Cord Magic: Tapping into the Power of String, Yarn, Twists & Knots

by Brandy Williams

Blessed Threads & Magic Twists

Cord magic is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to make magic. This book shows you how to quickly and effectively twist your own magical cords, with specific tips for choosing colors, setting your intention, charging the cords, and incorporating powerful knot spells. You will discover dozens of hands-on instructional worksheets and specific projects for a myriad of magical purposes, including protection, transitions, finding new love, improving your creative life, celebrating a handfasting, and many more. Author Brandy Williams also includes guidance for working with embellishments, capturing the power of astrological signs, unmaking a cord, and choosing the best materials.

Cord magic is portable and versatile―you can twist a cord in a matter of minutes, whether you're at home or out in public. You can wear a magically charged cord as an accessory or simply carry one in a pocket or bag. This book explores the history of cord magic and it teaches everything you need to know about the tools and techniques you need to create your own magical twists and knots.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Paganism, Magic, Crafts

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2021

About the author

Brandy Williams is a Wiccan high priestess and ceremonial magician who has been practicing and teaching magic for over twenty-five years. An internationally known author and lecturer on esoteric topics and women's studies, she is also an initiator within Ordo Templi Orientis, based out of Washington State.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Cord Magic was a pleasantly surprising book that I flew through. I loved the level of information given which was neither too hard nor too easy to follow and understand making it ideal for new to me users (like me) and more experienced ones too.
In this book we learn about tapping into the power of using strings, yarns, twists and knots to weave magic and spells.
The authors introduction was beautifully written and enjoyable and drew me in straight away.
This book also touches on subjects such as traditions, religion and culture as well as teaches us about materials, colour choices and using the craft.
You learn to make cords for many different things such as different seasons, elements, occasions and cycles and there are even worksheets to use which was really helpful.
I loved this book and found it to be one of my favourites so far!

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a yartist I was eager to read more about combining my love for yarn art with my love for magic. This book was so much more than I anticipated. There is a lot of rich history that was utterly fascinating. The roots of cord magic are as varied as they are far-reaching into the past.

In addition to that, there is a wealth of information regrading number of threads, colors, and even days and seasons which work better with certain intentions. I found the information to be very detailed and well researched.

There were also ideas for spoken/thought/written intentions to help anyone who might not feel comfortable creating their own spells from scratch.

I loved the no shame, make it yourself or buy it, use natural or use man made attitude that made this feel like it was accessible to all levels of practitioners. It allows the power of a talisman to be in the hands of the curious as well as the practiced.

I highly recommend this to any one who is curious about cord magic, or who is looking for a simple yet powerful way to create talismans for needs as simple as good wishes to more intricate needs.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly approachable, easy to understand, and motivating to gather our intentions in the cords

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cord Magic by Brandy Williams
Tapping into the power of string, yarn, twists and knots

Having used knots and cords and other magic devices in the past I was interested in seeing what this book had to offer.

What I liked:
* the history of cord use
* the personal use of cords as illustrated by the author
* the personalization options
* the worksheets/charts that will assist the practitioner
* the common thoughts on correspondences
* Information on color, number, fibers, how to make cords, etc
* specific projects
* layouts/charts for setting up a magic working
* dyes
* measurements
* choosing what will be used to do magic
* energy in magic
* steps
* consecration, cleansing, choosing, focus, invocation, etc in regard to what will be done
* what to do with cords once magic has been done and it is time to release the energy from the cord/knots
* use of beads, charms, stones
* listing of knots
* all of it really

What I didn’t like:
* as this was an ARC and not complete, I found that not being able to see the illustrations, photographs and such made it more difficult to visualize what the purchaser of the book will be able to see. I cannot give feedback on this area as it was not in the ARC.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to have it in my library? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Llewellyn for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[ABCme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this book out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised it grabbed me from the start. Cord Magic is packed with information on culture, religion, tradition, choice of materials, color interpretation and craftmanship. There's a wonderful balance between the practical and the magical, written in a joyful voice, entertaining and educating.
After a highly appreciated word on ethical considerations and recommended reading throughout, the second half of the book puts creativity into practice. Setting intentions and making cords for all occasions, seasons, cycles and elements. Worksheets and knotting techniques are included as well.
What a pleasure to be in this very special world for a while, what a totally captivating read!

