Node Magic – The Sorcery

Knot magic, also called cord magic, involves the casting of spells using the physical act of tying and/or untying knots to bind or release the spells.

In general, knot magic requires a piece of string. A witch can use string, yarn, thread, or ribbons, whatever she has handy. Any piece of string can be used. Some witches have their own stash, or you can use any old piece you can find nearby. However, it’s a good idea to cleanse it first to make sure it doesn’t contain any energies that could interfere with your spell. Some witches use bundles or braids of string.

Many witches choose a color of string (or ribbon, etc.) to suit their purpose, others use just one color (usually black or white) for all purposes. Often the cord is tied nine times, but not always. Sometimes a number is chosen using numeric symbology, and other times it’s chosen to represent a specific concept or quantity (like a few, a little more, many). Sometimes many, many knots are tied as a kind of meditative practice. When each knot is tied, the intention you are meditating on is further tied to the cord. These can even be decorative and worn as jewelry or hung around the home.

There are as many different specific methods of casting a knot spell as there are magic users. The crucial factor is that at least one knot is tied during the course of the spell and the knot serves as a representation or container for the spell.

Knotting spells are often binding spells as symbolism for tying a knot goes well with the symbolism of restricting or controlling activities. One can use tying the knot to symbolize tying the hands of a person whose actions are helpful or to tie someone’s mouth. A piece of string from a person’s clothing or even a braided strand of hair can be used to cast these spells. But binding spells are not used against individuals as often as ideas and natural phenomena like weather, disease, etc.

For example, knot magic can be used in healing spells to bind pain or inflammation temporarily, allowing the patient to rest or move or be fed. Once this is achieved, the knot can be untied to allow the natural healing processes to resume.

In many cases, the knot serves as a kind of container for magic. When the knot is untied, the magic is released. While tied, the knot can serve as an amulet, containing the magic in its immediate vicinity as well as within itself. Or the person who owns the knot can benefit from its residual energy. If the knot is untied or cut, the magic is either lost or released into the universe to do its thing.

Since a knot can be untied, a knot spell can therefore be given an “off”. change from its creator. Just untie the knot and the spell is broken. This must be specified when it is created.

Magic knots of history and folklore

Knot magic is traditionally used by sailors to tie winds and untie a knot to raise a wind. Generally three knots were used. The first, untied, would cause a light wind, the second a strong wind, and the third would create a hurricane. This spell is still used today. One example I’ve seen was walking to a high place and speaking a chant explaining the intent of the spell while tying the first knot, blowing once on the knot, tying it once, and then for each of the three knots repeated, blown twice on the second and three times on the third.

In the story of the Gordian knot, Alexander the Great untied (or cut) the unloosable knot and released his royal power from the descendants of Gordias himself

The knot of Heracles (the reef knot or square knot) is said to have great healing powers. When the bandage surrounding a wound is tied to this knot, it is said to heal faster.

… There is a children’s fairy tale that I remember where the protagonist was given a knotted chord that he unties in knots to help him in his adventures. I can’t find this, nor remember the name or the entire story. If you know the story I’m talking about, please let me know in the comments! (Note: a reader commented that the story was called The Drummer.)

• historical spells; String, knots and magic at By the Knot of Nine
• Spells: Weather Magic, Wind Knots, and Knot Spells at A Band Witch’s Blog