We've talked about magical tools and altars to put them on. But before you actually use a magical tool, it's always a good idea to ground it (clean it of any energy that may be on it), and charge it (put your own energy into it). You should do this with all magical tools that you buy or make.

GROUNDING Grounding is when you remove all sick, moody, tense or unhappy energy from you or an object.

Go outside to ground if you can--the closer to nature you are, the better! If it isn’t possible to go outside, find a quiet place within your home. Hold the object that you want to ground in your hands. Close your eyes. In your mind, see both yourself and the object as being covered with a murky film (like a dirty window). Now picture a soft rain falling over you. Every drop washes away the film from you and from the tool you are holding. The energy rolls off you and into the ground where it is filtered by the grass and the earth beneath it.

When you can imagine the energy bright and clean, draw it back out of the earth and into yourself and your tool. Picture it rising up and into your body. When you are filled with this clean energy see it as a white light surrounding you. Hold that thought for a moment, and then release it, and open your eyes. Both you and your tool are now grounded!

CHARGING Now you're ready to put some of your own energy into your tool.

You're going to need the help of the five elements (fire, earth, water, air and spirit) to do this. Just as with any spell work, have everything you need close at hand so it's there when you're ready to use it. For charging, you'll need a small bowl of salt water (three measures of salt) which will represent water and earth, and incense which will represent fire and air (make sure that an adult is present whenever there are candles and incense burning--NO EXCEPTIONS!).

Dip your hand into the salt water and put three drops on your tool, asking the elements of earth and water to share their energy. Next, carefully pass the tool through the smoke of the incense asking the elements of fire and air to share their energy as well. Finally, breath on your tool three times, picturing your own energy entering it.

That's it! Till next time, have a magical Solstice!

BACK