The modern generation of Orthodox Christians was forced to cultivate their faith in very difficult conditions, which could not but affect the purity of the confession of Christ. Despite the fact that the Church makes every effort to ensure that Orthodoxy is in no way related to paganism and magic, in the popular consciousness these things are very often closely intertwined. One of these traditions, which has absorbed both an Orthodox basis and pagan overtones, is the consecration of Thursday salt and its further use. So what is in it from Christ, and what from the evil one? Let's try to figure it out.
What is Thursday salt used for?
From time immemorial, a man protected his family, and a woman protected it.
Housewives in Rus' knew how to hang a bouquet of wormwood on the gate so that a bad person would not enter the house and which end to place a broom in the corner so that money would not leave the house.
But the beregins had a special amulet - black Thursday salt. She was kept in every house from illness and other misfortunes.
A pinch of Thursday salt was always added to the baby’s bath so that he would grow up healthy. And if he became moody and capricious, they put a grain of salt on his tongue to ward off the evil eye.
A salt shaker of black salt was kept in the center of the table - so that there would be prosperity in the house.
Before a long journey, a small pillow of Thursday salt was pinned to the clothes so that trouble would not overtake them along the way.
Beauties added salt to their washing water to make themselves even more beautiful.
And if there was a discord between the spouses, then the same pillow was placed in bed - they believed that it would lead to reconciliation.
More than 60 strategies for trading! And, of course, so that the well-being of the family would not bypass the family, black salt was scattered in the corners of the house, in the yard, barn and in the stable with livestock.
This valuable amulet was kept behind icons as an object of great holiness.
Thursday - means made on Thursday
Not on ordinary Thursday, of course, but on Maundy Thursday, which is Holy Week before Easter.
The women woke up early in the morning. First, they cleaned the house and washed themselves, and only then began to prepare pure Thursday salt. It was imperative to have time to do it before sunset.
The finished seasoning was collected very carefully, so as not to lose a single grain, into a clean bag and placed under the image, along with the Easter cake and colored eggs. And on Easter, along with holiday snacks, salt was brought to church to be blessed. And only after that did it acquire the properties of a talisman.
About the holiday
Maundy Thursday: history, traditions and signs
Conspiracies with a talisman
The effect of the amulet can be significantly enhanced if you combine it with words of incantations and prayers. Thanks to this, you can cope with many troubles.
Conspiracy for peace in the house
If residents of the same house, even if they are family, often swear and quarrel, and cannot and do not want to understand each other, the following ritual can be performed. A grain of the product made on Maundy Thursday is placed at the head of the bed of each family member. The following words are repeated:
“I salt the bed, but do not share the world. I promise prosperity to everyone, and order to the home. Amen".
After the ceremony, peace will reign in the house.
Conspiracy against illnesses and poor health
In case of loss of strength or illness, a person should throw a grain of the product into a glass of clean water and say the following spell:
“Just as the salt was hot on Maundy Thursday, so the body of God’s servant (name) filled with health. Amen".
After this, drink water. The patient's health and well-being should be restored.
Conspiracy against bad luck in household chores
If household chores are not going well, you need to carry out the following ritual. Go around all the corners in the house, throwing a few grains of Thursday salt into each corner and saying the following words:
“Trouble fears salt, luck returns to the house.”
After the ritual, luck will be restored, and prosperity will again appear in the house.
How to prepare Thursday salt
Mystical salt-amulet is essentially ordinary salt calcined to coals with herbs or simply with rye flour. So the healing properties of Thursday salt are quite understandable and justified. Indeed, in the modern world, activated carbon is used as a sorbent for poisoning, skin diseases, allergies and many other things.
And they did this:
They took 1 kg of coarse salt, mixed it with a bunch of medicinal herbs - fern, wormwood, oregano, about 200 g. 2 crusts of rye bread soaked in water were added there and mixed. We poured it all into a cast-iron frying pan and put it in the oven on burning coals for several hours, until the salt turned black.
Photo: pixabay.com
In a city apartment, black Thursday salt can be prepared in the oven by pouring it onto a baking sheet.
Beneficial properties of black salt
Black salt is useful for people with kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, hypotension. Because it is enriched with potassium, calcium, magnesium ions, and selenium elements. Moreover, this salt is of great benefit as an adsorbent. The carbon contained in it in the form of finely porous coal removes toxins from the body, that is, black salt is a “sink” of all toxins. Its therapeutic effect is completely similar to the effect of activated carbon.
