Protection
Magical protection is a very important subject. I don’t want to sound paranoid, but there are so many scary people in the world. It is therefore a good idea to protect ourselves in as many ways as we can. Using a magical form of protection does not give us permission to be reckless, however. No matter how magically protected you may be, never leave your doors unlocked or your windows open at night thinking that only magic will keep you safe. Magic is very powerful, but if you ask for trouble, trouble is going to try to find you. It might not be able to harm you right now, but why create a situation where you have to maintain overwhelming eternal vigilance? Always use common sense and mundane safety measures whenever possible. Magical protection can be used as an added advantage, but it can’t be your only defense. Now that my rant is over, let’s look at some simple protective measures you can take.
Brews
Salt has been used in ceremonies for centuries; its protective and cleansing qualities are well attested. There is, however, a secret to using salt effectively. That secret … is water. The explanation behind salt’s protective and cleansing abilities is that it helps to diminish unwanted electrical and psychic energies. By itself, salt is usually not enough, as it does not conduct electricity (nor is water by itself.) When they are combined, however, something magical occurs, and saltwater becomes a conductor of electricity. So, to be optimally effective magically, salt and water must be combined. Many people do not know this, and choose to use them separately with diminished results. I have heard about many people salting their windows for protection, but it won’t be as effective as possible if water isn’t included. To get the most out of your salt, it must be combined with water either as saltwater or at least as dampened salt.
The snag with using saltwater is that it dampens and dries salt out. Once it has dried, its effects are again diminished. If you wish to use salt as a protective tool, it is a good idea to make a large batch of saltwater and charge it with protective energy. Then pour it into small glass or ceramic bowls or cups, and place one in each room of your home. You will have to check every so often for evaporation. When it happens, add some freshly made and charged saltwater.
Protection Potion
Another option for basic protection is to brew a protection potion. A protection potion can be made from the following items:
Brew these ingredients into a “tea.” When it has cooled, charge it for protection and keep it in a glass bottle. To use the protection potion, sprinkle it on doors and windows and anoint yourself with it as if it were an oil or perfume. This potion offers portable personal protection that’s less noticeable than an amulet. You can sip a little bit of it to infuse yourself with protective energies, but it doesn’t taste all that great—it’s green and salty!
Oil
The following oil can be worn on the body for personal protection; you can anoint your wrists, third eye, and the back of your neck. It can also be used to anoint candles used in spellwork or objects (if safe to do so without damaging) that you wish to be protected from harm or theft.
Protection Oil
Pour the oil and herbs in a pot and heat over low heat until you smell the herbs in the air, then remove from heat. Allow the oil to cool completely and then strain it into a jar. Charge the oil with your intent for protection.
Powder
Protection powder can be sprinkled around the outside of the home to offer protection to its occupants, as well as in cars or around objects you wish protected. It can also be poured into a black or red charm bag and carried as an amulet of protection.
Protection Powder
Grind the herbs together into a powder. Stir in the cornstarch to bind them all together, then bottle and charge the mixture with your desire for protection.
Charms
If you want to make simple and effective protective amulets, there are some options.
Rosemary Wreath
Take the three fresh rosemary sprigs and tie the stems together at one end with white thread, then begin to braid the stems together until you reach the end. When you have finished braiding, tie the other end together with black thread. Lastly, tie both ends together in a loop with the same thread. Charge the sprigs as an amulet of protection and hang it in your home, either in the kitchen or over the front door.
Autumn Gourd Wards
Gourds have protective abilities, and they are easy to find in stores for use as decorations in autumn. Turning them into protective wards to guard your home is a perfect subtle means of magical protection. You can set some in each room, and everyone will think they are ordinary decorations for the season. You will need:
Your cord will need to be long enough to be tied in a loop and placed around all the gourds in a circle. Place the altar cloth on the floor or use a table. Set the cord loop on the altar space. Place all the gourds within the loop. Set the candles at the back of the altar space, one on each side. Settle yourself in front of the altar space and light the candles. Close your eyes, and visualize yourself and your working area encased in a glowing orb of electric blue energy. See this energy extend around you in a circle large enough to work in. When ready, open your eyes and hold your hands over the gourds. Sweep your hands over the gourds in a clockwise circle and send energy into them, visualizing that they are being joined together with white light like a magical chain. Chant this spell:
Autumn gourds with hardened shell,
Linked as one to guard me well.
Join together, form a shield;
Protection power you now wield.
Now you can place a gourd or two (or more) in each room of the home and even intermingle them with other decorations.
