Has anybody ever used a binding spell?

[davsand]

Did it work and did you feel it conflicted with The Rede?

This is one time that being a solitary is feeling pretty lonesome...


Laura

[thinkingwoman]

1. yes

it doesn't conflict because the one I crafted did not work or wish any harm on the person bound away from me.

It was basically a mirror spell, which bounced back anything said person did back at him/her and at the same time hid me.

Worked like, well, magick. Sorry about the bad pagan humor.

[davsand]

2. The goddess loves our laughter.

I have always been told that, at least. I know you made me smile and I thank you for that!

I found a "freezer spell" of binding that looked as if it would be of service. I am just chewing on the idea of binding and what it really means and does. I was curious to hear the opinions here.

FWIW, here is that "freezer spell":


Ice Binding Instructions:

Light a white candle and your favorite incense. Meditate a short while on the problem. Invoke the Spirits of Protection for you and yours. Then take a piece of brown paper, like from a grocery bag, on it use a lead pencil to print and write the name of the offending person or people. If unknown people are involved, also print and write, "and all persons unknown that are causing harm to me!"

Cross off each line forcefully and say, forcefully,

" I freeze name(s) to be bound by this spell,
unable to cause any more harm to (name(s)!
As I will, so mote it be! "

Then put a spoonful of used coffee grounds on the brown paper, fold it small, and place it in the freezer.

Leave it until the problem is completely resolved.

I wrap a rubber band, string, twist tie, or what have you, to keep the coffee grounds from falling out of the paper. You can also use a zip loc bag.

Be sure and burn the candle completely up. Don't use that candle for a different purpose.

-------------

It inhibits free will and that is the major hangup I have about it...


Laura

[thinkingwoman]

3. that's a good one

I think it would work without any backlash of any kind.

Here's how I resolve the free will thing in my mind...I have the right to defend myself. Binding spells, when done correctly, are defensive only. I liken it to the old saying that your neighbor's right to swing his arms as much as he wants stops when he connects with your face. Binding a specific person away from you is a defensive response to action by that person, and therefore carries no negative energy consequences.

I've bound two people in the last 10 years. The first was a psychologically abusive and controlling fellow practicer. She went on to have a very successful life so far, achieving many of the dreams she used to describe to me 8 years ago, but she is no longer affecting my life. The second was a stalker with a long prison record. I don't know what happened to him but he hasn't contacted anyone in my family for years.

I keep, btw, a basic binding spell on my house, which states that all are welcome and blessed but none may enter "with malice in their hearts." That one has been incredibly affective, shockingly so actually. I didn't work it to keep anyone specific out though. I wrote it to make my home a peaceful oasis during an overwhelmingly stressful time in my life. It worked so well that I now refresh it on a regular basis.

The fact that you are concerned about the target's free will indicates that you are considering the spell carefully and with good intentions. Whether or not you use a binding spell, I hope your situation resolves peacefully for all.

g

P.S. You're welcome for the smile...I love coming to DU for that reason. I smile or laugh at least once every time I visit. Glad I could pass that along to someone else.

[davsand]

4. I am trying to escape an abusive boss.

It's political, its abusive and it is ugly as can be. I am in the process of a political appointment that will allow me to escape his influence and continue work that I enjoy (it involves the health care system and making it accountable for caring for the poor and uninsured by using the property tax laws--so it isn't all for self gratification.)

He forced me into this and now is saying he wants to oppose my move. I want to bind him from doing me any more harm than he already has.

I have lived thru a sheer hell for the last few months because this man is an abuser of the highest degree. I do not fear him so much physically (however, I do refuse to be alone with him for any reason) but I do fear his ability to make me miserable by working against me or mess with my life by firing me. I have reported him for his abuse and THAT is most likely the root of his increasing negativity.

I am not without some blame here--I did speak openly of his abuse, and I have been open about why I want to leave. Had I been more quiet about it I probably would not be quite such a target for his anger. The flip side of it, however, is he has other employees that he is abusing and I find that morally disgusting. People NEED to know what he is.

If I'm being honest, however, there IS anger there for me and my motives were to hurt him, in part.

I have tried to create distance, I have tried to think about this in a more constructive way. That has come to naught, and I feel I have to act to protect myself. Truth be told, at one point I contemplated blasting his ass with a fire spell laden with red pepper and anger. (It was a doozy!) but the desire for that passed in the time it took me to read and evaluate it.

The ice binding spell, (essentially, chilling him out) seemed a viable way to go. It accomplishes what I need but it doesn't seem to cause him any real harm (except for limiting his free will) and I am comfortable with it for that reason.

Sorry to unload, but my usual way to deal with antagonists has been to ask for justice--or understanding-- and to leave it up to the fates to determine it and mete it out. In this case, however, that just isn't enough.

Thanks for listening to me. Again, I have to admit, it is times like this that I really wish I had a regular circle to discuss this with. Being a Solitary is nice in some ways but other times it can be mighty lonely.



Laura

[thinkingwoman]

5. sounds to me

like a binding spell is more than appropriate in this situation.

What a jerk. Unfortunately the world is full of them.

