Talk:Salt

Ah, a bit extraneous to the page, but thought it might be interesting: In most pagan or neopagan religions, salt is almost universally regarded as powerful psychic purifier and cleanser, but in relation to spirits, it's a little more unclear. E.g. In Yoruba, salt is used as a cleanser, but is not used in any food that will be offered to ancestors, or in any ritual around them, as salt repels spirits (reference - Jambalaya by Luisah Teish). In contrast, old-school (Gardnerian) Wiccans often cast circles using salt (Winchester style), and many Wiccans use it to purify circle space, or have salt on their altars - usually as a symbol of earth. Even during rituals to honour ancestors... However, it does not appear to be a practice of any great antiquity (we're talking 1940s), and is probably a misunderstanding of common folk usages for purification.

P

However, it does not appear to be a practice of any great antiquity (we're talking 1940s), and is probably a misunderstanding of common folk usages for purification. Are you referring here to Wiccan practices specifically or the use of salt as purifying in general as not being a practice prior to the 40's? ~Maygra 8/19/2006 11:24am EST