The Witch Jewels

The Necklace, the Bracelet, the Ring and Pendant, the Girdle Cord and Garter
The necklace: The necklace is worn by women coven members often at Sabbats and Esbats only. It is
in all probability of similar derivation to that of the girdle or garter Some witches say that it has a
connection with "Brisingamen," the elven necklace possessed by Freya, the Norse love goddess.
Others say that through its occasional use of acorns as beads, it derives from the worship of Diana of
Ephesus, whose devotees saw the head of their goddess bound with a coif of hair in the shape of the
acorn itself. The number of beads for the necklace often consists of multiples of nine or thirteen.
Acorns aside, however, the beads may be made of any material you please—metal, stone or
wood—the only qualification being that they be fairly large and chunky. Amber is a favourite, as also
are turquoise and jet, Many witches like to string their own, after exorcising the beads with fire and
water initially and charging them in their own witch name, like any other magical tool, when they
finish. (For instructions on general exorcisms by fire and water as well as magical "charging," see
further on in this chapter.)
The bracelet: This is usually made of copper or silver an is worn by witches of either sex, again as a
form of identity sign. However, unlike the necklace, it is engraved with the witch name of the bearer,
the coven symbol (which is often an animal such as an owl, cat, or serpent), and his rank in it. There
are usually only two "degrees" of rank, that of the triangle and the more advanced one of the pentacle.
If male, the leader of the coven is sometimes known as the magister or master, the female as the high
priestess. These are generally honorary ranks and titles, however, and simply indicate seniority of
membership for the most part. Very occasionally are they indications of power. (See Chapter 7, "The
Coven and How to Form One," for more on this.) Sometimes coven members will wear the bracelet to
signify the triangle, and the garter, the pentacle grade.
Should you not belong to a properly formed coven, your name in witch runes will be all you need to
have, plus any other amuletic symbols of good luck you may choose, such as your zodiac birth sign
and planet.
Similar to the bracelet are the ring and the pendant. These are usually the only witch jewels bar the
necklace that actually possess gems or stones set into them. These are the primary "fascination'' jewels,
and the more intricate and unusual the jewel, the better it serves its purpose. As to its composition and
monetary value, it is completely a matter of individual taste and economy. The best magical witch
stones are traditionally the sapphire and the opal. However, most precious and semi-precious stones do
just as well, especially those which traditionally are held efficacious against the evil eye and
fascination! These, in fact, are excellent accumulators of witch power, and as such, if you have ever
worn one as a good-luck charm, has provided you, albeit unwittingly maybe, with an equal and
opposite means of fascinating others or casting your own evil eye! In effect, you will be fighting fire
with fire!
Here is a list, in alphabetical order, of some of those stones you may care to use as the bezel of your
ring or pendant:
Fascination Gems
Amber Diamond Onyx
Beryl Emerald Peridot
Bloodstone Jade Sardonyx
Carbuncle Jasper Staurotides (Cross-stone)
Carnelian Jet Ruby
Cat's-eye Lapis Lazuli Turquoise
Coral Moonstone Zircon
You may have your witch name engraved upon the ring or pendant—either on the reverse surface or
around the stone itself. Sometimes the zodiac birth signs are also engraved, occasionally even a
Cabalistic word of power such as Ararita, Tetragrammaton, Mehafelon, Ananizapta, or
Shemhamphorash.
Incidentally, a very good idea which some witches resort to is to use a poison ring as their jewel. The
inner cavity of the ring itself is very well suited for concealing either written charms to be carried
about the person or philter powders to be slipped warily into some unsuspecting person's drink! The
metal of which the ring or pendant is made can be any you wish—the following are used by witches to
magically stimulate the following traits in their witch character:
Gold - energy and general success
Silver - intuitiveness and magical ability
Copper - success in love
Brass or fixed mercury - mental agility
Tin - expansiveness and generosity
Iron - courage and aggressive instincts
Lead - stability
Sometimes an amalgam is made of some or all of them, depending on the orientation required. The
resulting alloy is then known as magical electrum. But this is specialist stuff. Gold, silver, or copper is
the usual choice.
Like the other jewels, the ring or pendant will always be exorcised and consecrated with fire and water
in the waxing moon, and named with the possessor's name.
Finally, we come to a consideration of the concealed signs, the witch's girdle cord and garter. The
girdle cord, often red in colour, is used for several practical purposes, the least of which is to hold in
your tabard, or ritual witch's robe. It is made of a specified length with certain knots tied in it, and is
also used to measure the diameter of your magic circle when you cast one. Some practitioners also use
it as a type of ritual rosary when they are performing a spell with a lot of repetitions in it, telling the
knots in it like beads; I shall describe its manufacture later in the chapter under the heading of "Your
Witches' Working Tools."
The garter is perhaps the most unusual piece of insignia carried by witches and, as such, is concealed
and worn openly only at coven meetings. The other jewels can pass as regular items in the eyes of the
uninitiated, and as such can usually be worn openly.
There are many styles of witch garters in existence. The traditional colour is bright red, though black,
blue, and green ones are to be seen. Often a female practitioner will have her garter made of velvet and
backed with silk, the male variants being snakeskin, crocodile, or soft leather of some sort backed with
blue silk. The garters are fastened by means of gold or silver gilt buckles. Sometimes tiny gold or
silver bells are also sewn on, reminiscent of those worn by English Morris dancers.
On the outer surface of the garter are embroidered the witch name, coven symbol, and coven rank, if
any. Sometimes the same signs that are inscribed upon the Athame are also added.
Garters are always worn above the left knee, and let me reiterate, only on coven occasions or during
the casting of spells.
The garter concludes the list of witch jewels. Most of them are optional, except for the necklace in the
case of women. Why this latter exception should be made, I do not know. However, it is traditional
coven practice, and as such should be complied with by any female witch, if she really wishes to obey
the letter of the law.