#spark-enchanter

[spark-enchanter]

TW: Topic of blood in use of magic.

Blood in Magic

Blood is binding in magic. More-so than most other things. I am going to break down my understanding of basic blood magic in this post.

Blood in History (a very short, incomplete summary)

Through parts of history, blood was understood to be the life-force of a person. During belief of the four humors, it was said that those with blood as their predominant humor were in most health; with good constitutions; and maintained levelheadedness. This was true so long as the blood was not entirely out of balance. Once removed from the body, it dries up and turns brown, becoming dead. Even in "death," blood would be seen as valuable in medicine. There was value seen in the continuation of "good" blood, seen in the importance of bloodlines. Royals were said to have different blood than the layman. Gods were/are said to not bleed at all, as losing blood would be losing life-force, and they are believed immortal. There are even ritualistic blood substitutes that prevail today in use of modern religion.

Personal Take on Blood in Magic

Blood magic is binding magic. If one chooses to believe in blood as life-force for spiritual, religious, or historic practice reasons, then it holds ground for those reasons. Outside of those, I maintain it would continue to be binding as per magical theory. To explain this part of magical theory, blood is a genetic tag-lock. I am going to give my personal correspondences and belief systems around blood work so that it may be more easily understood by some.

Red: vitality, connection to the roots of life, activity, warmth/heat, power

Blood comes from the body red, and once removed for a long enough period, turns brown. It begins fluid and turns into something which crumbles like ash. If enough is lost, the living physical entity is considered dead themselves. With loss of blood comes a loss of vitality and activity, all warmth is lost from the body, and the connection to the roots of life are severed.

Iron: strength, protection, power, courage, conquest, mortality, binding force

Blood has a metallic taste which itself could be used as correspondence, but this taste comes form the iron used to create hemoglobin necessary for red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Without oxygen being delivered throughout, the body would not function. Iron is in celestial bodies, such as stars. It can be associated not only with the Earth, but with the universe as well. This well mirrors the physical body, and the spirit. (Stars that begin forming iron in their core are also on their way out, further associating with mortality with the material, aside form its association with blood.) Iron is fantastic in binding magic as it is commonly known as a strong, ungiving thing. (Not to mention its wide use historically and modernly in binding items such as shackles, chains, and cages.)

By using blood in magic, you are taking something which is vital for life, and integrating it into your work. Once it is used, the energy cannot be separated from the working, as you have given life energy to it that now belongs to the work. If used in fluid form, and it is your blood which is given, the energy is still tethered to you. Anything that contains your DNA is going to be a genetic tag-lock. This binds the working to yourself and your life-force, making the working inherently binding (a genetic tag-lock) on top of any conscious binding done in the working as well. If the blood is "dead" before the working, it becomes tethered to earthen energies of the area, and binds itself accordingly, unless consciously bound elsewhere, such as a designated object or entity. I specify conscious binding, but energies of blood may also bind itself elsewhere due to unconscious effort from an entity by means of emotional influence. Dead blood still contains DNA and has potential to be a genetic tag-lock. If this is not desired, I recommend setting the dead blood in the sun or in high heat for a few hours. This will break down the cells and allow it to be solely a component.

Because blood magic deals with life-force, it is considered very powerful and does take more to dismantle if the initial working was done properly. For the same reasons, I recommend practitioners are mindful when using this method in spell-craft, as unconscious binding may occur due to lazy, inattentive, or inexperienced energy practices. After the working has been completed, the effort it takes to undo a blood spell if you have a change of heart is very difficult and something to keep in mind before undertaking blood magic.

I will make more posts in the future that talk about the topic of blood in spell-craft, as I find the implementation and specifics fascinating. One such post will be a brief touch upon blood in protective magic, which I am excited for.

[spark-enchanter]

Energy, like most things, does not have gender. Energy has as much gender as colors and clothing do.

Association is different than inherent being. Association can be valuable/important for personal and cultural practices. Association still does not mean exact equivalency.