Thank you Netgalley and Llewellyn for the ARC.

[Owlvine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot believe how much I didn't know about cord, thread and string..! The information in this book gives the reader a solid foundation in all things weaving. I feel this book is perfect for any who are passionate about thread. I do not knit or sew, so I found some of this book a little dull, but everything is laid out in easy-to-access chapters and includes everything you might need to know about how to choose the right thread for your magickal job, how to perform workings with it (correspondences such as colour, timing, numbers etc). She even includes tips for storing your spell threads. I'm glad to have this book as a reference in my occult library, I have bookmarked many great ideas!

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of everything you want to know about Cord Magic and then some. While the colors are explained, along with intentions, you can begin to make cords from yourself, friends and family quickly.

The one thing I don’t care for that this is a wee bit long in some areas. For example, the author covers different types of fibers for thread, then says the material doesn’t really matter so much as the color. I get that, but there is quite a bit written on the various materials that could have been condensed a bit if it’s not that important. I was also taught spells along with making cords so I see a similarity to the way I was taught, but not quite the same. That mans I got to learn a little more about how others approach cord magic and that’s what I really love about reading how others practice.

A good book for the novice or someone looking to expand their areas of practice.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of knitting, sewing, weaving and crocheting, all little bits of magic themselves, this book piqued my interest as an offshoot of that work. What I found was a fascinating read that combines well researched history of fibers, threads and yarn production. Everything from how threads are constructed to how they are colored and back to the materials used was covered in depth. As just a quick history of fiber arts, this book holds its own. Add on to that a collection of accessible spells, spell component reference materials and workbook style instructions to create your own cords for spell use? This book is a seven star read!

[Larissa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars}

[First Glance]
I’ve been in a mood for simple magics, so I requested this book on a whim. I’m not much of a yarncraft person, as I can barely crochet and never really caught onto knitting as a leftie. With string, I’ve done some mundane cross-stitch and considered whether I enjoyed it enough to add into my magical practice… and never did. It’s one of those topics I wanted to connect to badly, but it never seemed to resonate.

[Positive Bits]
This book is extremely approachable! From page one, I found myself drawn in by the author’s story of how and why she felt the need to write this book. I connected to her story myself, having practiced various forms of magic for a couple of decades now. The examples of cord magic in action were all familiar situations and reasonable solutions… that just happened to involve magic! From story to finish, the author manages to treat the reader as both novice and equal as we’re guided through various activities involving cord magic.

As a deep lover of simple magic, cord magic speaks to me in the same way that candle magic and color magic both have. There’s beauty in the accessibility of cord magic as a whole, compared to something like crystal magic or the use of Tarot. Anyone can pick up a string or yarn and twist it just so! That said, I connected deeply to the idea of capturing energies in cords for later use. With various levels of mobility and mental health issues in my household, it can be a feat of master engineering to get us all involved in celebrating a full moon or solstice together. The integration of cord magic in our workings could mitigate this, as I can capture the full moon for my wife on her bad days and visa versa. It opens up a universe of magic that felt inaccessible due to health limitations, and that means the world to me.

I found myself imagining ways to use the exercises and examples with items I have in my own home, and that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? While I don’t know that the author was aiming for this, her detailed description of capturing various energies (and a staggering list of examples I might not have thought up) had me considering the utility of cord magic in the time of something like this pandemic. Imagine gathering lengths of thread to weave into cords individually, knowing you’re spinning the same energies into being with your witchy kinfolk (safe at home, of course). It takes the idea of a friendship bracelet to higher levels! I’ve done similar work with candles to capture energies, but cords would be so much more practical from a cost and storage standpoint.

[Less Enjoyable Bits]
It’s a small thing, but I was very interested in the idea of a charging cord. It’s mentioned as something you can create, up to and including the creation of cords with the energies of certain times, seasons, and weather trapped within their threads. However, I felt like we missed instructions on what to do with a charging cord. Do I wrap it around a candle to charge the candle? If there’s a knot I want to undo to release energies into a candle, do I hold it over the unlit wick? Or do I light it and untie the knot to the side? I have ideas of my own to work with these captured energies, but my point is that the book could’ve explored the use of those particular cords in more detail with us.

