#saltmagic

Today, I felt a natural inclination to do protection work. Not because anything necessarily felt wrong in the moment but because I've realized that magic isn't only about responding. It's also about getting ready, safeguarding, and protecting the energy we've laboured so diligently to build. I wanted to centre myself and take ownership of my space as holy, and the tool I reached for? Something really, really simple and really, really underutilized: salt.

Salt has been utilized throughout cultures for centuries as a protection against negative energy and a means of cleansing environments. It's an emblem of the Earth element—grounding, cleansing, stabilizing. There's strength in its simplicity, particularly when combined with intention. I began by establishing a peaceful environment in my bedroom. I turned off most of the lights, lit a tiny white candle, and cradled a pinch of sea salt in my hand. As I focused, I pictured a safeguarding glow encasing me softly as a veil of gentle light. I proceeded to my window and door. my house's energetic portals and poured the salt slowly along the entrances. As I did so, I whispered softly a spell I had composed for the occasion: "With this salt, I draw the line. No harm may cross, no ill may bind.". This house is consecrated; this place is mine. So, mote it be, sealed by intent."

As soon as I'd done it, I took a deep breath and sensed that something had altered. Not dramatic—but there was absolutely no doubt that it had. The energy was lighter, and I felt more connected emotionally. I didn't feel scared or tense I felt strong. It was as if I'd re-drawn the line of where I stop and the world starts. I knew that protection magics wasn't about keeping everything out. It was about respecting your space, your energy, and your right to be in peace. There is magic in taking that back quietly.

Something I'm discovering as I dive further into my practice is that witchcraft can be powerful without being complicated or pretty. Even the most mundane objects—such as salt—are made sacred when you do something with them. The magick is in the intention. And today, my intention was clear: I guard my energy. I maintain my peace. This space belongs to me.

The Cleansing Power of Salt (thanks to Starlight Witch)

Salt has been considered a protective and cleansing agent, both physically and metaphysically.  A salt bowl in your home can absorb water, emit ions, and kill bacteria.  Some people like to buy fancy salt lamps for this purpose, but a simple bowl filled with salt can do the trick, too.

1. Choose a Bowl

Choose a bowl to use for your salt bowl.  You can go for something plain or fancy, whatever you prefer.  You could use a smaller bowl if you’d like to take up less space.

2.  Choose a Salt

You can use whatever salt you have in your cupboard, but I’ve found that industrially processed salt doesn’t feel “natural” enough for me.  It feels mechanical and somewhat lifeless.

I like to use natural sun-evaporated sea salt for my salt bowls.  If you’re feeling fancy, you can buy some black sea salt, pink Himalayan sea salt, kosher diamond crystal salt, Japanese big-flake salt, or any other kind.  If you don’t want to set out a whole dish of that kind of salt, mix the fancy salt with some good old regular sea salt.

3. Add Herbs and Oils, If Desired

Here’s where you can get creative.  Open your cupboards and peruse your spice rack and tea tins.  You can add anything to the salt.  It will add another aspect of cleansing to the dish..I like to add juniper berries to my salt bowl because juniper is a protective herb.  I also add cloves and peppercorns, as they are also protective and are known to banish negative energy.  I also like to add a few drops of essential oils, like tea tree, lavender, or thieves blend.Some people like to add garlic, rosemary, rue, bay leaves, and many other protective herbs.  Other cultures have been known to cut lemons or limes and set them in the salt.

4. Spell Out Your Intentions

I like to mix everything together with my fingers and speak my intention out loud.   I say something like, “May this salt cleanse the energy of my home and protect me from negativity.”  If you can go into an altered state at this point, do so.  Feel yourself become more cleansed, and align your energy with the purpose of the salt bowl.

5. Set It Out

Place your beautiful salt bowl somewhere in your home.  Some people like to place it out near the hearth or in the kitchen.  Other people like to put it near the door that’s used most often. Be conscious of the salt bowl.  When you pass by it, use it as a cleanser of your energy.  You can push negative energy into the salt bowl, or touch the salt with your hands to ground any errant energy.Other people like to place salt bowls in the corners of a room.  This can create a very magical-feeling space!  If you want to try this out, but don’t want to commit to four salt bowls, sprinkle salt from your main bowl into the corners of your room.  You can also sprinkle salt on your windowsills, as long as a pet won’t jump up there, and as long as the windowsills are not metal, which is susceptible to rusting in salty conditions.You can also sprinkle a little bit of your salt over the carpet and let it absorb for an hour or so before vacuuming it up.  It really does change the energy of the room!  A few things to consider: don’t eat this salt.  You charged it with absorbing negativity, so you don’t want to consume it.  Don’t leave this out in a place where your pets will come into contact with it.  When the energy of the bowl doesn’t feel cleansing anymore, it’s time to get rid of it. You can either tip it into the trash, or toss it outside someplace where you wish to prevent plants from sprouting (like the cracks between concrete).