amulet from Latin amuletum according to Pliny “an object that protects a person from trouble”
These amulets (or medals) are dedicated to our spiritual guides and followers alike. Hand-cast in bronze and finished by hand, each one is unique and meant to serve as a long-lasting tool, potentially granting its wearer protection and power. Whether these medals will actually serve as protecting amulets is of course ultimately in the hands of their owner. They are offered here with a very basic consecration ritual being performed on them and are accompanied by a blend of wormwood, lavender, myrrh and mandrake as well as care instructions and the metalsmith’s certificate. There are altogether 33 Teufelskunst amulets:
13 engraved shiny
10 embossed with dark patina
10 embossed shiny
In addition were made a few “Red King” amulets, which sold out fast.
The garden beginning of last week and one day later: winter has finally arrived and the plants can now rest underneath a protecting blanket of snow. The long autumn had a positive aspect though: after a rainy summer and cool autumn I could still bed out young plants that had caught up slowly together with some late acquisitions. This concerned herbs such as Aconite, Belladonna, Henbane and Poison Hemlock as well as Lovage, Hyssop and Wormwood. In the background are planted plain white and purple spotted Foxgloves, which had been sown last year. These are now asleep underneath the white shroud that Hulda has laid upon the earth, awaiting resurrection in spring. Mandrakes kept in pots have been moved inside to the basement, together with a few daturas, angel’s trumpets and other plants that don’t withstand freezing.
Likewise Teufelskunst seems to have gone dormant. However those watching this space may have noticed silent changes, corrections and additions that have been and continue being done pertaining to the site’s structure as well as content, with new and corrected info texts being uploaded to the Garden library as well as new items being added to our Herbal Supply – for example resins and powders in labeled glass bottles. I am constantly working on expanding and increasing the quality of the service, inspired and spured by recent customer requests as well as interaction with other experienced herb and seed dealers.
A few things on my list to look into in 2014 are for example new Aconite species, namely the beautiful Climbing Monkshood (Aconitum hemsleyanum) with dark claret flowers and the Yellow Monkshood or Healing Wolfsbane (Aconitum anthora). Further I was able to track down rare seeds of the allegedly most poisonous Monkshood, the Indian Aconite or Bish (Aconitum ferox), which I hope to be able to grow from seed this year. Besides this I seek to expand my knowledge about different Datura species, adding the Long Spined or Fierce Thorn-Apple (Datura ferox) to the garden. What else? I did not have any success yet at growing Henbane Bell (Scopolia carniolica) from seed, so I will give it another try with new seeds from a different source. Finally I have also been offered rare seeds of the Indian Belladonna (Atropa acuminata). For those interested I will post about my sowing and growing progress here.
Of course there are also orders to take care of and it is a pleasure and rewarding to receive this type of positive feedback and see the group of new and returning customers grow. Being an artist/hand-crafting things on the one hand and being a seller/taking care of business on the other is certainly not always an easy combination, especially when inspiration kicks in. Having to hold it back in favor of handling and shipping orders (duty) however does also insure that I am not chasing after any quick idea and forces me to be selective of what I actually manifest. In this regard I am also extremely excited about and thankful for the collaborations that arose last year, first of all with Occvlta, who have already begun creating a new collection of unique Reliquary Pendants with Teufelskunst herbs. (Seeing the new pendants yesterday was a real treat!) Click on the picture to the left to learn more.
Besides this yet another jewellery collaboration is coming to frution with a metal worker from Finland, currently casting the first batch of metal pendants with our Sigilum Major – or Greater Sowing Seal, which is simultaneously also the seal of a certain herb. (If you are familiar with our plant inspired sigilla magicae you may recognize it.) For those interested in the process comes here a photo of the casting procedure… and here are now the final prototypes:
As you can see there is also another pendant being done. More about this, photos and details concerning prizing to be announced soon. Pre-orders are already accepted at info@teufelskunst.com
What more? The past weeks were also filled with new experiences and inspiration transmitted by nature’s silent witnesses, the trees and vine (see documentation). From harvesting Poison Ivy and Mistletoe to communicating with Birch, Alder and other giants, which lastly ought to lead to new creations – amongst others in the form of new altar discs. This year starts with birch and black alder, of which I have a few raw wood slices to work with and that shall result in ten new pentacles to be offered here soon. For reference, these have been inspired by a recent customer request and they are different in that they are pyrographed into raw untreated wood that still has tree bark on. Details and pictures to follow. Besides this I am also working on new regular pentacles.
Lastly I have been approached for different commissions, such as tattoo designs and illustrations. I have also been contemplating the direction into which Teufelskunst is going and aim altogether for a stronger combination of supply, collaborative efforts and original art. Whatever news this year will have – you will read about them first here.
So long, thank you so much for your love, support and patience.
