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Prayers, Amulets and Spells to Ward off Plague

“The first occurrence of plague in the recorded history of the Middle East was known as the “Plague of Justinian”, named after the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I. It made its way to the Land of Israel from Egypt around 541-542 AD. The results were documented in detail by the emperor’s court historian.

A thousand years later, the residents of the land were still dealing with fairly frequent outbreaks. Throughout the 16th century, plague spread across different parts of the Middle East. The common wisdom in Jerusalem of the period spoke of a new wave of pestilence hitting the city every six or seven years. In the writings of the sages of the holy city of Safed (Zfat), in the northern Land of Israel, we find evidence that these rabbis sought to fight off the plague with the help of special amulets, among other things.

We found the amulet below in a copy of the book Shaar HaYichudim (“The Gate of Unifications”) by the famous Safed Kabbalist Hayyim ben Joseph Vital. The Hebrew title appearing at the top reads “This amulet is for plague from the holy ARI…” (The holy ARI was Rabbi Isaac Luria, Vital’s teacher). The charm in fact consists of two different amulets joined together, one on top and one below. The image here is taken from a later printing of the book which includes various commentaries on the writings of Vital and Luria, but the amulet, or similar versions of it, appear in earlier printings as well. This edition was published in 1855 in the city of Lemberg, today’s Lviv, in western Ukraine. Isaac Luria perished during an outbreak of plague in the year 1572, when he was only 38 years old.”

Christopher A. Faraone. The Transformation of Greek Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, Empire and After. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. Hardcover edition. 512 pages.

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LAPLAND

Amulet: Brass ring

How its used: Worn on the right arm to keep ghosts away

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ASSYRIA

Amulet: God figurines

How its used: Buried near the home to protect all within

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EGYPT

Amulet:Lapis lazuli eyes

How its used: Placed in tombs to safeguard the soul’s journey

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ANCIENT ROME

Amulet:Metal rattles

How its used: Tied to children’s clothing for overall protection

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IROQUOIS

Amulet: Miniature carved canoe

Use: protection from drowning

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BORNEO

Amulet: Monkey teeth

Use: For strength and skill

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CHINA

Amulet: Peach stone

Use: general ward against evil

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SHOESHONE

Amulet: Spruce needles

Use: Keep sickness at bay

Amulet for Grace & Favor

— Jewish Magic And Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion[1939]

Every time I receive something significant secondhand – jewels, talismans, tarot decks – I formally welcome it to my life.

Taking it to my sacred space and holding it in my hands, I introduce myself.

“My name is Diana… a servant of the Fates… a child of Venus… a Plutonian witch. I am now your sole master.”

I let it know what my intentions are.

“I rarely wear a necklace. But you will not be neglected. I will turn you into an amulet. So you can guard my home when I am not there to look after it.”

I declare my commands.

“Hold on to the strengths of your previous owners. But release anything that could prevent you from fulfilling your new purpose.”

And I tell it what to expect as a reward for its obedience.

“If you ever felt mistreated, it will never happen again. In return for your loyalty, you will be regarded as treasure.”

Then I wait for its reply.

Jewelry gleams, as if nodding to agree. Talismans vibrate or become hotter in your hand. That is how they respond. Tarot, by make, is far more articulate.

Finally, I write down its name in a catalog – an inventory of all my sacred properties. The ink makes the contract binding.

Amulet by the Arizal for protection against plagues

Dear witches and magical creatures,

This Christmas I decided to make some special gifts for my friends. I prepared an enchanted amulet for each of them, based on their personality and what they’re going through. I used the process of Alchemical Enchanting, which I have explained in more detail inthis post (so please check it out before trying out any of these!). In this post, I’ll explain the meaning of each enchantment, I’ll show you the Alchemical Circles that I have used and the stones that I have chosen to go with them.

  “I find the balance.” 
This enchantment helps dealing with the extremes in one’s personality, and helps with not being overwhelmed by positive or negative emotions. It favours introspection and self-control.
For this amulet, I have chosen Amethyst, for its calming and balancing properties.

  “I believe in myself.” 
This spell is useful for anyone that suffers from low self-esteem and self-doubt. Using this amulet will allow the wearer to find the courage to face any challenge without fear.
For this amulet, I have chosen Carnelian, as it brings strength, vitality and courage.

  “I love myself.”
 This circle can be used to help those who are often overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety and fear of the judgment of others. This amulet will bring peace and relief from extreme stress, and induce the wearer to take more care of themselves.
For this amulet, I have chosen Rose Quartz, the stone of love.

  “I am focused on my goal.” 
This enchantment is perfect for anyone who is facing a great intellectual challenge and needs the motivation and the determination to succeed. It helps with overcoming obstacles with strength and clarity of mind.
For this amulet, I have chosen Fluorite, because it enhances creativity and focus.

  “My dreams come true.” 
This amulet will bring good luck and success to the wearer. It will help anyone that has been a victim of injustice or bad luck, encouraging them not to lose faith, to be brave and to follow their ambitions.
For this amulet, I have chosen Avventurine, the stone of good luck and prosperity.