Consecration is making somethingâa tool, spirit vessel, etcâsacred and imbue it power so that it can better serve the witch. This ritual is specific to working with animal bones and the departed spirits of those bones, especially skulls.
⢠Animal skull (other bones might work)
⢠Something to cleanse the bones spiritually
⢠Honey, chamomile, + poppy seeds (optional)
⢠Representations of the elements e.g. incense, water, dirt, candle
1) Cleanseâ First cleanse the bones physically, whether that means maceration, degreasing, whitening, or simply giving them a quick wipe-down or dusting. Then, cleanse them spiritually with whatever method you prefer. I use a cleansing incense.
2) Passing Onâ Death is probably disorienting, and Iâve worked with animals whoâve been shot by hunters or struck by cars so oftentimes I try to appease them or give them a sense of rest before trying to work with them. I was inspired by @shroud-of-rosesâs Sweet Passing Potions recently and combined chamomile, honey, and poppy seeds to create an offering to subdue angsty spirits and sweeten their dispositions. The âpassingâ part also ties into the next step.
3) DeathâShroud the skull and place it away, or preferably bury it in the Earth. Leave overnight. In life, we experience plenty of deaths. These enable us to leave something old behind and embrace the new. For our bones, this creates a clean slate and allows you to refocus them to your new purpose.
4) Rebirthâ Smile as you sprinkle a holy water or holy oil onto the bones and welcome them to their new life.
5) Invitationâ Ask the departed spirit to bind itself willingly to the bones, so that you may work with it and have it as an ally. Use whatever methods of communication you need, and anything to invoke the spirit. If the specific spirit doesnât want to work with you, let it go. Invite another of itâs species in its place.
6) Blessingâ Bless the bones with the four elements, and then imbue it with new life by blowing air and emptying your lungs three times, visualizing your energy going into the bones.
Make sure to give your spirits regular offerings and cleanse their vessels! Itâs very important that you take care of them for, well, the rest of your life unless you deconsecrate them. I find that they can make great allies for divination, spell-working, or protection. Consecration isnât something to take lightly, you have a responsibility to the beings youâre working with. But that being said this is an awesome way to get into spirit work.
**I learned this process from Sarah Anne Lawlessâs blog and have adapted it for my own practice.**
