The Freedom From Fear Sigil

The Freedom From Fear Sigil bears the subtitle/goal of “To Build Stronger Community” and it emerged out of a fantastic discussion about education, personal safety, community crafting, and building engagement.

As part of my Fall Tour, I taught “The Art of Sigil Witchery” at Pyramid: Appalachian Magick + Remedy in Waynesboro, Virginia on Sunday September 29th. It was an intimate class that day – largely in part to flooding and bad weather due to Hurricane Helene. In fact, after the workshop I found out that the store had been without power the previous two days and it had just come back up that morning!

Promoting Deep Discussion

I’m always happy to teach to any amount of folks who want to learn, but it turned out that having a small class that particular day really helped to enable an in-depth discussion amongst the students. One that likely would not have happened if the class was much larger. In every Sigil Witchery class I teach, we co-create a sigil together. I sometimes lead with a relative-to-the-moment issue, but most of the time the focus comes from the students.

We started with the topic of the complicated issue broadcasting to the world who you are – whether that’s with a pentagram necklace, a shirt, or a yard sign. The desire to be authentic and unafraid, essentially free from fear to speak your truth and find your community. Especially at a time where vandalism of political signs and related property (especially if you demonstrate that you aren’t voting for the GOP in certain areas) has been at an all-time high. Especially from the very people whose claim their job is to protect their citizens. In a time where people aren’t afraid to broadcast their hate, misogyny, racism and bigotry.

The conversation then evolved into talking about the barriers to building a safe and understanding community – both within the magical community and in larger society. As the students discussed the topic, I listened and wrote down the key points of what they were outlining. This collaboration resulted in our sigil.

What is Included in the Sigil?

promote and ensure safety
amplify truth and open minds, reduce fear-mongering and misinformation
community re-connection
bolster hope and joy
protection – especially from harm/ignorance/violent actions & words
promote education and spread understanding, compassion, empathy
sustainability of the intent and larger movement to create community

The Sigil

white board enhanced image of the Freedom From Fear Sigil

black and white redrawn version of the Freedom From Fear Sigil – I liked the sketchy effect the pen had on the paper for this design, so I kept it versus smoothing it out.

Suggestions for Sigil Use:

This sigil has a variety of uses: it can act as an anti-anxiety or courage-building sigil, as well as one that fosters community. If we are not only free to be our selves, but also able to communicate (listen as well as speak) in a way that’s heard and understood, we create a safer community built on respect, diversity, and strength.

To fight fear, adorn your body, home, or vehicle with the sigil – using an anointing oil, blessed water, marker, etc.
Carve onto candles (white is fine), burn from the full moon to the new moon to disperse fear and anxiety, barriers to communication.
In group ritual, have each person draw it on the base of a tea light, then write on the sides of the candle holder 3-4 things they wish to see in their community.
Use as a tool for focus and meditation, by gazing upon or tracing the sigil.

The Freedom From Fear Sigil by Laura Tempest Zakroff is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0