I read your post twice and the one thing that struck me both times is the guilt/blame you have taken on. In the situation you describe, not speaking up would be condoning abusive behavior, which is one of the areas I have been working on for some time myself.

I often find it hard to navigate the line between letting myself be walked on by others and attacking rather than simply defending. I must confess, there have been times when I have used the "safe" curse--"May he/she get exactly what he deserves."

Of course, when delivered properly, this curse is a handing over of the situation to the fates/universal forces. It is easy to abuse, however.

I believe you are heading the correct way toward neutrality. He has done negative things, and you have responded to them. Chilling out the situation seems more than warranted.

Feel free to unload...with all of the solitary practicers who've checked into this forum, you're in good company.

[jbnow]

6. Not a spell but

When there are difficult times in relationships or just very difficult relationships there is something that has worked well for me.

Before sleep I ask that my higher self and theirs meet (on a higher plane) and work it out. When there is hostility involved I ask someone (a guide, the Christ, whatever) visibly come with me. That is...I know we never go alone but the third party of peace being visible in the meeting adds some power or reassurance.

It's had some amazing results. The desires of our highest selves are not in conflict and in sleep our ego is not in the way.

Good luck.

[Eloriel]

11. nevermind

I'm not sure I have anything to contribute since I'm not myself pagan.

Good luck, though.

[davsand]

12. Eloriel, You are always welcome to offer comment, IMO.

I can't speak for anyone else in this forum, but I appreciate hearing all opinions, and YOURS in particular. Please feel free to chime in!

Laura

[LiberalEsto]

7. Yes

I can't say for certain that it worked, but it was psychologically comforting to me. It allowed me to express my concern about something without harming or manipulating anyone.

You have to carefully think through how to approach a binding, and that process is very health. Marion Weinstein's book "Positive Magic" offers a great deal of insight on determining what you are working a spell for. You must determine the "essence" of what you want. Is it a feeling of safety for yourself? Is it a feeling of moving beyond someone's negative influence?

Once you've worked out the essence of what you want, do your spell for it. Best of luck!

[hvn_nbr_2]

8. Yes also

Maybe not exactly a binding, but pretty similar. I've done three "Be nice or be gone" spells with people I worked with. Stayed late after everyone else left (or went in on the weekend, don't remember for sure), called quarters, went thru the whole office doing cleansing, and stood outside each of their offices doing a banishing pentagram while saying, "Be nice or be gone."

Two quit (one under duress because the CEO would have fired him otherwise) and one became mostly nice. She's still a bit obnoxious sometimes but within normal range, and her contributions to the company are great enough that it's worth some minor annoyance.

BTW, in general, the people I work with are really great, the best I've worked with anywhere.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Good advice

The others have dispensed some good advice. I will add that mirror magick is good for this type of thing. Basically, it bounces back all the person's bullshit. The upside of a mirror spell is that you have nothing to do with it, so no personal feelings get in the way. The downside, is that some people are so dense they can't even see what is "staring them in the face." So, sometimes mirror magick is very slow.

I have used, with great results, a Karmic spell. Basically, it speeds up the person's Karma and they get a big dose of "reality." You have to be real clear headed or you can end up just advancing their 'bad' Karma and the good Karma is lost, so balance can be lost. However, if they have tons of bad Karma and little good Karma, then that is THEIR issue and not something you did.

As for being lonely as a solitary, just remember, you are solitary in your learning and workings, not in the craft! There are many here who are here to share with you; to share our understandings, philosophies, fears, loves, and support! So, you may be working "alone," but you are not really alone! :)

Also, just a random thought...write out your fears, frustrations and the situation, read it before bedtime, and ask for guidance. Let your dreams speak to you!!! If you need help, let me know! :)

[davsand]

10. I used the freezer spell to start with.

I walked into my office the morning after I used it and he was waiting on me all kinds of memos to document my "failings." That is just typical of what he does when he's trying to assert his ability to mess with people.

I'm really just trying to "cool" this whole thing out until I can get away from him, and my logic is to just stay calm and stay away from him as much as possible. I figured that if I was bound to him by the spell it was probably not a bad thing for both of us to just chill out--thus the freezer spell above.

I did take one of his business cards and staple it face down on the cork-board here in my office, too. That bit of self defense was suggested at one of the Pagan Voices websites and it made sense to me as well.

Right now, we are working off a memo that lists deadlines and goals up thru the end of May--which will take me up thru the time my appointment starts (June 1). I have passed the state exam that I needed to certify me for this appointment, and as of yesterday, the person who makes the appointment was certain it was going to happen--even IF he tries to oppose it. Her observation was that my body of work is strong enough that there just isn't anyone else who would be credible even if they could get certified. Made me feel a LOT better to hear that...

Once this all comes to pass I'll undo those spells and then we'll see how it goes. I'm worried about these people in this office and I hate to see this abusive mess continue after I'm out of here. It has never been my way to seek out conflict, but I have to admit this is just so ugly I feel compelled to act. THAT, however, is a subject for another day.

Thank you ALL for the suggestions. I appreciate it, and it helps to know that I do have support and a place to bounce ideas around.


Laura