Charging an object

Sit down in an area with no distractions.
Hold the object in your hands. Feel the whole object all around, notice its details and intricacies.
Now, imagine all of your energy coursing through every inch of your body. Focus on that energy, then visualize that energy pouring from your hands into the object. Imagine that this energy is filling up the object.

Sometimes, particularly in spellwork, you should charge the object with your intention. To do this, you do the same thing, but while you’re visualizing your energy filling up the object, concentrate on what kind of energy you want the object to have. Enchanting something for a love spell? Fill your mind with thoughts of romance and intimacy, and let that energy fill up the object. Cursing someone? Focus on your hatred for the target, or the pain you’d like them to experience.

Do this until you feel like the object is “full”. The amount of energy you will need to charge it completely will vary depending on the object and your intention. Trust your intuition to let you know when you can stop. 

A witch’s ladder

A witch’s ladder is one of those nifty things we sometimes hear about but rarely see. Its purpose is similar to that of a rosary – it’s basically a tool for meditation and ritual, in which different colors are used as symbols for one’s intent. It’s also used as a counting tool, because in some spell workings there is a need to repeat the working a particular number of times. You can use the ladder to keep track of your count, running the feathers or beads along as you do so. Traditionally, the witch’s ladder is made with red, white and black yarn, and then nine different colored feathers woven in.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varied
Here’s How:

Realistically speaking, it makes more sense to use yarn colors that have a significance to you and your working. Also, finding nine differently colored feathers can be tricky if you’re looking for them out in the wild – you can’t just go plucking feathers from local endangered species – and that means a trip to the craft store and some oddly tinted feathers. I’d recommend using either found feathers of any color, or something else entirely – beads, buttons (see our discussion on the magical uses of buttons), bits of wood, shells, or other items you have around your home.

Ideas on Enchanting Items

Here are a few ideas on how to enchant items, in no particular order:

Surround the item with crystals of corresponding intent
Surround the item with herbs of corresponding intent
Place the item in a jar filled with herbs that represent your intent
Place the item in front of a candle and meditate on your intent
Anoint the item with an oil, charged water, or crystal elixir of corresponding intent
Hold the item in your hand(s) and visualize it filling with the appropriate energy
Hold the item in your hand(s) and speak your intent aloud
Craft a sigil or symbol to keep near the item in an envelope or sachet
Sew, stitch, or carve a sigil into the item
Write your intention on paper and keep in an envelope with the item
Pair the item with a corresponding runestone or tarot / oracle card in an envelope
Take the item and put it in a box with other items that represent your intent such as crystals, herbs, talismans, amulets, etc.
Bury the item in soil with herbs and/or crystals that match your intent (please don’t put salt on your lawn though, unless you want dead grass)
Pass the item through incense smoke that matches your intent 

Suggestion on How to Enchant an Item

To enchant an item is to infuse it with magickal energy. This energy can come from a variety of sources, including planets, crystals, herbs, or even yourself.

Some individuals use the words “enchant” and “charm” synonymously as a way to describe the process of infusing something with energy, but for the sake of this post and due to my own beliefs, you enchant something and it then becomes a charm. Alternately, a charm can be something with its own innate energy, like a crystal or herbal amulet.

The process of enchanting is extremely versatile and there are many ways to do it successfully, so long as you keep your intent clear in your mind. My personal preference when it comes to enchanting items is to allow 12-24 hours (overnight or a full day) for the item to be infused with energy and become a charm – although, this is completely left up to the individual 

The Magick Ring

One of the most common tools of the craft – far more common and worldwide than the knife, the wand, the cup and the disk – is the magic rings or the rings of power.

J. R. R. Tolkien describes them quite accurately in his books, although, of course, in a way more dramatic than reality for the sake of the stories. For example Tolkien says that the ring changes size, which is somewhat true, at least concerning the feeling it gives. He also says that it becomes heavier when it is overwhelmed by energy and power, as it happens when Frodo is in Mordor.

