Cinnamon has a long history and association with witchcraft. It has been used in various spells and rituals for centuries due to its magical properties and strong energy. As one of the oldest and most versatile spices, cinnamon holds a special place in the world of witchcraft. In ancient times, cinnamon was highly prized and considered a luxurious and sacred spice. Its strong, sweet aroma and warming properties made it a powerful ingredient in spells and rituals. Cinnamon has been associated with love, protection, success, and healing, among other magical properties.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections which reflect the repertoire of the principal disciplines and trends within the occult tradition:
It is in the field of the visual arts that esoteric ideas and beliefs have found the ideal terrain for their encoded messages; from the hermetic allegories of the Renaissance to their presence in 20 th century avant-garde art. Through his lectures and writings-particularly 1928 s The Secret Teaching of All Ages , Hall became a well-known philosopher and expert on mysticism and occultism.
Cinnamon has been associated with love, protection, success, and healing, among other magical properties. One common use of cinnamon in witchcraft is for attracting love and passion. It is believed that placing a few cinnamon sticks in a red pouch or sachet and carrying it with you can attract romance and increase your personal magnetism.
The Occult in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections
The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy describes the “occult sciences” as “mysterious practices and forms of knowledge, such as magic, alchemy, astrology, etc., which since antiquity have aimed to penetrate and master the secrets of nature.” Refining this further, the occult tradition could be seen as based on three suppositions: 1. The transmission since ancient times of a secret wisdom only accessible to a few initiates; 2. The correspondences between different parts of the universe (elements, planets, temperaments, etc.), within the context of a fundamental correspondence between macrocosms and microcosms; and 3. The existence of certain superpowers latent within human beings, which must manifest themselves in order to lead us to a spiritual metamorphosis or transmutation.
Occult knowledge has survived over the centuries in a hostile cultural climate - dominated firstly by hegemonic religion and later by rationalism and positivism - thanks to its ability to disguise itself and infiltrate. It is in the field of the visual arts that esoteric ideas and beliefs have found the ideal terrain for their encoded messages; from the hermetic allegories of the Renaissance to their presence in 20 th century avant-garde art.
Curated by Guillermo Solana, this exhibition brings together around 59 works from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collections (both the museum’s permanent collection and the private collections of various members of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family) which reveal documented traces of the occult. The esoteric tradition provides a series of codes for deciphering hidden meanings. Its value lies in the fact that it reveals details and aspects of works of art that have previously passed unnoticed, offering us new, heterodox readings.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections which reflect the repertoire of the principal disciplines and trends within the occult tradition:
(1) Alchemy The fantastical rock formations in the landscape backgrounds of Renaissance paintings (particularly of the Ferrarese school) may refer to mining activities associated at the time with alchemical research. The subject of alchemy re-emerged with force in 20 th century art, for example in the work of Max Ernst and Lucio Fontana.
(2) Astrology Interest in the celestial bodies and their influence on human life has left its mark on innumerable works of art of different periods, from a zodiac in a religious painting to a horoscope in a portrait or the myth of a constellation’s birth. The stars and their virtual embodiments would later return to fascinate artists such as Miró, Cornell and Matta.
(3) Demonology A profound interest in different forms of the diabolical runs through the entire history of Christian iconography. Aside from explicitly identified devils, Renaissance and Baroque painting features a wealth of grotesque faces which indicate the “evil eye”, together with other disturbing presences that embody the Evil One’s snares.
(4) Spiritualism The occult re-emerged in the 19 th century in the form of an obsession with communicating with the spirits of the dead. Of characterised by its somnambulist figures in crepuscular or nocturnal settings, fin-de-siècle painting often evokes the atmosphere of spiritist seances.
(5) Theoshopy Founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky, the Theosophist movement combined elements from the western esoteric tradition with oriental religions and philosophies. In the early 20 th century it enjoyed enormous cultural influence and inspired the pioneers of abstract art such as Kandinsky, Kupka, Balla, Severini, Mondrian and Van Doesburg.