Thursday salt ( quadruple salt ) is salt “made” on the night of Wednesday to Thursday of Holy Week or on the morning of Maundy Thursday, endowed with special magical powers. The custom of the ritual use of salt is very ancient, dating back to pre-Slavic times, when any salt was recognized as having the ability to repel harmful forces and protect people.
Thursday
salt
(black
salt
) is a product used in Russian Orthodox culture;
salt
prepared in a special way on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week.
In addition to its taste benefits and the presence of a large number of elements beneficial to the body, Thursday salt was considered magical and healers and sorcerers resorted to its healing and magical properties. First of all, Thursday salt can cope with any black energy, cleanse not only a thing or room, but also a person’s aura. Magic salt was used in ancient rituals to scare away dark forces and protect a person from damage from the evil eye, etc. Unfortunately, many recipes for making Thursday salt have been lost, but several proven cooking methods have survived to this day. Despite the fact that black salt was prepared in ovens, it can be prepared in the oven or over an open fire.
How to use Thursday salt
You need to use up the salt throughout the year and use it all before next Easter.
What do they eat with?
To be honest, the taste of black salt is not for everyone. Not everyone will like the taste of hydrogen sulfide. But since they don’t put a lot of it in food, the specific smell may not be noticed. As a seasoning, this salt can be added to all types of food. Although, as you already understand, the main purpose of black Thursday salt is not for food.
By the way
Salt: an essential seasoning or “white death”?
Chapter 17. Holy salt
Story
According to the lunar calendar, March 16, 1960 is the day of the Holy Blessing of our True Parents. On that same day, the Father created and used Holy Salt for the first time. He used it to dedicate the Church premises before the ceremony and explained its importance at a meeting held later.
After the meeting, the Father distributed Holy Salt to everyone present. He asked them to distribute Holy Salt to parishioners all over the world.
Meaning
Everything that surrounds us was created for the sake of people. Adam and Eve needed a clean environment. As a result of the Fall, everything was lost and came under the dominion of Satan, but God's providence of salvation was primarily focused on the salvation of mankind. True Parents became the first true couple in history. Until the position of True Parents was finally established, God could not seriously begin to restore everything.
According to the Principle, True Parents are the perfect ideal man and woman and the progenitors of humanity, whose life is centered on God. Just like Adam and Eve, they needed an ideal environment. After True Parents' Holy Blessing, the environment was not yet ideal. Therefore, to sanctify the environment and all things, True Father created Holy Salt.
At the meeting held after his Blessing, the Father gave each of the parishioners present a portion of Holy Salt, explaining that any item once blessed with Holy Salt would no longer belong to Satan's dominion and would instead come under the dominion of God. Because of our faith in True Parents and based on their foundation of defeating Satan, Holy Salt affects objects the same way no matter who the Unification Church member uses it.
The “New Heavens and New Earth” spoken of in the Bible actually originates from the time of the Holy Blessing of True Parents. When we use Holy Salt, we become participants in building the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. From a providential point of view, whenever we use Holy Salt, we are entering into battle with Satan. We take things from the satanic world and ask God to take them under His dominion.
Members of the Unification Church should understand that it is a great privilege to have Holy Salt at their disposal. Every parishioner should understand its significance. As we strive to live a spiritual life, each of us desperately struggles to be freed from Satan. By using Holy Salt in the simplest way, we gain some measure of this freedom.
The Father emphasized the importance of Holy Salt in his speech entitled “Seven Day Fast”, delivered on October 24, 1974:
“It was not God's intention that His children should use things and eat food that had been tainted by the rule of Satan... God allowed me to create Holy Salt to sanctify all these things, to make them fit and pure enough for His children to use... The value and meaning of Holy Salt in to uproot, destroy or destroy everything satanic; In addition, by using Holy Salt, you yourself undergo a process of sanctification.
Those gathered here were probably unaware of the importance and value of Holy Salt. From now on, you should feel the need to always have Holy Salt with you. Until now you have not understood this.”
Material selection
The father had to choose a substance that could conditionally cleanse and sanctify objects from the satanic world and spiritually make them holy, without changing their appearance. Since salt is considered a traditional preservative that protects food from spoilage, it was what Father chose.
How long will this tradition be practiced?
Once Heavenly Dominion is restored to a country, all worshipers living there will no longer need to use Holy Salt; all things will be automatically sanctified. However, until all of humanity and all things in the entire world completely come under God's dominion, despite the establishment of Heavenly dominion in one country, the use of Holy Salt will continue.