There’s a lot of info dumping to cover side topics, which I think could’ve benefitted from either more or less information being provided. The book dives into some basics on planetary associations, zodiac signs, numerology, and color magic. All of those topics can apply to cord magic in some way, but I feel like dabbling in their magics doesn’t do justice to the breadth and depth of each type of energy. I’m more of an all-or-none person, so I’d prefer either a simple list of standard associations or a detailed chapter on each type of additional magic being referenced in this book. Considering this is a book about a specific type of magic in the first place, I think the former option would’ve been a better fit.

I had hoped for some interesting friendship bracelet patterns, for lack of a better description. Or at least a four stranded braid instructional. Instead, this book gave us a couple of cord crafting methods to lean on and three knots to work into the mix. On one hand, this makes cord magic feel more accessible and is a boon. On the other hand, it also left me wanting more. Cord Magic 2, anyone?

Is it worth the coin? Yes – the ideas presented in some of the exercises were enough to justify purchasing this book, but they’re also packaged in an informative and approachable package.

[Jennifer Sacasa-wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cords are one of the easiest ways to make magic. Fibers are common, knotting is easy, and together both can be used for nearly every conceivable purpose, making threads the ultimate portable witch’s tool. Cords can be made as standalone talismans or used to add power to other workings.

This book contains what seems to be everything you need to know about magic with cords, starting with examples of fibers through history and many different cultures, how they become charmed, and how to unmake them.

It takes longer to explain how to make a cord than to do it. Gather two or more pieces of string the same length. Knot at both ends. Secure one end to a sturdy object. Keeping tension on the string, begin to twist the threads together. When the tension has increased dramatically and the cord begins to kink on itself, grasp the cord at the midway point and bring the end you twisted to the end that is anchored. Let go in the middle and it will curl back upon itself.

Spinning the string infuses it with energy – twist to the right to send energy into the world, and left to direct it toward yourself. Your knowledge of magic when making choices every step of the way – the days, the number of strands, their colors, the fiber – fortifies your cord with purpose.

Chapters cover design elements in depth, giving readers many ways to infuse meaning and customize cords to make something happen, to hold energy, or to store energy for later release. Cords easily capture the energy of time and place – a full moon, a thunderstorm, a sabbat, a retreat – and then keep the energy for later use.

Think of a knot as a wish; it contains energy. Brandy Williams illustrates some common knots to use when making cords for protection, health, happiness, relationships, prosperity, weather magic, astrological signs, and more. There are positively worded affirmations, and intentions that can be spoken when starting the project, then when meditated while working. Because of the way yarn is looped, knitting, crocheting and macrame can be considered a series of knots that can seal in an intention.

Examples are also given for an array of cords, and worksheets abound, prompting users to record personal references and meanings when beginning their own cord magic. The possibilities are endless – from ribbon used to decorate a baby shower gift to a talisman for protection while traveling – so grab some string and make some magic.

Reviewed by Lynn Woike of PaganPagesOrg

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandy Williams has put together a wealth of information for anyone interested in combining cords into talismans using systems such as numerology, color magic and spell work. I received an ARC of "Cord Magic" just as I was readying to design a necklace out of silk cord and pearls combined with knots. Talk about divine timing! As I worked on the necklace, I utilized methods I learned while reading Cord Magic and couldn't be happier with the finished piece and the intention infused throughout it.

Relationship, prosperity, health and protection are only a few areas the author has covered in this DIY book designed for those of us that like to take action in producing desired outcomes in our lives and assist others with theirs. She describes how to tie a knot to make something happen, or alternatively to prevent something from happening. An example of this is explained in the history of knot magic going back to sailors' who would tie knots in their ropes to capture winds and then release them to allow those winds to blow. Interesting stuff, right? This book is peppered with good stuff like that and gains the attention of the reader right form the start gate when Brandy Williams describes helping a frantic friend whose daughter is missing by knotting a cord of attachment for them.

