May I have one of the buttons from your shirt,
Or a lock of your hair?
I'm going to guess that your answer to that question would probably be no,
And for many good reasons.
This talk covers something that's behind one of those reasons,
Which is the law of contagion.
The law of contagion is a principle of sympathetic magic.
On a basic level,
Sympathetic magic is rooted in the concept of an interconnection between all things,
And the practice of sympathetic magic involves moving energy through these various channels.
Building upon this,
The law of contagion holds that when two objects come in contact with one another,
An energetic connection is established,
And will carry on going forward.
In the practice of magic,
This provides a direct connection for energy work.
Also,
This very connection is why relics are considered sacred in so many spiritual paths,
Even those that do not knowingly practice magic.
In many religions,
Relics are cherished and adored.
In some Christian churches,
Relics of saints are venerated,
And they are viewed as a direct connection to divinity.
In paganism,
Wicca,
And witchcraft,
Relics are also important,
And they consist of many forms.
For example,
Bones are representative of the element of spirit,
And they offer a connection to the afterlife,
The other world,
And serve as a bridge between planes of existence.
If you ever visit an antique store,
Spend a few mindful moments in stillness as you bring your awareness to the objects around you.
You will likely,
And often quite easily,
Be able to sense and feel a different energy when you are near various objects.
To some,
This feeling is quite pronounced.
Again,
This is due to the law of contagion.
Another example would be how some people find comfort and peace in possessing an object that was previously owned by someone they look up to or hold dear.
This is because of energy attachment.
While most would not likely worship this object,
They would indeed hold it sacred in their own way because of the energetic connection it holds to a specific person.
Such a connection will continue on until it is willingly severed or broken.
Accordingly,
This is why most people would be at least a bit reluctant to hand over or volunteer a lock of their hair to a complete stranger,
For it is often unknown what that person's true intentions might be.
While most people choose to work with the law of contagion in a positive way,
Such as in having an object previously owned by a loved one or in the case of relics,
Some will indeed choose to utilize this energetic connection as a vehicle for baneful workings.
This isn't meant to frighten you into being concerned as to whether or not your barber or hair stylist might be out to do you in.
Rather,
I am inviting you to consider that the flow of energy,
As well as the connective properties of energy,
Are quite real.
So in some cases,
Including the examples I just shared,
The law of contagion can and does work for us in a peaceful and constructive way.
In other cases,
This energetic connection can pose challenges to us,
And we may or may not be aware of these.
For example,
Knowingly coming into contact with or taking possession of an object that is known to be cursed is actively opening the door to trouble.
On the other hand,
Purchasing a teapot at a garage sale brings many unknowns into the mix.
If you are wishing to take in an object that has either a definitely dark or unknown past,
You will most likely find benefit from energetically cleansing it before it officially becomes yours.
This is critically important when acquiring objects that will be used as magical tools in your personal practice.
Even if they were not previously owned by another person,
We are still largely unaware of how the materials used to create the item were sourced,
Handled,
And formed into their current state,
And this doesn't even take into consideration the hands through which the object passed before arriving in yours.
This is in no way being judgmental,
Rather,
It is pragmatic.
In the case of a magical tool,
You'll want the energy of it to be 100% yours,
So you will definitely wish to cleanse it,
As you would likewise expect someone inheriting it from you to also do.
Energetic cleansing can be accomplished in many ways,
From simple to intricate.
As in all forms of magic,
The key ingredient will be your intention.
Some common ways of energetically cleansing an item include placing it under the light of the full moon for a period of time,
Cleansing it with smoke,
Such as burning herbs,
A smudge stick,
Or incense,
Or performing a sound cleansing with a singing bowl or bell.
The method used is largely a matter of personal choice,
And as long as your intention is strong and undeniable,
It will be effective.
In addition to the physical act of such a working,
It is also very beneficial to follow it with a statement of your intent,
Such as,
I charge this object in the name of the ancient ones,
The sun and the moon.
By the powers of earth,
Of air,
Of fire,
Of water,
And of spirit,
I banish the energies of any previous attachments,
And make it new and fresh.
I consecrate this object,
And it is mine,
So might it be.
With this in mind,
It is also prudent to in some way energetically cleanse yourself when you arrive home at the end of your day.
This can be done through any of the modalities I just shared,
And it is a good practice to get into,
Even if you do not have a strong feeling that any of your encounters were inherently negative.
It's much the same as washing your hands before cooking or enjoying a meal.
While most energies you come in contact with are not necessarily bad,
They still are not yours.
One of the most common carriers of energy is something we all come in contact with on a daily basis,
Water.
Water has a pronounced ability to absorb and carry energy.
For this reason,
Performing an exorcism on any water to be used in a ritual is commonplace in Wicca.
Again,
This is done in order to release any previous energetic attachments,
So that only the energy of the practitioner is in play.
This is also a good practice for drinking water,
And any water that will be used for cooking or otherwise consumed.
In conclusion,
I would like to emphasize that it is not appropriate or necessary for us to arbitrarily cleanse the energy of all objects and places around us or that we encounter,
Unless there is a specific and absolute need to do so.
If you visit a place where the energy is not a match for yours,
It's generally unwise to attempt to change or influence it.
Instead,
Simply leave that place and energetically cleanse yourself once you are away from it.
It isn't correct to assume that an energy is bad or evil simply because it is not in alignment with ours.
Generally speaking,
It is what it is,
And we are what we are.
Therefore,
It is always beneficial for us to keep our personal energy as positive as possible,
For we know not with whom it will eventually come in contact.
The crow flies from me to thee,
To send the message,
Blessed Be.
