Bellarmine Jars

A Bellarmine jar is, by strictest definition, a brown ceramic bottle or jug with a face depicted on its side, used by Witches for housing spirits, hexing targets and removing curses or hexes. These jars were very durable, and they were very, very popular among the west county Witches of England because they would last, literally, for centuries -- protecting both their contents and the magic contained therein.

They weren't always known as Bellarmine jars, though. "Bellarmine" is a reference to an unpopular 16th Century Cardinal whose face appeared on the jars. Originally, though, these jars were manufactured in Frechen, near Cologne, in Germany. Here, they were called Bartmann jars -- "bearded man" jars, in reference to the bearded face who always appeared on the side.

Today, they are commonly called Witch Bottles, and the availability of a variety of materials used for bottling, canning and preservation means that contemporary Witches needn't use only brown crockery. Of course, the more durable and longer-lasting, the better. Glass might be the most popular of today's choices, but standard glass may not be your sturdiest alternative.

When creating a Bellarmine jar as a spirit house, the old, customary face can be a useful depiction of the spirit to whom you've provided a vessel. You can find potters and artisans who make contemporary versions of the old jars, or you can paint/carve/engrave your own.

Common contents of Bellarmine jars, for both spirit houses and curse/protection bottles, are hair, nail clippings, and charms/figurines. A spirit jar might also contain a few drops of blood and offerings related to the spirit housed within. A jar with the aim of both cursing and protecting might contain pins, broken glass, and urine.  Sometimes the jar is buried in the yard with a warding chant such as follows:

Into the ground go without fear
To guard me now both far and near
Throw back all evil from whence it came
By the Witchfather’s holy name

Poppets

A poppet is a specially prepared doll for magic.  The concept behind a poppet is that symbols can serve as magical substitutes for actual things.  The doll can be made of wax, clay, fabric or some other material. The image of the poppet has been popularized as a “voodoo doll” in modern culture, but the use of poppets in folk magic throughout the world is ancient.  The image to the right is of a clay dolly found in Egypt, bound and pierced with 13 pins.  It is now displayed in the Louvre. 

To make a cloth poppet you will first need to identify your intent for the figure.  You will want fabric in a color that symbolizes your intent, for example green for wealth.  Trace the figure below onto cardstock and cut it out to use as your pattern.  Cut two figures from your cloth to sew together.  Place the two fabric cutouts right-side facing inward stacked together.  Stitch all the way around the poppet about a quarter-inch inside the edge of the fabric. Be sure to leave the top portion of the “head” un-sewn so that you can stuff the poppet after its edges are sewn.

Turn the poppet right-side out through the unsewn portion of the head after the edges are sewn together.  Use embroidery floss or a permanent marker to create any distinguishing features of the person you are wanting the poppet to resemble.  You may choose to paste a photo of the person on the “face” of the poppet, or just write their name across the chest.

It is now time to stuff the poppet.  You will want to gather any herbs, small gemstones, or other spell components that you have that will be associated with the work you wish to accomplish.  For example rose petals and jasmine flowers for love.  Consult a book of correspondences to assist you.  Stuff the poppet with these components and with cotton balls or polyfill batting.  You may need to use a chopstick or pencil to push the filling into the arms and legs. When the poppet is filled to your liking stitch up the head.

Now take khernips (saltwater into which burning incense has been extinguished) or the leavings of the housle meal in a ritual setting and baptize the poppet with your left hand saying:

“In my hand I hold this poppet of my own making. I baptize and name it [NAME] that it will be like him/her in every way.  As he/she lives, so does this poppet live.  All that I do to it I do to [NAME].  This is my Word.  This is my Will.  So Mote It Be!”

You may now perform conjurations on the poppet that will in turn work upon the person you have fashioned it after.

Poppet Template.
Click for larger version.