What took months in the making is now finally completed. With relief and some excitement we introduce the first set of Official Teufelskunst Pentacles as well as a new edition of our precious Teufelskunst Wooden Seed Boxes. Please read on for details and descriptions of each…
The Pentacles
The pentacle, or pentagram disc, represents the earth element upon the altar and acts as a focal point for manifesting the magician’s will and secondly it protects the magician and the work. In our previous post we have already discussed the meaning of the pentagram and hinted at various ways of using it in ritual. In our first collection we offer now three different types. The first version carries, plain and simple, a bold black pentagram enclosed within a circle and fits for any ritual work. The second version is more delicate and alchemical symbols of the four elements and spirit have been added to the disc, which makes this Black Alchemy pentacle also suited for higher ritual work. Both versions are pyrographed in massive Beech, a neutral wood traditionally used in letterpress printing. Several layers of blood-red varnish stain have been applied to the surface, whereby the bottom and side of the first discs is varnished black. At the back of each is pyrographed the Teufelskunst Sigilum Major (which you find on all our work).
Price: 50 Euro for 1 regular Pentacle / 66 Euro for 1 ‘Black Alchemy’ Pentacle
Besides these puristic versions done in Beech wood we crafted a series of dainty and intricately ornamented pentacles pyrographed in heavy Oak wood. These one of a kind Oaken pentacles possess a rougher surface and have a rustic look and feel to them. They are painted with a thin layer of Golden Oak varnish stain and like the beech pentacles are sealed with an additional layer of transparent varnish. Beneath follow descriptions and pictures of each.
WITCHCRAFT
Decorated with ornamental motifs of Oak leaves and acorns hiding two crescent moons. Crowned by thorn and trident, in reference to the path of thorns and the holy trinity, flanked by two devil’s representing the witches father and mother and the dualism in all nature. The symbols inside the pentagram are the same as those in the Pentagram of Solomon and are meant to protect the magician from danger as well as command the spirits. The very first in our series of Oak Pentacles it channels the overall beneficent aspects of its wood and the four elements.
Price: 99 Euro – available
WITCHCRAFT – one of a kind Oak Pentacle – 99 EUR
EYE OF G’D
Combining elements from classic black magical ritual grimoires this Oak Pentacle represents wrathful aspects of the divine. Starting with the ‘All Seeing Eye’, which upon closer examination occurs no longer human but demonic, from which flashes of lightning emerge, tearing the skies apart and sending forth the Wrath of G’d towards the earth, where men and beast have transformed into the evil dead roaming the earthly plane. The night has turned into day and the day into night; the dogs are loose, the trees are alive and reaching out for the lonesome wayfarer, whilst the devils in the sky are triumphing. Possible uses: workings of wrath, casting the evil eye, evoking mischief during the time of the Wild Hunt or Rauhnächte.
– Sold
‘Eye of Gd’ – one of a kind Oak Pentacle – SOLD
NEPTUNE
This unique Pentacle has been inspired by the mysteries of the Deep Sea and men’s Fear of the Unknown. There is the mask of the Green Man lurking behind the five-pointed star, but the foliage emerging from his face is made of seaweed and his beard becomes the tentacles of a monstrous Octopus. To the left and right are his devil companions occuring in the shape of winged and horned seahorses. He is the ruler over the watery element. Behind and around him the sea gives birth to a mighty, all-encompassing whirlwind. His trident is supreme. Once evoked he will not know good or bad. Possible uses: protection, weather magic, dream work, calling the old gods, invisibility.
– Sold
NEPTUNE – one of a kind Oak Pentacle – SOLD
The Wooden Seed Boxes
Upon request we have crafted a few more of our original seed boxes, which are pyrographed with our Sigilum Major (also called the Greater Sowing Seal) and twin devils – the overseers of our work. The lid and inside are varnished in bloodred, the sides are varnished black and coated with a thin layer of transparent varnish. Each box is numbered at the bottom, this set being #9-14. The boxes contain seeds from over 50 different Witch Herbs. Sowing instructions for all herbs will be provided online in the form of a pdf.
Price: 99 Euro – All Reserved
Teufelskunst Wooden Seed Boxes, November 2013
All customers who have reserved and pre-ordered will be notified during the coming days. If you wish to purchase one of the remaining pentacles or reserve one of the next row of seed boxes write to info@teufelskunst.com to receive the details concerning shipping etc.
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On another note, we are currently teaming up again with Occvlta who will do a new jewelry collection with our specially preserved flowers, herbs and mushrooms. With this small teaser we wish all our customers and followers a blessed Season of Light!
