The act of washing ones curtains (nets in particular) was seen as a way of protecting ones home from the evil eye (and in extension, curses), illness and everyday voyeurism.
To keep your windows clean and the curtains too was seen as not only as protective, but also that you and your family were respectable – therefore less likely to be subjected to the tedious plight of gossiping. In fact, one insult between women in the North of England is supposedly to be told to go and wash your curtains! In other words, mind your own business, look after your own affairs and I can see your faults as much as you think you can see mine. I have wondered if this perhaps stems from the biblical passage of Matthew 7.5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!”

It can therefore potentially be argued that curtain ways were also a way of protecting oneself from malicious gossip and judgement.

In regards to the more ritualistic forms of curtain keeping, there are instances where women would wash their curtains on a Friday for luck and ensure they were dry for Saturday so that they could be hung before the Sabbath in time for going to church. In one case, one person I spoke to here in Lancashire stated her mother would time curtain washing to largely coincide with Christian holidays, such as Easter, Saints days, all souls days and of course, Christmas.
The combination of Christian beliefs with more Pagan-like folk ways is not uncommon in Lancashire. And as mentioned in previous blogs, magic exists in all cultures and has no denomination, therefore can be paired with practically any culture or faith. So when I speak of the traditional witchcraft and folk ways of Lancashire, I will also often mention Christianity because it is important to not avoid the connection and influences it has had on modern regional witchcraft.
I’ve no doubt however, that as generations continue to pass. the Christian influences will one day fade, and likely be replaced with the influence of what we currently call neopaganism. This is already being seen today in modern witchcraft and is testament to the fact that Witchcraft is ever changing and reincarnating.

When it came to washing curtains, it seems as though there were two options available to the practitioner. To simply wash the curtains in soap and water or washing detergent, or to both wash the curtains in the traditional way and then rinse them using more specific waters, such as herb infused waters, waters taken from a local sacred well or other source of water, or to rinse using holy water.
In the case where curtains were simply washed in the traditional way only, prayers, focussed intention, and charms were spoken over the items as they were being washed. In the instances where the curtains were then rinsed with an alternate water after the main washing had been done, this secondary step was seen as the main act of sympathetic magic.

When I first came across the practice of curtain ways, I took time to look into it more detail and talk to other local Witches and folk workers to see if they knew how the practice worked, and if so, how they or their ancestors conducted the working.
Eventually, I took all of the information gleaned and I formulated my own version. It is this version that I will be sharing with you today.

The Rite Of Curtains (Or) Granny’s Curtains.

Step 1: When the need arises (though better on a Friday or new moon), take down your curtains and prepare them for washing.
To do this, you can either use the traditional method of washing by hand in the kitchen sink, with soap and water, or detergent, or you can use the washing machine.
When washing the curtain, you must ensure that they are the only item in the sink or washer. This is to ensure that they get your full focus and energy.

Step 2: Once your curtains are either in soak or in the washing machine, take a clean cloth and some vinegar (this can be Four Thieves Vinegar if you want) and use it to clean the window where the curtains were hung. As you do this, do so mindfully. Ensuring you are not only focussed on cleaning away any dust or dirt, but also intently removing any energetic psychic build up, negative or stale energy.
Once the window is cleaned, ensure the dirty cloth goes in the next load of washing so that the energy it holds is not left lingering in the home. It doesn’t have to be washed alone, it can be in a mixed load.

Step 3: If hand washing the curtains, go to the sink and begin to wash them (since they now would have adequate time to soak), chanting:

“I remove the old and release the muck. Bringing in good fortune, love and luck”.

If using the washing machine, place a hand on the machine during it’s mid cycle phase and say the above chant.

Step 4: Once the curtains are clean, run a fresh, clean sink of warm water.
Into the water, pour four drops of rosemary essential oil, one sprig of fresh rosemary (or dried if you have no fresh), 4 drops of lavender oil, four leaves of sage (ideally fresh) and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. If you want to, you may also add in some holy water, local spring water, water from a local river etc. I like to use Chalice Well water.
Place the curtains into the water and allow them to soak for about twenty minutes.
Note: This step is for both hand washing or washing machine.

Step 5: Once the curtains have soaked in the water, place your dominant hand into the water and gently begin to move the curtains around. You can push it from side to side, swirl it around gently, or any other movement you feel called to do. As you do this, imagine all of the plant based oils, sprigs, leaves and apple cider vinegar are all infusing their energy into the curtain. Visualise you and the ingredients working together to infuse into the curtains.
When ready say the following:

“Rosemary for truth and protection.
Lavender for peace.
Sage for protection and wisdom.
Vinegar to purify.
And me for my power, all of us combined.
May these curtains let in light and block all plight”.

At this point, you may also like to add in a prayer or affirmation or intention of your own to further imbue the curtains with power.

Step 6: Pull the plug from the drain and allow the water to drain away, then wring out the curtains and hang them somewhere to dry. Once dry, they can be re-hung in the window, ready to do both their practical and magical work.

I hope that you enjoyed this week’s blog and are looking forward to next week. In September I will be discussing window magic in much more detail, so please keep a look out for that post!

From the time, mists, and distance between us, blessings from me to you.