Poppet

Poppets

In folk magic and witchcraft, a poppet (also known as poppit, moppet, mommet and pippy) is a doll made to represent a person, for casting spells on that person or to aid that person through magic. They are occasionally found lodged in chimneys.[1] These dolls may be fashioned from such materials as a carved root, grain or corn shafts, a fruit, paper, wax, a potato, clay, branches, or cloth stuffed with herbs with the intent that any actions performed upon the effigy will be transferred to the subject based on sympathetic magic. It was from these European dolls that the myth of voodoo dolls arose.[1][2] Poppets are also used as kitchen witch figures.

Etymology

The word poppet is an older spelling of puppet, from Middle English popet, meaning a small child or a doll. In British English it continues to hold this meaning. Poppet is also a chiefly British term of endearment or diminutive referring to a young woman or girl,[3] much like the words "dear" or "sweetie."

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Scott Cunningham (2000). Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 13. ISBN 0875421229.
  2. ↑ Stephen Fry (presenter), John Lloyd (creator), Ian Lorimer (director). "Divination". QI. Season D. Episode 10. BBC.
  3. ↑ Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2006. 17 Nov. 2006.
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