Eggshell spell casting is a form of folk magic that utilizes the natural properties of eggshells for spellwork and divination. In this practice, empty eggshells are often filled with intention, herbs, or other magical ingredients, and then used in rituals or for specific spellwork purposes. Eggshells have long been associated with fertility, protection, and new beginnings, making them a popular tool in various magical traditions. When used in spell casting, eggshells are believed to hold and amplify energy, making them powerful conduits for manifesting desired outcomes. One common practice in eggshell spell casting is to write intentions or wishes on small pieces of paper and place them inside the eggshell. This can be done during a specific lunar phase or during a ritual focused on setting intentions.
Average Joes of antiquity
Nearly identical ritual deposits dating back to the early Imperial era were found around the Artemis Temple in Sardis during the early 20th-century excavations, Raubolt noted. And locals seem to have buried strange things under their floors long before the earthquake.
Average Joes of antiquity Nearly identical ritual deposits dating back to the early Imperial era were found around the Artemis Temple in Sardis during the early 20th-century excavations, Raubolt noted. In one grisly example, archaeologists in the 1960s found 30 pots and jars dating back to the Lydian period, some 500 years earlier, each containing an iron knife and a puppy skeleton with butchering marks.
This can be done during a specific lunar phase or during a ritual focused on setting intentions. The intention-filled eggshell is then typically buried in the earth, symbolizing the planting of seeds and the manifestation of the desired outcome. Another way eggshells are used in spell casting is by incorporating them into protection spells.
Secret weapon against ancient demons: lucky eggshells
These deposits were buried under an ancient floor in Sardis nearly 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists who found them in 2013 suspect the artifacts may have been part of a ritual to ward off disaster. Archaeological Exploration of Sardis / Harvard
Residents of Sardis, an ancient city in modern-day Turkey, spent decades rebuilding after a devastating earthquake struck one night in the year 17. To ward off demons and future disasters, some locals may have sealed eggshells under their new floors as lucky charms, archaeologists found.
In the summer of 2013, archaeologists were excavating an ancient building at Sardis that was constructed after the earthquake. Underneath the floor, they found two curious containers. Each of them held small bronze tools, an eggshell and a coin, resting just atop the remains of an earlier elite building that was destroyed during the disaster.
The objects in the odd assemblages were important in ancient rituals to keep evil forces at bay, and the archaeologists who found them believe they could be rare examples of how the earthquake affected ancient people on a personal level. [See Images of the Ritual Offerings at Sardis]
Walking on eggshells
One of the eggshells found under the floor at Sardis was amazingly still intact when excavators lifted the lid on the container last summer.
"That was really fantastic," Elizabeth Raubolt of the University of Missouri at Columbia told LiveScience. "You can almost see where they chiseled a perfect circle and then let the contents aspirate."
Raubolt has worked on the excavations at Sardis (which are led by Nick Cahill of the University of Wisconsin at Madison) as a Roman pottery specialist for the past four field seasons. When she presented her findings this month at the Archaeological Institute of America's annual meeting in Chicago, she noted that several superstitions in the ancient world involved eggs.
The graffiti lion incised on this coin is likely a symbol of the goddess Cybele, often associated with mountains. Archaeological Exploration of Sardis / Harvard
The Roman historian Pliny wrote about how people would immediately break or pierce the shells of eggs with a spoon after eating them to ward off evil spells. Eggshells were also put inside "demon traps" buried in modern-day Iraq and Iran to lure and disarm malevolent forces, Raubolt explained. And sometimes, whole eggs were buried at someone's gate to put a curse on that person.
"You can imagine how nice it smelled after a while," Raubolt said.
With those precedents in mind, Raubolt thinks the eggshells at Sardis served as a way to protect the people in this building from evil forces, including future earthquakes, and maybe even curses cast by others. [Image Gallery: This Millennium's Destructive Earthquake]
Zeus Lydios and Cybele were the father and mother gods of the region, associated with storms and mountains — perhaps the right deities to pray to for those trying to prevent an earthquake. A numismatist, Jane Evans of Temple University, dated those two coins to the reign of Roman Emperor Nero, who ruled from 54 to 68. That suggested that the offerings were laid in the ground at least a few decades after the disaster.
