Pagans love ritual items, which are the tactile representations of their communion with the spiritual realm. These can include simple tools such as prayer beads, rocks, shells, and feathers to more elaborate items such statuary, altars and large cauldrons. Just what makes these objects sacred varies from each practitioner. A rock on the beach may seem mundane to some but feel like the perfect devotional tool in the hands of someone else.

One belief among Pagans is that these objects can be charged with the energy they are to be used for, i.e. healing, divination, devotion, etc. Before this can happen, it is necessary to cleanse the items of previously imbued energy whether it be negative or otherwise. Below are some simple cleansing rituals that can be utilized for this purpose.

Smudging: The use of incense or herbal smoke to purify the item. This became very popular due to the use of sage in Native American inspired spirituality. Your favorite incense can be used and tailored to the item's purpose such as using lavender for a healing tool or patchouli for a divining object.

Burying: If you feel there is a great deal of negativity to the item and still wish to keep it, burying it in the earth for a short time is another way to cleanse it. Some Pagans believe this energy is transformed by the earth into nutrients for plant growth such as in composting waste into nutrient rich soil.

Water: Putting the item under running water is another way to cleanse. Especially powerful is running water from a fresh stream if at all possible. This is a popular method used with divining tools since water has a correspondence with psychic ability.

Sea salt: Known for its healing properties, salt is one of the most widely used cleansing techniques. It is especially effective in cleansing stones and crystals used for healing or psychic work. Place the item in a jar or bowl and cover with sea salt. Leave it overnight. Remove the item then dispose of the salt. Large quartz crystals cleansed with sea salt are used to place sacred objects on for cleansing. The crystal will need to be periodically cleansed after using this method with several objects.

Energy work: You don't have to be a Reiki practitioner or other healer to use this technique. Simply hold the item in your hands if it is small enough or hold your hands a few inches away if it is larger. Imagine healing energy from a divine source moving into you then through your hands out over the object. This source could be a patron deity, the earth, a fresh water stream, the universe, etc. The energy can be visualized as a white or gold light, a religious symbol or whatever you feel is appropriate for the cleansing.

All of these techniques can be catered to your specific tradition. For example, if you are a devotee of a goddess associated with water such as Aphrodite, then cleansing a shell under running water to use at a devotional shrine to her would be appropriate.

While these are some of the established ways of cleansing a sacred object, you can be creative with the techniques you use. Prayer, aromatherapy, color therapy, moonlight or sunlight are some other methods used. Your intention of clearing the object of negativity and focusing your intent on that goal is what is important.