Garlic and Salt in Khmer Folk Magic
Disclaimer:
There are some variations out there in the community
To Summarize: The garlic is for warding and banishing away negative energy, the evil eye, reversing curses and so on. Then the salt is for warding and cleansing away spiritual impurities, negative energy and so on. Sometimes, even reversing curses (all depends tho).
Garlic as a Protective and Banishing ward
"Ingredients"
Four Garlic Bulbs (Whole)
Twine
The elders I was around commonly used Cotton Twine but I personally, vibe more with Jute Twine.
Although, they both are associated with being a link to nature, they have some slight differences in symbolism.
Spiritual Context: Cotton Twine tends to be associated with purification, protection and being a connection to the divine and nature. Jute Twine tends to be associated with connecting with Earth; the natural world. Both, however---as in cotton and jute are considered natural fibers.
The Method:
String up the 4 garlic bulbs individually (not together)
But prior to that, I’d do things with intention or bless it first
Now, I'd go with your instinctive or intuitive approach for this but you'd want the twine to wrap around the garlic bulb where it forms 4 directional lines.
You should probably create a knot and have a string extended so that you can suspend or hang it.
Next Steps:
First things first, gotta bless it with protection haha activate it.
Like some people go to their altars and request assistance or protection from the respective deities or guardians.
After that, you will then go outside and suspend it at each corner of your house/condo/so on.
But, why exactly 4 corners?
Well, it all intersects with the cosmology of direction for architectural structures. It relates to the deities that rule over said direction along with the elements of earth.
For context, our practice is like a mix of folk beliefs along with Hindu-Buddhist influences.
Salt for Cleansing and Warding
"Ingredients"
Table Salt
Water
And my personal modification and preference only but....
Epsom Salt or Himalayan Salt
Lemons
Method Number 1
I’d set an intention or ask for protection or blessings first.
But for this one, you'd line up the table salt on the ground so, like across your front and back door.
It's to ward away any negative energies, unwanted energies, evil eye and even act as a layer of banishing spirits as well as reversing possible curses.
Method Number 2
You'd mix 2 tablespoons of "table salt" in a glass of WARM water but I’d also set an intention or ask for protection or blessings first.
Now people actually use this as a cleansing bath and then take a regular shower or bath after they do the cleanse.
To be honest, I'd personally only use on objects and structures as like a protective barrier or measure.
Likewise, personal preference but it's only because I wouldn't want to potentially irritate my skin, that's why.
For me, if I was to do an actual salt bath cleanse, I'd substitute "table salt" with Epsom Salt or Himalayan Salt but adjust the ratio. And also add lemons.
Same thing tho, I’d set an intention or ask for protection or blessings first.
Now, spiritually, Salt is for warding and cleansing away impurities, negative energy and so on. And Lemons are also for purification, protection and cleansing! It's also associated with abundance and wealth.
