Knot magic is a type of magic that focuses on knots. One can use it for various purposes, including protection, healing, binding, and energy work.
Knots in Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, knots are used as a metaphor for the binding of fate. For example, in the story of the binding of Fenrir, the god Odin ties a magical ribbon around the wolf’s jaws to prevent him from devouring the world. This ribbon is called Gleipnir and is made from the roots of a mountain, the beard of a woman, the breath of a fish, and the spit of a bird. Fenrir struggles to break free, but the ribbon is too strong, and he eventually surrenders.
Similarly, the Norns, or fate goddesses, weave the fate of humans into a mystical ribbon known as the Web of Wyrd. This ribbon is said to be unbreakable, and the destiny of every person is bound within it.
Knots in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, knots are often associated with fate and destiny. One of the most famous examples is the story of King Gordias and his Gordian knot. According to legend, an oracle prophesied that whoever could unravel the Gordian knot would become the next king of Asia. Many tried and failed until Alexander the Great came along. He simply sliced through the knot with his sword.
There are many other examples of knots in Greek mythology. The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a famous example of the power of knots. Orpheus used his music to charm the gods, and he used this power to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. However, he was only allowed to bring her back to the living world if he didn’t look back at her until they had both reached the surface. Unfortunately, he couldn’t resist looking back, and Eurydice was dragged back down to the underworld.
Knots also appear in the story of Prometheus, who Zeus punished for giving humans the gift of fire. One of the punishments he was subjected to was having his liver eaten by an eagle every day. However, the liver grew back every night, so the eagle had to come back the next day. Prometheus was eventually freed by Hercules, who killed the eagle.
So why are knots such an important part of Greek mythology? There are a few possible explanations.
Firstly, knots are often seen as a symbol of strength and power. They can be used to bind things together or keep them apart. This makes them a perfect symbol for fate and destiny, which can be seen as powerful forces.
Secondly, knots are also associated with transformation. For example, one can use knots to change a river’s course or bind two things together. This makes them the perfect symbol for change and rebirth, which are important themes in Greek mythology.
Knots in Celtic Mythology
Celtic knots are often seen as a symbol of strength and unity. In modern times, they are often used as symbols of love and marriage. There are many different types of knots, and each has its unique meaning.
For example, the trefoil knot is a complex knot that is made up of three loops. This knot is often used to represent love, luck, and faith. It is also often used as a symbol of marriage.
Superstitions and Spells
Knots make up a large bulk of ancient superstitions.
In wish lore, it was said that you must make a wish while brushing knots out of your hair for it to come true. In other words, make a wish, feel it with all your being, and as you unknot your hair, the desire is released into the world and into, hopefully, the ears of a beneficial deity.
Knots are also prevalent in love magic. For example, put a knot in a living cedar branch and name it after the person you love. If it continues to grow, the person you named will fall in love with you.
Another love superstition involved hair once again. It says, if you take one of your hairs and the hair of the person you like and knot the two together and bury them in the ground, the two of you shall stay in love for the rest of your lives.
In this spell born out of superstition, we learn that tying two people’s hair together binds them, for good or bad. Many consider this dangerous magic because of all that can go wrong between two people. Finding that knotted hair after some time has passed would be near impossible, leaving the two of you bound together.
