Consecration of the Black Knife

On the altar:
- black knife
- symbols for the four elements:
- incense for air, to go on the eastern side of the altar
- a candle for fire, to go on the south
- a cup for salt-water, west
- a dish of salt for earth, north
- a symbol for spirit:
- anything which you feel represents your highest aspiration, something that
symbolizes deep meaning. Could be a picture, could be a stone, could also be
something else from nature.
- some scented oil. Best all-around scent is frankincense if you can get it.
Otherwise, for this rite you can use an earth-scented oil such as sandalwood or
patchouli.

Before the ritual

- ritually cleanse the knife. Either bury it (in a bag to keep it from rusting)
overnight, or place in a sealed bag and immerse in natural running water for an
hour.

The ritual
1. do the preliminary work up to the four immeasurables
2. open the temple in the outer court
3. open the temple in the inner court
4. take up the black knife and raise it in salute to the east. Say:
"The purpose of this rite is to consecrate this knife to a magical purpose. Let the
gods, angels and spirits of the earth be my witnesses. By my sacred name [insert
your secret name here] I dedicate myself to the completion of this rite."
5. hold the knife over the burning incense. Say:
"I consecrate thee with air."
6. imagine the eastern gateway of your temple pouring a current of Air energy
through the incense, which is its embodiment, into your knife. Keep holding it
there until you feel that it is 'full'
7. pass the knife through the candle flame several times. Say:
"I consecrate thee with fire."
8. don't hold the knife in the fire; it'll get dangerously hot. But imagine the
fire energy from the southern gate passing through the candle into your knife. Let
it become full of fire energy.
9. dip the knife in the salt-water cup. Say:
"I consecrate thee with water."
10. You know the drill. Fill it with water energy.
11. touch the knife to the salt. Say:
"I consecrate thee with earth."
12. Fill it with earth energy.
13. Raise the knife above your head. Stare at the symbol for spirit, put yourself
into a fully receptive ("prayerful") attitude, and say:
"I dedicate thee to the highest purpose. Let the divine light fill thee."
14. Wait until you sense that the knife (which you are *not* currently looking at)
has received a divine impulse, then lower it.
15. Take a dab of oil on your finger tip, and trace an equal-armed cross on its
handle with the oil. Say:
"I seal this purpose and anoint thee, Black Knife. By my sacred name, [name goes
here], I declare thee consecrated and this rite complete."
16. wrap the knife in silk.
17. Close the temple in the outer court.
18. Close the temple in the inner court.
19. Finish the ritual
20. Store the knife someplace where it won't be disturbed for three days. On the
third day, you may unwrap it and put it wherever you wish. You can even use it to
chop vegetables; once consecrated, it stays consecrated unless intentionally
'unconsecrated'. If, someday, you need to get rid of the knife, you can
unconsecrate it simply by placing it on the altar, sprinkling with salt water, and
say:
"I release you from your service. Go now and be at peace."
21. imagine the light in the knife fading as its spirit departs to its own abode.