Human connection is crucial to developing a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, all things artistic and/or spiritual. This post was conceptualized and written by a human.
Cleansing. It's a word that gets thrown a lot by magickal practitioners. We cleanse our spaces, our tools, our bodies, and our energies. So what exactly is cleansing, why is it so important, and can you do it? First we'll take a quick look at the what and the why, then we'll go over a few different techniques for how to cleanse witchcraft tools. If you already know all of this and are looking for concrete cleansing methods and instructions, scroll to the bottom for a list!
WHAT IS CLEANSING?
Cleansing refers to the act of removing existing energies, intentions, or other metaphysical or spiritual properties from an object in order to prepare it for future use. This practice can be found across spiritual and religious practices in different forms, dating back millennia. Indeed, this is one of those practices that is a great unifier across virtually all spiritual and religious ideologies. As such, it is a fantastic introductory skill for new practitioners to start with, and a foundational skill for those more seasoned practitioners.
I once had a woman come up to me when I was vending in Salem, Massachusetts in October. She was a European tourist who wanted to experience the iconic Salem Halloween during her travel, and was shocked to realize how many objects and practices of the craft appeared parallel to her Christian background.
"I was always taught in church that witchcraft and spells were evil, but nothing here seems evil. Do you think Christianity and witchcraft can coexist?" she asked.
The answer? A resounding YES! I pointed out that rituals and spells are tools of manifestation, no matter the belief system. What is Communion, consuming the body and blood of Christ (whether intended to be literal or symbolic), but a ritual? Burning of incense, cleansing of the body and tools, vocalization - around the globe, and throughout history, there are universal elements of ritual practice that have been studied and qualified by anthropologists, with some room for debate on nuance.
WHY IS CLEANSING IMPORTANT?
In foundational texts of modern western mysticism, esotericism, and occultism, particularly in regards to Ceremonial Magick, there is often a significant focus placed on using virgin implements and ingredients. Through monotheistically-fueled religious panic, this terminology has become commonly misinterpreted as calling for the blood of a woman who has never had intercourse. This is incorrect.
There area few rare exceptions, such as "The Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon" when it states that thread used in the practice should be spun by a virgin, but as a whole, virgin refers to tools, materials, or ingredients that have never been used before. This, too, can have some variance. For example, specific practices and spellwork may call for virgin honey, but this can refer to honey that has never been used before in spellwork, or it can refer to honey from a virgin hive - as in, the first harvest of honey from a new hive.
Whether or not using virgin tools or materials is something you ascribe to, cleansing new or used objects helps us ensure that we aren't carrying unintended energies or intentions into our work. It creates a clean slate through which the practitioner can engage in their magickal workings.
This is particularly important for second-hand tools or items used in spells around binding, severing connections, return spells, hexing, and other workings around control. The negative intentions or stifling energies manifesting through these can have a negative impact on future work. Similarly, when purchasing a new tool, you don't know the energies that come with it, or what bonds it carries over from its crafter or previous owner (if second hand). Purifying your tools lets you develop a deeper connection with them, as it is in essence a ritual of care for your tools of the art.
HOW TO CLEANSE WITCHCRAFT TOOLS
The following list is by no means comprehensive, if none of these options feel right for you, keep exploring other practices for different methodologies. Some of these, as well, may not be accessible for people who live in apartments or highly developed areas without significant access to nature, but I've tried to include some alternatives that may work.
Please note: Not all tools/materials are appropriate with each method. For example, some metal tools should not be submerged in water, and some objects will be ruined if buried in the damp earth. As always, exercise caution and best safety practices whenever working with an open flame.
STEP 1: Bury the item
Dig a hole in the earth and burry your object. If you want to keep it from getting dirt on it, wrap it in fabric.
Apartment Hack: Bring the outside into your abode - fill a container with dirt or salt and put your object in that. The only important thing is to ensure it is fully covered.
Step 2: Mark your spot
Place a marker that will help you remember exactly where you buried your object.
Step 3: Leave it and retrieve it
Leave your object for at least 24 hours, then dig it back up. It's as simple as that!
Step 1: Make smoke (safely)
Ignite incense or an herb stick. Use herbs or scents associated with cleansing, such as: sage*, rosemary, sandalwood, and juniper.
Apartment Hack: Many apartments and rentals won't allow open flames or smoke, but this can also be done outside with just your tool, a lighter, and a stick of incense.
Step 2: Move the object through the smoke
Slowly and with intention, glide the object over the smoke from the herbs or incense until you feel the object is sufficiently cleansed.
*A Note on Sage: Cleansing by burning white sage if often incorrectly referred to as smudging. Smudging is actually refers to a specific ceremony of many First Nations that are Indigenous to the Americas. Because of its modern popularity, white sage has been over-harvested, leading to it being unavailable to communities who have been sustainably harvesting and using it for millennia. The white sage sold at Black Thorn Bazaar is sustainably farmed, so it does not contribute to the reduction of natural resources foraged by Indigenous communities. It is also not sold using language that appropriates First Nation traditions, such as smudging. Similarly, Palo Santo is often used, and for similar reasons is facing over harvesting. Due to a lack of sustainable sourcing, Palo Santo is not sold through Black Thorn Bazaar in any form.
Step 1: Make Moon Water
Fill a container with water and let it sit on a window sill or somewhere else it can bath in moonlight. This is best done when the moon is full. Consider adding cleansing herbs, such as rosemary, or a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Cleanse your object with Moon Water
Depending on what you're cleansing and whether it can be submerged in water, use the Moon Water to thoroughly cleanse the object. This can mean sprinkling it with droplets, dipping it, or washing it in the Moon Water.
Apartment Hack: If you don't have access to a window that gets moonlight, create a cleansing water by heating a pot of water to just below a boil, turning off the heat, throwing in a cocktail of cleansing herbs of your choice (we have a cleansing blend available in the store!), and letting it steep with the lid on for 11 minutes. Strain the mixture, let the water cool, and then use it just like the Moon Water.
Step 3: Let the water evaporate
Leave your object to rest somewhere thoughtful and allow the water to naturally evaporate.These are just a few techniques for how to cleanse witchcraft tools - if you have a favorite method not mentioned here, please share it in the comments. Happy cleansing!
Thy Will be Thy Way,
Cassandra Blackthorn