Monday, March 25, 2013

How to Make A Cingulum

Pictured above: Element of Earth Cord at

The Cingulum is a very important part of a Witch's life. It originates from the Latin word meaning belt or girdle and is to be worn around the waist over the robe during rituals, ceremonies, and initiation. It is seen as representative of binding the God and Goddess to the owner and as the umbilical cord of the Witch.  Depending on the tradition, different colored Cingulums are needed for certain rituals. In my tradition, we are required to make our own Cingulum and it must be red. The Cingulum is composed of three cords braided together and is 9 feet long. It is used to hold the athame or wand at times. It is used in knot magick and binding rituals. The three cords are said to represent the New Moon, Full Moon, and Old Moon.

It is made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, or wool. To make a Cingulum you will need 3 cords of natural fiber of a color that is representative of your tradition or the magick you wish to perform with it. In my tradition, one end is tied with a loop to signify the ankh and as a symbol of protection. The nine feet represents the nine levels of the nine forces. It must be created on a waxing moon only. It can be consecrated before braiding.

What you will need:
3 cords of 10-12 feet (it will need to be a little longer to account for shrinkage with braiding and the knots)
A tape measure (preferably without metal)
Herbs: vervain mint, basil, rosemary, hyssop, lavender, sage, valerian, and fennel.
Sea Salt
Mortar and Pestle
Incense (use charcoal and incense, not stick)
Things to represent the elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air

  1. Cast a Circle
  2. Consecrate the Elements
  3. Run the Mortar and Pestle through the elements (sprinkle with water first, then salt, then pass through fire and air)
  4. Consecrate the Mortar and Pestle before using it to crush the herbs.
  5. Run your cords through the 4 elements and do as you did for the mortar and pestle.
  6. Start at the ends of the cords and tie a knot.
  7. Begin braiding the cords and each time you lap over a braid, repeat: "Wrought to measure, wrought to bind, blessed be these cords entwined."
  8. In my tradition, we add knots at certain points along the length of the cord. If your tradition doesn't require that then you can just continue braiding the cord and knot at the end. For us, we make a knot at 0 (the beginning of the cord) at 3.5 feet, at 4 feet, at 4.5 feet, at 5 feet, and at 5.5 feet.
  9. Take the crushed herbs and put some into the water and some into the incense.
  10. Consecrate your finished Cingulum with the 4 elements once again with the herbs in the water and the incense.
  11. Tie it around your waist and knot at the left side and meditate before dismissing the Circle.
Reference: The Way by Rhuddlwn Gawr


  1. looking for references to the cords knots measured to the witches body.. heard of any?

  2. In regards to your question, my tradition places knots in a manner of holding magickal power within the cingulum. Although I know these knots can be measured to the witch's body, I am unfamiliar with this form. I have, however, heard that in other traditions the knots would be knotted at "Golden Ratios" on the human body.

  3. So where do you buy the material to make the cords?

    1. You can find the materials at *almost* any craft store. Natural materials such as 100% cotton contain stronger energy than synthetic material in my opinion because it holds elements closer to the Earth.