The need for Purification

Cleansing at all levels is paramount

Purification and cleansing are often overlooked subjects when examining most magical work. It is a form of preparation, a necessary step to any serious act of magic, whether that be a divination, a spell or some ritual for a greater purpose. It brings mental clarity and spiritual purity, along with the more basic physical cleanliness. If you were going on a date, you would wash and brush up and put on your smart, clean clothes. Meeting the spirits or gods requires just as much preparation. In some ways, it is only polite. Psychologically, cleansing and purification are a comprehensive way of bringing us to a focus point in the present moment, grounded and centred, ready to take the next step in our work. It releases thoughts, energies or emotions that may be distracting us and pulling our attention away from being right here, right now.

Self-purification

Before any important ritual, I was always taught to take a saltwater bath. Salt has long been considered intrinsically pure, and mixing it with water is the first step in producing the magical ‘holy water’. The grimoires often advise putting the herb hyssop into the bathwater as well, but this is a more advanced step than we need right now. Even if you skip the salt and herbs and use a nice bath wash and shampoo for your hair, you will arise, fresh and sparkling, ready for your work. Fasting is yet another tool in the purification tool-set. Before starting a fasting regimen, I recommend consulting your Doctor to ensure that you can fast safely and healthily.