe, while the sound of a bell symbolised the voice of God.


In China, tubular bells are popular. Nowadays, they are very much used by us in the art of Feng Shui. They are several sections of properly cut metal pipe, attached to a piece of wood (or metal). This arrangement was used to give the sound the right timbre and pitch. A plate usually made of wood is suspended between these tubes. The movement of air, e.g. the wind, a slight draught, even our unintentional touch (when they are hung in the passage by the door), causes the plate to begin to sway and nudge the tubes, which gently sound. Tubular bells are traditionally hung where negative energy needs to be dissipated.


In India and Tibet, on the other hand, bells are used during rituals. There, they symbolise the female element of the universe. Monks hold them in their hands while chanting sutras and reciting mantras.
Another very specific type of bell is the Tibetan rubbing bowls. These are made of an alloy whose composition is a great, guarded secret. However, it is well known that the correct proportions of the alloy components determine the quality of the sound. The sound quality should be penetrating, yet pleasing and gentle to the ear. It is supposed to "give the impression of space". They are played with a wooden stick, which is rubbed against the edges. Tibetan musicians can conjure up unusual and mysterious sounds from several such bowls of different sizes. Japanese Buddhists use bells in monasteries. Their sound calls for meditation.
And in our present-day culture and also in everyday life, we use bells, bells of various kinds and for various purposes. We are already leaving aside the traditions we mentioned at the beginning of the text. Of course, many of us use all sorts of accessories to improve our living conditions, to create psychological comfort, to get rid of what we believe are many negative energies around us, etc. Among others, there are bells, chimes.


We can use and benefit from the sound of bells or gongs on a daily basis for meditation, reflection and also to get rid of stress.
And when we are carried away by negative emotions - according to the recommendations of the Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh - we can quickly help ourselves with a bell. He describes one of the methods in his book "Every step brings peace". "Every step brings peace". So what does he suggest to us? Whenever we are carried away by violent but negative emotions, just take the bell in your hand and ring it, listen to its sound, feel the change that occurs in us when we concentrate on our breathing and listen to the sound of the bell. This helps to restore calm and, most importantly, to look at the problem from a distance.

In search of a soul

 An Anglican pastor, preaching an evening sermon, used the following incident to make the worshippers at the service aware of the relationship between earthly life and eternal life: at one point, a nocturnal bird swooped into the church through an open window. It circled the church several times, perched for a moment on a pillar, and then flew back out of the window.
The pastor compared the House of God with mortality and the bird with the human soul. The bird flew out of the darkness, out of nowhere. He stayed in the temple for a little while and - this moment, this brief fragment of his life, was a temporal existence. But then the night visitor flew away, melted into the darkness and its further fate is shrouded in mystery.

What is hidden in this darkness? Where does the human soul reside before it is bound by the chains of the body and after it is freed from them? - Man has been asking himself this question since time immemorial, and unfortunately he has not been able to find an answer... However, he is always looking for a solution to this mystery, searching persistently, with a spark of hope in his heart, that he will finally find a way to break through the veil hiding the mysterious world of the afterlife. And when that spark goes out, what follows is a terrible spiritual dilemma that has already put a suicidal tool in the hand of many (in 1931, a student at the University of Warsaw committed suicide for these very reasons. "I want to know what it is like on the other side". -were the words of the last letter. - Translator's note).
Already in prehistoric times, the question of spiritual life troubled the people of that time. Archaeological excavations testify to this, the oldest of which were discovered in the Gargas cave in the Pyrenees. These are wall paintings from the Middle Orinician period (Palaeolithic or Stone Age). The people of this period were involved in hunting, which had a significant impact on man's attitude to spiritual phenomena. Whereas the agricultural population sees that the phenomena that surround them do not depend on them, but are determined by atmospheric and climatic changes, etc., the hunter sees that the success or failure of the hunter is not dependent on them. whereas the hunter puts his success or failure in hunting down to chance, guided by certain mysterious causes. Man can bring these causes about himself and certain magical procedures are used to do this. Magic consists in the fact that man causes a cause, an effect, but there is no logical link between this cause and effect. The well-known archaeologist of history and at the same time art historian Luguel supposes that the first magical procedures to produce an effect were hand movements. We know that even in today's magic (and also in magnetism), hand movements play an essential role. In the Gargas cave, white handprints were discovered on a red background, in various positions, intended to express certain magical procedures. It is extremely interesting that these hands are clearly mutilated. It would be very difficult to establish for what purpose the prehistoric magician mutilated his hands, were it not for the fact that even today, in many primitive peoples, the artificial deformation of the hands is a prerequisite for successful magical experimentation. Similarly, the mere knocking out of teeth (Bantu Negroes), the deformation of the skull (Incas) are supposed to predispose certain people to perform magical procedures.


