This spell uses traditional elements such as horseshoe, horse brass and silvered water.
First, a little background on each of the items we will be using in this spell.
Horse Brass
Horse Brass are brass amulets traditionally used in the UK to decorate and help identify draft horses. They were used during the 17th century and now are collectors’ items used to decorate homes, pubs and other spaces. As a child, I remember growing up and having many of these around the house. Recently I found that they were used ascharms and protection amulets. “Horse brass were first used as amulets and not
primarily as decorations”(Pearson:198) While this spell uses an actual horse brass, other brass charms or even shells could be used in a similar manner employing them for specific purpose for the sea or water witch.
“The brasses used to decorate the horse trappings originate thousands of years ago in amulets designed to ward off evil influences and protect the bearer from all forms of negativity. Designs such as the Sun, Moon, Stars, Equal-arm Cross and Circle have been found on amulets dating from the Iron Age period in Britain and still appear on brasses today…”
(Pearson:154)
The brass I selected has a Rose, Thistle and Shamrock on it. The thistle and rose are sacred to me and the shamrock mirrors the Triskele with its three heart shaped leaves.
Horseshoe
When you first think about a Horseshoe you might instantly think of luck! It is popular folklore to associate both the horseshoe and shamrock with luck, in fact there are probably hundreds of thousands of tattoos with both! However, horseshoes have been used as protective amulets as well.
“Old horseshoes are of course seen a-plenty hanging on house and stable doors throughout the region, many having been placed there as protective devices many years ago.” (Pearson:199)
When visiting the UK in 2012 I stayed on a Barge, which is a narrow house like boat full of its own watery traditions, ghost stories and folklore. The Canal ways have their own style of art as well, which is full of stylized roses and often castles with sun, moon and other motifs. While I was on the canal, at one of the locks, there was a little village store. I stopped in and grabbed some local art; a painted pail, small boat and a painted blue horseshoe featuring roses in the canal folk art style. This has become a wonderful magical tool and furthers my connection with the water.
Silvered Water
In Scotland “silvered water” was often used by a Faery doctor to cure the curse of the evil eye. However, there are many accounts of silvered water being used to heal, cure, and used in other forms of magic “Silvered water was water into which silver coins had dropped; and it was prepared in a special way.” (McArthur: 119) The water was taken from a liminal place and the silver dropped in the water. For my silver water I chose to use my sacred vessel and a very special silver pendant I have had since I was 16. I acquired it in Scotland around Edinburgh and it features 3 thistle arranged in a similar way as the Triskele. I have it attached to a short silver chain which is perfect for charming and silvering water. We will start by creating silver water and move into our protection and luck charm.
How to create Sacred Water with Silver
You will need:
- A Sacred Vessel
- Distilled water, or water from a sacred source
- A silver coin, ring, or pendant
1) Start your spell by clearing your space, ground and center.
2) Consecrate your sacred vessel by holding it and saying… With my breath, with my heart and with my will I consecrate this vessel.
3) Place your silver into the bowl, and begin to pour water over the silver filling the bowl up.
4) Carry your sacred vessel outside and place under the light of the full moon for 1-2 nights or just let it sit for 24 hours.
5) Bless the water with a prayer or incantation, Nine times is recommended. Something similar to this will work.
Nine maiden of the sacred well
Bless this water
bless the well
in your sacred spiral swell
Bless this water
bless the well
6) Retrieve your water, label it, and store it in a mason jar with a tight lid. Now it is ready to use any time you need it!
Once your water is finished, dip your horseshoe into the water 3 times with the specific intent of making it a magical tool for either luck, protection or both. Empower and consecrate it in the same way you empower and consecrate your other magical tools.
When this is finished lay out your working board, cloth or altar space and place the sacred water on the surface and then lay the horse brass inside of the Horse shoe. Spend a moment getting your intent clear, cast your circle or lay your compass and call upon your deity’s or spirits. Then hold your hands over the horse brass and tell the charms with words what you are employing them to do. Now sprinkle the silvered water on to the charm, as you do this speak aloud to your spirits and ask them to aid you in your work and to lend their power to the charm and its intent. Be sure to give them plenty of offerings, you know what they like so be sure to give them their favorites!
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