Ancient Greek Love Binding

The performing of this binding (Ancient Greek folk-spell) is the subject of the first part of Theocritus' The Sorceress. It is used to bind (and possibly hurt) the spellcaster's unfaithful lover to themTheocritus. The Sorceress. Like other Ancient Greek bindings, it is a form of sympathetic magic. 
== Procedure ==
=== Preparation ===
Fine red wool wrapped around a cup is used to symbolise binding the neglectful lover to the spellcaster. Red wool is a common component of Ancient Greek bindings due to it symbolising the act of binding, which is used to cause the magic to affect its target through a sympathetic link between the target and the clay cup, a clay vessel representing the human body in Ancient Greek culture. 
=== Incantation ===
The key incantation of the spell is "Magic wheel, draw my lover home to me", repeated throughout the casting of the spell. It is said over an iunx wheel that is being spun around. 
=== Invocations ===
The spell is begun with by invoking Selene, for whom the spell is cast, and then Hecate, invoked to empower the spell. 
=== Creation of Binding Substance ===
The binding substance is the ashes of a number of special materials burnt over a fire. 
First, barley grains are thrown into the fire while "These are <insert target's name here>'s bones I throw". This act symbolises inflicting pain on the spell's target in revenge for pain they have inflicted on the caster. 
Next, bay leaves are put into the fire. They symbolise the flesh of the target, with the burning of the leaves representing shrivelling of the target's flesh. 
Next bran is added to the fire as an offering to Artemis/Hecate, who is then invoked. In the period this spell was from, Artemis and Hecate were considered different aspects of the same deity.
If the casting of the binding has been successful so far, the howling of dogs should heard. At this point, a bronze gong should be beat. This is used to protect the spellcaster from the wrath of Hecate. After the gong is beat, silence should fall on the area.
Aphrodite is then invoked as the goddess helping the iunx be spun, cementing the spell as one intended to cause the target to fall in love with the spellcaster. 
Three libations are then poured (presumably to Selene, Artemis/Hecate, and Aphrodite). The intention of these libations is to cause the deities to make the lover forget whoever they are being unfaithful towards the spellcaster with, as well as to cause the target to be overcome with love and to come to the spellcaster's home. 
Next a fringe of the target's cloak is added to the fire. This is done to make a connection to the target as part of the spell, to make sure it does not target the wrong person. Presumably another object/part of an object belonging to the target could also be used (as long as it is flammable). 
The burned herbs, etc. are then collected and smeared on the threshold of the target's home while "These are <insert target here>'s bones I smear" is whispered. 
== References ==
Category:The Sorceress
Category:Rituals