The Witches' Knot and its programming

This is a symbol of protection that is widely used today, and I would like to explain a little about its origins and symbolism, as it has evolved according to cultural and historical needs, including the present day.

Origins

It has Celtic origins, so we begin with a group of tribes who lived in Ireland and Great Britain between the 8th and 1st centuries BC, where they were eradicated by the Romans, who gradually appropriated their territory. But the term "Celtic" isn't limited to just that geographical area; depending on the period you're researching, it can also encompass northern Italy, Germany, Romania, Gaul, the Iberian Peninsula, and Spain. Therefore, truly understanding the origin of this symbol can be quite complex.

So, what did the Celts believe in during that era, and why did they create so many beautiful symbols and knots, such as the triskelion, the triquetra, the Celtic cross, the spiral, and many more?

Well, to begin with, they believed in a spiritual form of integrating the elements. Obviously, I'll give a brief summary, since this symbol comes from another mixture of symbols, circles, and variations, and I don't want to stray from the topic.

The four points (of what we see as a cross), at that time symbolized:

• The 4 elements: Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

• The 4 seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

• And in a more modern sense, it is related to the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West. This concept was unknown in the early Celtic period; it appeared on maps around 1300 AD.

One of the concepts that personally amazes me is the emergence of the spiritual in its symbols, and in the Celtic knot they unite the 4 elements with the central circle, which represents a fifth element that unites everything.

This Fifth Element creates a balance by unifying power: the four elements are unified by "the Ether" (or spirit), the four seasons are unified by "the passage of time," and the four cardinal points are united by "the center."

All this knowledge is much deeper, more extensive, and more complex. Celtic religion before the Roman conquest is little known; there is scant data to reconstruct it, but it is known that the Druids were in charge of its worship, which was related to the forests, waters, and mountains. They used different names to invoke them. At the same time, the Druids were the ones who educated the youth.

These symbols were used engraved in stone or bronze to emerge victorious in battles and to protect their homes. Later, over the centuries, they were painted on doors. Witches in the Middle Ages tied them to threads, cords, or cloth as a talisman of protection to repel evil intentions or spells used against them. Today, they are used in jewelry and even tattoos.

I mention all this so you can maintain a flexible understanding of the evolution of symbols and how to use them, as there is no single correct or unique interpretation. I suggest listening to your intuition, working on your inner self, and seeking information from books and history, since there is no single "correct" use for the witch's knot, nor a single way to use it; it will depend on your beliefs and spiritual practice.

Current Meaning

So I'm sharing with you the meaning that resonates most with me and is completely current and Western:

The rhombus in the center of the Witch's Knot represents the person who carries and uses the symbol—in this case, you. It is located in the center because you are the fifth element that unites, works with, and is protected by the four elements. Nothing from any cardinal direction can harm you within your circle of knowledge, responsibility, and power. For this reason, it is currently used as a symbol of energetic defense in magic and in daily life.

I hope this explanation clarifies your doubts in a simple way. It's complex to begin to understand the origins, changes, and spiritual connections of Celtic symbols, as well as their relationship to symbols from other cultures. For example, the witch's knot (as we now call it) comes from five concentric circles, which can easily be related to the seed of life and the flower of life (sacred geometry). The concept of unity and elements is also related to the symbolism of the pentagram or five-pointed star, but these are topics for another article.

Witch´s Knot Programming

There are many methods for programming your witch's knot; here are two. Something you must keep in mind, and which is extremely important, is that only you can activate or program it, since it has to be done with your own energy to generate its protection. No one can do it for you.

It has to be a Witch's Knot that resonates with you, and it can be made of any material; what's important here is the meaning of the symbol. Using silver or gold is related to the energy of the elements that make up that metal, but that also depends on your spiritual practice and personal preference.

• Wait for a full moon and place the witch's knot under a small stream of running water (moving water like a faucet, a river, or a waterfall) to cleanse its energy. Dry it with a clean cloth and place it on top of coarse salt (in a small dish) where it will receive moonlight all night. The following morning, place it under a stream of water again, and it will be ready to use. If you wear it as a bracelet, it's best to wear it on your left wrist.

• For a more complete ritual, it's recommended to perform this during a full moon. You'll need four elements: a white candle, incense, running water, and a potted plant with soil. Do a short relaxation or meditation beforehand, as you need to be at your peak energy (vibrate high, vibrate high). Have your candle and incense lit and ready. Begin by placing the witch's knot under a small stream of running water (while it's still moving) to cleanse its energy. Dry it with a clean cloth. Pass your witch's knot through the incense smoke (you can also use palo santo, a bundle of flowers or herbs, or copal) and repeat your full name three times, as you are programming it for your protection. Then, pass it over the flame of the lit white candle (at a safe distance, so you don't burn yourself or damage your witch's knot). Leave it in the soil of your plant in a place where it will receive the light of the full moon all night. Finally, the next morning you put it back in a stream of water and it's ready to use.

There are other methods; use the one that resonates most with you. If you feel you should say something more at that moment, or if you want to find a prayer to recite, do so. Trust your intuition. I wish light and blessings in your life.