Cord Magic, or what some refer to as a “Witch’s Ladder”, is a very old practice of witchcraft that consists of knotted cords. As each knot is tied into the cord, an incantation is spoken to seal the spell into the cord. Many witches will tie feathers, bones, charms or magical trinkets into the knots. At the tying of the last knot, all the energy is directed into the cord and it’s knots. The power has been raised and is now stored in these knots in the cord. Different traditions of witchcraft use varying numbers of knots, and for various kinds of magic. Cords are usually made of string, yarn, twine, and sometimes animal or human hair. The oldest documented witch’s ladder was recorded in the year 1878, when one was found in a hidden room of an old house in Shropshire, England. It had been knotted with black hen feathers and was believed to have been used with malevolent intentions. Further investigations found that this was a common practice among local witches. As a reminder, witchcraft is neutral, being neither good nor evil, and it is the intention of the witch that is key. In this tradition of Old Ways Witchery, we use the witch’s ladder for healing, protection and other beneficial purposes. Evidence of sacred knotted cords exists from the Stone Age. See below the diagram of a witch’s ladder consisting of nine knots, along with an incantation for each knot. This can be applied to any spell you wish to cast. Choose the color according to your goal-example: red for relationships, green for prosperity, black for protection, white for healing. Examine your motives and intentions, as the final knot will set the spell in motion. Place the completed cord where it will not be disturbed.

You will notice in the preceding diagram that the knots are not tied in a straight line down the cord. The first knot is tied at one end, the second knot at the other, the third knot in the center, and then alternately according to the diagram below until the last knot is tied. In many witch shops you may see witch’s ladders that have crystals, plants and other items knotted within the cord. These are all quite beautiful and effective, however, in our tradition of Old Ways Witchery, simple knots with incantations are all that is necessary.