Spell Vessel
A Spell Vessel is an ongoing spell effect that is centered on the ingredients added to a container. This container could be almost anything: a jar, a box, a leather pouch worn around the neck, etc. The ingredients are chosen according to The Law of Similarity and magical correspondences with the intended purpose in mind. The vessel is then charged with Literomantic Power geared to the intended purpose.
A Witch Bottle would be an example of a particular type of Spell Vessel with a defined purpose and unique presentation.
Effect
Creating a Spell Vessel centers a spell effect on tangible ingredients so that it will last for an extended period of time. Usually, the ingredients within the vessel are chosen because of their symbolic associations, which is its own form of language, and the focus for the literomancy. Sometimes the vessel will also contain associated runestones, papers with the name of the spell's recipient written on it, or other such foci.
Some examples might include:
A leather pouch to be worn around the neck, containing feathers, the skull of a bird, mint, wild mustard, and cinnamon (herbs associated with moving quickly) to speed up flight should someone need to escape danger
A Mason jar to be left on the home hearth or altar, containing black tourmaline for blocking negativity, selenite for purifying, amethyst for promoting calm, and rosemary, basil, sage, mugwort, and rue (herbs for protecting the home)
A wax-sealed glass bottle containing rosemary, sage, lemon balm and bay leaves (for concentration and focus,) fluorite for mental organization, clear quartz for mental clarity, and amethyst for calm focus, as a charm intended to help a literomancer concentrate on their writing
Note that no particular type of material is required for a Spell Vessel, although animal parts, herbs, and crystals are commonly used, and they may be used separately. It is even possible to use only one crystal type, herb, etc. in a given vessel at any one time. The effects can vary broadly. The most common purpose is protection, usually against negative magic or attack. Other common purposes include a boost or "buff" to some innate ability, bending probabilities to more favourable outcomes, or a "just in case" option intended to activate if something goes horribly wrong.
Note that no particular type of material is required for a Spell Vessel, although animal parts, herbs, and crystals are commonly used, and they may be used separately. It is even possible to use only one crystal type, herb, etc. in a given vessel at any one time. The effects can vary broadly. The most common purpose is protection, usually against negative magic or attack. Other common purposes include a boost or "buff" to some innate ability, bending probabilities to more favourable outcomes, or a "just in case" option intended to activate if something goes horribly wrong.
Side/Secondary Effects
Spell Vessels are a relatively low-cost enchantment individually. Risk of Magic Drain is low.
Manifestation
Unless carried in an innocuous, opaque, sealed container, a Spell Vessel is quite obviously a spell. However, aside from a flash of magical energy that depends on the purpose and the individual literomancer at the time it is charged, it gives off very little sign of its magical nature. The literomantic power involved is detectable by those who can sense such things, but it has no obvious visual or other sensory manifestation aside from its tangible appearance, and any odors that might be associated with its ingredients.
Source
Literomantic power must be provided directly by the caster in order to fix the spell's purpose. More advanced practitioners can continually charge the vessel over time.
Discovery
Spell Vessels are an ancient staple of folk magic. The most commonly known forms tend to have their origins in European folk magic traditions, such as the "cunning folk," but they are also part of most indigenous traditions worldwide. Asian traditions also have variations.
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Spell Vessels by Pixabay
Material Components
Requires the container and the ingredients to be used as the foci for the spell's purpose.
Gestures & Ritual
Sometimes the charging of a Spell Vessel is imbued with symbolic qualities while it is being charged (ie. a spell bottle intended to bolster intuition might be "charged under the light of the full moon," while a charm for purification might involve setting it in running water for a time, etc.)
Related School
Effect Duration
Until the vessel's charge is overwhelmed or depleted, or until the vessel is destroyed or dispelled (usually by taking apart and magically cleansing the ingredients)
Effect Casting Time
Several minutes to a few hours
Range
Defined by the conditions of the spell, usually one person, place, or thing
Level
Beginner
Applied Restriction
Availability of ingredients is sometimes a limitation to a particular charm. Fortunately, magical symbolism has a plethora of available substitutions.
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