Poppets!

What can I say, I *love* using poppets! There is something so basic about the effort and concentration that goes into making one that brings a phenomenal amount of focus to spellwork... The use of poppets is commonly called "sympathetic magick".

You can make a poppet out of almost anything, from cloth, to wax, to potatoes in a pinch, as long as you add something personal of the person you are trying to represent, the substance of the poppet is unimportant. As with any other kind of magick, it's best to work within the proper moon cycle.

If you want to use wax, you can melt down (unused) candles. When the wax is soft (be careful, don't burn yourself!), you can knead in herbs, oils, and personal effects like nails and hair. Rub oil on your hands to keep the wax from sticking. Shape the wax to approximate the shape of the person.

For cloth, simply cut out two identical shapes (as close to the actual person's shape), turn them inside out, and stitch them together, leaving a fairly large opening in one end. Turn the poppet rightside out, and stuff it with herbs, personal effects (hair, nail clippings, etc.), coins, whatever is appropriate for the type of spell you are casting. You can also finish stuffing it with cotton or shredded paper, if your herbs and things aren't enough. Stitch the opening shut, and finish your spell!

You can carve your poppet from wood (difficult unless you are used to carving wood), mold it from clay (carve out a hole in the heart area to put in your ingredients), or use a root that looks like the person, or even draw it on paper if you are in a hurry (anoint the paper with oil after drawing).