Answer a Witchcraft Question from Google #6

Bright Blessings Witches, Witchlings, and Witchlets! I’m back with another post in the Answer a Witchcraft Question from Google. It’s here that I, the Resident Witch of Printable Witchcraft and Candle Cross Coven, answers questions posed on the Internet. Today’s question deals with sigils and activation. Without further ado, let’s go!

“If I put a sigil on my arm do I need to activate it or charge it?”

WHAT ARE SIGILS?

First things first, what are sigils? I’ve written extensively about sigils before, so this will be quick. From my Sigil Magick: Expectation vs Reality post:

“Simply put, a sigil is a symbol. This magickal symbol represents the intent of the practitioner. It is charged with energy through various methods and then aids in materializing said intention.”

ARE CHARGING AND ACTIVATING SIGILS THE SAME THING?

Nope. Not at all. Charging is where you focus energy into the sigil and fill it with your intention. Activating is where you release the sigil out into Universe while simultaneously letting it get to work in your subconscious. And it should be noted that not all practitioners believe in activating their sigils. That is totally up to you whether you wish to or not.

ACTIVE VS PASSIVE ACTIVATION

There are two ways in which one can activate their sigil: actively or passively. Both are very different in their methods, as well as the type of manifestation – either quickly or over a length of time – they bring about.

The active activation method releases the charged energy all at once. This type of activation is good for one time use sigils with one intention. Active activation typically employs destruction of the sigil. Some ways this can be accomplished include:

• -Drawing the sigil on a paper and then burning it
• -Drawing the sigil on paper and then ripping it up
• -Drawing the sigil on paper and submerging it in water to dissolve it
• -Drawing the sigil on sand and letting the ocean water wash it away
• -Drawing the sigil on ash, powder, or dust and blowing it away from you
• -Drawing the sigil on a balloon and popping it
• -Drawing the sigil on a candle and burning it to completion
• -Drawing the sigil with a condiment on food and eating it
• -Drawing th sigil onto a rock and throwing it into water
• -Drawing the sigil on a dry erase board and erasing it
• -Drawing the sigil into the air with a sparkler and letting it fade away
• -Drawing the sigil on a handrolled cigarette and smoking it
• -Drawing the sigil onto your body and then washing it off

The passive activation method releases the charged energy over time. This type of activation is good for sigils meant to be kept around, either steadily releasing energy over time or when it’s scheduled to be triggered. This way the sigil does not used the energy all at once, like in active activation. Practitioners can either set up a source of energy for the sigil to draw from, or they must recharge their sigils periodically. Some examples of passive activation include:

• -Drawing the sigil on paper
• -Carving the sigil onto a bar of soap and using it
• -Setting the sigil as a phone/computer/tablet background
• -Taking a picture of the sigil and sharing it online
• -Drawing the sigil on stone or wood
• -Draw the sigil onto a sidewalk with chalk
• -Have the sigil printed onto a piece of clothing and wear it
• -Draw the sigil onto an amulet
• -Draw the sigil on your body

SO IF I PUT A SIGIL ON MY ARM, DO I NEED TO ACTIVATE IT OR CHARGE IT?

As you can see above, the simple act of drawing a sigil on your arm is passively activating it. If you were to draw it on your arm and wash it off, that’s actively activating it. But remember, you can skip activating your sigil all together. However, you MUST charge it. Without charging it with your intention, it’s just a symbol – plain and simple.

IN CONCLUSION….

Another day, another witchcraft question from Google answered. Do you choose to activate your sigils? How? Let me know in the comments. And as always, Bright Blessings and Happy Crafting!