Concecrations

THE ATHAME

Once your double edged, black hilted knife is aquired, when the moon is waning, make an infusion in distilled water of any of the following herbs. Into this mix a drop of your own blood (traditionally a black cat but we're not going there)

Dragon's Blood (very common)
Sulfur (not indoors!)
Asafetida (again not indoors!)

Consecrate your knife with water from your cup and the incense above in your thurible, then heat the blade on the coals of your thurible until it gets as hot as possible. You will have to stoke up good heat to do this. When the blade is red hot, plunge it into your brew, chanting these words (or yours), each immersion, and once again, visualize!

"Blade of steel
I conjure thee
to ban such things
as named by me.
As my word, so mote it be!"

This process of tempering should be repeated three times. Having done this, you must magnetize the blade. Hold your athame in your left hand, the magnet by one end (or a lodestone) in your right, and beginning at the handle end, draw the tip of the magnet down the whole length of the blade. Keep this up for a few minutes always stroking the same direction, chanting these words as you do:

"Blade of steel,
I conjure thee
attract all things
as named by me!
As my word, so mote it be!"

Finally paint your runes on the hilt (optional), and bury it point down for three days and three nights. (your backyard will do fine) At the end of this time you may dig up your athame and wrapping it in a piece of consecrated cloth, tuck it safely away ready for magickal use.

Consecrating a Sword or Athame

Lay sword (or athame) on pentacle, preferably by, and touching, another,
consecrated, weapon. The man asperges them with consecrated salt and water,
whereupon the woman picks up the weapon to be consecrated and passes it through the incense smoke and replaces it on the pentacle. Both lay their right hands upon the weapon and press down, saying:

Both: "I conjure thee, O Sword (Athame), by these Names, Abrahach, Abrach,
Abracadabra, that thou servest me for a strength and defence in all
magical operations against all mine enemies, visible and invisible.
I conjure thee anew by the Holy Name Aradia and by the Holy Name
Cernunnos; I conjure thee, O Sword (Athame), that thou servest me
for a protection in all adversities; so aid me now !"

Again the man asperges, and the woman censes, and the weapon is returned to
the pentacle, saying:

Both: "I conjure thee, O Sword (Athame) of Steel, by the Great Gods and
Gentle Goddesses, by the virtue of the heavens, of the stars
and of the spirits who preside over them, that thou mayest receive
such virtue that I may obtain the end I desire in all things
wherein I shall use thee, by the power of Aradia and Cernunnos."

The Partner gives the Fivefold kiss unto the owner of the weapon.
If the owner is not present, or if the weapon is jointly owned by them both,
the man will give the Fivefold kiss to the woman. For the final kiss upon
the mouth, the weapon is suspended between their breasts, held there by the
pressure of their embrace. As they seperate, the owner of the weapon
immediately uses it to recast the Circle, but without words.

Notes: If possible, lay sword with an already consecrated sword or athame.
It should, if possible, be consecrated by both a man and a woman, both of whom
are initiated, and both naked as drawn swords. During consecration, press down
on sword hard with consecrated sword or athame. If possible partake of Cakes
and Wine first, then Magus should sprinkle with water, Witch should cense in
First Conjuration, then sprinkle and cense and conjure again with Second
Conjuration. If true sword and athame are available, a sword and athame can be
consecrated at the same time in which case Magus should press with sword on
sword, and Witch with athame on athame, and new sword and athame should touch.
In any case, when finished the weapon should be handed to new owner with
Fivefold Salute, and should be pressed against the body for a time to get the
aura; and it should be in as close connection as possible to the naked body for
at least a month, i.e. kept under pillow, etc. Do not allow anyone to touch or
handle any of your tools until thoroughly impregnated with your aura; say six
months or as near as possible. But a pair working together may own the same
tools, which will be impregnated with the aura of both.

Self-Blessing

This ritual should be performed during the New Moon (at least when the moon is waxing) , but it is not limited to that phase. Need, not season, determines the performance.

There is real power in the Self Blessing; it should not be used other than in time of need and should not be done promiscuously.

The purpose of the ritual is to bring the individual into closer contact with the Godhead. It can also be used as a minor dedication, when a person who desires dedication has no one who can dedicate him. This self blessing ritual may also be used as a minor exorcism, to banish any negative influences which may have formed around the person. It may be performed by any person upon himself, and at his desire.

Perform this ritual in a quiet place, free from distraction, and nude. You will need the following:

1. Salt, about one quarter teaspon
2. Wine, about an ounce.
3. Water, abut one-half ounce.
4. Candle, votive or other.

The result of the ritual is a feeling of peace and calm. It is desirable that the participant bask in the afterglow so that he may meditate and understand that he has called the attention of the Godhead to himself, asking to grow closer to the Godhead in both goals and in wisdom.

When you are ready to begin, sprinkle the salt on the floor and stand on it, lighting the candle. Let the warmth of the candle be absorbed into the body. Mis the water into the wine, meditating upon your reasons for performing the self blessing.

Read the following aloud:

"Bless me, mother, for I am your child."

Dip the fingers of the right hand into the mixed water and wine and annoint the eyes,

"Blessed be my eyes, that I may see your path."

Annoint the nose,

"Blessed be my nose, that I may breathe your essence."

Annoint the mouth,

"Blessed be my mouth, that I may speak of you."

Annoint the breasts,

"Blessed be my breast, that I may be faithful in my work."

Annoint the loins,

"Blessed be my loins, which bring forth the life of men and women as you have brought forth all creation."

A nnoint the feet,

"Blessed be my feet, that I may walk in your ways."

Remain...and mediate for a while

Note: Although this is probably as basic as dedication can get, this nevertheless is very useful even if only used for banishment of negativity.

Consecrating Other Working Tools

Place tool on pentacle, and lay right hand(s) on it, saying:

"Aradia and Cernunnos, deign to bless and to consecrate this
White-Hilted knife (or whatever) that it may obtain the necessary
virtue through you for all acts of love and beauty."

Magus sprinkles, Witch censes. Then say:

"Aradia and Cernunnos, bless this instrument prepared in your honour."
(if Scourge or Cords, add "... that it may serve for a good cause and
end and for your glory.")

Again Magus sprinkles and Witch censes. (Hand tool to new owner as you
would a sword or athame, with a Fivefold Salute.)

All these weapons should be presented to the new owner with Salute. If
a Witch Queen, the downward pointing triangle as in the first Degree
Initiation. End ceremony with Fivefold Salute. The new owner
should immediately use the new instruments, i.e. form Circle with Sword,
then Athame, incise something with White-Handled knife, exhibit Pentacle to
Four Quarters, cense to Four Quarters, use Cords and Scourge; and should
continue to use all of them in a Circle as often as possible, for some
time.

To mark out a new Circle, stick sword or athame in ground, make a loop in
cord, and slip over; then, using cord, mark out a circle, and later mark it
with point of sword or athame. Always renew the Circle with sword or athame
when about to use, but have it marked so that you always retrace it in same
place. Remember the Circle is a protection, a guard against evil influences,
and to prevent power created from dispersing; but the Witch, not being evil,
may enter and leave freely. But in Art Magic, it is a barrier against forces
raised, and when once in the Magus may not leave without great danger. If any
great danger is manifested it would be advisable to take refuge in the Circle;
but ordinarily sword or athame in hand is perfect protection against anything.
Those who make these tools must be purified, clean and properly prepared. When
not in use, all tools and weapons should be put away in a secret place; and it
is good that this should be near your sleeping place, and that you handle them
each night before retiring.

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