Exact definitions can be hard to pinpoint within ‘magic’. Each tradition my have their own respective you’ll hear different views and more or less substantiated ideas concerning the terms pentagram and pentacle. A pentagram per se is a simple geometrical figure, namely a five pointed-star drawn with five strokes. A pentagram is also called a pent-alpha, because five alphas joined at their base resemble a pentagram. Ideally the angle of each edge measures 36°. Sumerians and Egyptians are known to have used the pentagram in scripture as well as a religious symbol. Interestingly some of the oldest discovered depictions of pentagrams traced by Sumerians were drawn in such manner that the lowest angle would point downwards (which by some is also called an inverse pentagram – however we do not use that term). It is unclear whether Sumerians would attribute anything negative to the ‘downwards pointing’ pentagram, as is done in modern times. There were also pentagrams pointing into other directions and they may altogether simply have been used to denote orientations.
A pentagram traced within a circle is sometimes referred to as a pentacle. However, throughout centuries the word pentacle has been used synonymously for any religious amulet attributed with the magical purpose of evoking a spirit, which has symbols inscribed upon it. These symbols can be pentagrams or other geometrical figures. A magical property and directionality arises if the maker or person using it charges the amulet with his personal intent. Such pentacle used in magic and ritual can be made from metal, wax, paper, wood or clay etc. and can for example be worn as an amulet or placed as a disc upon the altar. Instead of a pentagram it can for instance also have a hepta-, nona-, deca- or hendecagram, astrological figures and other things traced upon it. For the sake of simplicity we will list all inscribed altar discs and amulets under that moniker. More specifics are given in the item description.
Concerning their Directionality and Magical Function
According to our understanding neither the term pentacle nor the word pentagram imply any directionality or magical purpose per se. Neither do we regard a downwards pointing pentagram to be automatically associated with ‘negative’ attributes. A pentagram with the lowest angle pointing towards the ground, underlines first and foremost the earth aspect and connection to the plane of materialisation (of which the disc upon the altar is representative). The two ‘legs up’ can also represent the feminine, an open chalice or the prima materia into which the ‘seed of spirit’ or ‘divine spark’ is conceived, and the lowest point the source from which same spirit is evoked. It can further be associated with the underworld and the dead – for the positive and the negative, the benific and the baneful alike. In the same way a pentagram pointing upwards could be associated with positive and negative attributes. The reason why we trace it pointing downwards is merely and simply because it feels natural to us.
In general the pentacle represents physical manifestation, e.g. in rites of evocation the spirit, who’s signature is drawn upon the pentacle is made to appear by annointing, rubbing, fuming and knocking the amulet, in combination with chanting formulae etc. The reasons for and goals of such evocation can be manifold, e.g. the spirit may be evoked for giving answers, drawing money, granting boons or fame etc. The purposes are as manifold as man’s needs and as diverse are the spirits, saints, demons etc. that may be evoked. During the evocation the pentacle acts simultaneously as a protecting amulet.
The pentagram disc worn as an amulet or placed upon the altar is a basic tool, whereby the pentagram is often seen as an allegory of the harmonic interplay between the four elements of the natural world, with each point being assigned to one element and the fifth point representing the ‘Spirit’. The shape of the pentagram is viewed as a perfect geometrical figure and thus also represents wholeness, balance and health. In some Satanic traditions the pentagram can represent aspects adverserial and disruptive towards the harmony and balance between the elements of the created world (which is then perceived as a prison) and the pentagram disc is used for manifesting destructive goals. In these contexts the magician may also visualize a pentagram turning black, dissolving or breaking. Lastly in baneful magic curses directed against a certain person or group may also be wrought to manifest with the help of the pentagram disc.
Our Unique Pentacles
The additional symbols and illustrative elements are our personal preference. They are telling stories and transmit something of the events occuring during the time of their crafting. None of the pentacles are baneful or benific per se. They can be used for both. However if you are looking specifically for a pentacle pointing upwards or having any other orientation, a different motif or special symbols traced upon it we can discuss the details and price for making you a custom one.
(This article is a short discourse and adendum to the page. It was spawned by a recent discussion and I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment and share their views and knowledge.)
Anathema publishing approached me with the request to compose an incense that they could add to contributor copies of the new Pillars Periodical. Pillars is an annually published, esoteric magazine featuring occult artists and writers from all over the world. This year’s Pillars comes out under the motto of ‘The Golden Eitr‘, which is a term derived from North mythology and translates roughly as “golden poison” or “golden serpent’s venom” – in reference to the ur-matter of all existence, which is represented as a poisonous liquid substance, from which all living beings evolved.
