The Powwow Guy

The SATOR charm is one of the most popular magical talismans in western occultism, and is a favored within traditional PA Dutch PowWow. It's history is sometimes disputed but most scholars believe it is a symbol of the early Christian church, most likely used by various Christian groups as a secret means of identification during the time of Christian persecutions.

SATOR is sometimes thought to be made up of five words; SATOR, AREPO, TENET, OPERA, ROTAS. There are various ideas as to what these words (as individuals) may mean; but consensus translates them into something like "the planter holds the works and wheels by means of water". Unfortunately for this idea, the translation doesn't make much sense, and does not explain the SATOR square's appearance in various countries, cultures, and sites of early Christian meeting places throughout Europe.

Instead, a more accurate explanation of SATOR is that it is a play on the Latin form of PATER NOSTER with the extra A and O placed to either side. This translates as the first two words in the Lord's prayer: Our Father. The A and O represent Alpha and Omega, which Christ identifies Himself as.

Palindromes were common in the ancient world as magical talismans, and many examples are found within Coptic Christian studies; and have even survived today amongst Christian magi and, in some instances, as decor in churches. A SATOR square dating back to the 2nd Century in Manchester is considered as evidence of the early arrival of Christianity into Britian.

The use of the SATOR square varies. In one instance, it is believed to extinguish a fire. Simply draw the SATOR square on a plate, toss into the flames, and the fire will be extinguished (Hohman, Long Lost Friend, 1820). A more practical and common use, is that of protection from malevolent witchery. The square can be engraved into metal, drawn on paper, tattooed on the skin, or somehown marked upon some type of surface, accompanied by the Lord's Prayer spoken three times, and it's protective powers are activated. It is an old belief of the Christian church that the devil is confused by palindromes, thus their protective power against witchcraft is understood.

The creation of the SATOR can be simple, if you lack time to create a more involved talisman. Or, more appropriately, the charm can be created under favorable astrological conditions (waxing Moon in Mars or waning moon in Saturn; also noting planetary hours for talismanic creation--- GO HERE TO CALCULATE). The more energy involved in the creation of the SATOR square, the more effective it will be. Remember to include the Lord's Prayer, spoken three times, in the creation of the charm.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in Heaven

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our sins

As we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

Forever and ever.

Amen.

(The last three lines beginning with 'For thine is the kingdom...' you will no doubt recognize from the Lesser Banishing Ritual.)

For more information and uses, all reference works of the Pennsylvania Dutch PowWow contain the SATOR square (see: Long Lost Friend, Albertus Magnus, Romanusbuchlein, PowWow Book, Red Church, etc.).