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Question: Would You Stick Pins in a Tyrant’s Effigy?
The practice of sticking pins in dolls or effigies of others in order to cause them suffering by means of sympathetic magic is ancient.
In England, such magical dolls were traditionally called poppets. They were often made to look as much like the person in question as possible, or contained something to connect them to the person – perhaps a lock of their hair or their photograph. Poppets can be used for healing as well as for hurt, but they are probably best known as curse items.
During WW2, pin cushions were made in the likeness of Hitler, and many of those sewing to “make do and mend” would have happily stuck a pin into the Nazi dictator’s bottom and wished him ill.
However, many modern pagans believe that it is unethical or counterproductive to use magic for harm under any circumstances.
My question is this – would you stick a pin in a tyrant’s effigy?
Do leave a comment below.
Book recommendation: By Spellbook and Candle – Cursing, Binding and Bottling by Melusine Draco. You can read my review here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/10/review-by-spellbook-and-candle-cursing.html
The picture is by Midnightblueowl and shows a figurine of a human with pins stuck in it. From the Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle. It is shared under Creative Commons.
To read more posts like this visit A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk
Source: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/question-would-you-stick-pins-in.html
