Tool Blessing Ritual

     A purification of objects for ritual use and their transformation into
     magical items.
     [The area is prepared by placing a quantity of each element in the proper
     quarter, as well as preparing the altar in the usual way. If available, a
     cauldron (empty) is placed in the center of the circle.  Candles are placed
     at each  of the four  corners and  lit, progressing deosil  from the  east.
     Salt and  water are blessed, and  the celebrants are purified  with them. A
     magic circle is cast, and watchtowers summoned.  The god is then drawn down
     as follows:
     [The priest stands before the alter in the Osiris position, arms crossed
     across chest and feet together.   The Priestess kneels before him with face
     and arms upraised.] 

     PS:  Hephaestus, forger of magic,
          descend upon this the body of thy priest and servant,
          lend us the strength of your arms.
          Prometheus, shape of man,
          descend upon this the body of thy priest and servant,
          lend us your fire and foresight
          Morpheus, weaver of dreams,
          descend upon this the body of thy priest and servant,
          lend us your subtlety and vision
     P:   I am he, the shape-god,
          forger, builder, artisan, smith.
          With strength and craft I form the world.
     [The Priest helps  the Priestess to rise, and  she stands in the  center of
     the circle in the god position, extending her arms outward and down, palms
     facing forward.  The Priest kneels before her with head bowed.]
          Clotho, spinner of the strand of life
          Descend upon this the body of thy priestess and servant.
          Lend us your wheel of making.
          Hecate, caster of spells,
          Descend upon this the body of thy priestess and servant.
          Lend us the power of your magic.
          Aphrodite, goddess of love,
          Descend upon this the body of thy priestess and servant.
          Grant us eros, philos, aristos, agape.  
     PS:  I am she, the weaver-goddess,
          Painter, poet, sculptor, witch.
          With art and love I form the world.
     [The priestess extends her hands to the priest, and helps him rise. The
     priest  cups both hands  and scoops from  the cauldron, then  offers to the
     priestess.]
     P:   Drink now from the cauldron of Cerridwen, whose draughts bring
     knowledge, peace, and life.
     [The priestess sips from the  cupped hands, after which the  priest drinks.
     The objects to be blessed are taken from the altar by the priest and moved
     widdershins to the west quarter, and immersed in the water there.]
     P:   Spirits of the west, in water born
          In cool waters cleanse these tools
          And wash from them all hurt and harm
          This I ask, this charge I lay,
          By oak and ash and bitter thorn.
     [The objects are moved by the priestess to the south quarter and moved
     above the flames there.]

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     PS:  Spirits of the south, in fire born
          In shining flames purify these tools
          And burn from them all impurities
          This I ask, this charge I lay,
          By oak and ash and bitter thorn.
     [The objects are moved to the east quarter by the priest and moved through
     the incense smoke.]
     P:   Spirits of the east, in sweet air born
          In swirling winds polish these tools
          And sweep from them all phantasm and illusion
          This I ask, this charge I lay,
          By oak and ash and bitter thorn.
     [The objects are moved to the altar by the priestess, and placed upon the
     pentacle.]
     Ps:  Spirits of the north, in cool earth born
          In mother earth ground these tools
          And take from them all spirits dark
          This I ask, this charge I lay,
          By oak and ash and bitter thorn.
     [The person consecrating the tools now offers an impromptu or prepared
     charge to the items, stating their purpose and mode of use.  They are then
     taken up by the priestess and moved to the east quarter.]
     PS:  Spirits of the east, from the bright air come,
          Fill these tools with the swirling energies of the whirlwind
          Make them float like the breeze
          Spirits of air, hearken unto me,
          As I do will, so more it be.
     [The tools are now taken up by the priest and moved to the south quarter.]
     P:   Spirits of the south, from wild fire come,
          Fill these tools with the burning energies of the flames
          Make them glow with bright fire
          Spirits of fire, hearken unto me,
          As I do will, so more it be.
     [The tools are now taken up by the priestess and moved to the west
     quarter.]
     P:   Spirits of the west, from soothing water come,
          Fill these tools with the calming energies of the warm rain
          Make them flow like the tide
          Spirits of water, hearken unto me,
          As I do will, so more it be.
     [The tools are now taken up by the priestess and moved to the altar.]
     PS:  Spirits of the north, from firm earth come,
          Fill these tools with the ordering energies of the growing crops
          Make them flourish like grapes on the vine
          Spirits of earth, hearken unto me,
          As I do will, so more it be.
     [The  priest  takes  the tools  from  the altar  and  steps  backwards. The
     priestess stands at the altar  facing south towards the priest.  The priest
     extends  his right  arm  in parallel  to  the ground,  between  he and  the
     priestess, with the tools in his hand.]
     P:   I am the god, ever desiring.  I am the stag in the woods,
          I am the sun in the noonday sky, I am the lover in the dark.
          I offer passion, strength, devotion, and the swiftness of the hunt.
     [The priestess extends her right arm in like fashion, and places her hand
     over that of the priest.]

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     PS:  I am the goddess, ever nurturing.
           I am the tempting beauty of the maid,
           I am the quiet strength of the mother,
           I am the infinite wisdom of the crone.
           I offer life, love, warmth, and the fruitfulness of the fields.
       
      
     [Both step towards each other, and turn their hands and arms so the fingers
     point upwards, and the palms facing their own chest, cupping the other's
     palm between and holding the tools.  They clasp each other with their left
     arms.]
     P&PS: Male and female, yin and yang, light and dark, action and stillness.
           Apart we are forever incomplete, but together we form one.
           In our joining we are blessed.  In our union, the limitless energy
           of universe is released and captured here.
     P:    As I do will
     PS:   As I do will
     P&PS: As we do will, so mote it be.
     [The priest  and priestess kiss,  then release grasps.   If the  number and
     size
     of  the tools  precludes them  being held  in one hand  simultaneously, the
     latter
     charging section  should be repeated for  each.  The tools  are replaced on
     the
     altar.Cakes and wine are blessed and consumed, and a period of relaxation
     and rest follows.  The watchtowers are then dismissed, and the circle
     opened.]

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