This is also a feeling that the magic rings give. I suppose that if we put them on a scale the weight will be the same, but it feels heavier when wearing it or holding it. He also describes the ring to be addictive, which is also true, so be careful. Not only the user finds it more and more precious and is less willing to give it away, but also the user may start thinking that all his or her power is generated by the ring. This is also one real aspect of the addictive power of the magic rings. In the story, in the case of Frodo, all the power that was given to Frodo was indeed generated by the One Ring, but in the case of Lady Galadriel this was not true, as Galadriel, and her magic power, are more ancient than the rings, the humans, the elfs and Sauron himself, but Galadriel comes to think that when the One Ring will be destroyed, then the power of her own ring will also cease to exist as it is bound to the One Ring (which is true in the story) and therefore her own power will cease to exist, which is only an illusion, as her power was not generated by the ring she wears. Also, Tolkien describes the rings, especially the One Ring, to have a will of their own, which in some cases can also be true. Finally, Tolkien states that the rings prolong the life of the owner – with the One Ring making his owner practically immortal – which is also a common belief, although I cannot say if this is actually true or not.

So knowing the dangers of this instrument of magic, one may still decide to make one.

Here I am going to give you a simplified way to create a magic ring, or a ring of power. The way I am offering is very similar to creating a ring talisman.

First of all decide what this ring’s power will be. Then you must decide where you are going to wear it. In general terms, if its purpose is to bring a blessing of any kind in you, you should wear it in your receiving hand, which is most probably the weaker one. If you want this ring to help you express a power or quality, you should wear it in the projective hand, which is most usually the strongest hand. For example, if you want a ring that keeps your health and vitality in good condition you’ll be wearing the ring in the receiving hand, but if you want the ring to empower your healing powers, for you to be able to heal others (and yourself) you should be wearing the ring in the projective hand.

Then it is the finger one ring should be put. The most common fingers are the index and the ring finger. And this is quite understandable, as you will find out right away. Planetary speaking, the thumb holds and expresses the power of Venus. The index holds and expresses the power of Jupiter, the middle the power of Saturn, the ring finger the power of Sun and the pinky or little finger the power of Mercury. Mars and Moon don’t have their fingers, so if you want to make a magic ring under their power you should wear it in a compatible finger to the purpose of the ring.

Then you should find or create a ring that feels right to you for the purpose. I believe that if the symbolism is strong enough in your mind and soul, this is a perfect ring for you, but if you want to create a ring under stricter magical rules, create a ring made from the metal of the planet with a stone of the planet on it.

Do not write a curse on the ring as Sauron did, but you can inscribe a spell on it or just the power this ring brings to you or helps you express.

Now buy one, two, three, four, five, six, eight, or nine candles representing the power you are summoning in the ring. Also buy 8 red candles which will represent the magic power. Make a circle putting the eight red candles on the 8 directions; those are East, Southeast, South etc.

Inside the circle put the candles representing the power you are summoning. If you use one candle put it in the centre of the circle and the ring at its base, if you are using more, put them in a diameter, a triangle, etc, with the ring in the centre of the circle.

Use frankincense for incense or a combination of frankincense and myrrh, and preferably anoint all the candles and the ring with the same oil. If possible, anoint the ring with your zodiac oil as well, and/or an oil representing its power.

Light the eight red candles starting from the eastern one and forming a clockwise circle saying: “From the eight corners of the Earth I summon hear the magic power to come here and enter in this ring of mine and make it a magic ring.”

Now light the candles of the power you are filling the ring with saying: “I summon (the power of the ring) to come here and enter this ring, and transform it to a magic tool that (say what the ring will be doing for you)”.

Now, sit down and visualise the magic power and the power of the ring coming there inside the circle and entering the ring, filling it and staying in it. Keep the visualisation for as long as possible, without feeling tired.

Let the candles completely burn down. While the candles still burning repeat the visualisation as often as you can.

When the candles are finished, the ring is ready. Wear it for at least seven days all day long and then always keep it near you, in your pocket, in your handbag etc. Don’t let anybody to touch the ring while you are not wearing it. When you want to use its power, wear the ring, rub it, and tell it what you want it to do.

Have fun and be aware of the addictive power of the magic rings. 

