An Answer to a Question

In regards to my previous post, Diandra asked a very good question - Why add salt to Holy Water?

Salt has preservative and antiseptic properties, and while these qualities do somewhat reduce the spread of illness where holy water may be shared by a coven, the use of salt is more symbolic than practical.

Salt has been employed liturgically since pre-Christian times. All of the Old Testament offerings of first-fruits had to be seasoned with salt. Paradoxically, the Prophet Eliseus used salt to sweeten the water of the spring at Jericho. It serves as a symbol of preservation from the corruption of sin, of the savor for holy things. In the rite of Baptism it is a token of wisdom.

In making Holy Water, the salt is banished of all negativity and then blessed as a symbol of exorcism:

"I banish thee, O element of the Earth,
of all negativity both seen and unseen
and bless thee in the name of the Great One.”

After both the water and salt are exorcised and blessed a mixture of the two is made “in the name of the Great One”. The final prayer speaks to the use of the blessed water:

"I cleanse and consecrate this water in the name of the Great One.
May it enhance and purify all that it touches.
With the water so blessed, may this harm none,
With these final words, let it be done.
As I will it, so mote it be.
Blessed Be!”

So basically, salt is used symbolically to represent purification. Keep in mind that you’re only adding ‘three pinches’ of salt (to about two cups of spring water depending on the vessel you want to store your Holy Water in), not a whole boatload so the effect the salt could have on the Earth or on plants is quite minimal. I personally don’t pour my salt water on plants (and I use a lot because I also cleanse my crystals and stones this way) but rather have found a nice patch of dirt in the back corner of my property for this use.

Do you need to use salt? Of course not! Do what resonates and rings true for you. If adding another mineral or stones resonates and rings true for you, then do that.

As far as the salted water harming ritual objects and such, again, the amount of salt is so minimal that this is unlikely. And remember, you’re only sprinkling the water, not dousing the object. If you are concerned you can always wipe the object down gently with a clean cloth afterwards.

Thanks for asking the question, Diandra. It got me to thinking! And if anyone else has an explanation for using salt, I’d love to hear it!

Blessing Water

At times during our rituals Blessing Water is called upon to cleanse, consecrate or bless the objects we use in our Sabbats or Esbats, especially those items placed on the altar. So with that in mind, I went searching for a way to make Blessing Water. Some ways seemed to simple, like not enough effort was put into them, and others were so elaborate that I'd be up half the night. So what I did was incorporate a little of both and come up with a way to make Blessing Water that called upon some effort by me and that was also simple to do.

Since Tuesday night was a full moon, I planned and set about making my blessing water . . .

Blessing Water Ceremony

You'll need: Spring Water and Sea Salt

On the evening of a full moon and before the full moon rises, set out your container of water.

At midnight, under the full moon, do the following ritual.

While performing the Three-Fold cross say:

"Oh, Great One, Lord and Lady of all that can be surveyed and not,
I call upon you and need your assistance in this moment.
I bring forth this water in which I request your blessings."

Hold up the container of water to show it and say:

"Bless this water with your wisdom, guidance, love, healing, purification and power."

Place the container on your altar. Hold your hands over it and say:

"I banish thee, O element of water,
of all negativity both seen and unseen,
and bless thee in the name of the Great One."

Imagine a brilliant blue-white light filling the water.

Hold up the container of salt to show it and say:

“Bless this salt with your wisdom, guidance, love, healing, purification and power.”

Place the container on your altar. Hold your hands over it and say:

"I banish thee, O element of the Earth,
of all negativity both seen and unseen
and bless thee in the name of the Great One.”

Envision the same brilliant blue-white light entering the salt.

Add three pinches of salt to the water and stir it three times in a deosil direction. Perform the Three-Fold cross over it and then with both hands, hold the container at eye level and say:

"I cleanse and consecrate this water in the name of the Great One.
May it enhance and purify all that it touches.
With the water so blessed, may this harm none,
With these final words, let it be done.
As I will it, so mote it be.
Blessed Be!”

When done let the water sit out under the full moon and collect it in the morning before sun rise.

Your Blessing Water is now ready to be poured into a pretty container for use in your rituals.