Aspergillus

The aspergillus is used to asperge or purify the temple with Water and with Earth. It is sometimes known as the aspersorium. Symbolically, it is depicted here in blue-green to point to its place in the zodiacal northwest. Asperging is traditionaly done with Holy Water, that is, water magically charged and empowered. So purifying the temple adds two of the four-fold elemental cleansing, which together with censing makes up the four.

Sometimes a metal instrument is dipped into the water and sometimes a spring of plant is used such as palm, straw, or hyssop. "Purge me with with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Holy Water at its most basic is water to which salt has been added. The salt is essential, for it helps hold the magical charge. A complete formula for Holy Water would include special water, sea salt or Kosher salt, and perhaps some additional herbs or oils, to your liking. Rose water is a good choice. Only a little bit of salt or perfuming is needed.

The special water can be spring water, preferably from a shrine or holy well, such as Chalice Well or Lourdes, or from a special river such as the Jordan. You could also use rain water which is a natural form of distilled water. If rain water collects in a hollow stump, such "stump water" can be used. It has traditionally been considered to have magical properties.

TRADITIONAL BLESSING OF SALT AND WATER

I exorcise thee creature of earth, by the Living God (+), by the Holy God (+), by the Omnipotent God (+), that thou mayest be purified of all evil influences in the name of Adonai, who is Lord of angels and of men.

I exorcise thee creature of water, by the Living God (+), by the Holy God (+), by the Omnipotent God (+), that thou mayest be purified of all evil influences in the name of Elohim Sabaoth, who is Lord of angels and of men.

(Extend hand over salt.) Creature of earth, adore thy Creator. In the name of God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of Jesus Christ, His Son, our Saviour, I consecrate thee (+) to the service of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(Extend hand over water.) Creature of water, adore thy Creator. In the name of God the Father Almighty, who decreed a firmament in the midst of the waters, and of Jesus Christ, His Son, our Saviour, I consecrate thee (+) to the service of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(Cast the salt into the water.)

We pray Thee, O God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, and of all that is in them, both visible and invisible, that Thou mayest stretch forth the right hand of power upon these creatures of the elements and hallow them in Thy Holy Name. Grant that this salt may make for health of body and this water for health of soul, and that there may be banished from the place where they are used every power of adversity and every illusion and artifice of evil, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Using the Holy Water:

In the Name which is above every other name, and -in the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I exorcise all influences and seeds of evil; I lay upon them the spell of Christ's Holy Church, that they may be bound fast as with chains and cast into outer darkness, that they trouble not the servants of God.

PAGAN BLESSING OF SALT AND WATER

(Extend hand over salt.) Creature of earth, by the earth that rules thee, I cast out from thee all impurity (+) and consecrate thee to the service of the Light. (+) Amen.

(Extend hand over water.) Creature of water, by the moon that rules thee, I cast out from thee all impurity (+) and consecrate thee to the service of the Light. (+) Amen.

Using the Holy Water
(Cast salt into the water and use it with intention.)