Just as various cultures and personal practices may have correspondences for plants that vary from each other, they may do the same with how they view gender as a construct and apply it accordingly. Gender is just that, a construct. How that construct is applied to magic remains as individual as anything in a personal practice, but is as necessary as someone trying to police an-other's body.

When you see a resource gendering energies, keep in mind it is not magical theory. Depending on the context, it can be valid, but it is not universal or necessary for witchcraft.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Himalayan Salt: mines in Pakistan, gets it's pink color for iron oxide

Also called pink salt

A natural salt

Himalayan salt is mined from the Salt Range mountains, in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Compared to table salt, Himalayan salt contains a wide range of elements as impurities. These include calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, aluminum, barium, silicon, and sulfur. On top of this, it contains lower sodium levels than table salt. Pink salt, however, is not healthier than regular table salt. Differences in nutrition would not be noticed without massive intake, and even then the dangers of the amount sodium would override any benefit gained.

It is believed that salt lamps release ions, and this somehow benefits the body. This claim has no base in science. As well, pets may get salt poisoning from having licked a salt lamp. Please use caution when considering have one in your home if you have pets who reside there.

Calcium: Calcium is the fifth most common element in the human body and has many uses within it, though most may know it's importance in bones. It is also the fifth most common element in the Earths crust, and third most abundant metal. This silvery colored metal is stable when in large mass but combusts when made small enough. It is also part of (what I think is) an interesting cycle. As mountains rise, stones containing calcium are exposed. Calcium is released in surface water as the stones are worn down by the environment. This is transferred eventually to oceans where the calcium reacts with dissolved carbon-dioxide and together forms limestone! These settle in the ocean floor and then become new rocks. For use, we mainly use calcium in the making of steel, though alone it is brittle. I associate this element with strength in being synchronous, one that crumbles or snaps if pressed from the wrong direction, continuous communication, and earthen energies.

Iron: Iron is in celestial bodies, such as stars. It can be associated not only with the Earth, but with the universe as well. This well mirrors the physical body, and the spirit. (Stars that begin forming iron in their core are also on their way out, further associating with mortality with the material, aside form its association with blood.)

Iron is fantastic in binding magic as it is commonly known as a strong, ungiving thing. (Not to mention its wide use historically and modernly in binding items such as shackles, chains, and cages.) I magically correspond iron to strength, protection, power, courage, conquest, mortality, binding force.

Magnesium: Magnesium is the fourth most common element found in the earth. It is found in aging stars and recycled into new stars after the supernova expels it. Magnesium protects itself with a thin layer of oxidization that is near impermeable, does not occur naturally without combination with other elements, and burns as a bright white light. I personally correspond this element to mortality, reincarnation, and as a tool for connecting to the spirit.

Manganese: Manganese is also believed to be created in stars and expelled in supernovas to be recycled. Hard and brittle on its own, manganese is used in metal working to improve the metal's strength, durability, and resistance to wear. Manganese is also used in coloring/pigmentation and has been used as such as far back as the stone age. It is important in bone formation and is also found in the liver, kidneys, and brain. I magically associate this with strength in perseverance and will, as well as expression of process.

Potassium: Potassium does not occur as its pure self naturally in the earth due to it's high reactivity. It reacts to both air and water; the reaction of water being highly violent. Potassium is necessary for all living cells and normal nerve transmissions. I see this element as potentially being used as a form of conduit for life force energies, though I admit I am not incredibly familiar with this elements uses in magic.

Aluminum: This element is soft, reflective, ductile, and non-magnetic. It's use permeates much of our modern lives and will be easy to find. I magically associate Aluminum with being solidary and unaffected by indirect forces, though easily affected by direct actions.

Barium: Barium does not naturally occur purely in the world due to it's high chemical reactivity. It is incredibly difficult to purify, and thus many of it's properties remain not accurately known. We do know it is soft, with high electrical conductivity. I am excluding magical correspondences for Barium due to my lack of knowledge about it.

