Before you proceed:
In my framework of magical thinking, the magician is part of an ecosystem of spirits.
Within this system, the magician seeks to establish meaningful connections of mutual trust, respect, exchange and curiosity.
In the following threshold ritual, you will open a channel/mouth/passage through the back door of your home.
With a gesture of trust, curious spirits are invited in, whereas noxious/stagnant presences are released and invited to find their way elsewhere.
You will need:
The ritual:
On a cloudy afternoon or evening, ideally with a summer storm approaching*, open your back door or designated door/window which lies on the opposite side of your entry door. Close all other doors and windows behind you.
Near the treshold, but still inside the house, set up your incense burner with burning coal on a small stool or table. When you feel ready, take a few pieces of myrrh with the tongs, place them on the charcoal. When the fumes begin, move back and sit down on the floor at a meter or two from the burning myrrh.
Part I: tuning in
Watch as the fumes get exhaled/inhaled by your house/home. Observe the colours and textures of light and dark inside and outside the house. Listen to the wind hissing in the trees, through the streets, or any bird or animal or child whose screeching happens to travel on the wind. Don't interpret or attach any meaning to what you hear or see, just acknowledge.
Part II: invocation/release
When you feel ready, get closer to the stool. Add more myrrh. Place your hand in the air inside the fumes. Twirl your fingers through the fumes as you read the following text:
To all spirits curious about this house
And all that happens within,
All spirits who have lingered
Outside the threshold of my home:
Be welcome.
Enter through this open door,
Enter on these fumes
Inspire me.
May this home be
A temporary refuge,
A place of inspiration
And mutual exchange.
To all spirits entrapped in this house
And ensnared in my body,
To all spirits who have tried
In vain to leave this house:
You are free to return.
I allow you to exit
Through this open door.
Leave on these fumes.
Rise up and find
your true homes.
Part III: sealing the door
Remove the stool and incense burner and put it somewhere safe.
In this last part, you will "seal" the door with your body. To do this, form a cross in the foor frame. Lift your hands to the two upper corners, your two feet to the lower corners of the frame, facing the outside world. Close your eyes and stand like this for a while.
Now turn around and do the same (hands in upper corners, feet in lower corners of door frame) while facing the inside of the house. Close your eyes and stand still.
When ready, leave the door ajar for a while, or close completely.
*Note: if the wind is already raging or building up, or thunder can be heard, do not start this ritual anymore.
In my framework of magical thinking, the magician is part of an ecosystem of spirits.
Within this system, the magician seeks to establish meaningful connections of mutual trust, respect, exchange and curiosity.
In the following threshold ritual, you will open a channel/mouth/passage through the back door of your home.
With a gesture of trust, curious spirits are invited in, whereas noxious/stagnant presences are released and invited to find their way elsewhere.
You will need:
- An incense burner, charcoal, myrrh, tongs
- A very small stool or table
- The text invocation/release below
The ritual:
On a cloudy afternoon or evening, ideally with a summer storm approaching*, open your back door or designated door/window which lies on the opposite side of your entry door. Close all other doors and windows behind you.
Near the treshold, but still inside the house, set up your incense burner with burning coal on a small stool or table. When you feel ready, take a few pieces of myrrh with the tongs, place them on the charcoal. When the fumes begin, move back and sit down on the floor at a meter or two from the burning myrrh.
Part I: tuning in
Watch as the fumes get exhaled/inhaled by your house/home. Observe the colours and textures of light and dark inside and outside the house. Listen to the wind hissing in the trees, through the streets, or any bird or animal or child whose screeching happens to travel on the wind. Don't interpret or attach any meaning to what you hear or see, just acknowledge.
Part II: invocation/release
When you feel ready, get closer to the stool. Add more myrrh. Place your hand in the air inside the fumes. Twirl your fingers through the fumes as you read the following text:
To all spirits curious about this house
And all that happens within,
All spirits who have lingered
Outside the threshold of my home:
Be welcome.
Enter through this open door,
Enter on these fumes
Inspire me.
May this home be
A temporary refuge,
A place of inspiration
And mutual exchange.
To all spirits entrapped in this house
And ensnared in my body,
To all spirits who have tried
In vain to leave this house:
You are free to return.
I allow you to exit
Through this open door.
Leave on these fumes.
Rise up and find
your true homes.
Part III: sealing the door
Remove the stool and incense burner and put it somewhere safe.
In this last part, you will "seal" the door with your body. To do this, form a cross in the foor frame. Lift your hands to the two upper corners, your two feet to the lower corners of the frame, facing the outside world. Close your eyes and stand like this for a while.
Now turn around and do the same (hands in upper corners, feet in lower corners of door frame) while facing the inside of the house. Close your eyes and stand still.
When ready, leave the door ajar for a while, or close completely.
*Note: if the wind is already raging or building up, or thunder can be heard, do not start this ritual anymore.