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Does the matter of the object matter?

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    Does the matter of the object matter?

    I read the" item or idea" thread and this is a similar question, but for my own purposes I need clarification.

    Do things like a cauldron being made of iron matter? It seems like it would make a difference because of the element of iron as opposed to some other type of metal and if some other metal is used maybe it could change or mess with the spell? What about a steel letter opener for a dagger?

    If I wash my items with sage soap, will that consecrate as well as a smudge? Sorry if this is all newb stuff; I just don't want to jumble things that may be important.

    Thanks for reading.

    #2
    Re: Does the matter of the object matter?

    In my own experience, no, none of it matters. Some people will disagree. And that's the wonderful thing - you can really hold whatever opinion you want provided you have some understahnding why you're doing it. It's the will and the intention that matter most, not the objects. Objects are just.... well, things. Whatever. But the will, the intention, that comes from within you and you cannot - must not - fake that. Hope this helps!
    www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


    Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

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      #3
      Re: Does the matter of the object matter?

      If I'm playing with fire (literally), I've found it best to go with non-manipulated materials. Iron pots, stone tiles, abalone shells, clean sand, that kind of thing. I've burnt and broken 'cultured' marble tiles while burning incenses and candles, but none of my cast iron stuff ever had issues. I also wear pure cotton garments when using incenses, smudges, etc. because of the plain fact that cotton tends to burn away from your body, while poly blends stick to your skin while melting like plastic (which is why cotton, linen or wool also makes a better choice of clothing to wear on planes). For working with the other elements, as long as whatever I'm using is waterproof or can hold some dirt, I don't care what it's made from.

      If I'm working with certain deities or spirits who have preferred materials (Vodou spirits don't like salt, fey and devas don't care for iron, smithing-gods usually like forged metals, that kind of thing) then I try to use something in Their sphere of influence.

      I used to think that 'man-made' automatically meant 'un-natural', but my philosophy changed over the years. Humans are just as much a part of the natural world as ants and rivers. We create and change things, which is perfectly natural for us to do. But, sometimes, 'man-made' can't measure up to nature's own ingenuity.
      The forum member formerly known as perzephone. Or Perze. I've shed a skin.

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        #4
        Re: Does the matter of the object matter?

        There are practical issues that Perze has mentioned. I'll also second the premise of using things appropriate to who/what you work with. Past that, there's a significant number of cultures and their approaches to magic differ. Long as what you're doing makes sense within your paradigm and the internal requirements are met, the material side of the ritual is flexible.
        life itself was a lightsaber in his hands; even in the face of treachery and death and hopes gone cold, he burned like a candle in the darkness. Like a star shining in the black eternity of space.

        Yoda: Dark Rendezvous

        "But those men who know anything at all about the Light also know that there is a fierceness to its power, like the bare sword of the law, or the white burning of the sun." Suddenly his voice sounded to Will very strong, and very Welsh. "At the very heart, that is. Other things, like humanity, and mercy, and charity, that most good men hold more precious than all else, they do not come first for the Light. Oh, sometimes they are there; often, indeed. But in the very long run the concern of you people is with the absolute good, ahead of all else..."

        John Rowlands, The Grey King by Susan Cooper

        "You come from the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve", said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth; be content."

        Aslan, Prince Caspian by CS Lewis


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          #5
          Re: Does the matter of the object matter?

          Excellent. Thank you all so very much for the feedback.

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