4 Health Spells from Council of Knowledge

Wrap up tobacco and ciggarette buts in black cloth

Inscribe widdershins spiral on candle

Light candle

Inhale the foul smell of the package

Focus all intent of despising and hate on the package

Say "This that harms me, I let go"

Snuff out the black candle when you are ready, and bury the remnants of it, with the cloth package.

Brush your teeth and wash your mouth.

Light the white candle. Take three deep breaths.

Say "I am breathing, I am clean, I am free" three times.

Repeat this with the white candle every morning and night for as long a necessary.

The modern way of sending a nid as a curse is to do it with the internet and send it electronically. In this case, instead of having a physical nidstang or nidhing pole- you would find a picture of one and write the person's (who you desire to curse) name on it. Once you've written the name, focus intently on the image and then come up with your nid- the verbal cursing. As stated elsewhere, you may wish to call upon deities to help you. List out the actions you wish to befall the person you curse.

Once you've done this, hold the paper over a candle and let it burn. Chant the person's name repeatedly as you do this, again, visualizing them. As it burns, begin to meditate and work your way towards trance. Through this, build up your energy and direct it towards the person that you've made the nid for- this will take the place of the physical nidhing pole. Channel your energy towards that person. Keep in mind, the goal is not to effect the person directly- but rather to upset the landwights around them and cause them to take the desired action.

When you are finished, take the ashes from the burnt paper and bury them in soil where you live.

The "nid" curse is the verbal part of making a nidstang. You should not do this part until you have already carved the nidhing pole. On the pole you should have the name of the person(s) you wish to direct this at, as well as how they have wronged you and how you wish for the spell to effect them. Keep in mind, the nid/nidhing pole works by upsetting the landwights around the person- be careful not to drive them away!

Once you've done the carving, you are going to relax yourself- focusing on the person for whom you intend this spell to effect. As you visualize them, begin softly chanting and otherwise coming to a meditative state. Now begin reading from the pole, and stating the things you have carved: "I set this nidstand against (insert person's name), for (insert reasons) and I hope that it shall (insert outcomes you desire)"

Move in front of the pole and raise your hands slightly. This is the time when you call upon the deities you wish to help you make the curse more effective. Hel is a common one. Here's an example of how you would call a deity for this: "I call upon Thor, to grant me his strength. Weild your hammer in my name and my defense! Be my protector and do this curse for me!". This part is optional.

When you feel you have done the verbal curse, prick one of your fingers and gently rub the blood against the "teeth" on the pole. This will "wake" it and set it in action. Then, simply turn it to face the desired direction and leave it for as long as you desire.

Here's an example of a nid from the Saga of Egil Skallagrimsson:

"Here I place this "nidstang" ("curse-pole"), and turneth it against King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild - turneth I this against all the gnomes and little people of the land, that they may all be lost, not finding their homes, until they drive King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild out of the country."

On a flat surface, lay the black cloth out and spread it neatly. Neatly lay the bones in some orderly fashion around the edges of the cloth. Place the black candle on the left side of the cloth and the white candle on the other side. Light both of these, and spend a moment relaxing, becoming calm, and clearing your mind. You might want to play some music, drum beats, etc. to help get you in the "mood" for the working.

Place the bread and the wine(optional) in the middle of these candles. Meditate, focusing on calling to Hel specifically. Say "Queen of darkness, Loki's daughter, hear and witness my offering" as you gesture towards the bread/wine. "Hel, hear me now, I call for your assistance". Wait until you feel as though the offering has been accepted, then move on.

Hel can be called upon for a variety of reasons. If you are spirit-journeying you would want to call upon her before traveling to her realm. But she also can be called to help offer aid to those dead or dying, alleviate who are sickly, etc. She can also be useful as shamans tend to call on her for information about those who have died, or to gain her approval so that they may commune with the dead. On the flip side, if you have issues with someone you may call upon her to resolve them, bring ill to the other person through harm or death, etc. Whatever your specific purpose is, state it now.

When you are done, you may say a short prayer or thanks to Hel. Hel
Patricia Monaghan did a good job of writing an example prayer:
"I hear you invoked every day by those ignorant of your power:Mighty Hel,Oh Hel.
Thus does she endure,the forgotten goddess, never far from us,never quite erased,
Oh Hel,dark mother,we always come back to you, always. Always."
After this is said or done, let the candles burn till they go out on their own.
You'll want to make a small hole in the ground outside and pour the wine in it.
Leave the bread somewhere where animals will be able to eat it.