The Protester
The Forty Servants in Theory & Practice
Hello, good people of the internet, and welcome to The Forty Servants in Theory and Practice, a series where I take a deeper look into the philosophy, use, and evolution of The Forty Servants system, drawing on nearly a decade of hands-on experience and magical experimentation.
Each entry in this free section of the series will focus on one Servant at a time, offering background insight, design history, divination reflections, shadow aspects, magical applications, and how my personal understanding of each has shifted or deepened over the years. The Paid section of this series happens over on my Patreon and features in depth video lectures.
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So, let's go…
THE PROTESTER
The Protester shows us how to fight against injustice. She encourages us to speak our minds, push for what we think is right, and never back down.
ARTWORK
The artwork for The Protester comes originally from the first version I did of my comic “The Great Work” which ran for two issues before it was cancelled. The first version I did of this comic was just 5 pages, and the style was far more “realistic” than the more cartoony style I ended up using for the comic. A number of the Servants originate in this little comic: The Media, The Fixer, The Desperate, The Eye, and The Devil all started out here, too.
The comic was a sort of cynical conspiratorial look at how the world ended up in the state it currently is – or was at the time – and ultimately just wasn’t fitting the direction of the rest of the story that I wanted to tell. But, I did really like the art, and I was glad that I was able to do something with it.
I’m pretty sure the artwork for The Protester was done using photo reference, though I haven't been able to locate the photo I used since, despite many image searches. I like the idea of the protest signs being blacked out, as they then can fit for any protest or cause. The man in the hoodie behind her adds a layer of tension. Is he a supporter or agitator? The dynamic reminds us that protest spaces are rarely simple.
The lines at the top behind the sigil are meant to be manga-styled focus lines, but they look to me now more like a weird sun, though with an Asian influence. The red colour suits well with the Mars energy of the Servant, and I have to assume that was intentional by me when I did it, though maybe not.
THE SIGIL
The sigil is intended to be a simplified placard, though I do enjoy that it also, if you squint, can look a bit like a hammer. That feels very fitting. I also often think about how similar it is to the sigil for The Media (again, if you squint) and I like that it looks like a missile going towards a TV screen. I’m reaching here, clearly, but seeing it in this way does have merit. The energy of the Protester would very much attack propaganda and media manipulation.
The sigil is really powerful to use when you feel you aren’t being heard. Draw it in the air and step into it, draw it on yourself, hide it somewhere on letters or documents, or place it under your desk or in the room where you frequently feel talked over. A great thing to try is actually making a placard with the sigil on it and walking around your house or place of work with it. Though, this is probably best done when you won’t be seen, or else you may end up looking like a crazy person.
You can use the sigil to energise petitions, reinforce your voice in conversation, or simply to find the inner strength to say “No” “Stop” or “This is not okay.” It’s also useful to visualise if your inner critic won’t stay quiet.
Sigil Quick Uses: Raising your voice in injustice, gaining courage, filtering righteous anger into action, protecting the boundary of your integrity.
DIVINATION
When The Protester emerges in a reading, it usually indicates that you’ve been pushed too far, something is out of balance, and silence is no longer an option. It probably means that you aren’t speaking your truth or standing up for yourself in some regard.
It could be some sort of personal injustice such as being overlooked, mistreated, or undervalued. Or it could be a broader call: a signal that you're being asked to stand with others, speak up for a cause, or put your energy behind a movement.
The servant asks: What injustice can you no longer ignore? Is someone sidestepping your truth? Have you been taken advantage of? Are your boundaries being trampled?
But this isn’t mindless rage or frustrated anger. It’s focused, deliberate energy. She isn’t asking you to scream into the void; she wants you to choose your moment, gather your allies, and stand up with purpose and conviction.
This isn’t just about picking fights, It’s more about recognising when enough is enough. When The Protester shows up, you're being encouraged to channel anger constructively to use it to light a path, not burn down the room.
Depending on the surrounding Servants, this could relate to protest in relationships, workplace dynamics, spiritual authority, or even internal repression. If The Media or The Opposer appear nearby, you may be called to confront a manipulative narrative. With The Mother or The Healer, it could be about protecting the vulnerable or your own wounded inner self.
The Protester asks you: What have you been tolerating for too long? Are you swallowing your words out of fear? What are you not saying?
SHADOW REVERSAL
Reversals in The Forty Servants don’t signify the opposite of the normal energy of the Servant but more a dysfunctional version of it, or a detrimental misuse or misunderstanding of the qualities.
In its shadow form, The Protester turns into a self-righteous wrecking ball. You might be spending your days arguing with people on the internet, convinced your opinion is the only one that matters. Rather than sticking up for yourself and your views, you are just a contrarian who shouts people down for the sake of it. By not recognising your own fallibilities and your self-righteousness, you are being obnoxious rather than confident. Don’t burn your bridges needlessly. It's righteous to protest, but it's arrogance to refuse to consider other perspectives.
Are you fighting just to be seen as the one fighting? Are you rebelling because it’s satisfying, not because it’s right? This reversal can look like performative outrage by becoming the loudest voice in the room, drowning out others with just as much to say.
Or maybe you’ve retreated completely, so scared of speaking up that you let toxic power slide you by. Is it fear? Or have you become passive by default? Either could be your shadow calling for healing.
MAGICK
In magical work, The Protester is fantastic for channelling anger into action. That doesn't just mean spells of attack or defence (though she can certainly help you with those), but spells of change. Anger is sacred when it’s in service of truth.
With roots in the fierce energy of Mars, The Protester arms you with courage and determination for whatever battle lies ahead. She can be your ally in negotiations, sports, personal confrontations, protests, or any arena where you must present strength, conviction, and clarity of purpose.
She’s excellent for adding momentum to social or political workings, reinforcing personal boundaries, making your voice heard in oppressive dynamics, amplifying intentions that need courage or confrontation, and turning frustration into progress. Draw The Protester’s sigil when you need to burn off rage through exercise, or spark your motivation during periods of stagnation.
When writing letters, emails, or petitions, draw the sigil at the top. Trace her sigil on your forehead before a tough conversation. Call on her when you genuinely believe in the cause, when the injustice is real, and when you're ready to stand with integrity.
She doesn’t work for trolls.
In baneful work, The Protester can be made to encourage dissent in fellow workmates, friends or the general public, or enlist them to your cause.
SERVANT COMBINATIONS
The Protester combines well with The Opposer when full-blown confrontational energy is needed. Particularly great if you are trying to block or stop something from happening.
Pair the Protester with The Media to help amplify your truth and be heard. Useful for protest magic, speaking truth to power, or helping a message spread with force.
Using the combination of The Protester and The Father brings a power that speaks out and a power that holds steady. Where The Protester brings the fire, the raw will to fight against injustice or stand up for what matters, The Father brings the structure, maturity, and presence that helps that fire land with impact instead of just noise.
THE FORTY SERVANTS IN THEORY & PRACTICE SERIES SO FAR
ARTICLES:
THE WITCH
THE GATE KEEPER
THE MOTHER
THE FATHER
THE PROTECTOR
THE SAINT
THE CONDUCTOR
PATREON LECTURE VIDEOS:
001 — Introduction
002 — Beg, Borrow, Be.
003 — Art History
004 — The Book Of Pacts
And that's it for this time, I hope you got something good from it. If you'd like to chat about it, you can leave a comment below, or come find me on Bluesky!
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So, until next time,
MAY YOUR BEST DAYS BE AHEAD!
Tommie