Silicon: I am not versed with silicon or it's magical applications as of yet.

Sulfur: Also known as brimstone. This bright yellow element is necessary for all life; necessary for biochemical function and a macro-nutrient for all living things. It is used in matches, fungicides, insecticides, and black gunpowder. Very flammable, sulfur has been referred to in the religious context of hell: "Fire and brimstone." I find it interesting that sulfur is so needed for life, and yet is used for means of suffering or ending of life. I magically correspond this to the desire for control, the action of living and death (depending on use), as well as fire energies.

We have established there are no extra benefits to use of pink salt, as determined by science. Magically, use of Himalayan salt and such lamps as well, could be used in a way that nourishes life, vitality, and energetic strength. The mortal life and its connection to the spirit seems prevalent in the correspondences here, so perhaps keep this in mind. I also recommend doing some research into the area this salt is mined from. I believe this post is long enough without including the importance of the area.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Table Salt: mined from underground deposits, very processed to remove minerals, added iodine, added anti-caking agents

A Processed, Altered Salt

Unlike with rock salts, minerals that could energetically affect your magic have been removed. However, iodine and anti-caking agents have been added. Iodine is an element needed by the thyroid, and something that our bodies cannot produce. Necessary for our diet (iodine deficiencies are an issue), and present in a lot of seafood, I do not currently know how iodine acts energetically. I do plan on pursuing finding out at some point.

The anti-caking agents do just what they say, they prevent the table salt from clumping and caking, creating a lovely pouring experience during use. I am also unaware of their properties, but have no current inclination to find out.

Due to these things, table salt is not my preferred salt to use in magic. As far as I am aware, other salts are just as accessible when shopping, so I don't use it in my life. If you find yourself only able to obtain table salt, or only have table salt on hand, it will still do the trick of negating psychic energies. Table salt is not ideal for detail oriented craft however.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Dead Sea Salt: sea salt harvested from the Dead Sea

A natural salt

Dead Sea Salt is harvested the same as your typical sea salt. The defining factor is this salt comes from the Dead Sea. This salt varies greatly from salt extracted from oceans, and varies greatly depending on environmental factors of the area. The amount of rainfall, the temperature, the season, and the depth of harvest all affect the end product harvested. Compared to other salts, what differentiates this salt is the high levels of magnesium.

I would use this salt in ritualistic settings, times of spiritual transition or practice with goal of spiritual transition, and during times that warrant a great personal cleansing.

Below I give personal correspondences. I believe when it comes to correspondences, associations are what drives your energy into the direction it goes. I base this off of how I understand correspondences to have traditionally worked.

Magnesium: Magnesium is the fourth most common element found in the earth. It is found in aging stars and recycled into new stars after the supernova expels it. Magnesium protects itself with a thin layer of oxidization that is near impermeable, does not occur naturally without combination with other elements, and burns as a bright white light. I personally correspond this element to mortality, reincarnation, and as a tool for connecting to the spirit.

Dead Sea: The Dead Sea itself is a highly important factor. It's shores are at the lowest land elevation in the world, the sea itself being the deepest hyper-saline lake. Normally deep blue and unable to sustain life, the lake very occasionally turns a deep red after flood and holds microscopic life. The last time this happened was in 1980. Natural asphalt rises to the surface and was used by Egyptians during mummification. It has been used for trade, escape, and settlement. Multiple religious texts have been found around the Dead Sea, and multiple other religious texts mention this body of water. I personally correspond this body of water to removal of the physical, connection to the spiritual, unbinding, and great transitions.

