Power Patterns of Binding

The Power Patterns of Binding are a fictional magic spell featured in comic books published by DC Comics. They were first referenced in Hellblazer #1 in January, 1988. They were also utilized in Hellblazer #2 in February, 1988 and the "A Feast of Friends" episode of the Constantine television series on NBC.

The Power Patterns of Binding were a spell that required etching archaic patterns upon the body of a person infected by some sort of malign spirit. This in turn kept whatever essence contained to a specific host, preventing it from spreading its influence further. A Dinkan Shaman from the Sudan employed this spell upon a Sudanese boy who had been possessed by a hunger demon known as Mnemoth. An amateur occultist named Gary Lester performed an exorcism upon the boy and attempted to transfer Mnemoth's spirit from his body into a bottle. The tactic work, but the boy died in the process.

Gary's old mate, John Constantine - a more experience occultist, learned about all of this and traveled to to the Sudan to consult with the shaman. The two went on a vision quest and John learned about the spell. Returning with this knowledge, John learned that Mnemoth had been released in the United States. Gary and he traveled to New York City to confront the demon. Guilt-ridden over the part he played in all of this, Gary Lester offered himself up as a vessel to contain Mnemoth. John performed the Power Patterns of Binding on Gary, which locked Mnemoth inside of him. Gary died in the process.