Hair and nail clippings Important ingredients in many magical SPELLS. Hair and nail clippings provide a personal, sympathetic link and are sometimes used in conjunction with BLOOD, URINE, SPITTLE, and feces in many kinds of spells, including BEWITCHMENT and NECROMANCY. The ancient Egyptians believed that a potion made of hair, nail clippings, and human blood would give a person absolute power over another.