The relics from the Gargas Cave are the first known evidence that even in such remote times, man tried to get his hands on the forces that governed the world, and there were even female figures with strongly marked sexual characteristics (such as the famous "Venus of Willendorf") used for magical operations to enhance fertility.

In the Magdalenian era (also the Palaeolithic era), so-called "baton de commendement" or magic sticks were in use, covered with realistic, liguraine or geometric drawings, which were used by prehistoric magicians. These sticks have survived to the present day and we know what a momentous role they play in modern magic.In the same era we have for the first time a clearly crystallised human attitude to the afterlife. In the graves at Chant Seiappe and others, skeletons were found so strongly contracted that the knees touched the chin and the calves touched the thighs. The head was bent horizontally downwards and the face was hidden in the hands. In order to shrink the dead man in this way, his tendons had to be cut and he was restrained tightly with ropes made of bast.


What was the purpose of this procedure Well, people wanted to keep the soul in the body for as long as possible. It is extremely interesting that even today people claim that after a person's death the soul becomes hostile and harmful to the surroundings; such a soul, until the body disintegrates, circulates in the form of a wraith or vampire in the vicinity of the grave, harming and scaring the inhabitants. The fettering of the body is supposed to prevent these posthumous wanderings. This is still practised in Java, Sumatra and Celebes. In Russia and Poland, people tie a handkerchief around the mouth of the deceased, sprinkled with holy water, also for this purpose. (Dr Wlodzimierz Antoniewicz, professor at the University of Veraz, discovered a Tartar cemetery near Trakai in Lithuania, very interesting because the deceased in their coffins were heavily restrained. During one of my first excursions in the country, I witnessed the following event: in June 1930, I stopped for the night in the village of Svarychiv at the foot of the Eastern Carpathians. Outside the village there is a mound under which lies the corpse of a beggar, murdered by a certain mulatto from Poznan. Late one evening, one of the local villagers, half-conscious with fear, came into the village and told him that the wraith of this beggar was chasing him. Just then an old blacksmith, nearly 90 years old, spoke up: "And I told you to tie Vasyl's mouth with a rag and his legs together before burying him. You did not listen to me - and now you have. Even the aspen wheels won't help any more, it's too late!"


There are also traces indicating that in the Magdalenian era, funeral services were held in honour of the deceased, with the use of - for drinking - human skulls.


This belief in spirits and their contact with the living, of which we have the first clear traces in such remote history, continues and develops through the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. When writing finally comes into being, even in its oldest monuments we have references to the relationship between the two worlds: the living and the dead. We know, for example, that the most important part of the service of the Indian Brahmans was the worship of the dead. There were certain days of the year (21 January and 14 June, it seems) dedicated to the invocation of spirits. Only priests of higher ranks were allowed to take part in these gloomy and mysterious rites.


In ancient Egypt, priests and sorcerers made contact with the dead very easily. They supposedly used for these purposes a medium, who was put into a hypnotic trance, which is practised to this day, during modern spiritualistic séances, In one of the oldest monuments of Egyptian writing, namely in the "Book of the Dead", we find a lot of interesting records for learning about the views of the ancient Egyptians on the course of the human soul after death. Of particular interest is the issue of metempsychosis, i.e. the wandering of the soul and its successive incarnations in animals and humans. This wandering lasts for about 3,000 years, with the first stage being a stay in the body of a pig.
In some Arab tribes living in the northern Sahara (south of the Tidikelt desert), remnants of beliefs in metempsychosis still survive today. It is noteworthy that the human soul, after travelling posthumously in the bodies of various animals, is finally incarnated in ... the blacksmith, as the lowest degree of humanity. It is important to know, however, that the blacksmith's trade is - for reasons unknown - deeply despised by all Berbers.

