the library: consecration
Consecrating is the act of removing any negative or residual energy from an item and infusing it with your own. One should always consecrate any tool or item that will be used in ritual or spellwork. Many Witches consecrate all of their ritual tools (athame, boline, cauldron, chalice, etc.) after they obtain them and before they use them in ritual. This is usually done for items used in spellwork (candles, herbs, oils, etc.) as well.
Many Witches like to re-consecrate their ritual tools periodically as well. At the Hearth, we like to re-consecrate our ritual tools as part of our Samhain celebrations. Considered by many to be the Witch's New Year, it seems a very good way to start off the new Wheel of the Year.
Once a tool or item is consecrated, it is opened completely to the energy of the consecrator. It shouldn't be touched by anyone but the one who consecrated it to keep the energy pure. If you do allow another to touch your tools, and they should not do so without permission, re-consecrating them before use in ritual is certainly a good idea.
Consecration is actually a two part process: First, the item is cleansed to remove any residual or negative energy. Second, the item is charged with your own energy and intention. In some traditions, such as Wicca, a third process of seeking the blessing of the God and Goddess can be part of the consecration process. This can be done many different ways. How simple or elaborate is entirely up to the consecrator and can be determined by the item itself. Items for specific spellwork, a candle for example, could be consecrated and charged simply. Tools used only in rituals, an athame for example, could be consecrated in a more elaborate way.
A meditative state is optimal whether you are consecrating simply or elaborately. A simple way to consecrate an item is to envision any negative or residual energy being washed off the item. Once you feel any previous energy has been cleansed, you can then consecrate it by envisioning your energy and intention for the item flowing into it. It can be as simple as that.
A more elaborate means of consecration could be to cast a Circle to invite the God and Goddess to guide and aid you in consecrating the item. Casting a Circle is a very personal thing. How you go about it is entirely up to you and your tradition. The following is intended as a possible guideline for consecrating once your Circle is cast:
"Within this sacred Circle, I offer this (name of item) to be cleansed, consecrated and dedicated to the service of the God and Goddess."
At this point, if it fits with your tradition, you can beseech the Elementals to purify your item by holding it up in the corresponding direction saying:
"I beseech the Element of (Earth, Fire, Water or Air) to purify this (name of item)."
Invite the God and Goddess to bless and protect you and your item:
"Great Goddess, bless this (name of item). Let it be an extention of your Power and bound by your Love so that no harm may come from it to any being."
If your tradition includes both the God and the Goddess, then you would repeat the above request for the God as well. Once this is done, you could beseech the God and Goddess for their blessing and dedicate your tool and yourself:
"Great God and Goddess watch over this (name of item) and me, I dedicate this (name of item) and myself to be ever in Your service. So Mote it Be!"
Your item would now be consecrated. If you are consecrating more than one item, then you would repeat the above for each item. When all of your items have been consecrated, you would close your Circle as usual.