A binding spell works to keep someone or something restricted in some way. For example, someone may be bound from entering a location or from lying or someone may be bound to a promise or a location. A spell to restrict geographical movement may involve some sort of boundary marker while a spell to restrict behavior often involves sympathetic magick using a symbolic object.

Symbolism of Binding– Binding spells often incorporate physical binding mechanisms such as rope, string or tape. Knot magick is often used for binding spells, as in the legendary knots that bind the winds. The symbolism of freezing is also popular as in the Freezer Spell. The ribbon or cord in the handfasting ritual binds a couple together and many covens and other magickal working groups use a cord in a ritual to bind their member witches to the group.

Planetary and Elemental Correspondences for Binding– Saturn is the energy of boundaries and so its energy is ideal for all binding spells. Other energies may be brought in based on the specific case.

Colors– Black, additional colors may be brought in depending on the specific case.

Sympathetic Binding Sample

Binding spells are often performed using sympathetic magick. A poppet is created representing the target and/or the activity the target is to be bound from engaging in. For example, if someone sent a threatening letter, the letter itself could be cut in the shape of a person and used as the subject of the spell. The poppet is then named and bound with string (preferably black) and as each knot is tied or each wrap around of the string, an incantation is spoken clarifying the purpose of the spell. “Name! I bind you from carrying out this threat!” etc.

The poppet is then placed in storage somewhere until the threat is passed. One popular place to store the bound poppet is in a jar in the freezer.

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