SALT LAMP

Himalayan salt has your allergies in the bag! But more importantly than clearing your nasal passages, it can also improve the air quality and give your mood an overhaul!

ou are made up of negatively charged cells. So, like a magnet, you attract things with a positive charge…such as pet dander…dust…oh, and ions from electronics like microwaves, cell phones and tvs. Himalayan salt lamps can combat these positive ions by emitting negative ions. Use a salt lamp by your bedside to emit negative ions for these benefits:

increased oxygen flow to brain for better sleep and more energy

neutralizes electric smog

lowers blood pressure

decreases feelings of anxiety

I’ve done the research on the salt inhaler, and I have a salt lamp on my bedside table. Now, I’m looking forward to adding a Sole salt flush to my morning routine! Let me know about some of your other favourite ways to use this pretty in pink crystal!

Suggestions for your Magickal Cabinet

Over time you may collect all kinds of tools and equipment to use as you make magickal herbal items, amulets, charge candles for magickal purposes, and much more.

Here is a listing of the basics that you will want to have on hand to always be ready to practice your Craft!

Herbs.

You may want to have at least one herb or resin for each planetary energy so that you are prepared to create any incense, herbal amulet, or poppet whenever the need arises.

For example, Frankincense resin can be used for the sun (success, personal power),

Myrrh resin may be used for the moon (psychic ability, subconscious, dreams),

Red Sandalwood for Mars (energy, courage, protection),

Cinnamon for Mercury (memory, mental sharpness),

Cedar for Jupiter (abundance, growth),

Rose for Venus (love, beauty, art),

Patchouli for Saturn (grounding, protection),

White Willow for Neptune (inspiration),

Nutmeg for Uranus (change, health, visions)

Poppy seeds for Pluto (inner knowledge, karma).

Eventually, it may be an idea to purchase a Mortar and Pestle to Mix and Prepare your herbs

Essential Oils.

The following oils are merely suggestions in order to be able to create ritual oil blends and bath salts,  to add to your rituals.

Frankincense oil for the Sun,

White Sandalwood oil for the Moon,

Honeysuckle oil for Mars,

Lavender oil for Mercury,

Magnolia oil for Jupiter,

Rose oil for Venus,

Patchouli oil for Saturn,

Wisteria oil for Neptune,

Allspice oil for Uranus,

Musk oil for Pluto.

You may also want to have lots of jars, vials, and small containers in which to store your herbal creations.

Keep your herbs and herbal mixtures in a cool, dark, dry place and they’ll last much longer.

Candles.

Keep on hand these colors –

white (purification),

black (blocking),

green (prosperity, health),

blue (peace, tranquility),

orange (energy, vitality),

pink (love, beauty)

purple (spiritual evolution, meditation).

You may well be purchasing other colors as you develop rituals you want to do, however, the above colors will cover just about anything you may run up against within your rituals and spells.

You may also wish to acquire some candle snuffer matches as well as candle holders.

Incense.

You may wish to use a small box to keep your charcoal, matches, and lighter in. As well as your sand to set your hot charcoal down and your incense burner.

At times you may choose to burn just Frankincense resin or just Myrrh resin for purification purposes.

It’s a good idea to have an incense spoon to dish out a small number of your incenses so you don’t get incense stuck under your fingernails.

You’ll also want a few small containers to place your incense in on your altar at each ritual.

You may end up with more than one Altar cloth. If this is the case you may want to color-coordinate your altar cloths with the type of energy you’re invoking at various rituals.

It is an idea to have at least one black altar cloth around three foot square for general purposes.

Keep on hand sea salt and spring water for cleansing the energy of objects and casting your Circle.

You’ll need a small container to place your salt in for use on your altar.

Generally speaking, you’ll be using your chalice on your altar to contain your water for cleansing.

You’ll need parchment and a pen for drawing talismans and writing spells.

Some people like to use feather quills and magickal ink for this type of work but you can also use a good quality pen or Sharpies in different colors, too.

Crystals and Stones for General Spellwork.

Jade or green Aventurine for prosperity;

Hematite or Onyx for protection and grounding;

Carnelian or Gold Tiger’s Eye for healing;

Amethyst or Moonstone for meditation or spiritual work.

