Ritual Purity

13 Purification Rites to Eliminate Ritual Pollution

In a continued effort to put Paganism in its rightful place as just another of countless religions found throughout the world, no different and certainly not any more "special" or "unique" than any other religion, this piece examines a common component of many religions, citing examples from various religions, as well as Paganism, to not only give further explanation of that concept but to give further credence to the idea that religion is a choice, with no religion nor its members being above any other religion or its members, and certainly not above in depth examination and criticism.

It is also important to note that while Paganism is not itself specifically a religion, rather it is a term referring to numerous modern religions with seemingly little in common other than shared history and inspiration, for ease of communication this distinction will not be made within this article, however, it is frequently addressed in other areas, such as the previous articles What is Paganism? and Whitewashing Paganism.

A common idea found in numerous religions is that of ritual pollution. This is the concept that there are certain activities, situations, actions, and biological functions that can leave one in a state of impurity, impacting one's ability to perform certain religious functions and rites. Often, there are certain prescriptions given to rectify this state, i.e. purification rites that must be performed or a certain time period that must pass for the state of ritual pollution to correct itself. 

As stated, this idea is prevalent within many religions and is found even within Paganism, though it is often less explicitly stated or discussed. Within Hinduism, a religion that bares remarkable similarities to modern Paganism (to the point that many erroneously categorize it as one of the many Pagan religions,) there are numerous examples of ritual pollution that help to better elucidate this concept. Such things as wearing shoes or dirty clothing create a state of ritual pollution, easily solved by removing the shoes and putting on clean clothing. Other states require more drastic measures, such as full body bathing after having used the bathroom, or are unable to be remedied by anything but the passage of time, such as with menstruation or in the event of the death of a blood relative, which creates a 10 day state of ritual pollution. Purification rites are also employed prior to such acts as cooking and preparing food, which carry a profound, if understated, sacredness, as well as more explicitly religious acts such as reciting mantras and chants or performing pujas (standard worship ceremonies that are conducted daily and for specific religious observances.) Even Christianity holds to the idea of ritual pollution, although it is not so prevalent within Protestant denominations (as the idea of priest as intermediary has been abolished.) Within Catholicism, the idea is demonstrated clearly in the the rite of confession, with adherents being unable to take communion without having purified themselves through the rite of confessing their sins, being counselled on what must need be done to atone for those sins, and then receiving that forgiveness by God as transferred to them by the priest.

Within Paganism we see this idea frequently expressed in the concept of nondescript "negative energy." This energy results from various actions and situations, however lacking in biological origination, i.e. there are no religious restrictions placed on menstruating or pregnant women, the elderly, or individuals who are sick (recommendations for not doing magick while sick are not the same as ritual pollution; ritual pollution must be cured by ritual means, being sick has a consequential trait of reduced energy levels making it more difficult to properly raise and manipulate energy. One is religious protocol, the other is practical advice.) 

This negative energy is a ritual obstacle that must be removed from individuals and locations prior to religious ceremonies and worship. Stress and the lingering effects of an argument are one such example of ritual pollution. With individuals, we see this expressed in the idea that two people who have quarrel with each other cannot Circle together until that conflict is resolved, thereby not bringing that ritual pollution into the Circle and inhibiting the subsequent worship and working. However, even if the quarreling individuals are not present, the location where the argument took place may still have been negatively impacted, with lingering disruptive energies present that must be ritually purified in order to be removed. 

Places in nature rarely require ritual purification as the conditions and functions of nature have an intrinsically purifying affect on a place and upon those who live openly therein. However, if that place has been subjected to deforestation or heavy polluting and/or littering, the inherent balance of the energies there will be disrupted. Ritual purification allows for those energies to more easily return to a balanced state, though only temporarily with heavy pollution. Extreme change, such as heavy pollution and deforestation or other habitat upheaval will require sustained effort to correct this state, removing garbage and replanting trees and native plants to restore the habitat and appease the spirits of place before regular religious use of that place can take place again.

Within Paganism, there are numerous methods that may be employed to deal with and eradicate ritual pollution. However, it must note that purification rites are not the same nor produce equivalent results to cleansing or banishing rites, and certainly are not comparable to exorcism rites. In the cases of where specific malevolent energies/entities are suspected, purification rites can serve to only obscure their presence for a short while, being the equivalent of a room deodorizer as opposed to taking the trash out (as one would do with a banishing or exorcism rite.)

