Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Denise Alvarado
In ancient times, people tended to use the concept of resemblance in the ap-
plication and practice of medicine and the law of similarity to the practice
of magic. These ideas were central to the understanding and prediction of
which plants, roots and herbs would be curative of specific diseases, and
which would have a supernatural effect on a given condition. Using the
concept of resemblance, for example, ailments of the spleen were treated
with the the common fern Asplenium scolopendrium as it bears a striking
resemblance to a spleen. The leaf of Hepatica acutiloba was shaped like the
liver, so it was used to treat liver disorders, and the leaf of the Cyclamen
persicum resembles an ear, and so it was used to treat earaches. This ideolo-
gy was prevalent through the 16th century.
In the 1500s, Paracelsus von Hohenheim (1493–1541) referred to the
concept of resemblance as The Doctrine of Signatures. He believed that by
observing the physical properties and characteristics of plants one could tell
which ones were used in healing the conditions of humankind. Characteris-
tics such as smell, shape, color, the time of growth, and when a flower blos-
somed were all indicators of a specific plants’ given medicinal use. Paracel-
Dirt from a bank - Mixed with magnetic sand, this dirt can
be used to gain money. Add to Commanding and Compelling
powder and dust loan papers to secure a loan or wrap in
small squares of brown paper and place in the shoes when
looking for a job.
Dirt from four corners - Mixed with cinnamon to bring in customers from
the four corners of the earth when sprinkled over the doorstep. To over-
come obstacles, mix with cayenne pepper and sprinkled over an enemy’s
personal effects to totally confuse them.
Dirt from a police station - Used to literally bring the law down on some-
one. Mix with Fiery Wall of Protection powder and scatter around the pe-
rimeter of the home to guard against theft.
Dirt from a court - This dirt is employed to influence or win legal cases and
to achieve justice in a situation. To work such a trick, mix it with powdered
low john root and wear it in a red flannel bag around your neck.
Church Dirt - Used in clearings and purifying rituals. Scatter a little of this
dirt in the four corners of the house to purify it of negativity.
Dirt from a family plot - This dirt is used to keep a peaceful home, place it
in white handkerchief, tie the corners and hang it above the door.
Water from a Stream - Consecration, luck, peace, take things away, healing.
May Water - considered the most powerful and sacred of all the rain wa-
ters, use for joy, healing, cleansing, head washings.
River Water – Wealth, Love, Drawing things, art, disposing ritual remains.