#poppets

Hello Friend!

A poppet crafted for your own mental health is a deeply personal project, and it makes total sense that you're treating it with care. Using your own blood establishes a powerful, traditional link to your personal energy.

Instead of having a blood stained cloth you can opt for one of these options instead:

If you want to keep the cloth exactly as it is without washing it, the best approach is to make it an internal component. Wrap the wire frame with the cloth first, and then sew or wrap a clean, outer layer of fabric over it. This creates a "heart" or core for the poppet, keeping the blood safely contained, protected from dust, and out of sight, while keeping the exterior fresh.

In many magical practices, washing a component doesn't erase the connection, especially if it's done with intent. You can gently hand-wash the cloth in cool water (hot water sets blood stains) while focusing on the idea of cleansing away old stagnation or heavy mental burdens, leaving only your pure, resilient energy behind.

Of course you can stuff it with other things that will help bind the poppet to you and promote healing.

Lavender

Chamomile

Rosemary

Amethyst

Smokey Quartz

Black Tourmaline

Rose quartz

Alastor: Ah! A question about the occult? A listeners of culture, I see.

Personally I'm more in the habit of creating the dead rather than raising them. I don't really have an interest in that kind of occult practice.

Wool-Felted Poppets: A Magical Crafting Class for Witches

Saturday, May 24 2025, 600pm-830pm Fallout RVA, 117 N 18th St, Richmond VA (USA) Hosted by The Witches Altar and Fallout RVA

Tickets via EventBrite or pay onsite.

Step into the world of fiber and folklore in this enchanting hands-on workshop where we’ll create wool-felted poppets—traditional magical figures used in folk practices for healing, protection, love, and intention-setting. Guided by the sacred art of felting, participants will craft their own poppet from natural wool, learning how these little figures have been used throughout history in European witchcraft and folk magic as vessels for energy and spellwork.

Whether you're crafting a guardian spirit, a symbol of transformation, or a spell-bound companion, this class invites you to blend intuition with tradition in a cozy, creative space. All levels of magical and crafting experience are welcome.

Please Note: Sharp felting needles and other tools will be used during this class. All participants acknowledge they are joining at their own risk, and care will be taken to ensure a safe and mindful crafting experience. 

Often mistaken as ‘voodoo dolls’ poppets are a wonderful charm item used over different reasons and circles.

Types Ive heard of

Cursing

Healing

A vessel for a familiar

Fun fact: If you find a poppet with pins in it, that doesn’t always mean a curse was cast! Sticking pins info a wax or cloth poppet is also used in healing or blessing rituals. Where the pins target the pain point. No idea if the idea was taken from acupuncture but same concepts.

Discerning if a poppet is for curses or blessing is hard but you should always use a divination ritual to discover the emotional intent used than guessing.

Odd fact: While Christianity these days condemns witchcraft or rituals like this. The use of wax dolls of people as blessing or healing it is part of old Catholic traditions. However not all are person shaped some go beyond to using body parts or cars! Usually blessed with holy water from a church. Yes churches in places in Europe sell wax breasts

Reading: If you want to make poppets I recommend this book by Pagan Portals. The author often hosts a workshop in making poppets at Treadwells book store

Safety: while not often called poppets there is overlap. Some people bind a spirits to poppets for a purpose. A doll or sometimes animal bones in a box. Theres a usually a ritual sometimes in making these like setting up rules, burying them in key locations for a time, spitting in the box to ‘feed them’ or another way to feed or empower them. Similar to jar spells too. But with another living spirit you need consent or sticking to your agreement else trouble starts. Always have a release clause or ritual where they will never return to you!