Multiplication of Holy Salt
The parishioners of our Church can increase the Holy Salt as needed. However, it would be better if the pastor or a senior member of the congregation multiplied the Holy Salt for use in the church and distributed it to the rest of the congregation.
It will also be good if spiritual parents give or make Holy Salt for their spiritual children when they join.
Holy salt is suggested to be multiplied on the table or on paper spread on the floor.
Materials needed to multiply Holy Salt
To increase Holy Salt, you need to have previously consecrated Holy Salt (from now on we will call it the original Holy Salt), even if it is only a few grains. You also need to purchase a new package of regular salt.
Preparation
Before you buy salt, create a condition for its sanctification and separation from the dominion of Satan. Take some Holy Salt to the store and, if possible, sprinkle it on the packaging you are about to buy. Pray silently that by the power of the original condition laid down by the Father during the creation of the Holy Salt, this new salt will sanctify all things, helping them to conditionally pass into the dominion of God.
If, because the store is too crowded or for any other reason, it would be inappropriate or difficult to do so, simply pray as you take the package from the counter.
Cleanse the place to increase salt.
Multiplication process
Make seven equal piles of the new salt, as well as an equal pile of the original Holy Salt.
(Note: If you only have a few grains of the original Holy Salt, each of the other seven piles should also consist of only a few grains. Multiply only a small amount of salt the first time and then repeat the whole procedure again to get more salt).
The original Holy Salt should be positioned higher than the new Salt (Figure 17.1). Shown here is only one of the possible options for the arrangement of the original Holy Salt and the new salt, but not absolutely the only one. No matter how the piles of the original Holy salt and the new salt are located, it is important that they are all equal in size and that there are exactly 7 piles of the new salt.
The content of the prayer when increasing salt should be as follows:
“In the name of the Universal Sovereign, in the name of the Parents of heaven and earth, in the name of the families of the True Children, and in the name of [your name] as the master of Cheon Il Guk, I pray that this salt will be sanctified and become Holy Salt. May the spirit of God and True Parents abide within her. By your holy power let it become Holy Salt.”
Take some original Holy salt from the pile with your right hand. Sprinkle it on each of the seven piles of new salt (Figure 17.2). Mix the original Holy Salt into each of the seven piles. Then mix all the piles together (Fig. 17.3). When all the piles are mixed, the salt becomes Holy Salt.
Don't worry about how well everything is mixed. During this procedure, the most important thing is to have a pure attitude and a clear understanding of the meaning of the Holy Salt.
You can say an additional prayer if you wish.
A brief outline of the entire ceremony is as follows:
- Get the original Holy Salt.
- Buy a package of new salt.
- Clear the area.
- Make 7 equal piles of the new salt and 1 equal pile of the original Holy Salt (Fig. 17.1).
- Say a prayer (according to the content above).
- Pour the original Holy Salt into each pile of new salt.
- Mix the original Holy salt and the new salt in each pile.
- Mix all the piles together.
- Prayer (optional).
Uses of Holy Salt
Prayer
There is a traditional prayer that is said during the consecration with Holy Salt. Pray like this: “I consecrate this item in the name of the Universal Parent, in the name of the Parents of heaven and earth, in the name of the families of True Children, and in the name of [your name], the owner of Cheon Il Guk.”
Process
After the prayer, sprinkle the object with Holy salt two or three times in a cross pattern from north to south, then from east to west. If the object is small, it is enough to simply sprinkle it three times, imagining that you are doing it in the shape of a cross (Fig. 17.4).
Take Holy Salt and bless objects with it only with your right hand.
Storing Holy Salt
To ensure safety, Holy Salt can be stored in a tightly closed container (jar) with a lid, but this is not a strict requirement. Beautiful jars or vessels with ornaments are often used to store Holy Salt; they can also be placed on the altar.
It is good if every branch of the Church or every blessed family has at least one container of Holy salt in a public place (for example, in the kitchen) to consecrate various things brought to church or home.
Keep the first Holy Salt given to you
Each parishioner should keep at least a small amount of the Holy Salt that was given to him for the first time (either after joining the Church, or after he first understood its meaning). This Holy Salt should be kept separately and should not be used to consecrate objects in daily practice. If the supply of Holy Salt given to you for the first time is large enough, it can be used little by little as the original Holy Salt for multiplication.
