Sigil Witchery

LAURA TEMPEST ZAKROFF (Seattle, WA) has been a practicing Modern Traditional Witch for more than two decades and is the author of The Witch s Cauldron. She revels in the intersection of her paths as an author, artist, and dancer. Laura blogs for Patheos and Witches & Pagans, and contributes to The Witches Almanac. www.LauraTempestZakroff.com

Praise:"To the best of my own knowledge, Tempest has invented an entirely new approach to making and using sigils here, and I think it is an extremely powerful one . . . I recommend this book in the highest possible terms."—Robert Mathiesen, Professor Emeritus, Brown University, and co-author of The Rede of the Wiccae "This wonderful book takes the concept of sigil well beyond the simplistic, basic notions of the [Austin Osman] Spare method, and opens the door on the deeper art and potential of sigils as it applies across the spectrum of spellcraft. Any student of the occult with an interest in sigils and sigil crafting: this is a book you need."—Arjil, teacher of Just Effing Magick and creator of the Ellis Sigil"With style, wisdom, and a generous dose of humor, artist and author Laura Tempest Zakroff offers us a new look at an ancient magical practice: the creation and use of sigils, as well as modern tools to take this practice to the next level. From the historical and ritual use of symbols, signs, seals, and marks to the creative process itself, including tools and artistic techniques, Sigil Witchery makes an impressive contribution to a traditional body of occult knowledge."—Storm Faerywolf, author of Betwixt and Between"Sigil Witchery pulls together a number of threads in contemporary magic with insight and intelligence while keeping the applications of magical symbolism front and center. Zakroff's study ranges from the tattoo patterns of the Amazigh people to graffiti tags found in urban alleys, yet the wide scope of her interests never gets in the way of her clear writing. Her approach to sigil craft is rooted, practical, imaginative, and inspiring."—Cory Thomas Hutcheson, author and co-host of New World Witchery"Full of original art, sigils, massive research, and a clear writing and teaching style, this is definitely the best book on the subject of sigils that has ever been written, hands down. This book isn't just a showcase of historical sigil methods or rehashed information. Tempest brings new creative ideas to the table while placing a focus on directly interacting with the book's material to make sigil magick your very own personalized form of witchery."—Mat Auryn, professional psychic, witch, writer, and blogger at Patheos Pagan"Sigil Witchery perfectly combines the history and art of mark-making with the science and art of magick."—Chris Orapello, author, artist, and co-host of Down at the Crossroads

• ContentsIllustrations and Photographs . . . xvForeword by Anaar Niino . . . xxiIntroduction............................................................................................................. 1Our Journey Ahead 3The Modern Tradition of Witchcraft 4What Is a Sigil? 6What Is Sigil Magick? 6Chapter 1: A History of Mark Making......................................................................... 9Eye—Brain—Hand—Art 9Signs, Symbols, and Societies 17Simple Yet Sophisticated, Sacred, and Secular 18A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words … or at Least One 22Embodying Symbols 27Gateway of the Divine 31The Timelessness of Tagging 34Symbol Genesis 36Chapter 2: The Meaning of the Mark........................................................................ 37The Symbolism That Lives in Lines 38Basic Shapes and Signs 39Elements 75Directions 76Numbers 77Zodiac and Astrological Signs 79Letters 81Colors 82Other Symbol Systems 83Finding Symbolism in Words: Building a Symbol Library 84Chapter 3: Making Magick........................................................................................ 91Understanding Magick and Spellcraft 91How Does Drawing Sigils Work? 93Uses for Sigil Witchery 95Step by Step: How to Plan and Create Your Sigil 96Applying Sigils, or Put a Sigil on It! 102The Ritual Arts, or I Got That Witch a Ritual, Witches Love Ritual 103The Vanishing Sigil 109Sigils on Skin 118Acknowledging Your Sigil 122Devotional Sigils 123Devotional Design Ritual 124Sigils in Motion 125Be Present in Your Body Exercise 127Comparing Sigil Methods 129Left Brain versus Right Brain? 131Chapter 4: Design Guidance....................................................................................135Setting Up for Sigil Witchery 135An Instant Sacred Sphere 136Getting Over Getting It Wrong 137Simple versus Complex 138Avoid Pictures and Pantomime 138Why Draw Your Own Sigil? 139Drawing Tech 140About Tracing 141Drawing Instructional 141OMG Art Supplies! 148Chapter 5: Practice Exercises...................................................................................157Scenarios 157Solutions 162Chapter 6: Gallery...................................................................................................179The Power Sigil 179Festival Sigils 183The Artist’s Sketchbook 187Mago Djinn Sigil 190Custom Sigils 191The Mother Matrix 199Other Artwork 202Conclusion . . . 207Resources . . . 209Bibliography and Suggestions for Further Research . . . 211Index of Symbols . . . 217