Witches Ladders and Cords

One of my favorite tools is a witch’s ladder or other magic cords. There are many ways to make them. They can also serve more than one purpose.

I’m going to give you a little history—because, of course, you know me.

• Additionally, I’ll show you how to make a witch ladder for spells or protection.

I’ve hidden several of these around my house and wrapped them around quite a few spell jars. Furthermore, I can tell you they truly boost spells and wards.

I’d also like to point out that history often paints all witches as evil. Nothing could be further from the truth. Witchcraft is neither good nor evil, the witch is.

While the history below includes negative uses, these cords work just as well for healing, protection, love, money, and more.

We have all kinds of charms and bones for ladders in our metaphysical shop, come visit! Connect with us for more on Instagram, Facebook (Meta) or TikTok.

The “First” Witch’s Ladder

In 1878, workers tore down an old house in Wellington, Somerset. While clearing the attic, they found six brooms, an old chair, and a rope with feathers woven into it.

The space was hidden and unreachable from inside the house. The broom handles had rotted, but someone had fixed them long ago. They stored the chair and rope safely.

Two local researchers, Abraham Colles and E.B. Tylor, wrote about the rope in a journal called Folk-Lore in 1887. Locals gave many different ideas about what the rope could do. Some believed it was magical.

Witches Ladder discovered in Wellington, rests at Pitts River Museum & Edward Burnett Tylor presenting it to British Association for the Advancement of Science.

In 1887, Scholar Edward Burnett Tylor presented this cord to British Association for the Advancement of Science in Manchester. Two attendees abruptly challenged him, calling it a “sewel”, made to keep deer out of gardens.

Colles’ Folk-Lore caught the attention of James George Frazer, author of The Golden Bough. Frazer thought these cords were part of magical rituals to steal away the milk from cows. This thought was inspired by practices he researched in Germany and Scotland. Geez, witches’ cords everywhere!

This isn’t the first cord ever made—just the first one notably recorded.

Leland’s Discovery in Italy

Charles Godfrey Leland heard about the rope while he was in Italy. He investigated and found something similar used by Italian witches. They called it a “witches garland,” a cord filled with black hen feathers.

Witches would speak curses as they tied each knot, then hide it under a victim’s bed to bring bad luck.

Leland’s version of the witches ladder differed from the Somerset one. In Italy, they tied the feathers, not braided them. They used feathers from a live black hen and sometimes added hair from the victim. Witches placed a small fake hen or rooster with black pins next to it, then hid it in the mattress.

To break the curse, the victim had to find both the cord and the bird. They had to throw them into running water. Then, during a baptism, they entered a church and washed the cursed person with holy water while saying specific words.

The Witch Ladder in a Novel

Photo by Amanda King

In 1893, Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould wrote a novel called Curgenven. In it, he described a witch ladder made of black wool, white and brown thread, and cock feathers tied every few inches.

The witch wished sickness on someone while tying it. Then they tossed the ladder into Dozmary Pond. As bubbles rose from the water, people believed the curse was released. The pond, which is real has links to Arthurian legends and is reported to be haunted by a demon.

This novel really brought these witch ladders into the general public’s eye.

Witch’s Cord Today

Today, many witches still use something similar. One version is a cord or string with 40 knots or beads. Some cords include feathers, bones, or charms for specific spell work. Older cords had 3, 9, or 13 knots.

People make these cords all at once or little by little. They usually chant while tying the knots to fill them with magical energy. These knots are believed to hold power. Practitioners often call this knot magic or cord magic.

Once complete, the cord helps the witch focus while repeating spells without needing to count. This helps aim energy more clearly.

Modern Uses for a Witch’s Ladder

I believe these cords serve many purposes. You can turn nearly any goal into a spell. In the past, people believed witches cursed others by tying knots and hiding the cord.

The only way to break the spell was to find the hidden cord and untie every knot in reverse order. Luckily, there’s plenty of good magic for protection too.

