THE ART OF SIGILS: ANCIENT SYMBOLS FOR MODERN POWER

In a world bursting with words, news, messages and distraction, there’s something timeless and mysterious about a simple symbol.

Sigils, those intricate, often cryptic-looking marks, carry a legacy of magic, intention, and spiritual power. Whether you’re a seasoned witch or a curious beginner, sigils offer a powerful way to manifest your desires and connect with deeper parts of yourself.

(Or just beautiful pieces of art we can create and we all need more art in our lives!)

What is it?

At its heart, a sigil is a symbol you create to represent a specific coded wish or intention. Think of it as a personal spell, condensed into a visual form. The word sigil comes from the Latin sigillum, meaning “ to seal,” and for centuries, sigils were used in magical practices to invoke spirits or protect sacred spaces.

Today, sigils are more commonly used in personal magic or spiritual practice as tools for manifestation and subconscious alignment.

When did it all start?

They’ve been etched into our history in one form or another since the beginning of humanity. Ancient civilizations, tribal communities across the world, Egyptians and  Mesopotamians used seals to protect possessions and signify authority. Medieval Magic: European grimoires (books of magic) were filled with sigils used to summon angels, spirits, and demons.

Our written language developed over a long period of time and in many different parts of the world.It’s therefore a fair assumption that letters and words were often used as sigils and magical shortcuts with codded intentions behind them.

In more recent times Chaos Magic - the book Occultist Austin Osman Spare brought sigils into the modern age by linking them with the unconscious mind -creating a flexible, psychological approach that emphasized personal intent over traditional symbolism.

How can we use sigils?

Sigils bypass our so called rational mind and speak directly to our subconscious. When you charge a sigil with focused energy through meditation, ritual, or intention, you amplify your desires deep into your inner world, where it can influence thoughts, habits, and even external events.

Whether you believe in magic or are on your journey working with manifesting, the act of creating and using a sigil strengthens your focus and helps align your actions with your goals.

How to Make a Sigil

Creating a sigil is a creative and meditative process.  There are many ways to create sigils and simply practicing will help you find works best.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

* Write Your Intention, make it clear and positive. e.g. "I am confident in social situations”

* Remove vowels and repeating letters from the example above: “I am confident in social situations” - remove vowels and duplicates to create MNCDTSL

* Design the symbol - combine those letters into an abstract, original design. Draw lines between letters. There’s no right or wrong, just create something that feels personal and powerful

* Charge the Sigil to focus your energy on it. Some popular methods - meditate while visualizing it. Use crystals to amplify sigil energy for protection, abundance or attracting love. Burn it in a ritual (fire safety required. Don’t be THAT witch…)

* Forget It

Yes…forget about it. Let the symbol do its work behind the scenes. Obsessing over the outcome can often block the process. Magic requires freedom and space to work!

Using Sigils

One of the best things about sigils is how easily they can blend into your daily routine. Here are a few practical ways to use them:

* On Your Phone or social media - set a sigil as your wallpaper to remind you of your intention

*In Your Journal draw one in the corner of your pages for focus or protection

* Home Protection - place a sigil near your front door or window for peace and safety

*Creativity & Focus - keep one on your desk to help with productivity or inspiration

*Personal Empowerment - draw one on your body with skin-safe ink for confidence or courage

The art of sigils is both ancient and deeply personal. You don’t need to follow rigid rules, just your intuition and intent. In a world filled with distractions, creating a sigil is a powerful act of self-direction, a silent signal to the universe (and your subconscious) that you’re ready for change.

Ready to try it yourself? Grab a pen, set an intention, and let the magic begin!

For those who prefer a digital approach or are just getting started, our friends at Sigil engine make sigil creating super easy. (click on the image to head to their site)

You can generate unique, visually appealing sigils based on your written intentions. While hand-drawing sigils adds a personal touch, using digital engines can be a great way to explore the practice with ease and precision.