Making a Mojo
A Mojo is a visible symbol of desire.
It is a spell, tangible Magick (spelled with a "k" to distinguish it from
stage magic, or sleight-of-hand). A mojo is the not-too-distant relative
of the four-leaf clover, rabbit's foot, wedding ring, flag, and many other
modern Magickal symbols. Usually constructed in the form of a charm-bag,
a mojo is carried on the person or hung in the home, car, or workplace
for good luck, protection, harmony, health, attracting love or money,
and so on.
Mojos contain many different things--herbs,
coins, magnets, stones, bones, beads, feathers, hair, shells-- depending
on the purpose. Every part of a mojo has significance symbolically: colors,
numbers of knots, shape, number and kinds of ingredients. The symbolic
meanings have been part of esoteric knowledge for millennia, and are the
basis of many systems of Magick, such as the Freudian and Jungian. All
the parts work together to affect the unconscious mind and get it moving
in order to achieve the desired result-- somewhat like waving a red flag
in front of a bull, or burning an American flag in front of a US senator.
Because, let's face it, the unconscious, powerful though it is, is not
too cooperative in achieving conscious desires.
Making and using a mojo is a way of making
our deepest wishes solid and tangible, of working things out on the physical
level and then taking them back into ourselves. It's all done with symbols,
because the unconscious understands symbols. You might say that Mojo Magick
is the mirror-image of dreaming, in that dreams are messages from the
unconscious to the conscious mind, and Mojo Magick is sending messages
back.
Mojo Magick is based on the principles
of Similarity (things which seem alike are alike) and Contagion (things
once in contact continue to interact after separation).
The Law of Similarity is the basis of
the system of Magickal Correspondences; each area of life is ruled by
a particular planet, day of the week, etc., and each of these planets
rules a number of substances, plants, animals, etc. For example, the area
of sex and love is traditionally ruled by the planet Venus, whose day
is Friday, whose color is blue-green, whose metal is copper, and whose
herbs are (among many others) rose, orris, and sandalwood. If you wished
to make a love charm, then, you would pick out herbs sacred to the Goddess
in her Venusian aspects, with perhaps a magnet (for attraction), or a
copper penny, and place them in a small bag of blue-green cloth.
Along with these ingredients, you would
also put in some object belonging to the one you desired--a lock of hair,
a fragment of an old shirt, or the like. This obeys the Law of Contagion--you
are providing an object link, a physical connection with your subject.
A photograph is an excellent object link, especially if the subject's
name is written on the back.
Other sorts of spells can be concocted
in the same manner by referring to the Tables of Correspondence
and deciding what sort of energy you wish to deal with. Each part of the
mojo is symbolic, including the number of ingredients and the number of
knots used to bind it--use the number which symbolizes your purpose.
It is most important to be clear in your
mind what your purpose actually is, and to do only one kind of working
at a time. Since the mojo functions on both the magickal and psychological
levels as a centering device, you don't want to confuse yourself before
you begin. And Magick generally works, so be prepared to get exactly what
you ask for, and ask carefully.
When you have constructed the mojo (preferably
on the day appropriate to your purpose, on a waxing moon for growth and
increase and on a waning moon for decrease and getting rid of things you
don't want in your life), charge it with your personal power by breathing
on it and saying something like:
"I charge this spell
By three times three
To do harm to none
Nor return to me
As I do will SO MOTE IT BE!"
Upon uttering the last words, project
the power of your desire into the mojo. Visualize, as strongly as you
can, your purpose accomplished and yourself in the situation you want.
Let this energy go into the mojo; and relax. Carry it with you, or present
it to the one it is meant for.
Then keep your eyes open for opportunities
to make your wish come true. They will appear--you have only to see them.
Blessed Be!