Get some cord or ribbbon ( possibly non-synthetic) in various colors for tying up herbal amulet bags or cord magick.

You’ll want at least one divination device so you can get information about various things.

This means information about what is going on in your life or to help you decide the best approach for a ritual.

The most commonly used divination tools are Tarot Decks, Pendulums, crystal balls and Rune Stones.

You may wish to acquire a Ritual robe or Tabard.

Ritual robes can be hooded or not as you prefer and tend to slip over the head.

Tabards are robes that are open in the front.

You can never have enough small Storage boxes for candles, incenses, stones, and all of the other accouterments you will collect over time.

Background music can be used to cover up outside noises of sirens, barking dogs, and so on while you are in Circle.

Of course, you’ll also have your Elemental Tools in your Witch’s Cabinet:

Athame (ritual knife),

Wand, Chalice (keep two – one for strictly ceremonial use and the other to mix potions in or scry with), and Pentacle.

You can use a Book of Shadows to record your workings and spells.

As well as a blank book as well for your ongoing thoughts and projects.

Once you have something worked out on paper, you can transfer the information neatly to your permanent Book of Shadows.

Initially, due to space limitations or budget, you may just store your tools and accouterments in a cardboard or plastic storage container that you can obtain at your local hardware store.

Once you have gotten out all of the things you need for a particular work, you can cover this storage box with your altar cloth and use it as your altar as well.

Eventually, you may need an actual cabinet, as it’s amazing how much stuff a Witch can collect!

The Athame in Magick

An athame is, quite simply, a ceremonial knife.

You can obtain an athame from a specialist magical shop, but as I said before, any knife – even a letter opener – will do, although it should preferably have a silver-colored blade.

Athames are traditionally double-edged and black-handled, but a single-edged blade is better if you are new to magick, to avoid unintentional cuts.

There is a vast array of scouting and craft knives available, with black wooden handles on which you can engrave magical symbols such as your zodiacal and planetary glyphs with a pyrographic set obtained from an art shop.

You can also paint moons, stars, spirals, suns, or crosses with silver paint.

The athame is set in the East of the altar and represents the element of Air. Like the sword, it is traditionally used for drawing magical circles on the ground and directing magical Air energies into a symbol.

When you are casting a circle, you can point your athame diagonally towards the ground,  so that you do not need to stoop to draw (which is not very elegant and bad for the back).

With practice, the movement becomes as graceful as with a sword.

The athame can also be used as a conductor of energy, especially in solitary rituals, being held above the head with both hands to draw down light and energy into the body.

This uses the same principle as that of arching your arms over your head to create a light body.

One method of releasing the power is then to bring the athame down with a swift, cutting movement, horizontally at waist level, then thrust it away from the body and upwards once more to release this power.

If others are present, direct the athame towards the center of the circle.

After the ritual, you can drain excess energies by pointing the athame to the ground.

An athame may be used to invoke the elemental Guardian Spirits by drawing a pentagram in the air and for closing down the elemental energies after the ritual.

With its cutting steel of Mars, it is effective in power, matters of the mind, change, action, justice, banishing magick, protection, and for cutting through inertia and stagnation.

The athame is sometimes also associated with the Fire element.

If you don’t like the idea of a full-sized athame, there are some lovely paper knives in the shape of swords or with animal or birds’ heads.

Some covens give each of their members a tiny athame, to be used for drawing down energies during ceremonies.

The main athame is used by the person leading the ritual who may draw the circle, open all four quarters and close them after the ritual.

An athame with a white handle is used for cutting wands, harvesting herbs for magick or healing, carving the traditional Samhain jack-o’-lantern, and etching runes, and other magical or astrological symbols on candles and talismans.

Some practitioners believe that you should never use metal for cutting herbs but instead pull them up, shred them and pound them in a mortar and pestle, kept for the purpose.
Pearl-handled athames are considered to be especially magical.

The Chalice in Magick

The chalice, or ritual cup, used for rituals is traditionally made of silver, but you can also use crystal,glass, stainless steel or pewter.

