Filipino Amulets: Anting-Anting

 

 

As with a Thai amulet, anting-anting is an amulet that said to grants its owner extra ordinary power.  The word anting-anting itself is derived from the word “anti,” which means against.  However, anting-anting is just the Filipinos’ version of the more widely known amulet and talisman. 

 

The amulet is an object worn or carried by a person in the belief that it will bring good luck or ward off evil.  They are frequently used to protect persons or livestock specifically against “magical” attacks.  On the other hand, the talisman is believed to have the power to work wonders, as in the case of Alladin’s “magic lamp”.  Some believe that the anting-anting is more powerful because it can possess both the qualities of an amulet and the talisman.

 

In the Philippines, anting-antings are allegedly taken from supernatural beings or imbued with power through rituals and incantations.  There are objects that are dug up in places that are believed to be inhabited by spirits or other supernatural entities; and there are those that are said to be acquired only if the seeker will undergo a certain process– a sort of an endurance test.

 

According to old folks, the most powerful anting-anting is the “hiyas-ng-saging” – a pearl-like globe that comes out of a ripe banana during the midnight.  A person who seeks this anting-anting must not touch it, but instead wait for the banana heart to open and expel the “hiyas” and catch it with his mouth.  The person will then have to fight a kapre, who guards the hiyas (banana spirit? Phi Pop?).  Only after defeating the kapre will he have the full power and ownership of the anting-anting.

 

Some people actively seek anting-anting because of its promise of power.  Anting-anting allegedly imbues its owners the power of invulnerability, invisibility, healing, or even the ability to fly or predict the future.  In fact, some, who claim to possess such objects, trek annually (during Holy Week) to Mount Banahaw in Quezon Province to “recharge” their anting-antings.  Mount Banahaw seems to have a special charm to those who believe in the supernatural.

 

But is there really any truth to the claim of those who possess such anting-antings?

 

If you are to inspect its physical composition, you will realize that there is nothing extraordinary about anting-antings.  They are mostly just crude pieces of metals with undecipherable inscriptions on them. But we can't really tell about the spiritual content, can we? Keep the faith as the power is only for the beholders ;-)!

 

The Legendary Mount Makiling

 

 

If Puteri Gunung Ledang has made Gunung Ledang in Malaysia a legend, then Philippine’s legend of Maria Makling has also made Mount Makiling famous.

 

According to legend, there was a time when the gods could live like ordinary mortals do. Although these gods were enchanted, they could speak, love, and even go to the market like what people do in our time. This story tells what happened to the daughter of two such deities. This is the story of Mariang Makiling.

 

Two deities, Dayang Makiling and Gat Panahon, had an only daughter name Maria. Because of her beauty and charm, she was the delight of her parents. The source of their joy and strength, Maria was, to them, a jewel, a treasure that made life full of light and laughter.

 

At that time people could talk with the deities face to face, and even sit with them side by side underneath a tree. People could also ask for help when they were in need, provided that they asked in a solemn manner.

 

It was the custom of Maria to go to a small market, sometimes called talipapa, on weekdays. Just like other women, she would on such occasions wear clothes made of silk and embroidered with flowers and wide stripes for this was the fashion at that time. Maria had long, black abundant hair which she usually decorated with pomelo flowers. When she went to the market, her flowing hair would touch her ankles. As she passed along, gallant men would bow their heads to signify their respect. When Maria went to the market, she was always accompanied by two Aetas, who served as her servants. These two servants stayed close behind Maria, and they both carried a basket each that was full of golden ginger. These golden ginger Maria would barter for such items needed for the home. There was no money at that time, and instead of buying, people bartered and exchanged their goods for the things that they needed.

 

On a market day, the residents of the area are not the only ones who would go to the talipapa. Merchants and people from neighbouring towns would also go to the market. One day, Gat Dula, the ruler of the kingdom of Bay, came to the talipapa to while away the hours. A piece of animal skin with fine hair caught Gat Dula's eye and he reached out to touch the fur. At the same moment, Maria was also reaching towards the same piece of animal skin and their shoulders accidentally touched. Their eyes met and Gat Dula bowed his head as a sign of respect and apology. And Maria responded with a shy smile as they parted from each other's company.

 

Since that first encounter, Gat Dula often visited the talipapa but he was not able to see Maria during these visits. One day, he saw Maria at the very place where they first met. He approached Maria and greeted her and Maria responded with a very sweet smile.

 

That was the beginning of their friendship which blossomed  Into love as the months passed. As time passed, the love affair between Gat Dula and Maria came to be known to Gat Panahon, Maria's father. Gat Panahon was angry. Even Dayang Makiling, Maria's mother, was distresssed that her only daughter was in love with a mortal. Maria was then forbidden to go down to the earth. Her parents even took away from Maria the power of enchantment which enabled a deity to look and act like an ordinary mortal. But even though Maria and Gat Dula could no longer meet physically, their love endured. Maria continued to watch over Gat Dula. During a battle with the army of Lakan Bunto, the ruler of a neighboring kingdom who invaded the kingdom of Bay, Gat Dula did not suffer a single wound due to the support of Maria's enchantment.

