Phylacteries: A Primer

by Dr. Isabella Stein

A phylactery, quite simply, is a vessel which contains the soul of a person. Typically they are used when a person is at the end of their life, and yet they have a goal that they still want to accomplish. A great many people use phylacteries to provide protection to their families beyond their death. Others use them to guard secrets or artifacts that they do not want to fall into another’s hands after their death. Still others use them to claim justice or revenge they were denied in life.
In order to create a phylactery one must give the soul bearer a draft of Datura root and Yew bark to unteather their soul. During the whole process the soul bearer must meditate on the purpose they would like to accomplish after death. The more complete their focus during this process, the more powerful the effect. Then one gifted with third sight must wait until they can see the soul becoming unteathered, and then pluck it from the soul bearer putting it carefully into the prepared vessel, and sealing it.
Many vessels can be used to make phylacteries, the only requirement being that they can be sealed in some way. Bottles, barrels, locked boxes can all be used. Clay containers are not ideal because the lids are too easily removed. As soon as there is any opening in a phylactery the soul will escape and the effects of the phylactery will cease. Similarly when using a locked box, be sure to chose one that does not have a keyhole that goes straight through to the interior. The most popular vessel to use by far, is a clear glass bottle or jar with a cork for a lid. People report being able to see the likeness of their departed within the clear glass from time to time.

Type

Manual, Magical / Occult

Medium

Paper