Binding spells were a common ritual within Ancient Greek magic.
Binding spells could be performed by writing out a statement of intent to bind a subject on a piece of soft lead or wax. These statements usually took one of four forms:
First person active voice ("I [the speaker] bind XYZ")
Prayer to a god or daimon, usually chthonic ("Hermes, restrain XYZ")
Written as a wish or request ("May XYZ be prevented from...")
In the form of an analogy ("As this wax is pierced, XY is...")
After the statement of intent was written, the lead or wax was folded upon itself and pierced with a nail. Binding spells were usually left in gravesites, bodies of water, or a space relevant to the intent.
Chthonic deities were often invoked for these binding spells. The most frequently mentioned deities were Hekate, Hermes, and Persephone.
Dolls representing the target were also used. The caster would ritualistically bind the hands and legs of the doll, while also metaphorically binding the actual subject.
Sources Graeco-Roman Binding Spells-Ortal-Paz Saar Magika Hiera-Obbink and Faraone
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