The chalice represents the Water element and is placed in the West of the altar.

Like the sword, it is a sacred Grail treasure and is a source of spiritual inspiration.

The Grail cup is most usually represented as the chalice that Christ used at the Last Supper, in which His blood was collected after the crucifixion.

As such, it signifies not only a source of healing and spiritual sustenance but also offers direct access to the godhead through the sacred blood it once contained.

Tradition says that the original Grail cup was incorporated by Roman craftsmen into a gold and jeweled chalice called the Marian Chalice after Mary Magdalene.

In Celtic tradition, it became the Cauldron of Dagda.

In rituals, the chalice can be filled with pure or scented water with rose petals floating on top.

The chalice is also central to the sacred rite of cakes and ale that occurs at the end of formal ceremonies – the pagan and the equivalent of the Christian holy communion.

The offering of the body of the Corn God is made in the honey cakes on the pentacle, or sacred dish, and the beer or wine in the chalice is fermented from the sacrificed barley wine.

In primeval times, actual blood was used to symbolize the sacrifice of the Sacred King at Lughnassadh, the festival of the first corn harvest.

The rite goes back thousands of years.

The cakes and ale are consumed by the people acting as High Priestess and Priest in a dual energy rite or by those initiated in those roles.

Crumbs and wine are first offered to the Earth Mother or poured into a libation dish (a small dish for offerings).

Then the priestess offers the priest a tiny cake and then takes one herself and he offers her the wine before drinking himself.

The dual roles work just as well in a single-sex coven.

The cakes and ale are then passed around the circle and each person partakes of the body and blood of the Earth, offering a few words of thanks for the blessings received.

In some groups, each person has an individual chalice set before them, but everyone still drinks one after the other, offering thanks, unless there is a communal chant of blessing before drinking.

The chalice can be filled with wine or fruit juice or water, depending on the needs and preferences of the group.

The cakes and ale ceremony and the male/female chalice rite can both be easily incorporated into a solitary ritual.

The Eye

The eye is considered to be the primary organ of sense perception.

It is closely associated with light, the spirit, and the sun.

The eye symbolizes spiritual and mental perception and is considered to be the mirror of the soul, the organ of spiritual and mental expression.

The right eye is associated with the activity, the future, and the sun.

The left eye is associated with passivity, the past, and the moon.

In some cultures and religions (such as Buddhism), a third eye is envisioned in the middle of the forehead, just above the nose, and is considered to be a symbol of inner vision and power.

In magick, heterotopic eyes are those that have been transferred anatomically to various parts of the body, such as the hands, wings, torso, arms, and different parts of the head.

These eyes are the equivalent of spiritual sight or clairvoyance.

When the eyes are situated on the hand, it signifies that the individual has great clairvoyant powers.

The most widely used eye symbol in magick is that of Horus.

In ancient Egypt, the right eye of Horus, the sky god, was his solar eye, and the left eye was his udjat eye, or eye of the moon.

The udjat eye symbolizes the power of light and was one of the most sacred and powerful protective amulets in Egyptian magic.

Depending on its employment, and surrounding symbolism, the single eye can represent the forces of good or evil as the single eye of god, or the destructive power of the Cyclops.

The Witches Cauldron in Magick

While the word “cauldron” may bring to mind images of Shakespeare’s three witches tossing all kinds of animal parts into a boiling stew for evil purposes, the cauldron is really a symbol of the Goddess and the creative forces of transformation.

Cauldrons appear in many ancient Celtic myths in connection with magical occurrences and continue to influence Witchcraft today.

Associated with the element of water, the cauldron may hold magically charged ingredients for a potion or may be used to allow spell candles to burn out.

It can also be filled with fresh water and used for scrying.

Cast iron is considered the cauldron’s ideal material, though other metals are often used.

Most rest on three legs, with the opening of the cauldron having a smaller diameter than the widest part of the bowl.

Cauldrons can be anywhere from a few inches to a few feet across in diameter, though larger sizes may be considered impractical.

