Spiritual Protection Types, and Why We Need It So Much
Unless you are new, you have probably endured many witches and practitioners emphasize the importance of mastering protection. It is a lot like carrying a self-defense tool, you are preventing something from happening before it happens to you in your most vulnerable state.
DISCLAIMER: This is based mostly on my personal experiences and own research as a practicing witch. Everyone has their own methods, you do not need to agree with me.
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What is Spiritual Protection?
Spiritual protection takes several forms. It can be a crystal in your pocket, a jar, a sigil, a sign from a tarot card, a talisman, a ward, a bind, etc.
Basically, spiritual protection is ANYTHING meant to protect you, your loved ones, your sacred spaces, or living spaces.
First and foremost, we must discuss different categories of protection.
Not giving room for the energy to enter to begin with. Some of us know the shock of interacting with a negative energy all too well, and in my experience, any negative energy makes it stronger. This makes an influx of positive energy so much more important and valuable
I see us and spaces all as having a limited capacity for energy, just like we have a limited capacity for anything. If there is too much positive energy, there will be no room for the negative energy to enter, let alone negative energy for them to fuel themselves.
Getting rid of the bad/boring/used energy that no longer serves us is purification. Some of us will practice purification by smoke cleansing, which is my personal favorite. Others will use baths, or protective oils to purify their energy. Energy that has stuck around too long feels like monotony to me, and when I feel monotony, I always cleanse.
There are a couple of different ways you are able to defensively protect yourself from negative energy. Warding is my preferred method, so we will discuss that first.
A ward can be a metaphorical wall, or an energy sponge, regardless of how you use it, it keeps everything you don't want out. Wards have to be scripted or programmed beforehand, in my experience. The more detail/work you put into them, the stronger they get. You can make them like Jell-O, or like concrete. They can allow any energy, no energy, or only certain energies to enter.
The bounds to wards are endless, the only downside is trying to figure out when to charge them. (I recommend using the sun or moon to charge them, using yourself later on, charging them once a week). A more in depth post on wards is coming later.
Setting boundaries is another way to defend yourself, they allow us control in our relationships and interactions. They are exactly the type of boundaries you are thinking of, physical and mental (or psychic) boundaries. Developing strong boundaries is crucial to most relationships, not allowing toxicity to interfere with the beautiful relationship you have. Physical boundaries may be a salt line or circle, while mental may be shielding or cleansing.
I don't recommend beginners to start by working with offensive protection, unless absolutely necessary. I do not use offensive protection unless I genuinely feel that I am in harm's way.
This is a type of protection that will hunt the perpetrator down, regardless of whether or not it is a known energy or being. Sometimes simply casting chaos into the world is enough for the energy to leave you alone for a while, but other times, it is to keep the energy at bay. Hexes are considered offensive protection by some (me included).
This is simply reflecting the energy sent onto you back onto the source, the most simple "no you don't" in witch history. Most commonly, deflection is done through Return To Sender workings, and when the energy or being is returned it is stuck to them.
Some witches can sense when negative energy is on their way to them, others find out through readings. Mirror Boxes are great for deflecting, along with sigils or witch balls.
Divine or Spiritual Protection
Calling upon protective deities, guardians, familiars, etc. to protect a person or space can be done through regular offerings to them. The offerings signify you still need their assistance, but this can very from being to being. All different beings can be pinned against each other in the name of protection, just ensure that they are stronger than whatever energy is trying to harm you. Many will set up altars or spirit houses as a way to visualize the agreement to work with the beings, making it special to the energy.
Thank you for reading my post until the end, and I hope it helps someone who needs it.
I used my own experiences and this link to learn about all of the different types.
amandla
theartofmadeline
germansingergirl