 

Unfortunately, Gat Dula's inability to see Maria caused him to fall ill and die. Maria asked the gods to give her the soul of Gat Dula and her request was granted.

 

Mantrayana Protection Ritual (真言宗)

The Ninja’s Kuji-Kiri practice is close related to Japanese Mantrayana. As with any other magical systems, the protection ritual must be performed beforehand before a Mantrayana practitioner begins a ritual.

 

The first of the series is:

 

A.    Purification Of Karma 凈三業印

a.       OM SOHAHANBA SHUDA SARABA TARAMA SOHAHANBA SHUDO KAN

 

 

B.     The Buddha Mudra 佛部印

a.       OM TATAGYATA DOHANBAYA SOWAKA

 

 

C.     The Padma Mudra 蓮華部印

a.       OM HANDOBO TAHANBAYA SOWAKA

 

 

D.    The Vajra Mudra 金鋼部印

a.       OM BASOROMA TAHANBAYA SOWAKA

 

 

E.     Put On A Armor Mudra 披甲護身印

a.       OM BAZANRAGINI HARAZI HATSUTAYA SOWAKA

 

 

Ok. Only now you are protected and safe to perform the Kuji-Kiri method. Hmm.. No wonder I thought I have missed out something. Good luck J

Iron Palms (No Joking!)

 

 

The prayer:

 

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Abul haq! (3x)”

 

Method:

 

1.      Perform this ritual between 2am to 6am.

2.      Recite the above mantra then take the sliver from your uvula with your right thumb. Then wipe onto your left palm.

3.      Recite the above mantra then take the sliver from your uvula with your left thumb. Then wipe onto your right palm.

4.      Make a wish that your palms be as strong as iron, take a deep breath and rub them repeatedly.

5.      Rub from the tip of your left fingers to your left elbow with your right palm. Repeat the process with your left palm.

6.      Perform the above ritual for at least 40 days.

 

The effects:

 

Your palms will become stronger with the permission of God. And you will become brave and not afraid of strangers. You may be visited by the khodam of the mantra during the ritual, but do not be afraid.

 

Prohibition:

 

Both of your palms will become dangerous and poisonous weapon. So, do not slap your love ones or they may become insane. If you cannot control your anger, strike onto the wall instead.

 

 

Paper Boat Ritual

 

A beautiful plague god boat loaded and ready to be burnt.

 

 

In Taiwan, paper boat is used to send bad spirits such as Plague God away. This ritual is also copied by many of the Chinese communities in Southeast Asia countries. I will let the interested parties to do further research. Just to get a clearer picture about this ritual, I cut and copied from Taiwan.net:

 

“The burning of the Plague God Boat is one of the folk rituals of the seafaring people in southwestern Taiwan. The original purpose of this ritual was to send the Plague God out to the sea, and diseases along with him; today it is an activity held to pray for peace and good fortune. The festival is held once every three years, around the ninth lunar month, at Donglong Temple in Donggang. The boats are burned in the middle of the fourth month at Cingan Temple in Sigang, Tainan County. Generally, the Donggang event is bigger. These celebrations include large-scale temple activities, which climax with the burning of the plague god boat on the last day.

 

The Donggang boat-burning celebrations run for eight days and seven nights. According to custom, before the boat is set afire, devotees and other participants prepare goods for the symbolic trip. Then a big fire is made (this is to force bad spirits and the Plague God to go aboard), and the boat is burned while the people pray for peace.”

 

My version of paper boat ritual

 

 

I have a much simpler paper boat deliverance ritual that I have successfully sent many spirits away:

 

·         Make a small paper boat and then put some food offering in it.

·         Invite the spirits to board the boat.

·         Perform a round of prayer.

·         Burn the boat outside of your house.

·         You will notice atmosphere in the house cleared immediately; at times breeze accompanied with the burning of the boat.

 

A Talk Concerning Kejawen

Since we have look into many Kejawen rituals already. So, let us have a simple talk about Javanese magic rituals in general; many people have performed these rituals in the hope to get richness and power in order to satisfy our worldly desires. Normally people only choose to perform these rituals because of need and urgency to get money. So let go over one by one:

 

Scared mountains

 

People will go to certain caves or jungle to fast in the hope to get guidance from spirits. The fasting period ranges from 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 40 or even 100 days depending on the extent of the wish: it is either for money, invulnerability or for magical power; or even political power to destroy oppositions.