The incense contains ingredients evocative of the journal’s motto and aims to awaken
‘The Power of Counscious Knowledge, Elevation & Holy Veneficum’
For this the fruits of the (forbidden) tree of knowledge – apple and fig – where harvested and left to dry over the cause of several months. They add the physical link to and represent carnal desires and the sin that follows. The lust for committing deadly sin is furthered by coriander and nutmeg, arousing with fire, yet also potentially protecting against the wrath that may be wrought through this element. Cloves remind the initiate of the pain caused by the nails driven into the flesh of the saviour, who sacrificed himself on the cross timbered from the same tree[1], yet also protecting him and her. Lulled by black henbane – the herb crowning the dead that wander by the river Styx[2], erasing the memories of past lifes – the pain is numbed and the practitioner may find hirself in communion with the shades, their presence sweetened and blessed by the scent of myrrh, whereas the sage of the diviner may act as the secret guide, who challenges and leads the aspirant on his journey and in the quest for spiritual insight and gnosis.
“As cure for the Wrath of another Venom, there did Apple and Venom bring it about.”
– Gratten & Singer [1952: 151-157]
The incense is currently reserved for contributors of the journal, but it is planned to make available a limited batch together with a signed art print illustrating and evoking the different aspects of our incensus.
Besides, Pillars Periodicalcan be ordered NOW. Only 220 copies are available and pre-orders are going fast. So better be quick!
This section of our website has been dead for too long and it is with joy that we finally present you our first pair of magical Wands. The two wands we begin with are quite different from each other, due to their origin and character. Both are hand-crafted from wood we have harvested by ourself on special occasions and are part of a row different wands we are currently working on. Please read the descriptions for each and if you find one these would resonate with yourself and your work you can get in touch via info@teufelskunst.com and we sort out the details concerning payment and shipping.
Rowan Wand for the Urban Witch
The wand has three points and receives its character for once from its origin and secondly from a rich dark pattern caused by age and environmental influences. It was harvested from a solitary Rowan tree, which stood strong admidst a gathering of beton at a large traffic intersection in town. From its location the tree’s spirit could observe the fast moving nature of city life and radical changes in history and culture, yet it ever remained there as a silent observer, untouched and unmoved by the happenings around it, a symbol of strength and souvereignity, which would shine in deep green and bright red colors within an otherwise gray scenery. Another interesting aspect of this wand is its two-sided nature arising from its distinctive pattern and coloring: the bottom side is of a darker hue and has a rich pattern whilst the top is of a light-yellow color. The wand could be viewed as unifying opposites of light and dark, positive and negative, active and passive in a single magical weapon. The whirls and banding remind of olive wood, but with a red hue. The wand has a very smooth surface (in harmony with the royal nature of this wood) and has been oiled with almond oil, which brought out the wonderful dark pattern even more. The photos actually do not do it justice. The wand measures 43 cm (17”) in length and the handle is 2,2 cm (0,9”) in diameter. It feels wonderful to hold and is a pleasure for the tactile senses. Possible applications would be healing and protection magic, wisdom work, contacting the ancestral spirit world (particularly for those who lived an urban live) and meditation. Due to its origin it bears also associations with urban history, culture and theatres. Origin: Dresden
Price: 49 EUR
Status: AVAILABLE
Pyracantha Snake Wand
pyracantha – thorny shrub of the apple family, from Modern Latin genus name Pyracantha, from Greek pyrakantha (Dioscorides), from pyr– “fire” + akantha “thorn, thorny plant,” from the root ak– “sharp, pointed”
The Wand is crafted from Firethorn wood, resembling the shape of a snake, and has been oiled with almond oil. It measures 45 cm in length and the handle ca. 2 cm in diameter. It is a small, handsome, inconspicuous, elegant piece, which was harvested from a special location. Due to its origin it bears invisible connections to the realm of the Dead. It is an overall benific wand, not fundamentally inimical but certainly fiery and spirited in character, which possesses also the power to bolster a curse and unleash a blazing attack against an enemy, when it is needed. It would fit to a bantam and vivacious person, and would be applied foremost in protection and/or defense spellwork, magic involving the element fire, heating up a spell and would constitute a lovely fetish in the hands of fire, serpent and thorn fetishists. In inverse magic the wand could also aid in cooling and taming the spirits, particularly when a situation has become too heated up. As with any magical tool, the outcome of the spell is in the operator’s hands and depends on how the tools are utilized. There are no guarantees.
The wand is available for purchase together with a powder consisting of the wooden dust left from crafting, dried firethorn berries, thorns and leaves.
For the Poisoner – containing seeds from at least 22 different herbs. The boxes are labeled with the Motto of the Poisoner and they are accompanied by a special Info Booklet. The booklet is handbound and printed on strong laid paper, which has been provided by Buchbinderei Dresden. It contains info on each herb and is illustrated with our unique Herb Sigils. Extra pages with a table offer space for taking own notes on the sowing and growing process:
Price: 40 Euro + 5,50 Euro shipping (international shipping via registered letter)*
The garden beginning of last week and one day later: winter has finally arrived and the plants can now rest underneath a protecting blanket of snow. The long autumn had a positive aspect though: 
