Protection on the road: amulets for driver and car

The road is a special state: a person steps out from under the home's protection and ends up between worlds. No wonder our ancestors took a long journey seriously and prepared in advance. Here are working practices for protection on the road: a route-map rite, cabin amulets, charms against accidents, theft and wicked people.

A rite with the route map

On the eve of a long trip, take a map of the area, three white candles, a skein of white cord and a pen with red ink. Spread the map on the table and mark your route. Note: the rite needs a separate map — the one that rides with you in the car stays clean.

Circle the route line in red — this is a protective boundary. Right over the route, draw protective symbols: whichever is closer to you — a pentagram, the Egyptian Ankh cross, or your own family sign.

Around the circled route place three lit white candles in a triangle, one vertex pointing north. While the candles burn for a few minutes, close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself and your companions arriving calmly and without obstacles.

Then put out the candles, roll up the map and tie it firmly with the white cord. Hide the bundle where no one will find it until you return. When you are back, take the cord off without untying it and burn it together with the map.

What to keep in the car cabin

The car cabin is your second home, and it too should be inhabited by protectors. Here is what works best:

• Icons. An Orthodox driver is well advised to keep an icon of the Saviour or St. Nicholas in the cabin and address it with a short prayer before the road. An icon is a channel, not a decoration: help comes to those who ask.
• Minerals by the mirror. A pendant of aventurine, agate or beryl on the rear-view mirror, on the dashboard or in the glove box protects the car from breakdowns and the evil eye. Choose the stone your hand reaches for — an amulet must please you.
• Red quartz. Sit in the cabin, take a small quartz crystal in your left hand and imagine the car bathed on all sides in protective light — white, scarlet or blue. Picture the car sound, smooth, obedient. When you feel the crystal's warmth, put it somewhere safe in the cabin, away from prying eyes.
• Home amulets. A head of garlic, a pouch of salt, a favourite trinket-talisman — anything you have put your faith into works for protection.
• Cat whiskers. By folk omen, whiskers of a pedigreed cat, picked up at home (not pulled out!) and kept in the glove box, ward off accidents and make the car 'invisible' to thieves.

Charms against accidents

Before setting off, draw a pentagram star on the car's wheel with the index finger of your right hand. Sit behind the wheel, place both hands on it and picture a blue pentagram above the car so that its upper point falls on the centre of the hood. Mentally stretch the star so its rays cover the whole car.

For a protective pouch take a scrap of white natural fabric, pour onto it a teaspoon of camphor, a crushed clove of garlic and a teaspoon of cinnamon, add a piece of hematite and aquamarine. While mixing, say three times: 'Luck I ask for my journey, may my road be calm'. Wrap the mixture in the cloth, tie it with red, green and purple threads and hang the pouch on the rear-view mirror with the words: 'From breakdowns and accidents on the way, magic, protect my car!'

Believers may like a short prayer before the road: 'Mother, Most Holy Lady Theotokos of the Three Hands, Thou standest at the throne, praying for the whole Orthodox world, pray also for me, servant (name). Help, protect. Heavenly King, cover with Thy imperishable veil from all enemies and adversaries. From now and forever. Amen.'

Against car theft

It is best to perform the rite on the date you bought the car, and it works strongest on a very starry night. Stand by the hood, place both palms on it and say three times: 'May I never go on foot, as I shall never become a goblin. As I shall never live as a house-spirit, so shall no copper coin become gold. As a child cannot be returned to the mother, so shall no one steal my car. I lock with a lock, I close with a key, I guard with a charm. So be it!'

Wash the car and repeat to yourself: 'I conjure you against thief, approach and theft. May the thief stumble over his own scheme, and may his hands wither from another's goods. As you cannot take a hat off backwards, so shall no one lift my spell, nor talk it off, nor pray it off. My word is firm. So be it!'

Against thieves on the road

Leaving home before a trip, say three times: 'The dead man lies, guarding his bed. Guard me on the road, dead feet. Whoever takes what is mine on the way — retribution shall fall on him. Key in the sea, tongue in the mouth. So be it!'

Not to be stopped on the road

So the journey passes without conflicts with the traffic police, cross yourself before setting off and say: 'I walk, crossing myself, bowing to the four directions. Ahead the red sun, behind the clear moon, and the way is not dangerous. On my sides my guardians, deliverers from all authorities and their wisdoms, from all ranks and their subordinates. Milestone, turn around: not I, but you bow to me. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'

Charging a crystal at full moon

Want the car to break down less often and the engine to run like clockwork? At full moon take a quartz crystal and charm it: 'My car, fly like an arrow, strengthened by the stone\u2019s energy!' Then hang the crystal in the cabin.

If you feel the road ahead is truly dangerous or the car seems jinxed — come to see me in person: I will set protection on your car and pick an amulet against accidents and theft. Easy road to you, and a guardian angel for the way!