Ch.8 The Magick Circle (WMB 8.n)
Extract from: Wicca: Magical Beginnings written by d’Este & Rankine, 2008 (Avalonia.) PB / Kindle @ https://amzn.to/3Ay4HJr.
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Next we need to consider the purification and consecration of the space in which ceremonies are performed. This is done through the consecration of a bowl each of water and salt, usually by the High Priestess, sometimes with the assistance of the High Priest.
The consecrations of the salt and water in Wiccan ceremonies have been widely published and with minor variations usually follow a style like those given below:
"I exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleanness of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, this I do in the holy and most potent names of our Lady and our Lord.”
“Blessings be upon thee creature of Salt, let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth from thee, and let all good enter herein, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me in the holy and most potent names of our Lady and our Lord."
The wording of these consecrations is drawn directly from the Key of Solomon where we find the following exorcism of the water and benediction of the salt:
“I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, by Him Who hath created thee and gathered thee together in one place so that the dry land appeared, that thou uncover all the deceits of the Enemy, and that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleanliness of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so that they may harm me not, through the virtue of God Almighty Who liveth and reigneth unto the Age of the Ages. Amen”
“The blessing of the Father almighty be upon this Creature of Salt, and let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein, for without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me.”
This not only shows a provenance for the words used, but also for the ‘exorcism’ of the water and the ‘blessing’ of the salt as it is found in the Wiccan tradition. However, the use of the salt and water consecrated in this way found in the Key of Solomon confusingly does not relate to the consecration or purification of the magick circle. Instead it relates to the ritual bathing which is performed as part of the personal purification prior to the ceremonies found in the Key of Solomon:
“The Bath is necessary for all Magickal and Necromantic Arts; wherefore, if thou wishest to perform any experiment or operation, having arranged all things necessary thereunto according to the proper days and hours, thou shalt go unto a river or running stream…”
The Key of Solomon also provide us with the practice of sprinkling the circle with water and salt, instructions on how this should be done are found under the heading of ‘Of the Water, and of the Hyssop’. The magician is instructed therein to take a vessel made of brass and to fill it with “the most clear spring water” and salt. A consecration is said over the salt:
“Tzabaoth, Messiach, Emanuel, Elohim Gibor, Yod He Vau He; O God Who are the Truth and the Life, deign to bless and sanctify this Creature of Salt, to serve unto us for help, protection and assistance in this Art, experiment, and operation, and may it be a succour unto us”
This done, several Psalms are read over the salt and a sprinkler is made by bundling the following herbs, gathered in the day and hour of Mercury, whilst the Moon is waxing: vervain, fennel, lavender, sage, valerian, mint, garden-basil, rosemary and hyssop. The herbs should be tied together using a thread spun by a young maiden and various inscriptions are to be made onto the handle. The Key of Solomon goes on to say that once this is done this water may then be used whenever necessary, by sprinkling it with the specially made sprinkler and that:
“wheresoever thou shalt sprinkle this Water, it will chase away all Phantoms, and they shall be unable to hinder or annoy any. With this same Water thou shalt make all the preparations of the Art”
Extract from: Wicca: Magical Beginnings written by d’Este & Rankine, 2008 (Avalonia.) PB / Kindle @ https://amzn.to/3Ay4HJr. Shared here with the intention to inspire and inform the now and future generations interested in Wicca and other Pagan traditions inspired by it.
