Black Salt—What Is It?
For those who want something for protection within their stash of magical tools, you should look into Witch’s Black Salt. Black Salt (not to be confused with Black Salt from Indian Cusine) is used by Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, Voodoo and Hoodoo practitioners for its extreme protective elements.
It can be spread just about anywhere – your home, your workplace, your prayer circle, etc – and its purpose is to drive away those that would do you harm (whether physical or spiritual). Black Salt is also said to be an ingredient for creating a hex or curse, but this goes against my beliefs in practice, so I will only be focusing on its use for protection and cleansing in this blog post. Remember, whatever you cast out comes back to you.
One of the things I appreciate about Black Salt is that you can make it yourself. All you need are some key ingredients, which you then put together to create something effectively protective and powerful. If you don't have the time or materials to make some yourself, you can always look into getting pre-made Black Salt (such as what we have in our store). However, as with everything, if you can properly make it yourself, then that is a wonderful option to have.
Witch's Salt is also known as: Salt Negro, Witches Salt, Hoodoo Salt, Santeria Salt, Drive-Away Salt
Ingredients:
· Salt (preferred, Sea Salt)
· Black Pepper
· Ash
· Activated Charcoal
· Optional: Cast Iron Cauldron shavings instead of Pepper
· Optional: Black Food Coloring instead of Charcoal
· Optional: Mortar and Pestle for grinding
Other needed items:
· Bowl
· Spoon, or something for mixing
· Container
Salt: This mineral is greatly used in purification spells. In ancient times, this mineral was extremely valuable, one that was once only able to be obtained by the rich. Nowadays, it is very easy to come by. While its fiscal value has changed, salt is still used in spiritual practices by those who know how to harness its power.
When it comes to what type of salt to use, I recommend Sea Salt the most. Kosher Salt is also a great option. These are the most natural, and typically unbleached, and untreated with chemicals. The kind I use comes from the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. These waters are evaporated using the natural process of sun and wind, and at the end of each summer the salt is harvested so it maintains the balance of minerals present.
Black Pepper: This spice is used to drive away unwanted persons, banish negative energy, and to gives protection from evil. It has a masculine energy, and is associated with the element of Air, and planet Mars.
There are some recipes that recommend using cast iron shavings, such as from your cauldron, instead of salt. I personally don’t like the idea of shaving off parts of my tools and risk damaging it down the line, so I use black pepper instead. However, if I did use shavings from my cauldron or cast iron skillet, it would infuse a lot more of my own power into the concoction. This could make it be considered more potent, but I feel pepper is just as effective for any Black Salt creation.
Ash: This can be ash from your fireplace, smudging bundles, incense, or even your BBQ grill. Of course, I would recommend trying to use ash that has magickal properties attached to it. For instance, I like to use the remaining ash from a burnt out charcoal disc I previously used to burn herbs for energy cleansing, unbindings, and/or protection. This allows me to combine the energy from that cleansing with the purification I seek in my Black Salt. If I am in a bind, I can light some cone incense, and use their ash afterwards.
Activated Charcoal: This is what will give your salt its black color. There are some who suggest using black food dye in lieu of food-grade activated charcoal, but it is just not as natural. Plus, charcoal is far more enriched with magickal properties. It is associated with Fire, Earth and Air, and is greatly powerful in its cleansing abilities (both medicinally and spiritually).
How to make black salt:
1) If you want to, grind your black pepper and sea salt. Do this separately. You can have your concoction as coarse or as fine as you want.
2) Combine the black pepper and sea salt. Try to keep them equal in amounts, and mix. You can mix with a spoon, though I like to use the branch of a Palo Santo stick, Sage stick, or something equivalent.
3) Put in the ash and mix.
4) Put in the charcoal and mix. Put it in little by little, so you don’t make your salt too black.
Once your Black Salt is thoroughly mixed, it is ready to go! Of course, you can go the extra mile and do a prayer, chant, or setting of protective intent over the salt.
To use, you can sprinkle it along your household’s property line, across your threshold, or as a way to cast a circle. To protect you as you sleep, sprinkle some under your bed, or place in a bowl to keep under your bed.
For storage, put your Black Salt into a glass/wood/stone bowl, or a glass mason jar for later use. I recommend glass/wood/stone over plastic because it is more natural, whereas plastic is able to release toxins over prolonged periods of time.
To throw away any excess or any Black Salt that’s fulfilled its duty, bury it within your yard. However, if you ended up using it for a hex or curse, then bury it in the woods far away from your home and from where anyone or anything may accidentally stumble across it. Violent energies are tricky things, and can turn out to be quite clingy.
“[M]any Hoodoo and Conjure practitioners recommend burying it near a crossroads or even a graveyard. You can also toss it into moving water, like a stream or river. Make sure the water really is moving, though — you don't want the salt just swirling around in one stagnant spot. Finally, consider disposal by fire. If you choose to use this method, however, be sure to take the ashes far away and bury them — don't use them for later magical applications.“ Wigington, Patti.
Please note that this recipe is NOT meant to be used internally. It is for external use only, and is not to be used in replacement of anything your doctors may recommend for health.
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Sources:
Wigington, Patti. "How to Make Magical Black Salt." Learn Religions, Apr. 17, 2019, learnreligions.com/use-of-black-salt-2562587.