 

The general ritual to get favours from mountainous spirits is as below:

 

Prepare benzoic incense, 7 types of flowers, perfume and mantras to call upon the spirits. Normally a messenger will approach the person to ask what the favour he/she wanted is; so answer to the messenger that it money/love/power that he/she is looking for. The messenger will list out a list of requirements that one must follow. Many times the spirit will ask for human sacrifices but it will be up to the individual to judge the appropriateness of such a request. At times, the spirit will also request one of the requester’s children is given to the spirit as a foster child.

 

Scared Grave

 

If a person is only looking for money, then a queen will appear. However spirits of crocodile, snake, tiger, monkey, wild boar, buto ijo, buto merah etc. are also capable of providing a person with treasures.

 

If it is the magic power one is seeking, then the spirit will take the form of a pious person with a turbine. The knowledge normally transferred is concerning flying, invulnerability to sharp weapons, invulnerable to fire etc. The one who seeks magical power must consume 1, 3 or even 7 bullets depending on the power requested. The power can also be transferred to the descendants for the next 7 generations.

 

One can also ask for “money sucking” power, but the person must behave as if a holy man and do good deeds. The spirit that can “suck” money or fortune is normally in the form of a dog. It can smell out the place with abundance money and inform its owner of such location; or it can slowly steal from the rich and pass the money to the owner. In this case, this doggy spirit also functions like a Toyol, but with a boost. On the same count, a boar spirit also can “suck” money as above, but it only acts at night.

 

Sacred Sea

 

Alliance rituals can be made between a mortal person and Queen of the South Sea or Queen of the North Sea; depending on one’s location and liking. Whatever the case is, the procedures are the same. So we would just look into the ritual of having a pact with Nyi Blorong.

 

For those who want to obtain some gold scales form Nyi Blorong, first he must have a pact with the queen. So the first step is to perform the ‘mbucal badan’ ritual (fasting and meditation) on the Beach of South Sea for 40 days and 40 nights. During the ritual Nyi Blorong will appear and give the person specific requirements for the alliance.

 

Once the requirements are obtained, the person will be able to see the spiritual realms of the Palace of South Sea. The following ritual will be performing the float offering in the South Sea. The main offerings are 2 branches of pisang raja, betel nuts, shredded batik, complete market snacks and diverse plant potatoes or commonly called 'pala kepandhem'. These offerings are divided into two portions and put on two brass plates.

 

On the first brass plate, additional three long clothes and 6 pieces of chest clothes must be included. In addition a sand mat covered by mori cloth. Finally one must also include perfume, hundred types of incense and coins worth of 100 rupiah.

 

While the second brass plate must be filled with 2 pieces of long clothes and 4 pieces of chest clothes, perfume, 100 types of incense and coins worth of 100 rupiah.

 

The above offerings must be done on yearly basis on the same date and same time in order to keep the pact.

 

Spirit Who Strangles: Dhamar Colok

Many people believe that “hantu cekik” is not a figment issue. It is caused by a type of black magic called “dhamar colok” that can turn a human figure into “hantu cekik” or “choking ghost”.

 

“hantu cekik” was said to have terrorized a few areas in the district of Demak, and later the story spread to a few areas in the Central Java. Some theories say that “hantu cekik” is actually half human half spiritual creature who likes to choke its victims and then consume the victims’ souls. The one who practises this type of magic is known as “dhamar colok”.

 

 

According to Ki Ageng Quthub Melati that a dhamar colok looks like an ordinary human, however there are tell tale signs:

 

·         A dhamar colok person looks like a fool, he/she like to pretend that he/she is crazy, his/her appearance is dirty and shabby and always with a grim face. The most noticeable part is that this person likes to sleep in the graveyard.

·         It is only when this person has changed into a dhamar colok, his/her face emits a sort of greenish light, his/her body becomes jet black stout. In this situation, he/she is very difficult to be caught or touch. One could only feel its presence.

 

It is reported that the story of “dhamar colok” is originated from “Buto Ijo”. People believe that Buto Ijo will grant those who devote themselves any wishes. In return the devotee must take the life of a human being. Please refer to the link:

 

http://liewsp1-magicsea.blogspot.com/2012/07/conjuration-of-buto-ijo-green-giant.html

 

The locals believe that a “dhamar colok” person only active at night. It is said that he/she has magical power to turn him/herself into green light to enter a house through window and locked doors. After entering the house, this “dhamar colok” will strangle its victim before devouring the victim’s soul. As for the few lucky survivors, prints of stranglehold are visible on their necks accompanied with fever, cold, blank face etc. If the victims are not cured, then they will die.

 

Local folks also device a very unique yet funny method to prevent the intrusion of “dhamar colok”:

 

·         This ritual must be performed completely naked.

·         Prepare some green peas, pepper, salt and soil and fry them dry (without oil) in an earth ware.

·         When the mixture is fried, quickly encircle your property one circle.

 

Why perform the ritual naked? Well, it is said that “dhamar colok” forbids seeing a naked person. Old folks also advice people to sleep on the floor because the earth has positive energy that will burn “dhamar colok”.