(6) Shamanism Avant-garde artists identified with the figure of the shaman, a spiritual mediator and healer in many cultures. Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky and Pollock are well known examples of artists who appropriated shamanistic objects and rituals.
(7) Dreams, oracles and premonitions The Surrealists were fascinated by occultism and adopted its practices although not necessarily its beliefs. Endowed with apparent scientific rigour by psychoanalysis, the interpretation of dreams occupies a central place within Surrealism’s obsessions, particularly in connection with premonitions and the powers of clairvoyants. In this section works by Dalí, Ernst, Tanguy and Delvaux establish dialogues with artists difficult to classify such as Schad, Balthus and Bacon.
Born in Canada, Manly P. Hall (b. 1901, d. 1990) was drawn into the world of mysticism when he moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He quickly began to preach and lecture at the Church of the People. Soon, he was leading the evangelical congregation as its minister. This began a long career that spanned thousands of lectures, often well-attended affairs that received local coverage in the Los Angeles Times.
Burning cinnamon as incense during a love spell is also believed to enhance its effectiveness. Cinnamon is also used for protection and purification purposes in witchcraft. It is believed to ward off negative energies, evil spirits, and malevolent forces. Burning cinnamon as incense or sprinkling cinnamon powder around your home or sacred space can create a protective barrier and cleanse the area of negative energy. Cinnamon is associated with success, wealth, and abundance in witchcraft. Its warm and stimulating energy is believed to attract prosperity and good fortune. Placing a cinnamon stick in your wallet or incorporating cinnamon essential oil into money spells or rituals is a common practice among witches seeking financial abundance. In addition to its metaphysical properties, cinnamon also has numerous health benefits. In ancient times, it was used for its medicinal properties to treat various ailments. The healing properties of cinnamon make it a popular ingredient in potions and remedies used in witchcraft for health and well-being. Overall, cinnamon holds a significant place in the world of witchcraft due to its magical properties, versatility, and association with various aspects of life. Whether used for love, protection, prosperity, or healing, cinnamon remains a valuable tool for witches seeking to harness its energy and power in their spells and rituals..
Reviews for "Using Cinnamon to Enhance Dreamwork in Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I was really excited to try "Cinnamon in Witchcraft" after hearing so many positive reviews, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The book lacked depth and was filled with outdated information. I found myself constantly questioning the accuracy of the author's claims, and it made it hard for me to fully engage with the content. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and didn't flow smoothly. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others who are interested in learning about witchcraft.
2. Mark - ★☆☆☆☆
I was extremely disappointed with "Cinnamon in Witchcraft". The information provided in this book was vague and unhelpful. It felt more like a collection of random facts rather than a comprehensive guide to incorporating cinnamon into your witchcraft practice. The author's writing style was also hard to follow, and I found myself getting bored and confused while reading. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for practical knowledge and guidance on the topic.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
"Cinnamon in Witchcraft" was not what I expected it to be. While it did provide some basic information on the uses of cinnamon in witchcraft, I felt like it lacked depth and didn't offer any unique insights. The book seemed too generalized, almost as if the author did not have a deep understanding of the subject matter. I was hoping for more specific instructions and rituals involving cinnamon, but was left wanting more. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
4. Daniel - ★☆☆☆☆
I regret purchasing "Cinnamon in Witchcraft". This book was a waste of my time and money. The information presented was repetitive and could easily be found online for free. I was expecting a well-researched and informative read, but instead, I found myself reading the same basic information over and over again. The author did not provide any new or interesting insights into the topic of cinnamon in witchcraft. I would advise others to skip this book entirely and find better resources on the subject.
5. Jessica - ★★☆☆☆
I picked up "Cinnamon in Witchcraft" hoping to discover new and creative ways to incorporate cinnamon into my practice, but unfortunately, the book fell short. The information provided was very basic and didn't offer any unique or innovative ideas. I also found the writing to be lackluster and uninspiring. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for in-depth knowledge or fresh perspectives on using cinnamon in witchcraft.