But let us go back into the darkness of distant antiquity and lift the veil hiding the secret spiritualistic practices of the Chaldeans. From them the Egyptians took over many details, connected with the cult of the dead, it is said, that Chaldean priests disposed of means, with which they could at any time call up spirits and consult them in important matters. A few incantations have survived to the present day which, apart from their unfailing power, possess the grace and beauty of the highest poetry.
The spiritualistic practices of the ancient Greeks are also interesting. They attached great importance to oracles and instructions given by the spirits of the dead. There were even places specially haunted by the spirits and spiritualistic ceremonies were held there in secret, accessible only to a select few. These places included Figalia in Arcadia, Heracles on the Pont and apparently Cumae, where there was a Greek colony (southern Italy). Some writers state that associated with the cult of the dead in Greece was - the cult of the senses. At Cape Teneamaron there was a temple whose priestess was the most beautiful virgin of the province. Once a year, young men would gather for a mysterious spiritualistic ritual, at which a spirit would appear and choose the man himself to whom the priestess would belong.


However, precedence in the highest development of the cult of the dead must be given to Ephesus. The inhabitants of this city were so engrossed in witchcraft practices that St Paul the Apostle stepped in and, with fiery sermons, moved the Ephesians to put all their works and magical formulas on one great pyre and burn them. We read about this in the Acts of the Apostles (XIX, 19). How many priceless documents then fell victim to exaggerated religious fanaticism!


The Romans fared no better, who, as Suetonius mentions, burned, on the orders of the Caesar Augustus, some 2,000 works of sorcery, among which was the famous formula - and always infallible - for invoking spirits, compiled by some magician from North Africa.
From the history of spiritism in ancient Rome we have an interesting fact to note. stating that already at that time it was known to communicate with the spirits of the dead through a knocking table. In fact, according to the Roman historian Tertullian, several fraudsters were caught exploring this new field of knowledge.

Magic signs obtained from animals

 For years, initiates of magical knowledge have attributed the transmission of magical signs to the animals they meet; here are the most important of these:

The lamb. - Encountering a single lamb is a harbinger of peace, happiness and love.

Hedgehog. - This animal is a good omen. To catch up with a hedgehog is an auspicious sign, and to encounter a hedgehog coming from the opposite direction augurs even better.

Horse. - Encountering a grey horse brings good luck, especially to a gambler, but when the observer first notices the animal's tail - misfortune will befall someone dear to him. When a couple in love meets a white horse, they may take it as an omen of future luck.

Cat. - It is widely believed that a black cat brings misfortune, although there are people who firmly insist on the opposite opinion.

Goat. - An auspicious sign, foretelling good luck and material benefits. marten. - Meeting a marten is a sign that success will accompany any venture you are considering.

Weasel. - To see a weasel portends domestic discord and worry related to family matters.

Mule. - This is an unkind sign, foreshadowing financial losses and treacherous partners in business.

Mouse. - To receive a white mouse as a gift is a sign of success and happiness in love, unless the giver realises the significance of their gift. A brown or reddish mouse is similarly a good omen, though to a lesser degree; whereas a gift of a grey mouse brings evil and the threat of danger.

Bat. - To hear the squeaks or cries of a bat flying is a harbinger of misfortune.

Donkey. - Encountering a donkey is an inauspicious sign, especially if the animal is coming from the opposite direction.

Sheep. - An unexpected encounter with a flock of sheep is a good sign, especially when the sheep are heading your way.

Dog. - If a dog howls at the moon or outside the house, it foreshadows death in the neighbourhood. Eastern folklore often regarded the black dog as a figure assumed by the devil, and those who study the classical era will remember a passage from Horace containing the statement that the sight of a black dog and its puppies was a sign of Satan to the ancients. Some people believe that killing a dog foretells the same misfortune as killing a cat.

Rat. - This is one of the animals that were providers of omens for Roman diviners. A white rat signifies an auspicious omen, while a black rat augurs very unfavourably. Looting by rats is a very bad omen for those whose property is being attacked. A Roman historian tells us that defeat in battle was once predicted by rats chewing on an army's shields. If you find that your personal belongings have been bitten by rats, you had better postpone any business you may be considering.

Pig. - This is a very bad sign, and meeting a pig foreshadows serious worry. If a wedding retinue returning from church comes across a stray pig, the bride and groom are in danger of having an unhappy marriage.

Squirrel. - Encountering a squirrel heralds imminent good fortune.

Ox. - A chance encounter with an ox on the road brings with it a foretelling of good luck and monetary gain.

Hare. - It is generally believed to be an ominous animal; it was once even believed that witches lived in the bodies of hares. If a hare crosses someone's path, it means disappointment and misfortune. If you see a hare running past a house in the countryside, you should take precautions against a fire. In some parts of the world, the belief in the ominous power of hares is so strong that people with an errand to run or important plans to carry out will immediately turn away from their path when they see the animal, because they believe that if they go any further they will meet with failure.