Magical Mondays: Socks!
Monday November 17, 2008
Magical Mondays: Socks!
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If you're new to Magical Mondays, here's how it works. Each Monday I'll post a photo of an item -- and the catch is, that it's *not* going to be a traditional magical object. No crystals, herbs, or other things typically associated with spellwork or magic. The idea is to see how many magical uses we can come up with for the item. No right answers, no wrong answers, just sharing ideas. Post your suggestions in the Comments section, and see what other readers have to say as well!
To see previous editions of Magical Mondays, you can read here: Magical Mondays. Last week's item was toilet paper, inspired by a weekend Dirty Jobs marathon, and there were some really great ideas. Readers recommended flushing away negative things from your life, using the cardboard tubes as candle molds, and making poppets. You can still contribute to that conversation, so feel free to chime in if you missed it.
So this week's item is one that most of us have around the house. In fact, this time of year you might be stocking up (no pun intended, har de har har) on warm and toasty ones. No limits -- you can use a pair of socks or a solo, in any size, shape or color. How are you going to use your sock(s) in a magical working?
Comments
I have actually used a sock in a ritual once. I was planning a backpacking trip to England, and I wanted to make sure it all went well, so I filled a sock with crystals and herbs associated with traveling safely and quickly. I brought the talisman with me on my journey, and it was absolutely one of the best vacations I’ve ever had!
Let’s not overlook the obvious fact that a sock filled with various herbs, incenses, and EO’s is an easy sachet for aromatherapy, healing, or comfort. Filling the sock with a mixture of brown rice and any other comforting herbal inclusions (cinnamon, cloves, lavender, etc.) makes a perfect heating pad. Just toss it in the microwave for a minute or two and you have quick relief of sore muscles.
Small childrens’ socks can be used as magickal talismans. I personally carry a prosperity talisman that is made from traditional cotton fabric; making a similar item with a small sock would be quite simple.
A sock also makes a great poppet. Use it to represent the person who is the focus of your working, or better yet — use a sock FROM the person. Stuff it with goodies, and get to work!
patti
Well, I remember a spell that involved stealing the left handed glove of a person and filling it with sugar, tying it with ribbons and sleeping with it under ones pillow to create a friend from an enemy, so I suppose I would Use A SOCK to persuade some one who has put their ‘foot’ down to come to a more compromising standpoint on whatever issue was causing a problem.
Hmm… Perhaps you could use a Sharpie to draw symbols on the bottom of socks you use to attract positive energy or something of the sort during the day. Or writing goals you want to fulfill as a part of a spell. Maybe include working with the earth’s energies, since that’s where your feet are planted.
When I was trying to get pregnant, I made a fertility wheel, which included a baby sock, kicked off by a friend’s child. Other items included a bunny toy made out of an old recieving blanket and stuffed w/ rabbit fur (from the pet store), male and female symbols, and other traditional “fertility” symbols.
PUT A SOCK IN IT…That always comes to mind when I see the word “sock.” I can visually see someone putting a sock in their mouth to keep from saying something they shouldn’t….Perhaps you could use this idea for an up-coming family/group gathering, maybe for a “put a sock in it,” spell to keep an over yacky relative from hogging the entire days conversation….TRUST ME, I have one that does JUST that….Maybe I’ll try this…..ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM ANYONE?
)O(
AND WHY, I have been meaning to ask, are there BOOK OF MORMON adds on our Wiccan/Pagan page?
I find this extremely annoying AND disrespectful. Just curious to know if anyone else does, as well.
Kat — the Mormon church ads are all over About.com, not just on the Pagan/Wiccan site. It’s been an issue we’re trying to address with the advertising department, and have been looking into over the past few months. Believe me, I’m as annoyed about it as you are. Unfortunately, it’s not something I have control over, but as I said, it is being looked into. In the meantime, I’d suggest anyone who would like to nudge the Powers that Be can stop in over at Customer Care: http://paganwiccan.about.com/gi/pages/pform.htm
patti
As for the Mormon thing, eh - it seems to me that getting upset with it is on par with Christians who don’t want to include a pagan talk in a diversiry celebration. If you are secure in your beliefs, I see no issue. And I am sure many people come here seeking, nothing wrong with facilitating it. They may find out that much faster that Mormonism is not for them, lol. As long as the ads aren’t anti-wicca and about.com has no discrimination or targeting in their advertising policy, I see no reason for offense.
As for the socks - I have always had a thing for socks. I like to see a guy who wears something other than plain black or white, lol. They are quite personal and protective. Maybe use it in a ritual to attract someone into your life with certain characteristics represented by the colors and patterns and with similar qualities.
As someone who frequently has cold feet during the colder months, I associate socks with comfort and coziness. I would use them in a spell to insure that my family remain warm, fed, and sheltered during the cold winter.
I HAVE left a comment at the About.com customer service site.
Thanks “paganwiccan.” How the heck are ya, anyway? Well, besides busy!?
Thanks everyone, for your input!
Kat. )O(
On the opposite side of the spectrum as the microwaveable sock, a ziploc bag filled with water, slid into a sock and frozen, makes a wonderful all-purpose icepack. While making it, you could bless it with healing and/or come up with a few sentences about the health and well-being of the person you’re going to use it for. Then each time it is taken out of the freezer you could repeat the words to reinforce the socks intent. For a child, you could make the sock into a sock puppet/animal to make it more appealing.
You could say…
Where once I was crappy
This sock makes me happy!
LOL, or not.
Maybe something better suited for children…
I got hurt and was sad
But this sock makes me glad!
Hehehe
As a US Marine, I use a sock in my meditations and prayer for blessings and protection on foot patrols through the streets in Iraq. I used a sock from each of the members of my squad in my workings as well. In the last month since I’ve been doing this, none of us has gotten so much as a splinter! The Gods and Goddesses have truly blessed us.
I think I would try using a sock in spells or talismans having to do with safe travel, with the idea that the paths the person travels while wearing the socks or using one as a talisman were happy and very enjoyable.
I think I would try using a sock in a colour to match my intent, like a red one or a wild and crazy pattern for fun and good times. I might even do a nice soft cozy,green pair to keep the person grounded and as calm as possible during long lines at airports and while in flight. And an uber-soft and fuzzy baby sock in blue could be tucked into a pocket to calm frayed nerves when dealing with problematic relatives.
Oh, this could be so much fun! Great idea Patti!
Socks keep us warm!! So I’d use it to make a talisman for spiritual warmth…Poppets are also an option. I might also use them as a bag for herbs.