How to Cleanse and Consecrate Ritual Tools

Have you found yourself with a nice new ritual tool and you want to know how to set it apart from mundane objects? You're in the right place.

I'm going to run you through a quick and dirty consecration ritual that you will be able to personalize for your own practice- or print straight from this blog post and pop it into your Binder of Shadows for future reference. (There's a printer-friendly version at the end of this article.)

Is this the only way to do it? Nah. Every witch is different, but I hope this info will be helpful to you.

What is cleansing?

Cleansing an item is like getting rid of any kind of spiritual, magical, or psychic "junk" that may have built up on it through previous use, handling, or just simply existing in the world. 

A few simple ways to cleanse an item for magical use are with smoke, sound, breath, salt, moonlight, sunlight, certain herbs, and visualization.

What is consecration?

Consecration is when you take an ordinary, mundane object (like a cup, knife, or plate) and set it apart as something sacred, dedicating it to spiritual or magical use. You can consecrate an item in the name of a specific deity, spiritual being, the elements, or just generally dedicate it to your practice. 

Why do it? Is it necessary?

Nope! If you wanna rock out with your chaos-witch self and grab a kitchen knife after prepping dinner and use it for your spell with bits of carrot still attached, go forth! You officially have my blessing.

...BUT!

I mean, to me, there's just something that really feels special about formally declaring to the universe: "This item is magical. This item is mine, and I'm dedicating it to my practice."

Let's do it!

You've got your new magical item. You've (hopefully) got your Thrice Round Ritual Tool Consecration Kit handy. Wonderful! But if not, don't fret. Let's go over what you'll need:

• Your ritual tool - The item you want to cleanse and consecrate.
• Incense - We're using sandalwood-dipped palo santo, but another incense of your choosing works too.
• Consecration oil - We're using Frankincense and Myrrh
• Coarse sea salt - For purification and grounding
• White candle - A chime candle works perfectly, but any candle will do.
• Fireproof holders - One for your incense and one for your candle.
• Matches or a lighter - Duh.

Optional:

• A small cup or bowl of water.
• A small dish for your salt.
• A clean cloth for handling or wiping down your tool.
• A bowl of clean earth (if you're working indoors and want to incorporate the grounding portion of the ritual.)
• Any personal additions, like representations of your deities, elemental tools, or other sacred objects.

Your Thrice Round Ritual Tool Consecration Kit contains the incense, oil, salt, and candle. 

A quick note: Not every consecration method is suitable for every material. Salt, oil, smoke, moisture, and prolonged contact with soil can damage certain surfaces. Use your judgment, avoid prolonged exposure, and clean and dry your tools afterward when appropriate.

Where are we doing it?

Your biggest decision here boils down to indoors or outdoors. Outdoors is my personal preference. There's just something about getting out of the house, into the fresh air, away from the bustle of mundane life to make a ritual feel more special.

And honestly, is there anything more satisfying than stabbing your knife into the earth at the end of a working to ground your ritual energy?

But indoors is completely fine, too!  Maybe the weather isn't working out in your favour. Maybe you just prefer your home altar for workings. Don't complicate it! Work where you're comfortable and able to focus. 

The Ritual

I'm partial to the elements and work with them a lot. I've tried to make this ritual workable for a variety of paths, and at the end I'll give you some ideas on how you can personalize it. In this ritual, the elemental work prepares the tool for new use, the oil blesses it, and your spoken dedication declares its new purpose.

1. Prepare Your Space

Arrange your supplies somewhere comfortable (and away from fire hazards!) Place your ritual tool in front of you, with your salt, oil, incense, and candle nearby. If you'd like to include all four elements, include a small bowl or cup of water.

If you normally cast a circle, lay a compass, or otherwise establish sacred space before ritual, now's the time.  Otherwise, just take a moment to settle yourself and focus on what you're about to do.

2. Air (Cleanse with Smoke)

Light your incense and allow it to begin smoking. Pass your tool through the smoke, turning it and moving it so the smoke can reach each side. As you do, visualize any lingering spiritual "stuff" being carried away.

Say:

"By Air and smoke, I cleanse this tool of all influences that do not serve my purpose."

