Lady_Elaine
Sagittarius
Dog
Posted Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:05 am...
Creating A Fetch
by Karen Follett
~from Llewellyn's Magical Almanac 2005
In the mid 1960s, a toy manufacturer introduced a line of tiny dolls that fit into jewelry lockets. This jewelry represented the ultimate "height of fashion" to every trend-conscious six-year old of the era. These little locket dolls represented much more to those of is tended to view objects a bit differently.
By day, these lockets transformed us "atypicals" into bejeweled queens of fashion. By night, the dolls emerged from their lockets and were sent on quests for information. These dolls-turned-messengers were charged with bringing back information about test questions, the whereabouts of lost objects, and other knowledge of concern to children of our age. While I think that it would be a fair statement to say that many of us lacked the vocabulary to label what we were doing, we were, in fact, creating "fetches" of these dolls.
What is a Fetch?
A fetch is a nonphysical entity that is created for the purpose of gathering information that lies beyond our physical boundaries. As the creator of the fetch, you decide the form, task, and life span of this energy. In addition to the power that you assert in the creation of the fetch, you also have the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the ethical use of the fetch.
The word "poppet" is used to label many types of dolls. For our purposes, a poppet is a tangible vessel that houses the fetch. The poppet can be as simplistic as a piece of jewelry or as elaborate as a doll that has been hand crafted, embedded with herbs and gemstones, initiated, and completed in conjunction with astrological influences.
While the following instruction are geared for the creation of a fetch and poppet from the "ground floor" and up, I believe that there are many ways to achieve a goal. So, unless you are learning a specific technique as ascribed by a specific tradition, let your intuition be your guide in this creation. After all, it has been nearly forty years since I sent my doll-turned-messenger on her first mission, and to this day, she still houses my fetch.
The energy manifestation of the fetch and the physical manifestation poppet is interdependent, and created in tandem. In addition to housing the fetch, the poppet acts to nourish, ground, and protect the fetch's energy and attributes.
Before you begin constructing your poppet, focus on the reasons why you are creating your fetch. This focus will aid in your deciding which attributes to infuse into the poppet. (Write these attributes on paper, as they will be used in the consecration of the fetch.) For the gathering of information, you may want attributes such as clear sight and the ability to receive and impart communication clearly. You may even gather herbs, stones, and metals possessing the qualities that you want to infuse into your fetch.
Next, you will assign to your fetch the visualized form that you want this energy to take. This can be a ball of energy or a totem animal or any visualization of form that bridges the gap from concept to manifested reality.
The physical construction of the poppet can be as simplistic or as elaborate as you choose. You can sew, knit, crochet, or even draw a doll-like "vessel" from any material. The choice of material should take the fetch's attributes in consideration. (There is much speculation that natural materials tend to hold energy more efficiently than synthetic materials.) You can add facial and anatomical features, even an "umbilical cord" to represent the connection between you and your fetch.
Every step that you take in the creation of your poppet is a step that has the potential of charging the energy of your fetch. You can focus form and intent with each seam you sew or each swipe of the pen. You can infuse clear sight while you create the eyes, clear hearing while you attach the ears, and clear communication while you fashion a mouth. Artistic ability is not the essential element in the creation of the poppet. As with any magical working, your focused intent is the only "essential" ingredient for success.
If you are creating a fabric or a stitched poppet, leave a small portion of the poppet open for stuffing. Gather the herbs, stones, metals, and oils that you want to use to further enhance the fetch. Cotton balls make an excellent and economical stuffing for the poppet. If you are drawing your poppet, anoint the finished work with oil or smudge with herbs. Again, focused intent is more important than technique as you complete the poppet.
The consecration of the fetch and poppet is very similar to the consecration of any other working tool of the craft. Cast your circle, call the quarters, and petition your deity of choice. Present your popper to each element and to the deity, asking that the desired characteristics be imparted to your fetch.
State to the fetch that it will be protected and sealed into this poppet until it is released by you, and only you. State to the fetch that it will always return to the poppet upon completion of each and every task. Instruct that, upon its return to the poppet, it will lie dormant until you command it otherwise. Thank the elements and deity and release the circle.
Your fetch is now ready for its first mission. Instruct the fetch as you would instruct a small child - with clear, concise, and specific instructions. You will also want to state the terms of communication with your fetch. Instruct your fetch that it will only obey your voice and intent. Your fetch can impart its information in visual, auditory, and sensory forms. Information can be relinquished during your waking hours or while you are asleep.
As with any new skill, there is a period of a "learning curve" where you may need to learn a new symbolic language, or you may need to adjust your communication techniques with your fetch. Your fetch and poppet are valuable tools and should be treated as such. Use the knowledge wisely.
If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough.-- Albert Einstein
Blessings Bright and Dark,
