As a Witch, I understand that to practice magick means to tap into and direct energy toward an intention. I understand that thoughts are not idle and words do have power. Emotion has energy with attributes that can be directed toward me (or from me toward others) in spellcraft. Additionally, there are spirit beings and elemental forces with whom I work (or do not) who are part of the unseen world within which my witchcraft takes shape and interacts. And not all of these spirits/beings/elemental forces are helpful or friendly. For these and other reasons, protection magick is (or in my opinion should be) a part of any Witch or magickal practitioner’s practice. So, let’s explore the concept a bit more.
Protection Magick: A Basic Definition
What is protection magick? Well, it can entail a number of things but the gist is self-preservation and/or the safeguarding of others. Looking after one’s holistic wellbeing. To this end, protective magick may be proactive where one creates amulets, or practices intentional setting of energetic or spiritual barriers around self, property, family, etc.
Protection magick can also be reactive. Spellcraft to banish/bind an individual or situation causing harm. There may be a need to cleanse/uncross if a person feels that a hex or curse has been thrown their way. Or protection magick may include the casting of a curse/hex (if you are willing to perform such spellcraft) at those identified as having destructive intentions toward you or your family that cannot be managed through mundane means.
Protection Magick: A Common Sense Kind Of Thing
Practicing witchcraft (or any magickal tradition) without a working knowledge of how to protect oneself is foolhardy, in my view. As Witches and magickal practitioners, we open ourselves to forces of nature, spirit, and the universe. We learn how to bend and shape reality to our will. But we must be wise to keep some things in mind:
- Not all Witches/Wiccans/Pagans hold to the same ethics (the so called 3-Fold Law, for example). We are not “people of the book” with set rules for all. And some practitioners will throw very real shade if you piss them off and not give a toss about “returns.”
- When you open yourself to spiritual realms you may attract unwanted attention that will need to be removed.
- You can pick up unintentional negative energy from a person, place, or object. Negative energy tends to be “sticky,” with the potential to adversely affect your life, family, work, witchcraft or magickal practice, devotional practice, etc. if allowed to remain.
- If you are a necromancer/medium/psychic, you may want a way to “turn off” spirit contact while at home or at other times.
Protection Magick: Ways to protect ourselves, our homes, etc.
In my view, the psychic shield is something we can (and should) surround ourselves with every day as our first line of defense. It surprises me when I hear people neglect this as part of their daily routine. Learning to visualize or sense a psychic shield can take some effort, but in time the shield can become an instinctive way to protect ourselves within a moment’s notice. To this, we can add witch bags, amulets, gris-gris, etc. We can layer protection where it is needed or how it can be most effective.
For our family, Ode and I cleanse the house through herb smoke and sweeping away negative energy with a besom. I make use of herbal shields through homemade cleansers, Florida Water, and the aid of plant allies. Then I will layer the house with an energetic ward. We have a relationship with the house spirits, asking for their aid in protecting the home. Finally, I make an offering to Frigga (to whom I am devoted), asking that She favor our family and home with Her blessing and protection.
Outside our home, we have set an energetic ward by placing four quartz crystals at each corner of the property. The spirit of each crystal is asked to aid in protecting the land. We have a relationship with the land spirits and ask for their aid in protecting the land upon which our home resides. We set protective runes on the doors. And we make sure this protection (both inside and out) extends to the physical/spiritual/energetic level.
These are simple, magickal steps we take (some as ritual, some added to mundane cleaning) to protect our home. And it is worth the extra time and energy to do it. Which is the point, I suppose? That it is better to be prepared than caught unaware.
Making An Amulet
So, what is an amulet? An object or piece of jewelry one carries, imbued with the protective power against danger, evil, disease, etc. A person can make an amulet using wood, clay, metal, stone. They can write or inscribe the piece with runes, incantations, or symbols. If you have the time, I recommend making an amulet in this manner so that you can infuse every part of its creation with protective energy from start to finish.
For our purpose here, I recommend choosing a necklace or bracelet that has a stone(s) with protective qualities such as Black Tourmaline, Tiger’s Eye, Hematite, Smokey Quartz, etc. If it is already attached to a pentacle or protective rune more’s the better. If you don’t wear jewelry, choose a loose stone that you can carry in a pocket or small bag. Be sure the stone (I’m an animist so I ask) is willing to work with/for you in this way.
Creating A Protective Amulet
You will need:
- Object (stone or jewelry piece)
- White Candle
- Incense (recommended – frankincense or dragon’s blood)
- Dried or fresh sprigs of rosemary or lavender
- Salt
- A small dish of water
- A cauldron (or heat-safe container), charcoal for incense, and matches
Basic Ritual/Spell Instructions:
Cast a circle.
Call in quarters, elements, and/or deities according to your tradition or practice.
Light the candle.
Light the incense in the cauldron.
Sprinkle a small amount of the salt into the water.
Pick up the sprig of rosemary or lavender. Ask for the plant spirits aid in strengthening the protection of the amulet. Then drop the sprig into the water.
Pick up the amulet. Hold it in your hand and see/feel the protective energy of the stone. Ask the stone spirit to aid in protecting you. Ask the stone spirit to receive the strength of rosemary or lavender, to receive the amplification of its protective power through your magick.
Pass the stone/piece of jewelry through the smoke of the incense invoking the power of Air to bless and consecrate the amulet to its purpose. Pass it through or above the candle flame (with caution) invoking the power of Fire to bless and consecrate the amulet to its purpose. Dip your fingers in the bowl then lightly touch the stone/piece of jewelry invoking the spirit of Water to bless and consecrate the amulet to its purpose. Dip your fingers in the bowl again then lightly touch the stone/piece of jewelry invoking the spirit of Earth to bless and consecrate the amulet to its purpose.
Focus on building protective energy and fill the stone/jewelry piece with it.
Breathe on the amulet nine times, sealing the amplified protective energy within.
Speak an incantation. Example: “My protection, your task shall be. From this day forth, so mote it be.”
Thank the amulet for its protection. Put the jewelry piece on, into your pocket, or within the bag in which you will carry it.
Release the quarters, elements, deities or whomever you may have invited to join your circle/aid in your spell.
Release the circle.