3. Fire (Purify, Illuminate)

Light your white candle. Hold your tool safely near the candle.  Imagine the light illuminating the tool and preparing it for its new purpose.

"By Fire, living flame, I awaken this tool to the work that lies ahead."

4. Water (Cleanse, Bless)

If you're including water, lightly touch your tool with a few drops (as long as it's suitable for the material.) Otherwise, hold your hand over the bowl as you invoke the element.  

"By Water, I dissolve and wash away what no longer belongs and prepare this tool for sacred work."

5. Anoint with Consecration Oil.

Take a small amount of your consecration oil. If the material permits, anoint your tool with a drop. If there is a symbol that is meaningful to you, trace it with your finger on the tool.

If your tool has a delicate finish and shouldn't come into direct contact with oil, instead hold the bottle nearby while you speak the blessing.

"With this oil, I bless this tool and prepare it for the work of my hands and the intentions of my heart."

6. Earth (Purify, Ground)

Take a pinch of the sea salt and place it near your tool, briefly touch the tool with the salt.  Visualize your tool becoming steady, grounded, strong and protected.

"By Earth and ancient stone, may this tool be grounded in wisdom and protected in its work."

7. Dedicate Your Tool

Hold the tool in both hands (or hold your hands above the tool.) Speak aloud what this object is becoming and what purpose it will serve.

For example:

"I set this tool apart from ordinary use and dedicate it to my magical practice. May it serve my will with clarity and purpose. From this moment forward, it is mine to work with and mine to care for."

Feel free to use your own words and be as specific as you like. This is your magical tool, after all!

8. Ground & Close

If you're working outdoors with a knife or sword, you may choose to plant its point into the earth as a final act of grounding. This is something I personally enjoy doing at the end of a working. Of course take care if you are in rocky soil that you don't damage your tools.

For other tools or if you're working indoors, simply place your hands against the ground, touch the salt, or visualize the energy of your working settling into the ground.

Thank any beings you have invited to work with you, close your ritual space in your preferred manner, and of course extinguish your flames.

And you're done! Your tool is now ready for its new use apart from the mundane, as part of your growing magical practice.

Making it Your Own

The ritual above can be used as-is or used as a jumping-off point for your own inspiration.  Here are a few ways you could personalize this ritual:

• Invoke deities: Do you work with a specific deity? Invite them to the party, especially if this object will be used in rites dedicated to them.
• Switch up the elements: Maybe you have your own magical associations for th elements. Use those instead!
• Fancy up or dress down the words: Every word you speak is yours. If you want more of a ceremonial flourish, do it. If you like it more simple, go for it.
• Add personal symbols: Carve, draw, or trace a sigil, rune, or other meaningful symbol on your tool. Or trace the symbol in the air above it and visualize it "melding" into the object.
• Choose your timing: Maybe you follow the cycles of the moon, the sabbats, astrologically significant moments. Work them into your ritual if it is important to your practice. 
• Make an offering: Work with your ancestors? Spirits? Deities? If they love a good offering, make it part of the dedication.
• Change your cleansing method: Incense isn't for everyone, so use something else. Sound, your own breath, or simple visualization.

Caring for Your Consecrated Tool

Alright, so chaotic kitchen knives aside, generally you'll want to treat your newly consecrated tool a little bit.. special.  Many practitioners prefer not to allow others to handle their magical tools. You may wish to store them in a special spot where they won't be bothered. Many people reserve tools like this only for magical use.  This is all personal preference. 

And don't forget the boring, practical stuff!  Keep your tools clean, dry, and properly stored according to the materials they're made from. After I stab my blade into the earth I always make sure to physically clean it and dry it so it doesn't get all sad and rusty. 

Common Questions

• Q. Can I consecrate multiple tools at once?
  • A. Yep.
• Q. Can I consecrate something I thrifted?
  • A. Yep.
• Q. Can I consecrate something that I've already been using for years?
  • A. Yep.
• Q. What happens if I make a mistake?
  • A. Panic!  No, stay calm. No biggie. Wipe up the spill and move on. It's all good. You are not going to break the universe.

Printer-Friendly Version

Here is a printer-friendly version!  Feel free to make a copy to your own drive, or print out to put in your own grimoire.