While some Witches may actually brew a magical potion right in the cauldron, the practical constraints of lighting a safe indoor fire underneath it tend to limit this use—often, the “brewing” aspect of the magic is symbolic rather than literal

The Witches Bell in Magick

The bell stands in the North of the circle and is an Earth symbol.
It is an optional tool and can be made from either crystal or protective brass.
Best for magick is the kind that you strike.
The bell is traditionally rung nine times at the beginning and close of each ritual; the person ringing the bell should stand in the South of the circle, facing North. (Nine is the magical number of completion and perfection.)
It is also rung to invoke the protection of angels or the power of a deity and in ceremonies to welcome departed members to the circle.
You can also sound the bell in each of the four elemental quadrants, before creating the invoking pentagram, to request the presence of each elemental guardian.
It can also be sounded as you pass your chosen symbol around each quadrant of the circle.
However, you should not use the bell to excess – it is better under-utilised

Tools And Treasures

You may need to collect some basic tools for your spells and rituals.

They need not be at all expensive.

Magick was traditionally carried out with the equipment of the home.

The broom for sweeping the magical circle was the besom used for sweeping dirt (and negativity) out of
the door and was stored with its bristles upwards to protect the home.

The cauldron was the iron cooking pot on the black kitchen range that served to heat the home as well
as for cooking.

Items often can be gathered from around your home: for example, a silver bell, a
crystal bowl, or a large wine glass.

Attractive scarves or throws make ideal altar cloths.

Car boot sales are an excellent source of magical equipment.

It may be a good idea to keep your magical tools separate from your everyday household equipment.

These items can possibly be kept in a large box or chest, so that you can keep them charged with positive energies for magical and healing work.

Some items, such as the pentacle, you can make from clay.

Herbs can be grown in pots or in gardens and chopped in a mortar and pestle.

Fresh herbs have more immediate energies than dried, though the latter are better in sachets and poppets.

Always bear in mind that the magick is in you, not in your tools.

A wand cut from a fallen hazel or willow branch in the right hands can be more magical than the most elaborate crystal-tipped one purchased from a New Age store.

Witches Knife/ Athame

The ritual knife, like the wand, is a tool that directs energy in ritual, and may also be used to draw the circle before ritual and close the circle afterwards.

However, it is more of an energy manipulator or commander, due to its sharp edges, and therefore isn’t generally used to invoke deities, as this would be considered forceful, rather than collaborative, in terms of working with divine energy.

The athame is also used to draw magical symbols, such as the pentagram, in the air to lend power to ritual and spellwork, and is often employed in rituals that banish and, or release negative energies or influences.

This tool is associated with the God, and the element of Fire, as it is an agent that causes change. The knife is traditionally sharp on both sides, with a black handle which is said to store a small amount of the magical energy raised in rituals for later use.

The blade is not generally very long—the length of one’s hand, or shorter, is considered ideal.

Some Witches purchase special daggers to serve as their athame, while others will consecrate an ordinary kitchen knife for the purpose.

It’s considered unwise to use a knife that has been used to cut animal flesh, though any negative energies lingering from such use can be ritually cleansed before “converting” the knife into an athame.

Some Witches choose to enhance their energetic relationship with their knife by engraving magical symbols into the handle.

Depending on the tradition, the athame may do double duty as an actual cutting and engraving tool. It may be used to cut herbs, shape a new wand from the branch of a tree or carve magical symbols into a candle for ritual use.

However, many Witches prefer to use a second, white-handled knife, sometimes called a boline, for these purposes, keeping the athame for ritual use only.

Witches Pentacle

The pentacle is an important symbol-bearer in Witchcraft, normally inscribed with a pentagram, though other magical symbols may be present.

The pentagram itself is a five-pointed star, drawn with five straight lines, often encircled, and always having one upward point.

Each point is said to represent the elements of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water, with the Fifth Element (Spirit) as the upward point.

As a symbol, it is found in both ancient Eastern and Western cultures and has been used to represent various aspects of human and spiritual concerns.

The pentagram is considered to have inherent magical powers and is often inscribed on objects as well as in the air during rituals, to add strength to the work.

It is also considered a sign of protection from negative or harmful energies.