Average Joes of antiquity
Nearly identical ritual deposits dating back to the early Imperial era were found around the Artemis Temple in Sardis during the early 20th-century excavations, Raubolt noted. And locals seem to have buried strange things under their floors long before the earthquake.
In one grisly example, archaeologists in the 1960s found 30 pots and jars dating back to the Lydian period, some 500 years earlier, each containing an iron knife and a puppy skeleton with butchering marks. It's not clear if those "puppy burials" are linked to the later egg entombments of the Roman era, but they at least attest to the long tradition of ritual practice in the region, Raubolt said.
It's been difficult for researchers to find direct evidence of the A.D. 17 earthquake. Archaeologists have found some large fills of earthquake debris that had been dumped to relevel the ground. They can see evidence of reconstruction on the Temple of Artemis. From literary sources and accounts of public rebuilding efforts, they know that Imperial aid flowed into Sardis from Rome. To thank the emperors, the people of Sardis even renamed themselves the "Kaisareis Sardianoi" or "Sardians of the Caesars." But how the "average Joes of antiquity" reacted to the quake has been largely unknown, Raubolt told LiveScience.
"That's what makes this deposit so interesting," Raubolt said. "It's one person's way of coping with the uncertainties and tumultuous events of that period."
Further excavation work might help determine what kind of building was constructed on top of these offerings. The team finds a lot of glass beads on site, Raubolt noted. That suggests it may have been a store, but its use is not yet clear.
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In one grisly example, archaeologists in the 1960s found 30 pots and jars dating back to the Lydian period, some 500 years earlier, each containing an iron knife and a puppy skeleton with butchering marks. It's not clear if those "puppy burials" are linked to the later egg entombments of the Roman era, but they at least attest to the long tradition of ritual practice in the region, Raubolt said.
Eggshells are believed to create a protective energy barrier, shielding individuals or spaces from negative influences or harm. In this practice, eggshells can either be blended into a powder or left whole and placed in strategic areas to create a protective field. Divination is another aspect of eggshell spell casting. By carefully cracking an egg and observing the patterns and shapes formed by the egg white and yolk, practitioners can interpret messages, omens, or future events. This form of divination is believed to provide insight into one's current situation or offer guidance for the future. In addition to these specific practices, eggshell spell casting can also involve the use of color correspondences, such as coloring the eggshells with specific hues to enhance the intended purpose of the spell. Furthermore, some practitioners may choose to consecrate eggshell fragments as talismans or amulets, wearing them or placing them in personal or sacred spaces for continued energetic protection or manifestation. Overall, eggshell spell casting is a versatile and intuitive practice that can be tailored to suit individual intentions and needs. It combines ancient symbolism, natural elements, and personal intention to harness the power of eggshells for magical purposes. Whether used for fertility, protection, divination, or manifesting goals, eggshell spell casting is a unique and accessible method for exploring the mystical properties of these humble and potent objects..
Reviews for "Spells for Releasing and Letting Go Using Eggshells"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The concept of using eggshells for spell casting sounded intriguing, but I found this book to be a disappointment. The instructions were extremely vague and often contradictory, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, many of the spells seemed gimmicky and lacked any real substance. Overall, I was not impressed with the content provided in this book and would not recommend it to others looking for a comprehensive guide to spell casting.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I have to say that "Eggshell spell casting" was a complete waste of money. The book lacks any useful information on the practice and feels more like a collection of random thoughts and ideas thrown together. The author's writing style is hard to follow, and the instructions provided are unclear and confusing. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after reading this book, as it failed to live up to my expectations. Save your money and look for a different resource on spell casting.
3. Angela - 2/5 stars - As an avid practitioner of spell casting, I was intrigued by the idea of utilizing eggshells in my rituals. However, this book did not provide the in-depth guidance I was hoping for. The instructions were too broad and lacked specific details, making it difficult to replicate the spells accurately. It felt like the author was more focused on presenting a unique concept rather than actually providing practical knowledge for spell casters. I would not recommend "Eggshell spell casting" to serious practitioners looking for a comprehensive guide.