In the context of magical practice, charging refers to the process of filling an object with energy. We may simply be refilling energy that has been drained, but usually the energy is directed toward a specific intention. There are many methods to for doing both as detailed below.

Charging an item with your energy.

While it is common to choose spell ingredients whose energy already resonate with the energy of our intention, none come to the table focused on you. Every natural thing has its own unique energetic resonance, even between individuals of the same species or type. When we charge a spell ingredient, we are bringing the energy that is most useful from all of its many energetic layers to the surface. We are also exchanging energy with it and forming an energetic relationship to it.

For example: You may choose rose petals for your love spell based on your own cultural tradition of roses as symbols of romantic love. But a rose is not automatically just sitting there waiting for someone to put it in a love spell. Rose petals can be used for many things. Fancy celebrations, enhancing beauty, protecting secrets, upper class elegance, and they are a tasty garnish. So, you have to tell it exactly which energy you’re calling on. To do this, you spend some time sharing energy with it.

I like to take the object and hold it between my hands so that energy is flowing through it, not just into it. This helps you get to know your allies rather than just making use of servants. I relax and meditatively allow my energy to flow through the object so we can get used to each other for a second. Then, I tell it what my plan is and what its job is.

For example:

1. Hold the rose petals in your receiving hand and place your sending hand over them. You don’t have to squish or even fully cover them. As long as you can feel their energy, they can feel yours.
2. Take several deep breaths, inhale the fragrance, if any and think about the petals and why you choose to add them to your spell.
3. Tell them what you’re doing: “I call upon these rose petals to aid me in my working to bring two (name them) people together in romantic love.
4. Tell it its job: “Rose petals for attraction between these two.”

And you’re done.

If you have a lot of ingredients, you can line them up, do step 3 first and then proceed with steps 1, 2 and 4 for each individual item.

Charging by the Moon or Sun

You can use the moon or sun to charge certain items or finished recipes as part of your spellwork. There are simpler and more complicated ways to do this.

At its simplest, you can charge something like water with either solar or lunar energy by placing it out in the light of your preferred celestial lantern. This water can then be used for spells resonating with lunar or solar energy. I would still tell the water what its job is in the spell.

If you like to complicate things a bit further, you can take into account the astrological sign the moon or sun is in when you are making your moon or sun water. You do want to state your intention out loud when you place your ingredients in the moon or sunlight.

It is important when charging items this way to remember that sunlight can damage some things. Active constituents of herbs can be damaged by sunlight and some stones and other items can fade. When placing things outdoors, remember mosquitoes like to lay eggs in water and raccoons like to play in it. A sealed mason jar placed in a low, secure area should survive the night.

Charging Crystals

While it is popular to charge crystals under the light of the moon or sun, crystals are self-charging. They have their own energy that will naturally return to center if they are left to their own devices. While the added astrological energy can have an effect for a day or two,, your crystals will soon return to their natural energetic state. You should still tell it your intention and what its job is during spellwork.

Crystals should be cleansed periodically to allow them to do what comes naturally. Some crystals, can dissolve in liquid and thus it is best to cleanse them energetically. Sunlight and moonlight are great for this. Some crystals can fade in sunlight, leaving moonlight as the preferred option.

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