See Below:

Sea Salt Resource Post

[spark-enchanter]

Attracting is to increase the availability of something currently unavailable. Manifestation is to bring to view what is already available.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Sel Gris: harvested from the bottom of tidal ponds off the coast of France, it is raked out after sinking

Also called celtic salt, gray salt

A natural salt

Sel Gris is harvested from the same salt pans as fleur de sel. The difference is that this salt is allowed contact with the bottom of the salt pans, which causes the salt's gray color. This salt is more moist (with 13% more moisture on average) and is courser than the delicate fleur de sel. Due to the high moisture, this salt does not draw the moisture away from food (what it is commonly applied to). The higher moisture does prevent this salt from drawing in as much psychic energy as other salts, but the energy retention is higher of the energies given to it outside of psychic energy in use of spell-craft.

The bottom of these salt pans are commonly lined with clay, tile, basalt, sand, or concrete. These linings keep the salt clean, and during harvest, there is care to prevent contamination. You may be able to find what type of lining is used in the pits your salt comes from by looking into the company that has produced your batch.

Below I give personal correspondences. I base these on not only chemical compositions, but more importantly, use. I believe when it comes to correspondences, associations are what drives your energy into the direction it goes. I base this off of how I understand correspondences to have traditionally worked.

Clay: A fine grain, natural soil containing clay minerals. Develops plasticity when wet, and becomes hard and brittle when dried or fired. The chemical composition breakdown would be long in list and correspondence, clay has an extensive history, and correspondence can depend on the type of clay and the method of use. Therefore, I am giving personal general correspondences for the category of clay. Magically, I believe clay is many in correspondence depending on the above factors. It can encapsulate transformation, destruction, will, immobility, binding, grounding, and of course earth (to name a few examples). When using clay for correspondence, consider the type of clay, the way you are using it, the state of matter it is in, and the end product of the clay you desire.

Tile: Tile can be made of various materials (which will affect your working if used). Tile also comes in many colors and patterns which will have the same variances. Magically, I consider tile to have general correspondence of barriers, both in a way of reflection and disallowing of adhesion.

Basalt: A fine grained rock formed from rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava that is rich in magnesium and iron, that is also exposed at/near the surface of a planet or moon. Basalt holds majority of volcanic rock on Earth, underlines most of the Earth's oceans, and can contain small amounts other minerals such as quartz. Basalt also holds majority of the surface of other celestial beings. For my personal magic purposes, basalt corresponds to grounding, courage, stability, support, and connection.

Sand: Sand is ground minerals, and can vary widely in composition, color, and type (ocean, desert, volcanic, pond, etc.). Therefore, I am giving correspondences to sand as a category, based on use instead of composition, though composition will affect your working and may be something to look into if you wish to practice pinpoint magic. For most, using general correspondences for the category will suffice. My personal correspondences for sand (depending on use) are foundations, interconnections, discomfort, insulation, grounding, the temporary, and the moment.

Concrete: Concrete is the most common building material today and is constantly being changed in composition, on top of there being many types of concrete. I suggest looking into the type of concrete you use as volcanic concrete will have different nuances to polymer concrete, for example. Concrete has high compressive strength, but low tensile strength. All concrete structures will crack to some extent due to gradual shrinkage and tension. Again, I am giving general correspondences for the category. My personal magic correspondences for concrete are compression, weight, stability, the constant, fate.

You may consider the location of harvest in your personal correspondences.

See Below:

Fleur de Sel Resource Post

Sea Salt Resource Post

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Rock Salt/Halite: mined from enclosed dried bodies of saltwater (deposits), has many impurities that vary depending on the area the deposit resides, this causes a large variety of rock salts with different colors, flavors, and names

A Natural Raw Salt

Because of the varying impurities in rock salts, it is not the most reliable of options if one prefers a detail oriented practice. Different impurities will allow for varying energetic use (impurities are often other minerals) that can be drawn upon by a practitioner. 

I find it easier to use salts labeled with the broad term “Rock Salt” for general use than for detail oriented practice, as there are ones better suited for such things. Many rock salts are indeed more specifically labeled by their type of impurity, and those are what I suggest working with so as to not interfere with intended energies.