Question by Asdis: Pagans, how important do you feel it is to consecrate your tools?
I don’t find it that necessary or important in my practice, though I was wondering what other Pagans think on this subject.
Best answer:
Answer by trackman
Very important for me. I like to start off with a clean slate with my tools with no other energy from previous work tainting my rite.
It is important for me to focus.
What do you think? Answer below!
I’m agnostic, not pagan. BUT as a former auto mechanic and carpenter/handyman, I know the value of good tools. I never “consecrated” them, per se, but I always took good care of them. I would think that the “tools” one would use in a spiritual ritual should be honored and, yes, “consecrated” in whatever way is appropriate for the belief system.
Blessings on your Journey!
Consecrating a tool is primarily a means of saying, “I dedicate this tool to the purpose of serving X deity in X way. It shall serve no other purpose, and it shall be used to harm none.”
Some practitioners also like to spiritually cleanse theirs of any negative energies by burying the item in salt for a time.
Not all of my tools have been consecrated. I look on the practice as being primarily a means of focusing on one’s intent.
I consecrate my altars but I don’t consecrate my tools. The 1st time I use a tool, I bless it with the appropriate element and name it as my own. After that it’s just business as usual.
I think life is it’s own consecration, I only think that is necessary if I have difficulty focusing.
It helps to establish a special link to deity, and is a good
idea for personal altars in the home, etc…. however, it’s not
strictly necessary… you can always connect to deity no
matter where you are or what tools you may or may not
have.
You haven’t mentioned what type of paganism you are practicing. I’m assuming it involves an aspect of ritual magick if you are using tools.
I would have to ask you why you would want to re-invent the wheel? If centuries of ritual magickians have been consecrating their tools then wouldn’t you be curious as to why? Surely they must find some benefit to it. Even non-pagan mystics who use tools have consecrated them in some way.
There are many reasons I have found to consecrate, and subsequently bless tools before each use
– helping shift them from being mundane, often man-made, items to becoming a spiritual tool
– charging them with your Will
– asking for additional blessings from deities
– respecting the sacredness of ritualwork
All of this will help towards the psychological aspects of using them during ritual work. In a sense it’s a way to mark your bond with them… just like some chef’s find that a special tool helps the final product turn out well and thus jealously guard that tool from use by the “profane”.
This sort of ties in to this article by Isaac Bonewits – http://www.mysticapple.co.za/ritualoutline.html