As a bearer of this Earth-related symbol, the pentacle is used to consecrate other tools and objects used in ritual.

Usually a flat, round piece of wood, clay, wax, or silver, it can be any size, though generally is small enough to fit comfortably on the altar with the other tools.

The pentacle may be ornately carved and/or set with semiprecious gemstones, or maybe a simple design.

Witches may also wear a pentacle on a cord or chain during a ritual, or even as part of their daily dress, though they may or may not choose to wear it publicly.

Charging and Cleansing Your Tools

Once you have prepared your elemental substances, you can charge your tools ready for use.

If they have been bought, whether new or second-hand, you might also like to cleanse them first.

You can also cleanse them after a formal ritual or when their energies seem depleted.

If the ritual is important or arduous, you can recharge the tools before each use, but usually, this is not necessary, as the cleansing from a previous ritual will automatically restore the energies.

However, as you polish your candlesticks or athame before putting them on the altar, you may wish to focus on the intention of the ceremony and visualize light entering the tools.

Charging With Power

You can charge your tools separately as you obtain them.

Alternatively, group them together on a table before their first use in ritual and create a circle of light around them with small purple candles at the eight main compass points (North, North-east, etc.).

Start at the North candle and end with the Northwest candle.

*First create a circle of salt round the tools, beginning in the North, to offer the tools the protection of the ancient Earth element, saying

Mother Earth, charge with the power of the ancient stone circles and the wise ways of the ancestors this – name the tools of magick and healing, that my work may be rooted in what is possible and
help create abundance and prosperity for others and the land, as well as for my own needs.

Next, draw a circle of smoke deosil in the air around them, using a frankincense or myrrh incense stick, saying:

Father Sky, charge with the power of the mighty winds and the limitless potential of the cosmos this – name the tools of magick and healing, that my work may be focused, filled with energy, and bring positive change to ever-widening horizons.

Now, using a golden or scarlet candle in a broad-based candle-holder, mark an inner circle of fire in the air, around the artifacts, saying:

Brother Fire, charge with the power of ancient ritual fires and the brilliance of the Sun, this these tools of magick and healing, that my work may be filled with light and inspiration and purged of all self-seeking and negativity.

finally, sprinkle sacred water or rainwater that has not touched the ground before collection on top of the circle of salt saying:

Sister Water, charge with the power of mighty oceans, wide rushing rivers, and deep still pools this (these) tool(s) of magick and healing, that my work may release stagnation and bring fertility and peace, not only to myself and my loved ones but to people whose lives are blighted by polluted places and, especially, water.

Cleansing Using The Forces Of Nature

Leave your artifacts on a piece of white silk in a sheltered, safe place out of doors or near an open the door where children, pets or the curious cannot reach them.

Begin at dusk when they can absorb the light of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, for 24 hours.

This will be effective even if you cannot see any of these heavenly bodies in the sky.

Charge at the time of the waxing moon to the full moon if possible; if not, let them stand for 48 hours.

If the Moon is waning and so not good for energizing, create a circle of alternate moonstones and crystal quartz for the powers of the Sun and Moon, and leave the tools within this circle for the full 48- hour cycle.

Sprinkle the tools with nine drops of sacred water that was collected under the full moon or rainwater that has not touched the ground, saying a variation of this old magical rhyme whose origins are unknown:

One for joy, two for gladness,

Three and four to banish sadness,

Five and six do life renew,

Seven, eight, nine bring power anew.

Few of these old chants are great poetry, but that was not their purpose – they were created in the days before widespread literacy as a way of remembering magical rituals.

If you prefer, you can substitute your own, composed by you or a coven member who may have a gift for such work.

The rhymes served like simple mantras to build up power – some people recite the chant several times, very fast, while sprinkling the water slowly.

Cleansing Using A Crystal Pendulum

Hold a clear crystal pendulum over the tool(s) and make nine circles widdershins.

Plunge the pendulum in cold running water to cleanse it, shake it dry, and circle it nine times deosil over the tools to restore energies.

You may need to repeat this several times if a tool seems lifeless or after you have been carrying out a banishing ritual.