A Consecration is to make venerable; hallow. It is to produce a ritual transformation.
When something is Consecrated, it has been set apart as Sacred.
A Dedication is to set apart for a Deity or to commit the object
which has first been Consecrated to a particular course of thought or action.
Some Churches/Covens see these two words as interchangeable; however, I see these
steps as two completely different [complementing, but different] actions. You Consecrate
an object [or bless them if it is a person], and then Dedicate it to the particular action, Deity,
or purpose for which you intend to use it.
Holy Water [or Pagan Holy Water, or Sanctified Water if you prefer] is a necessary element
in many workings. Casting a circle is one of those workings. Blessing candles, babies, and
even cooking your family's dinner all necessitate the creation of Holy Water.
It is simple to make, and only takes moments. First, you will need a natural salt. By "natural,"
I mean without the iodine added. I recommend rock salt, or sea salt. You will only need
three rocks or three pinches. You will also need a small bowl [about two cups is usually more
thank sufficient] of spring, stream, or river water.
As you take the salt in your hand/fingers say, "Salt is sacred,
Salt is pure. Let this salt be sanctified in the name of the Goddess and the God." Envision
the salt taking on a radiant white aura, and deposit it into the water. As you add the salt
say, "Water is cleansing, Water is pure. Let this water be Consecrated by this blessed
salt for all workings in the name of the Goddess and the God." Stir with your athame/finger
until salt is dissolved, all the while thinking the words you have just said over the water.
You have just done your first Consecration and created your first supply of Holy Water.
Since no Deity was called, no circle was necessary. That works well, since you
need Holy Water to create the circle.
This Holy Water, some incense, and a white candle may now be used to Consecrate your
Magickal Tools, Altar, Amulets, and so on. This may be done by creating a circle, inviting the
Deities, and then performing a simple consecration rite.
You should really consecrate the altar first, using the instructions below.
[Consecrating a Magickal Item] Light the incense, white candle, and move the bowl of holy
water to the center of the altar. Take up the item, sprinkle it with the blessed
salt and say, "By the power of salt of
the Earth, you are consecrated!" Run the item through the incense smoke and say,
"By the power of the incense of the Air, you are consecrated!" Run the item through
the flame of the candle and say,
"By the power of the flame of Fire, you are consecrated!" Sprinkle the item with the
Holy Water and say, "By the power of Water, you
are consecrated. In all things in the names of the Goddesses and the Gods, you are
consecrated for use in sacred rite!"
You are done. Thank the Deities and take down your circle.
Dedications can be done in many ways, for many reasons. When a pledge joins as a first
year student, a Dedication to the Coven is appropriate. When the first year and a day is
completed, a Dedication to the Mysteries and Powers of Magick is appropriate. When a specific path
is chosen, a Dedication to that Path is necessary. When a Practitioner is chosen by a
Deity, a Dedication resulting in that Practitioner being oathsworn to that Deity is necessary ...
and so on.
There are self-dedications all over the internet; sometimes, they are referred to as self-initiations
[although, as I pointed out above, an initiation and a dedication are NOT the same thing!].
If you are in a group, then I'm sure that group would like to teach you they way THEY do it,
as Dedications tend to be performed differently from Tradition to Tradition/Coven to Coven.
If you are not in a group and have chosen to practice solitarily, then by all means, read
the book which is advertised to the right. It is invaluable for those who are beginning
solitaries.