Foods
One handy (if stinky) item you should always have on hand is the onion. These vegetables have the ability to absorb negativity, and if you suspect that your home is haunted, you can place two halves of a cut onion in the suspected center of the haunting—the room in which you feel the most uneasy. Leave the onion there for at least twenty-four hours. If the onion begins to weep and ooze (instead of drying up), it is a sign of negative spiritual energy and haunting. A word of warning: this procedure will result in the room smelling very oniony. The air will be stinging to the eyes. Afterwards, it is a good idea to thoroughly air out the room.
Some foods can be eaten to alter your body’s energy and give you a stronger aura of protection. Some good choices include chili (beans, garlic, onions, and peppers are strongly protective), blackberries and blueberries, and corn.
Following are some recipes that incorporate these ingredients.
Protection Shield Chili
Rinse and strain the beans and place in a large pot with fresh water. Boil beans until tender (usually 1 to 2 hours), adding more water if needed. Meanwhile, sauté the bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a pan with the tablespoon of oil until very soft. Then, add the seasonings, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. When the beans are tender, drain any excess liquid and add the sautéed onion, garlic, and pepper mixture to the beans. Now add the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Hold your hands over the pot (high enough to avoid steam burns), and move them in a clockwise circle while sending your energy and intent for protection into the chili while saying this spell:
Gifts from earth, this precious food;
When eaten, the protection energy is
Released and revealed.
The magical energy now imbued
And charged to strengthen my spiritual shield.
It is now ready to serve.
Blackberry and Blueberry Blend
Rinse the berries thoroughly. Next, toss them with the sugar in a bowl. Place your hands over the bowl and move them in a clockwise circle over the fruit while sending your energy and desire for protection into them. Chill for at least 2 hours to allow the berries to absorb the sugar before serving.
Roasted Corn on the Cob
Peel back the husks on the ears of corn and remove as much of the corn silk threads as you can. Rinse in water to remove any dirt or loose bits of corn silk. Rub each ear with about 1 tablespoon of the butter; it is easiest to just rub the stick of butter on the corn. Fold the corn husks back up over the ears and charge each one with your desire for protection. Wrap each ear individually in aluminum foil and place on a pan in a 400 degree oven or on a barbecue grill, and roast for 25 minutes. Serve with an additional tablespoon of butter.
Witch Bottles
Though witch bottles (also known as spell bottles) have been used for protection and sending negative energy back to its source for centuries, the original recipes for their construction usually contain some unsavory or dangerous ingredients. Urine and mercury—among other things—aren’t the healthiest items to be working with, so newer, more modern formulae have been created over the years which are equally effective without the unpleasantness. The following witch bottle is quick to create and very effective.
Protection Spell Bottle
In a pot, heat the water to just boiling, then remove from heat and toss in the rosemary. Cover and let stand until it has completely cooled. Once the rosemary infusion has cooled, you may begin. Light the candle. Place the garlic, straight pins, and lock of hair and/or nail clippings in the jar, along with the rosemary sprigs from the pot. Next, carefully pour the rosemary infusion into the jar over the rest of the ingredients.
Secure the lid on the jar tightly. Hold the jar in both hands while focusing on a feeling of safety and protection. Send white light from your hands into the jar until it feels full. Now pick up the candle and carefully drip wax all over the jar lid until it is completely covered, in order to seal the spell. Once the lid is covered, hold the jar in both hands again and say:
Witch’s bottle of herbs and pins,
Absorb and pierce harm sent to me.
Protect me now from evil and danger,
And as I will, so mote it be.
Take the jar and hide it somewhere in the home, bury it in the ground, or place it beneath the bricks of the hearth. These are the traditional places to leave the bottle to do its work.
Shopping List
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❏ Aluminum foil |
❏ Cloves |
❏ Peppermint |
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❏ Basil |
❏ Cords, black (yarn or twine) |
❏ Onion |
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❏ Bay |
❏ Corn |
❏ Rosemary |
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❏ Bean soup mix (13 bean) |
❏ Cornstarch |
❏ Sage |
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❏ Bell pepper |
❏ Cumin |
❏ Salt |
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❏ Blackberries |
❏ Dill |
❏ Straight pins |
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❏ Black pepper |
❏ Garlic |
❏ Sugar (granulated and light brown) |
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❏ Blueberries |
❏ Gourds |
❏ Thread (white and black) |
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❏ Butter |
❏ Marjoram/oregano |
❏ Tomato sauce |
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❏ Candles (white, black, and red) |
❏ Mason Jar |
❏ Vegetable oil |
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❏ Chili powder |
❏ Parsley |