People are sceptical about poppet magick and why I am so obsessed with bringing these babies into the world to help people achieve what they want quickly and long term.
Poppets are awesome tools that make spells more powerful and more personal
When people see poppets (or any other folk-art doll) they think voodoo doll. They’re not wrong…..poppets can be used in voodoo. However, voodoo, or more accurately, Vodou, is a very specific set of spiritual beliefs and practices stemming from the Afro-Caribbean culture. Voodoo is, unfortunately, incredibly misunderstood and therefore has negative connotations. Much like any magic, voodoo can be dark or light – the darkness comes from the intention or the magical practitioner. I’ll assure you now that I don’t practise dark magic; in fact, I even call my dolls ‘Goodoo’ as they are for good!
Use of poppets throughout history
Poppet magic has been used since the beginning of recorded history, if not longer. Archaeologists have found a tablet from ancient Mesopotamia that recorded a healing spell that required making a clay effigy.
Ancient Egyptians believed all statues and images contained part of the Spirit, whether the effigy was of a God or a servant. Children were known to play with paddle dolls; a female effigy created from wood in the shape of a paddle with exaggerated hips that were thought to promote fertility.
The ancient Greek/Roman culture created Kolossoi, small dolls that were used for curses. These were broken and taken to the cemetery to petition restless spirits to do their bidding.
This practice and idea travelled to Britain where they were used for both curses and healing. People would make wax effigies of themselves or their afflicted body parts to leave at sacred sites with the idea that the healing energy would continue to them through the doll even as they left.
The word poppet is old English in origin. It refers to a small doll and is also a term of endearment for a young child or small woman.
My Poppet calling
My gran was a witch and I remember when I was bullied at school, she gave me some ancient Guatemalan worry dolls to help me talk about my problems. Indeed, even regular dolls were my confidantes so talking to dolls now, giving them our energy and issues is pretty ‘normal’.
I’ve been making dolls since I was just a child from pompoms, rocks on the beach and straw. I would leave them as offerings for nature spirits or give them to people for good luck.
A few years ago, I started to see myself in other lifetimes and realised I have always been a magical practitioner and dolls have played a big part in that. I made dolls as an ancient hedge witch, as an alchemist and druid. I saw myself in Crete leaving these little effigies as gifts for the Gods and in each native American lifetime I was always following ancient Hopi and Zuni practises for doll and totem animal making. I even remember the dolls I made for tombs in ancient Egypt to represent spirit.
In this lifetime I have studied Poppets through history and reignited the magical memories buried deep inside from magical herbology to runology to ceremony. I also added in some new ones, learning voodoo, new materials and sigils for added power.
Using a Poppet for Magical purposes
Magical practice is all about intent! A poppet can be used to harm others or it can be used to heal (with their permission). I make poppets to represent others all the time but it is up to the owner to use it ethically – all I can do is advise.
Many witches make spell jars but these are kind of weak and impersonal compared to using what is essentially a living effigy. Poppets are personal. They are a soul that is dedicated to you and the time and effort that goes into them cannot be compared to any other magic.
My poppet babies
The Fun part of Poppet Magic
A poppet stands in for a person. Usually it’s a cloth rag doll (or felt for a permanent dolly) with some basic rudimentary people features; eyes, mouth, heart. They can also be made of wood, clay. Either way it should be in the shape of a person or animal and can be as detailed as you like. I tend to make mine to look a little like the person in terms of hair colour, eye colour, tattoos etc.
Depending on the persons need or the magical timing or a message I have been given dictates stuffing – it varies very time and I get it adjusted by the poppet itself as I am sewing.
I use natural Norfolk moss and add gemstones, herbs, magical oils, sigils and runes. I also add a heart packet with an intention.
When you’re happy with your doll you need to add a bit of yourself (or the person the poppet is representing). I tend to put this in the heart pocket on the outside as it can be changed if needed and the poppet is sewn up.
The Magical Process
I am shocked at how quickly people make poppets and skip any magical rites. Sure, you can sew with intention but to make a truly powerful poppet, a full long-winded process has to be followed. Here’s where my time goes:
Receive request and look at a bespoke recipe for the poppet required – order ingredients
Set intent and perform the rite of the golden needle which cleanses both me and the entire making process.
Consider magical timing – certain moons are better for certain types of poppet
Decide on materials and shape of poppet i.e. animal, human, felt, cloth, stone
Gather all ingredients for the poppet including a ‘taglock’ of the person it is for – lay these on the alter for 24 hours and cleanse and bless them with prayer
Construct the poppet when in a good mood! Chant as sewing
Leave the poppet skin on alter for 24 hours
Stuff the poppet – bring in relevant deity energies as this happens and close
Place poppet in birthing pot and perform birthing rites – this is a three-day baking process.
Birth and name the poppet using the rites (in water or earth this baptism occurs)
Perform ‘Come Alive’ rites and give poppet his tasks
Append poppet to owner by sending ritual
Bless the poppet and compile a special set of instructions for the owner – this includes how to charge, use and decommission. It comes with 7 days of instructions of how to bond with the poppet and how to ensure he works to the best of his ability.
self love poppet
Poppet Messages from other worlds
Poppets are a living thing. In most traditions they are seen as souls so when I sew them, even before making them ‘alive’ they will give me messages for the owner and their names – something I always pass on. Though I get custom orders, most of my poppets simply want to be born for a purpose so I’ll find myself making one owing to a message from another world.
Poppet Magic
So…. what kind of ‘jobs’ can you give a poppet? It can be anything you feel is necessary. Healing, love, peace, protection.
Healing Poppets are most common. You can make one to stand in place for a distant loved one who may need healing (with their permission). You can perform healing spells or Reiki on the doll and put pins in the places where there is physical or emotional pain – much like the meridian points in acupuncture.
Poppets can also be used to protect you. Putting one in your bag or by your bed at night that is appended to you will confuse dark entities – they will target that instead of you. My protection poppets are stuffed with herbs, crystals and sigils that dissolve human and psychic attacks.
You can banish bullying or gossip by binding a poppet or you can banish bad habits.
You can gift them to others, have one to calm down a pet, one to bring money, one to break curses or bring passion into your life.
I have many! I even have one to help me connect with my ancestors and help me with my astral travel.
Adopt a Goodoo baby today
Poppets are truly magical if in the right hands and made by a powerful ethical witch that doesn’t cut corners in the creation process. All my poppets come with three pages of instructions, spells and nurturing info unique to you and your poppet to ensure you get the best from them. They also come with an authenticity certificate to prove they have been through a week long magical rite process by me and are appended to you
I treat my poppets like my children. I support their adoptive mothers and fathers, checking in on them, supporting their growth and, if they ever need disposing of, I will ensure that is done safely. Give them a try – you won’t ever look back.
