Eye of Newt, a Binding Spell by Barbara Ardinger

I first wrote this spell in 1994 when a certain Member of Congress from Marietta, Georgia, took out his Contract On America. I sent the spell out on the internet and know that it was used. I rewrote it to put in my book, Finding New Goddesses, but decided that it’s much too serious a spell to put in a book of humor, so the spell stands alone again. I have used it successfully, though carefully, on several occasions, and so have other people. The purpose of this spell is to bind, not to do harm. It’s neither “black magic” nor “white magic,” but simply useful magic.

Now, in mid-2019, I’m giving serious consideration to renaming the spell: Eye of Donald. But no—if I did that, we’d lose the reference to Macbeth, Act IV, scene 1. If you’ve read or seen “The Scottish Play,” you know that Macbeth is, among other things, filled with hubris. So was the fellow from Georgia, and he’s since fallen on the sword of his hubris. The current occupant of the White House? I think he’s hubris personified. So we need the reference to Macbeth.

Before you begin this spell, be totally clear in your mind that your intention is justice, that you are binding this man protect everyone in need of protection. (Yes, it’s a long list.) Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

1. A small glass bottle with a lid (an empty spice bottle is the ideal size)
2. A small piece of paper on which you can write the offender’s name in black ink. If you have received any written communication from him, tear his name from the paper and use that.
3. Black thread
4. Five fishhooks, five thorns, five straight pins (optional if you can’t find thorns)
5. Dragon’s blood incense (which you can find at your local metaphysical store)
6. Sesame seeds
7. Frankincense or powdered garlic
8. Ashes
9. Salt
10. A cup of water
11. A black candle, matches, an ashtray.

Note: If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, you can modify this spell. All you really need are your intention (clear in your mind and clearly stated), the bottle, the paper and a pen, some sharp things, the water, and the candle.

Cast your magic circle (visualize energy flowing clockwise around the room you’re sitting in), ideally before midnight on the night of the dark moon. If you have a tarot deck, place Justice on the table. Invoke one or more of the fierce protective goddesses, the goddesses of justice, the goddesses who defend those who may have no one else to protect them:

• Scathach, She Who Strikes Fear
• Kali-Ma, the Dark Mother Who destroys what will destroy us
• The Holy Furies, Who avenge all crimes against women
• Nemesis, Who bring the force of justice against those who break social rules
• Maat, Who bring truth to the scales of justice
• Themis, Who restores moral order to the world.

Pronounce your intention using the following or similar words:

[Name of goddess], I, Your child, cry out to You. Donald J Trump has offended Justice. He is threatening the freedom and safety of Your children by his actions in [explain what he had done or is doing, in as much detail as you need to]. [Goddess], my intention is justice. My intention is the protection of women and children. My intention is to bind this man so that all who live on our Mother Planet may be safer. [Goddess], my intention is the binding of this man, Donald J. Trump, who brings fear and danger to our democracy. Let the harm he does return to him threefold. Let his mean spirit and his irresponsible actions come back to him seven times seven. Let his arrogance and harmful ways bury him as deep as the sea is deep. Let his language return to pollute him. Goddess, give him a taste of his own medicine!

Holding your intention to bind in your mind, visualize it moving down your arms and into your hands. Visualize the power of the Goddess growing in your fingers. When you’re sufficiently empowered, write the name of the Abuser-in-Chief on the piece of paper. Crumple the paper and wind it with the black thread, thirteen turns. Tie a really good knot, saying, Donald J. Trump is tied up by his belief in patriarchal domination, racism, and hate. Let him tie himself down before he can do more harm.

Being very careful not to prick yourself, stick the fishhooks and thorns or pins into the paper with his name on it. Drop the paper into the bottle, saying, Let Donald J. Trump be hooked and caught in his own mischief. Let his conscience come alive and prick him. Let the harmful intentions, prejudices, paranoia, temper tantrums, and hatred he has sent out come back to him.

Sprinkle a pinch or two dragon’s blood incense over the paper in the bottle, saying, Let this spell be strengthened. Add a pinch of sesame seed, saying, Let this spell be quickened. Add a pinch of frankincense or garlic, saying, Let him feel the harm of his own words and actions. Add a pinch of ashes, saying, Let him learn how it feels. Add a pinch of salt, saying, Let him be brought to earth and sealed.

Pour the water into the bottle until it is nearly full and put the lid on the bottle, screwing it tightly closed. Light the black candle and drip wax over the lid to seal the bottle. Let it drip down the sides, too. After the wax has cooled, and if you feel moved to do so, inscribe an appropriate sigil or a rune in the wax. Saturn, whose sigil signifies limitation, is good. So is the rune hagalaz, which signifies disruption and unforeseen bad luck.

 

Ground the energy (you can say a short prayer) and open your magical circle (unwind the energy). Put the bottle in a small paper bag. If you live near a river, a lake with an outlet, or the ocean, hurl the bottle into the water. If you live near a national park, bury the bottle beneath a tree in a place where few people walk. Or bury the bottle at the foot of a tree on other public land. The energy of the spell won’t harm the park or the tree, but the tree will raise the intention of the spell and project it into the atmosphere just like it projects oxygen.

 

Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D. (www.barbaraardinger.com), is a published author and freelance editor. Her newest book is Secret Lives, a novel about grandmothers who do magic.  Her earlier nonfiction books include the daybook Pagan Every Day, Finding New Goddesses (a pun-filled parody of goddess encyclopedias), and Goddess Meditations.  When she can get away from the computer, she goes to the theater as often as possible—she loves musical theater and movies in which people sing and dance. She is also an active CERT (Community Emergency Rescue Team) volunteer and a member (and occasional secretary pro-tem) of a neighborhood organization that focuses on code enforcement and safety for citizens. She has been an AIDS emotional support volunteer and a literacy volunteer. She is an active member of the Neopagan community and is well known for the rituals she creates and leads.