Objects Used in Magical Practice
/Dr. Mario Pazzaglini
The following objects are some of those used in performing the various rituals related to the practice of Italian magic. They are mainly everyday objects with symbolic value which allows the practitioner to connect with his or her intended task. They can be used in various combinations for magical intention and for protection. There is no standard group of objects in a witch's toolbox, but there are some such as red string, oil and bowls that are usually found in such collections. Other objects not on the following list may be used as substitutes, and particular rituals might demand specific articles not on the list. Finally, the uses stated below are the most common ones; there are other uses for these objects.
Almond
Protection against female disorders.
Birds
Divination.
Blue ribbon
Making or protecting a holy object.
Bowl, water and oil
Detecting evil eye, dispelling evil-eye, divination.
Breath
Intention and fixation of such in the outside world, calling other beings.
Broom
Symbolizing clearing or cleaning away of bad intent; put at doorway.
Butterfly
Contacting souls.
Button and string, or spinning top:
An entrancer.
Cakes
Marking a holiday or intention.
Candle
A place for presence of a being, protection.
Cat
Detection or protection.
Chestnut or pastry made in the shape of
Eaten to hold hope through the night, protection.
Cloth and knot
Protection and containment.
Coin (ancient, old or found):
Protection, especially against death.
Coral
Protection, especially against the evil eye. (Elsworthy 1958).
Crossroads
Location of appearances and projecting.
Deer
Sacred to Diana.
Dew
Annointing and for potions.
Dog
Sacred to Diana.
Eye
Projecting intention.
Fireflies
The presence of transformational light.
Gold
Blessing and protection.
Grain, meal
An offering, to contain volition.
Hair and nails
Connecting to intention, controlling.
Hand
Directing and forming and projecting intention.
Herbs
Protection, medications, potions.
Holly
Protection, especially against the evil eye.
Holy metal
Protection.
Holy pictures
Various protectors for various causes.
Honey
Blessing or attraction.
Horn, corno, pepper:
Protection and power.
Horse shoes
Protection; open side up to contain good fortune.
Iron amulet
Protection against impotence (Berretta 1994).
Ivory amulets
Protection, especially for health.
Lens
Focusing intent, scrying.
Magnet or lodestone
Attraction.
Mirror
Scrying, reflection of other worlds or places, protection.
Mouse
Good fortune, the presence of a soul.
Moon
Source of life, love and power.
Number 13
Good luck, protection.
Oil to burn as a candle
Anointing intention.
Pin
Fixing a hold on intention.
Red ink
Protection, making talismans.
Red knotted string
Protection.
Rosary
Protection, holding intention.
Salt
Protection, drawing a boundary.
Scissors
Protection, cutting intention of others; put at door for protection.
Silver
Protection against demons, holding the light of the moon.
Small vials
Containing protective herbs and spirits.
Stone with a hole
Remote viewing.
Stone (round)
Protection, holding intention, good luck.
Tree
Location of appearances.
Vinegar
Dispelling evil.
Voice
Intention and fixation of such in the outside world, calling other beings.
Walnut Containing.
Wine
Placing intention into; represents blood or dew.