Here are 13 purification rites that you can use to remove ritual pollution:

• Censing. This is a simple yet effective method that can be used for individuals or locations. It involves smoldering incense (with a hand blended incense of particular herbs related to the purpose being most recommended) and wafting that smoke over the individual or about the area. This practice is commonly used for cleansing crystals and other ritual objects, as well, where one will see the smoke almost deliberately pool over the object for a time, then suddenly change direction, signaling that the cleansing is complete; it is the same here.
• Asperging. This is another simple yet highly effective way of purifying individuals or locations. It entails the sprinkling of consecrated water onto the individual or about the area and is often used in conjunction with censing.
• Hand washing. This is a symbolic action, found within a few religions, that removes any residual energies that may have been picked up through day to day activities (i.e. we use our hands for nearly everything, if any single part of our bodies were to be ritually impure, it would be our hands.) This rite ideally involves two people, a pitcher of water, and a bowl, with one individual pouring the water over the other person's hands as they rub the water over their hands, allowing it to drip into the bowl. This can be done just as effectively with one person using a bowl filled with water, wetting the hands, and removing them from the bowl. The water is disposed of appropriately, either down the drain, in the toilet, or outside in a place where it will not affect any plants.
• Lustral bath. In this rite, one draws a bath, adding appropriate herbs and a handful of salt to the water as the tub fills. This rite can be adapted to use in the shower, with the use of a salt scrub (made by adding essential oils to salt) or by rinsing with an infusion of appropriately suited herbs.
• The Lesser Banishing Rite of the Pentacle. This rite is common within ceremonial magic and while it is more of a cleansing technique, it is still an effective way to remove nonspecific unwanted energies from an area, leaving a clean slate, so to speak.
• Anointing with oil. This is suitable for individuals or for indoor locations. Consecrated oil (made with appropriately corresponding herbs) is applied to the individuals, often to their wrists, temples, jugular, and Third Eye, sometimes with an appropriate symbol or sigil. Indoors to purify a room, the oil can be applied to the walls, tracing specific symbols and/or sigils to purify the space.
• Fire and light. Within some religions, fire and light are used as offerings, however, they can be used for purificatory purposes, too. With an individual, seek to shine the light so that it touches every last inch of them, moving slowly across the body. Indoors, take a candle about to literally banish the darkness from every corner, metaphysically driving out impurities and unwanted to energies.
• Grounding and Centering. insert link to Grounding exercise These are two common and popular energetic exercises, that bare similarities to each other. In grounding, one makes a connection with the Earth in order to remove unwanted energies from themselves, and then completes the circuit by making a connection with the cosmos, the greater Universe and Divine (in whatever sense that means to the individual) to fill themselves with lighter, purer energy. Energy then moves unburdened within the individual, from both the Earth and the Universe, leaving the individual purified and balanced, ready for other energetic or religious working. With centering, the individual moves their seat of consciousness to that very innermost part of themselves that lays where all aspects and levels of themselves meet: body, mind, and spirit. The individual then moves forward from that place, focused. These two exercises are often falsely equated as they produce deceivingly similar results. However, their conjoined use is recommended.
• Sprinkling salt. A very simple yet effective means of purifying a place. Scatter salt across the floor, thereby scattering unwanted energies and preventing them from returning until the salt has been cleaned up.
• Scattering a purification powder. Once a powder has been made of appropriately corresponding herbs and other such ingredients, it is sprinkled upon the ground or floor, purifying the space of unwanted energies.
• Sigils and symbols. As mentioned above, sigils and symbols may be applied to the walls, ceilings, or floor of a room for purificatory purposes. However, they can also be applied using consecrated water or a purificatory potion (brew a strong infusion of appropriate herbs.) Alternately, these symbols and sigils can also be traced onto the walls without any such liquid or simply traced into the air, which is still quite effective.
• Singing. This is an effective way to purify both individuals and especially a place. It also serves the purpose, in groups, of helping create the group mind so crucial to magickal workings. Generally, ascending scales build energy, with descending scales removing energy. Experiment with tempo and sustained notes to craft your own trusty purification songs.
• Dancing. Although often used to raise energy, dancing can be used in general to manipulate the energies in a space. Rhythmic movements involving sweeping arm movements, stomping, and clapping are most effective.

What are your preferred purification rites? What tried and true techniques have you created to eliminate ritual pollution and achieve ritual purity in your life and rituals? Feel free to share your rites as well as any observations you've noted with the above techniques in the comments below.