Throughout Cord Magic the reader will find charts where the author has left blanks so that they can be personalized for our own preferences and associations. I loved that! In fact, I really enjoyed making my way through this book and look forward to revisiting sections time and time again when the particulars of certain situations require it. Many thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide, Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review "Cord Magic". All of the thoughts expressed in this review are authentically mine.

[Katerina Sarpione · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spinning and weaving are often considered practices from the past. And although you might be aware of their magical potential, it is usually rather difficult to use them in your own craft. But before we immerse ourselves in regret and sorrow, let me remind you that there is an easier way to weave fabric magic into your practice. And the book “Cord Magic. Tapping into the Power of String, Yarn, Twists & Knots” by Brandy Williams is all you need. Well, some thread will be handy, too.

Unlike most books, this one is entirely practical and I believe that’s one of its finest qualities. And believe me - this time you’ll use the practical knowledge it contains. It has simple and effective explanations that lightly walk you through all the twisted knots you can add to your own practice. All this is accompanied by clear drawings that will make you wonder why cord magic is not among your basic magical skills.

Brandy Williams shares wonderful personal stories, which gives the book a very intimate feel. Inside you’ll find numerous tables with meanings for the fibers, for the colours, as well as blank tables so that you can create and implement your own meanings. In case you’re wondering where and why you might put your new skills into use, there is a whole chapter devoted to the purpose of magical cords and knots with great examples. To string things together - I loved this book and I’m sure you’ll love it too.

[Lorna Vivi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cord magic is a very easy and accessible read for people who are beginners to magic. Brandy Williams introduces herself and her lineage well from the beginning and also gives practical examples of when she's used cord magic, I do wish that the few example of creative writing inserts had been left out as they felt at odds with the rest of the book,. The book covers all the basics especially when it comes to correspondences - number, colour, planetary etc, There are charms and projects provided including the famous Witches Ladder. I think that it is those areas most readers will have an interest in. There is everything you need to get started in using this magical technique straight away. I think Brandy Williams particular way will appeal to those that like a bit of ceremonial inspired style to their craft. I found the many examples of thread, cords etc use in other traditions to be a bit much and it felt like filler. I much preferred the practical tips like the quick guide to measurement, Due to the fact this is a preview copy I cannot comment on the overall presentation and the imagery/artwork which is quite crucial as certain images are practical examples.

(I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for a review all opinions are my own)

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

Apparently cord magic is very simple, so this book goes deep into the practice, focusing a lot on the materials, their provenance and their history, ecological aspects of it, and offering a lot of examples for this practice for various aspects: for health, prosperity, love, friendship, and deeper practices done by group of witches.

I do not practice this so I may not necessarily be the target audience but I appreciate greatly this book. I think it's perfect for anyone who wants to deep their toes into a simple magical practice.

I liked a lot the style of the writing, how empathetical the author is to many modern issues, how friendly her tone is and how she shares nuggets of wisdom only practitioners have developed.

I learned a lot of information through this book, which was quite unexpected. All in all, it's a lovely book, teaching a simple practice but giving all its aspects the importance needed.

I received a copy of this in exchange for my review.

[Tyesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this to be what it was; it was a lot more than that. I went in expecting a basic tutorial for knot/weaving magic. It turned out to be a history of cord magic and a crash course in color and numerology magic. Unfortunately, the information bombing made it a bit boring in certain sections. I can understand where Williams was going but it was a lot of block info. On the other hand I also enjoyed the history put into it. There were further readings given and facts were always sourced. I can appreciate that in the section about materials the environmental and ethical points were giving along with the facts about said material. Over all I did enjoy reading this and will be choosing to use some of the things it taught me in my craft.

I received this book for free in exchange for a review.

[final4kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book and opens up an entirely different world of magic. There is energy in everything we touch, everything that grows, everything that surrounds us. Some are conduits for this energy, and this has offered an excellent insight into expanding a person's depth and breathe of the craft.

This author has offered up other introductions "Practical Magic for Beginners" and has shared some wonderfully insightful and important information for those just developing their connections to the earth's energy and power. This book is something that I will re-read again and again and makes a perfect reference whether one has experience or is just learning. Really well done! #CordMagic

[Raven Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource if you are interested in starting cord magic. The information can get a bit dull at times, especially if you aren’t concerned about how dyes and fabrics are made. There is a lot of good information included.

