Witch's Ladder - Witch's Ladder Uses

Witch's Ladder Uses

It was believed that witches of old cast a death spell over a person by tying the knots and then hiding the cord, and the only way to undo the spell was to find the secreted cord and untie each knot.

Today, Wiccans and Neo Pagans use witch's ladders primarily in healing, binding, and wish-granting rituals. They can also be used to "bind the thirteen moons of the year," purportedly to allow the witch to better work weather and nature magic, and to open the doorway to the Faery realm.

Knot magick spells are numerous and aim to achieve many different outcomes. The current view held by many Wiccans is seen in this poem by Wiccan poet Enadus:

A knot is not a useless thing It keeps in place with rope and string Not all kept is hard or soft Knots can keep wishes, hope and thoughts Held by magick knots we make For life and love not to forsake.

Knot spells have been created for cutting pain, binding love, and traveling safely. The string or cord can be made out of almost any material, but natural fibers such as hair, wool, hemp and cotton are preferred. Although ladders are often created for as part of a specific spell, many wiccans keep a personal ladder. In this case, the knots or beads are used to keep track of repetition in a spell or prayer, similar to Rosary beads.