News
FestivalsDay of the Dead FestivalFestivalsDay Of The Dead Festival Hispanic HeritageDivination"Divining with the Elements: A Conversation about Astrology" with KL Mays and Alice Sparkly KatStage magicWhat Was Halloween Like 100 Years Ago?DivinationThe GPT Oracle: 1 in 10 Americans are reviving the pagan practice of prophecyLiving traditionsVoodoo and the School System in HaitiFestivalsFour Delightful Children’s Books About Día de los Muertos/Day of the DeadFestivalsCasa de México in Madrid unveils 2026 Day of the Dead altar inspired by Michoacán and Agustín LaraFestivalsDay of the Dead in Chicago: a celebration of (after) lifeCharmsHow Christian Amulets Preserved Ancient Roman Traditions Despite Religious ChangeFestivalsDay of the Dead FestivalFestivalsDay Of The Dead Festival Hispanic HeritageDivination"Divining with the Elements: A Conversation about Astrology" with KL Mays and Alice Sparkly KatStage magicWhat Was Halloween Like 100 Years Ago?DivinationThe GPT Oracle: 1 in 10 Americans are reviving the pagan practice of prophecyLiving traditionsVoodoo and the School System in HaitiFestivalsFour Delightful Children’s Books About Día de los Muertos/Day of the DeadFestivalsCasa de México in Madrid unveils 2026 Day of the Dead altar inspired by Michoacán and Agustín LaraFestivalsDay of the Dead in Chicago: a celebration of (after) lifeCharmsHow Christian Amulets Preserved Ancient Roman Traditions Despite Religious Change
EveryJaadu

Jadu-tona

North Indian words for sorcery and small charms: jadu is magic, tona a minor ritual act, often against a rival or a bad stare.

A cord knotted with no loose end: knots for binding and protection, and the endless knot of Buddhist and Chinese art.

Also: jadu tona, tona-totka, totka

In Hindi and Urdu, jadu is magic, borrowed from Persian, and tona or totka is a small household act believed to bring luck or push misfortune away. Jadu-tona is the phrase for the whole field, and it carries a hint of suspicion: it usually names what someone else is thought to be doing to you. Families describe falling ill, business loss or a failed marriage as the result of jadu-tona, and turn to a healer, an ojha or a religious teacher. The phrase is also the target of rationalist campaigns. Maharashtra passed a law in 2013 against human sacrifice and exploitative black magic practices, and several states have followed with similar laws.

See also

OjhaNazar and drishtiTantraBhoot and pret

Find entries that mention Jadu-tona

The weekly digest

Every Monday: seven entries you may not know, what is on the calendar this week, and one rite drawn step by step.