The only thing I didn’t care for in this book is how the only technique really included was to twist the strings. I’ve never had much success with it and had hoped this book would include more information on crochet,knit, and general knot magic. However, that being said, it’s fairly easy to adapt the information to fit what I was looking for.

This book is definitely beginner friendly and encourages the reader to explore what correspondences work for them which is a win for me!

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads)]

DNF 15%

I thought the premise of this type of magic was interesting so I requested this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t find what I read very interesting and I keep putting it down to read other books. I struggled with her writing style as well.

Also from what I read, there were no photo instructions included on how to do the different types of twists to make cords. This might be because I have an ARC copy, but the written instructions were not always clear and I struggled to follow the steps. This also was another reason why I decided to DNF because I clearly wasn’t understanding her instructions.

*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*

[Leila Åkerlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. It opened my eyes to whole new kind of magic.

Making a cord turned out to be very simple thing in it self but the author deep dived into the subject. She starts with history and how a cord is made and unmade. She looks into the number of threads, color, fiber, purpose and knots. All those components can be taken into consideration when making a cord. At the end she tells all the ways cords can be used. The book also holds templates and work sheets but I have to say at some points it feels they are there to bring length to the book.

All in all, I liked the book and I have started to make cords capturing seasons and moments in time.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I work with yarn daily (I crochet) I loved the idea of incorporating cord magic into my life and maybe get some ideas to incorporate something similar into my crochet and this book did not disappoint. I love the history that Brandy Williams provides and I did not realize how far back the practice goes.

This book grabbed me from the start and is very readable for all. From the different correspondences (color, days, seasons, etc) that are provided this is definitely worth a read for those interested in a simple yet rich tradition.

[Shawnae]

I didn't read the entire book. I found the book extremely boring. I bought this because I am interested in magic and I have been crocheting for over 10 years now. I thought it would be a great idea to incorporate the two together.

If you are interested in history then this would be a great book for you. If you are like me and thinking this book would talk in depth about crafting and magic you would be wrong.

There was little more than a half of a page that mention knitting and crocheting.

This is not a bad book it just did not fit my needs.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a crafter with a penchant for fiber so this suits me. I enjoyed the authors process of having the reader define what certain aspects mean to them. Truly customizing the process to their own work while including her own definitions and example workings. Her anecdotes are thoughtful. I also really appreciate the thick list of citations.

I can see how this isn't for everyone and as much as she makes it accessible some people aren't going to find value in the humble cord. And that's okay. But if you are not into dying, knits, yarn, or string in some fashion this might not be for you.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very thorough in covering every aspect of cord magic for anyone who is curious to learn about this craft. As a fiber artist I appreciated the wealth of knowledge provided on the different types of fiber you can work with and how you can incorporate many of these techniques into projects that use cords such as knitting, crochet and macramé. This is a very niche aspect of witchcraft but I think very approachable in how it's written that won't intimidate those new to the craft.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in this book.
If you are a witch who does any kind of fiber art or stitching themed craft, you should read this book

I will stay that the instructions for dyeing fiber/yarn/thread isn't a perfect one. Different types of fiber and dye require different dyeing techniques. I would recommend reading a book on dyeing yarn or cloth if you want to dip your toes into that side of crafting

[Brook Packard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough “how-to” book that flows, making it a pleasurable read as well as a reference book. Well-researched with information about fabric, weaving, regenerative/sustainable practices and history. The bibliography alone is worth having “Cord Magic” in the library.

[Opal Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a wealth of information about correspondences of magick. It will be one I return to again and again. - Opal Luna, author of Fiber Magick, a witch's guide to spellcasting using crochet, knotwork and weaving.

[The Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

pues, luego se extiende en algunas cosas, pero está bien en general, además trae tablas de contenido, le da un plus

[Shelby Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this book a lot. A lot of witchcraft that involve crafting tend to be a little hokey, this one wasn't. Williams does an amazing job of showing the magical side of fiber arts.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for those who do want to use cord magic or have it has a main way of doing magic. A variety of ways to do it. A good addition to one’s library.