What Are Sigils? How to Make & Use Them For Healing and Manifestation
So you want to heal and manifest- but you may be finding it difficult even with all the affirmations, vision boards, and journaling. This is because true change happens on the subconscious level. Our brains have an “inner bouncer”- the unconscious parts of ourselves that doesn’t speak in logic or language. Instead, this powerfully primordial piece of us speaks in symbols.
This is where sigils come in. Sigils are a cornerstone of Chaos Magic, and are essentially custom glyphs created from your intent, designed to sneak past your logical mind and plant itself in the soil of your unconscious.
And unlike spiritual tools that demand money, moon phases, or elaborate rituals, sigils are feral-simple: in many cases all you need is a pen, paper, and the audacity to create!
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What sigils actually are (and how they differ from symbols and runes).
How to make a sigil step-by-step.
How to charge and use your sigil so it actually works.
Common myths and mistakes.
FAQs beginners always ask.
By the end, you’ll be able to make and activate your first sigil TODAY!
What Is a Sigil? (Definition)
A sigil is a unique symbol you create to represent a specific intention. You create and then power them by your intentions, desires, and your energy!
Sigils vs Symbols: Symbols are shared shorthand; some of them mean the same thing to everyone. Personal sigils created by intention are personal- they mean something only to you, others could see it and not know what it means
Sigils vs Runes: Runes belong to structured systems with set meanings (like the Norse Futhark), while sigils are DIY, chaos-driven, and flexible.
Sigils vs Logos: A logo is meant to be remembered by others as a recognizable symbol that reflects a brand/entity/etc. A sigil is designed to act as a consciously crafted manifestation of your intention for your own unconscious.
Sigil candle from the Fall 2025 season of the Feral Self-Care Collective
Why Sigils Work (Psychology + Magic)
Sigils work because they hijack how the brain filters information and embed intention into your subconscious mind (where the action really happens!). They work through
Focus & Intent: You distill a messy wish into one clear directive, creating a crystal clear intention statement
Unconscious embedding: Once simplified into a symbol, the conscious mind can ease it’s grip on the desire for it, while the subconscious mind can be imprinted
Symbolism: The psyche responds to images and archetypes, not logic and words
In psychology-speak, sigils hack your reticular activating system (the part of the brain that filters what you notice). In magic-speak, you’re sending a command into the deep self, bypassing the psychic censor.
How to Make a Sigil (Step by Step)
Here’s the most common and beginner-friendly method, rooted in chaos magic.
Step 1: Write Your Intent
Keep it short, positive, and in the present tense.
✅ “I embody creative power.”
❌ “I want to be creative someday.”
Step 2: Reduce the Phrase
Remove vowels.
Remove repeating letters (I personally like to get rid of ALL the repeating letters and not even keep one if there are too many letters in my sigil because I like to keep the symbols simple).
Example: EMBODY CREATIVE POWER → MBDYCRTWP
Step 3: Combine the Letters
Merge, overlap, and stylize the remaining letters until you create a glyph. I personally love to start with a circle and use it to begin.
Step 4: Modify the Symbol
I personally like my symbols to be aesthetically pleasing and cohesive, so I sometimes re-work the sigil to look better
Step 5: Charge the Sigil
This is where you infuse the symbol with energy and embed it into your psyche. Methods include:
Gnosis or Trance State (Getting into an altered state of consciousness to imprint your psyche)
Meditation/Gaze induction (staring until the image burns in your vision).
Creating the Sigil into art
Using Crystals, moonwater, or other additives
Breathwork (inhale intention, exhale into the sigil).
Movement / dance / sex energy (fuel the sigil with raw vitality).
Elemental ritual (burn it, draw it in water, carve into a candle).
Step 6: Release & Forget
The hardest, most crucial step. You don’t babysit a sigil. You let it go so your unconscious can run with it.
A Hemispheric Sigil from a past season of the Feral Self-Care Collective
How to Use a Sigil
There’s no single “correct” way. Here are common applications:
Burn it: Classic chaos magic method- charge, then burn as release.
Carry it: Draw on paper, tuck into a wallet or under a pillow.
Art/journaling: Integrate into a painting, collage, or doodle (we do these sorts of activities all the time in the Feral Self-Care Collective)
Body: Draw on skin (temporary) or tattoo (permanent).
Ritual: Place under a candle, crystal, or altar piece.
Dreamwork: Put it by your bed or visualize before sleep.
Remember: the power isn’t in the paper. It’s in the embedding.
Common ISSUES
“It didn’t work.”
Make sure you aren’t overly attached, obsessive, or staying in the frequency of WANTING. The release element is key!
“My sigil looks ugly.”
Respectfully- Your subconscious doesn’t give a f*ck! This is internalized perfection programming
“I didn’t feel anything.”
In my experience as a guide and facilitator- this is rare. There is usually some form of catharisis or release or activated energy. However, with all spellwork it can be subtle, often noticed in hindsight!
“I don’t have elaborate ritual tools.”
The beauty of sigils is that it’s just: Pen, paper, psyche. Done!
Examples of Sigils FOR GROWTH
Try tailoring sigils to shadow-related healing and growth needs (instead of generic “love and money” spells):
Sigil for creativity: to break through fear or perfectionism.
Sigil for protection : energetic boundary reinforcement.
Sigil for boundaries: reclaiming your “no.”
Sigil for healing: supporting integration of shadow parts.
Sigil for abundance: shifting focus toward opportunity.
These are not external magic tricks, they’re ways of “reprogramming” your inner operating system!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a sigil and a symbol?
A symbol has a fixed cultural meaning; a sigil is a custom symbol created from your own intention.
Can anyone make a sigil?
Yes. You don’t need training, only a clear intention and a way to draw it.
Do sigils really work?
Yes- if you charge and release them properly! They’re not quick fixes, but unconscious programming tools.
How long do sigils last?
Some fade after a single use, others ripple for months or years depending on energy and focus.
Do I need to charge a sigil?
Yes. Charging is how you activate it. Without charging, it’s just a really cool doodle!
Try One Today!
The best way to get good at sigil magic is to get out of your head and into your hands! Write an intent, reduce the letters, create your symbol, charge it, and release it! Then watch what unfolds xoxo
This isn’t about instant results. It’s about shifting your psyche into alignment with what you’ve encoded!
If you want to explore chaos magic, shadow work, feral rituals, and symbolic self-care practices, make sure to join the next season of the Feral Self-Care Collective—where we make spirituality raw, playful, and powerful again.