It’s better to focus on what helps, heals, and supports others.

One great book to check out is Witch’s Book of Spellcraft by Jason Mankey. It includes over 100 spells, including some knot magic.

Another great use for a witch’s ladder is making a larger longer one to hang items on. You could use this to hang tarot decks, wands, sachets or other items. Larger ones with charms or sachets of crystals tied into it can be strewn above a door.

A witch’s cord is sometimes used almost like a Catholic rosary A witch works his or her way through the beads, grasping one at a time with focus over and over. These cords are for specific purpose and kept and used as often as deemed necessary. Another modern take on this; a chain or cord with beads knotted into it for a permanent witch ladder.

Another type of cord is nine feet in length and used to form a circle. Often used when a witch heads out to the woods, it helps form the boundary of the sacred space. I don’t find this necessary, practice visualizing it enough and you won’t either. On the other hand, if you want to enchant that cord for a stronger boundary, that is a different story.

How to Make a Witches Ladder

There are many ways to make one. I’m going to show you how to make a nine-knot witch’s ladder.

First, use all-natural materials. This supports ethical, earth-friendly magic. I buy all-natural cotton yarn from a local shop. Choose a color that matches your goal—red for love, black for protection, blue for justice, purple for psychic growth, and so on.

Study color energy. Any good candle magic book will help. I’ve seen long web pages on color meanings online—way too much in my opinion. Some folks really “stuff” their content. I prefer quality over quantity.

Check out this title: Candle Magic for Beginners by Richard Webster.

Think about the length you’ll need. Will you tie it around a spell bottle or petition, hang it or roll it up and hide it?

 suggest doing an alpha brainwave meditation first. Get into a focused state before starting your witch’s ladder. Meditate on your intent for a few minutes.

Also, practice making a witch ladder a few times before doing the real one.

You can tie the knots of a witch’s ladder in many ways. The usual method avoids tying them in order. This keeps others from untying them easily and undoing the spell.

Tying the Knots

This is like a ghost bottle, which some witches use to trap spirits (though I won’t). The spirit stays stuck until someone unties the knots in reverse. I think that’s cruel—I prefer to banish spirits and let higher powers judge them.

Work back and forth. Start with the middle knot, then tie the ends. After that, work your way inward as shown in this image.

Take your time with each knot. You can enchant bones, feathers, or charms as you tie them. It depends on your goal.

Before starting, write down your chant or spell. If you plan to tie nine knots, you’ll need nine lines—one for each knot.

I usually think in a progressive pattern, even if I am not tying the knots in order. Before doing this for a spell, practice what you are going to chant. I take my time; I pause and visualize my intent after each verbal stanza. Here’s a simple chant you can change to fit your work:

1. By knot of one, the spell’s begun (see the energies coming together, forming).
2. By knot of two, it’s coming true (visualize it happening).
3. By knot of three, it’s fixed on thee (visualize yourself or the target person).
4. By knot of four, it waxes more (visualize it like the waxing moon, growing).
5. By knot of five, the spell’s alive (See the spell as a living energy, because it is).
6. By knot of six, this fate is fixed (like an iron-clad guarantee).
7. By knot of seven, the spell does leaven (think of bread rising in the oven).
8. By knot of eight, this spell is fate. (imagine no way it can fail).
9. By knot of nine, the outcome is mine (Oh yeah! So it Is, So Mote it Be, Abreq Ad Habra!).

A Final Word on Witches Ladders

Each knot should carry strong focus. When finished, hold the cord in both hands and picture your goal clearly. Then wrap it around a spell bottle, hang it, or tuck it away.

You can tie knots in order if the cord is for yourself. Ordered knots work better for personal goals.

Another great use for a witch’s ladder is making one for a pendant or charm. It adds strength to the item if your intent matches.

Hopefully, I’ve given you some inspiration to make your own magical cords.