Cobwebs in Magick

Picture a traditional Witch’s cottage and the chances are that you will imagine cobwebs. Now this could be because the folklore image of the Witch is as a poor old woman, possibly no longer able to clean her home.

But I like to think it may have something to do with the uses of cobwebs, for not only are they brilliant works of art and nature’s highly efficient fly traps, they have been used in healing and in healing magic.

Even when I was a child it was common to be told to place a clean (i.e. not dusty) cobweb over a cut or bleeding wound to help stop the bleeding, and if the wound is not too deep it will work.

It used to be said that, for every cobweb you see on walking, you will receive a kiss that day. But if you find one across your door, it indicates that your love is with another.

Cobwebs in the kitchen are said to indicate a house without kisses. If you can collect a cobweb with dew on it, without breaking it, place it on a dish of water to attract love into your life.

Cobwebs are frequently used in spells to promote communication, perhaps after a disagreement. Name two objects after the “warring” parties and wrap them in a cobweb. Place in the light of the Sun for seven days.

Note that it is unlucky to kill a spider or to disturb it on its web, but it is permitted to remove old, or unoccupied, webs.

From: The Real Witches Year