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Authors: Christian Day
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in the cauldron to see visions of the dead in rites of necromancy, which you'll learn about in chapter 9 . Just be careful not to allow too much fire, and be sure to place the cauldron on a ceramic tile so as not to damage your altar. As with any fire, whether candle or cauldron, never leave it unattended. The cauldron itself is a symbol of Water, but when we add the element of Fire, we combine the powers of divine masculine and feminine to ignite the spark of life—attracting the dead like moths to a flame.
Spirit Incense and Burner
It is good to keep powdered spirit incense to burn over charcoal in an incense burner. I recommend my Necromancy Incense, which is listed in appendix A . Incense further carries your will and intention into the realms of spirit. I prefer granular incense that is sprinkled onto a disk of charcoal within a small pot or cauldron. Stick incense is acceptable as well, as long as it contains ingredients of spirit such as wormwood, copal, dittany, and myrrh. If you're using a burner with powdered incense, add a bit of sand to the bowl and place a ceramic tile underneath it so the heat from the charcoal doesn't damage the bowl or the altar.
Spirit Powder
Spirit powder is used to create a boundary of sacred space. You sprinkle it much like some traditions of magic would sprinkle salt, in an area—preferably circular—around where you're going to be doing your magic. There is a powerful recipe for this in appendix A . As you'll learn in the chapter on necromancy, it's important to create boundaries through which only benevolentspirits may pass. There are energies out there that are not conducive to your work, and using a barrier of spirit powder creates both a physical and spiritual boundary through which only that which is true and pure shall enter!
A Jar of Honey
Honey is one of the best ways to sweeten your relationship to the spirits. It is one of the oldest ways in history to honor and make offerings to the dead—so much so that it should always be on your altar.
Skeleton Keys
Skeleton keys, especially those once used by people who have passed over, can also open doors to other worlds. In New Orleans Voodoo, Papa Lebas (who corresponds to the Haitian Legba) is the keeper of the crossroads, often represented by Saint Peter with his equilateral cross of keys. Having them on the altar symbolizes the opening of doors.
Anointing Oil
Use anointing oil to bless ritual tools, statues, the skull, and your person in the ritual space. See appendix A for a recipe for anointing oil.
Candles
Some Witchcraft traditions observe strict guidelines on what candles should be where on an altar, but the ancestral altar is flexible. Typically, the candles on the altar at HEX are seven-day candles in glass, decorated with imagery of various ancestors, deities, or magical intentions. If you don't have such candles, simple white and black candles will do. A white candle on the right of the altar sends out energy and honors the dead, while a black candle on the left draws in universal light and wisdom.
There are many more tools that you can incorporate into your magic that are beyond the scope of this book, but I urge you to personalize your magic by seeking those items that speak to you, draw upon your own ethnic bloodlines and traditions, or are essential symbols of those spirits you are hoping to build relationships with. Just as you get to know your friends in this world, get to know your new friends in spirit and discover what they relate best to!
5
Banishing and Exorcism
Working with the dead opens doorways to other worlds. It rings a bell that lets the spirits know that you're here and ready to work with them. Unfortunately, you aren't just alerting spirits that you may actually want to work with; you're also getting the attention of some that might not be so friendly. Those kinds of spirits love to cause trouble. Some may already be lying dormant around you, silently creeping about your home, waiting
Spirit Incense and Burner
It is good to keep powdered spirit incense to burn over charcoal in an incense burner. I recommend my Necromancy Incense, which is listed in appendix A . Incense further carries your will and intention into the realms of spirit. I prefer granular incense that is sprinkled onto a disk of charcoal within a small pot or cauldron. Stick incense is acceptable as well, as long as it contains ingredients of spirit such as wormwood, copal, dittany, and myrrh. If you're using a burner with powdered incense, add a bit of sand to the bowl and place a ceramic tile underneath it so the heat from the charcoal doesn't damage the bowl or the altar.
Spirit Powder
Spirit powder is used to create a boundary of sacred space. You sprinkle it much like some traditions of magic would sprinkle salt, in an area—preferably circular—around where you're going to be doing your magic. There is a powerful recipe for this in appendix A . As you'll learn in the chapter on necromancy, it's important to create boundaries through which only benevolentspirits may pass. There are energies out there that are not conducive to your work, and using a barrier of spirit powder creates both a physical and spiritual boundary through which only that which is true and pure shall enter!
A Jar of Honey
Honey is one of the best ways to sweeten your relationship to the spirits. It is one of the oldest ways in history to honor and make offerings to the dead—so much so that it should always be on your altar.
Skeleton Keys
Skeleton keys, especially those once used by people who have passed over, can also open doors to other worlds. In New Orleans Voodoo, Papa Lebas (who corresponds to the Haitian Legba) is the keeper of the crossroads, often represented by Saint Peter with his equilateral cross of keys. Having them on the altar symbolizes the opening of doors.
Anointing Oil
Use anointing oil to bless ritual tools, statues, the skull, and your person in the ritual space. See appendix A for a recipe for anointing oil.
Candles
Some Witchcraft traditions observe strict guidelines on what candles should be where on an altar, but the ancestral altar is flexible. Typically, the candles on the altar at HEX are seven-day candles in glass, decorated with imagery of various ancestors, deities, or magical intentions. If you don't have such candles, simple white and black candles will do. A white candle on the right of the altar sends out energy and honors the dead, while a black candle on the left draws in universal light and wisdom.
There are many more tools that you can incorporate into your magic that are beyond the scope of this book, but I urge you to personalize your magic by seeking those items that speak to you, draw upon your own ethnic bloodlines and traditions, or are essential symbols of those spirits you are hoping to build relationships with. Just as you get to know your friends in this world, get to know your new friends in spirit and discover what they relate best to!
5
Banishing and Exorcism
Working with the dead opens doorways to other worlds. It rings a bell that lets the spirits know that you're here and ready to work with them. Unfortunately, you aren't just alerting spirits that you may actually want to work with; you're also getting the attention of some that might not be so friendly. Those kinds of spirits love to cause trouble. Some may already be lying dormant around you, silently creeping about your home, waiting
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