The importance of consecration...

[Melkor_Grimm]

I have read in a number of books that consecration is really important, and that every tool must be consecrated before use. Is this true or is it okay to use tools/altars/tarot cards etc without first consecrating them?

[TheWomanMonster]

I don't consecrate my tools.
But I do very little 'by the book' anyways.

[GoldenOak]

I have read in a number of books that consecration is really important, and that every tool must be consecrated before use. Is this true or is it okay to use tools/altars/tarot cards etc without first consecrating them?

If one is hoping to get his/her god/desses help when using the tools, I would consecrate them, dedicating them to him/her. If I were to ever only use my own energy with the tool, and wanted no divine help whatsoever, then I would think it wasn't necessary. But personally, I always consecrate and dedicate any new tools, etc to the Creator and ask for her blessing whenever I use them.

[~*Sacred*~]

I never went with that either. However I'm starting to understand it now.

My MIL is constantly giving me clothes for my daughter's and when I receive them (they are used) it's overwhelming stagnant energy and I won't let my children wear them until I cleanse them (literally and energetically). I didn't like help from this one stranger last week because he was in my space and touching "my stuff" (wow I sound officially insane now lol). These two incidences lately has really opened up my eyes on why it's important to get rid of the old energy on something and make it yours.

However, you don't have to and you may not feel a need to. When I buy something new I don't feel an energy on it, usually only if it's been in someone's personal care for a long time because they form a bond with it kwim?

[patch]

It's not a requirement, and it also depends on your tradition!

If you feel that consecrating an item would make it more useful/meaningful/effective to you, then go ahead and do it. The psycological benefits can be good as well as the spiritual ones.

[Solya]

If they have never belonged to someone else, I don't always find it necessary to consecrate them. They are mine to use and carry, so my energy will mix with theirs in time. It doesn't change the way in which I do my work. I do tend to spend a lot of time with a new tool or new cards to get a feel for them and to feel more comfortable with them. I think that's also a form of consecrating them, but not specifically to a deity.

When they have belonged to someone else in the past, I always cleanse and rededicate them. I try to take as little as possible from others tool-wise, because I don't feel comfortable using something another person has used for ages. My exception to the rule are things that I inherit from my family. They're bound to me indirectly and I feel like it pleases my ancestors when I use some of their items in my daily life.

[Lilrodrigues]

Think about it, why do you consecrate a tool and what is usually done when consecrating? Do those actions matter in your world? Only you can really answer the question if it matters or not.

I, for instance, do not consider my tools a focus point for my mind (i dont need tools for that since 70% of my neophite work was to discipline and control the mind), instead i see them as seperate entities of myself, some of which so developed that they seem to have a will and consciousness of their own.

I consecrate a tool to align it with its work and grant/ask for blessings upon it by my path's tutelary spirits. Its a cerimony that can be very simple, say, in a completly spontaneous fashion, or very complicated waiting years for a particular conjunction to occur. In a consecrating ritual me (and my helpers) are breathing the first spark of life into the tool. When such is happening, I usually carve or paint my name into the tool, the forces that rule it if any do, the tool's name, symbols of my craft and the tools craft and so on. The thing to realize is that in this setting I am actively forging a bond and magical partnership between me, the tool and the helping or even antagonistic forces. It is no longer a stick of X or a blade of Y but an entity into itself, properly empowered and named. The tool, as a magical tool and not just as a pretty ritual dagger/wand/whatever is born at the consecration ritual.

So, yes, for me, consecration isnt an option but a must do.

[Darth Brooks]

I have read in a number of books that consecration is really important, and that every tool must be consecrated before use. Is this true or is it okay to use tools/altars/tarot cards etc without first consecrating them?

I don't use tools; all I need for rituals is myself and my God. I only ever consecrate things when I feel there's a special need, or if someone I know asks me to.

[CelticMoon11]

I like to hold new tools and see any old bung energy being removed and my own energy filling it. I also like to "spend time" with my tools to get used to them and feel more connected to them. I cleansed a athame I purchased once off a psychotic jerk you could feel it dripping with his negative energy and he often gloated about "cursing" things before selling them to try and steal power from other people (like I said a weirdo). I made a paste of crushed powered bamboo and salt water to clean the blade and then left it under the full moon and charged it. It really depends on the situation and your beliefs

[Galen]

I would cleanse and consecrate a new tool the first time you use it, or if someone else has handled your tools. If you're the only person who has touched the tools and used them...I think you're a-okay.

[Sakurako]

I haven't consecrated any of my tools thus far, but I'm not too finicky about them as it is. I find just spending some time and using them is enough for me.