Preparing the Body for Ritual

The following steps are recommendations based on my own magical practice. They may not be suitable for everyone or every practice, so feel free to adapt them as needed. The purpose of this preparation is to mark the practitioner’s transition from the mundane to the magical, attuning the body and spirit to the work ahead.

Begin by performing a cleansing of the body using a blessed or enchanted water of your choice[1]. Cleanse your hands first, then use your newly cleansed hands to “wash” the rest of your body. (Note that this cleansing is not actually intended to physically clean your body. It is a symbolic, magical action. Physically cleaning your body should be done separately, with separate water.) Using firm, sweeping motions, push any unwanted energies down and off your extremities, ensuring that nothing lingers.

Once cleansed, anoint yourself with the oil of your choice. Apply it to your hands, head, heart, and the arches of your feet as a symbol of magical power and protection. Dress in comfortable clothing suited to your work, along with any garb or jewelry that you typically wear for magical practice.

[1] There are many ways to cleanse the body magically and spiritually. Water may not be appropriate for practitioners who suffer from dry skin or other skin conditions, or for those who have strong reactions to sensory experiences. Alternatives to this practice include cleansing by fumigation, crystals and stones, visualization, ‘sweeping’ the body with cleansing herbs, using dry hands to scrub away unwanted energies and more. I wholeheartedly recommend that you do what makes you feel comfortable, cleansed and focused.