Carry Holy Salt with You
Father suggested that it would be good to carry a portion of Holy Salt with you. Since this is necessary in order to always be able to use Holy Salt if necessary, it is advisable that it is not the same Holy Salt that you first received.
If desired, you can pour Holy Salt into a very small box (or plastic jar) that closes tightly.
Practical Applications of Holy Salt
Purchases
Everything that is purchased for personal use, for family or for the Church - food, clothing, furniture, appliances, etc. - must be blessed with Holy Salt immediately after you bring it to church or home.
Present
Use Holy Salt to bless gifts not received from Church members. You may also be tempted to dedicate a gift you received from another parishioner, unless the giver warns you that the gift has already been consecrated.
If you give something to a person who is not a parishioner of the Church, then the gift does not need to be blessed. However, this can be done if desired. True, in this case, during consecration, it will be necessary to clarify in prayer that the gift will be given to a person not from the Church.
Own things
When someone comes to live at the Church's training center, that person's personal belongings must be blessed with Holy Salt. It is not necessary to consecrate each item separately. It is enough to consecrate only a few things that will symbolically represent the entire property. This only needs to be done once. After moving to another training center, the property does not need to be rededicated.
From this moment on, the parishioner must sanctify all purchases with Holy Salt.
When members accept the Divine Principle and come to understand the meaning of Holy Salt, they should begin to sanctify purchases of Holy Salt. Their personal belongings and home (apartment) can also be blessed with Holy Salt (for example, symbolically, as explained above).
Rooms and other premises
The following is a description of the rules for using Holy Salt to consecrate the main room(s) in a building purchased by our Church. However, this method is also suitable for other occasions when an area needs to be sanctified or cleansed (for example, if there is a low spiritual atmosphere, or in preparation for a Three Day Ceremony or an Eighth Day Dedication Ceremony).
Stand in the center of the room facing north with the Holy Salt in your right hand. Say the basic prayer described in the section “Using Holy Salt: Prayer,” replacing the words there as necessary.
Throw a pinch of Holy Salt on the north wall of the room. Then throw salt on the south wall, and then on the east and west. After this, sprinkle Holy salt from the center of the room in a circle, which will symbolize the consecration of the room completely (Fig. 17.5).
Use Holy Salt to consecrate a special part of the room (such as where the altar will be located) in the same way.
Buildings or other property
Buildings or other property purchased by our Church or parishioners should be blessed with Holy Salt as soon as possible, especially if the Church begins using it immediately (unless it is rented to someone else).
Regardless of whether a building or other property remains the property of our Church, it must be blessed with Holy Salt. However, in the case of temporary (albeit long-term) use, a “conditional prayer” must be said during consecration (see the section “Removing the effect of consecration with Holy salt” in this chapter).
Building
When consecrating a building purchased by our Church with Holy Salt, the process described below must be followed.
When consecrating a large house or an entire building, there is no need to follow the same rules as when consecrating a room (which was described in the previous section), and consecrate room by room. Perform the dedication ceremony only in the main room(s), and symbolically dedicate the other rooms. Simply open the doors of other rooms and, with the same inner attitude as when consecrating the main room, throw a pinch of Holy Salt at the entrance to the room or a little deeper 2 or 3 times.
When consecrating a house or building, walk around the outside of it (if possible, around the entire perimeter), throwing small pinches of Holy salt on the ground along the way.
Note. In principle, we should not plan to sell any property purchased. However, if there are circumstances that justify such a plan, then at the consecration, include in the prayer these words: “Consecrate this building (property), and let it remain consecrated until our Church sells it.”
Land area
When consecrating the territory (area) with Holy salt, if possible, walk around its perimeter, throwing pinches of Holy salt along the entire path of the walk. If the area covers many acres (1 acre = approximately 0.4 hectares) and it is difficult to cover it all, go to the center of the area and, following the directions given in the "Rooms and Other Areas" section, dedicate the area conditionally, following the basic instructions.
Rented premises
House or apartment
It is also very important to conditionally consecrate things (premises) that are used by parishioners, but are not the property of the Church. Therefore, when renting a house or apartment, bless it with Holy Salt (as described above) before moving in. In the prayer, it is important to mention the conditionally limited rental period, for example: “Separate from Satan and sanctify this apartment/house for the time we use it. Please make this place a conditionally holy place and take it under Your dominion until we move to another place.”
Motel or hotel room
Use Holy Salt to bless any motel or hotel room. It is very important that this consecration be conditional. Refer to the previous subsection for the approximate content of the prayer. Say in prayer that the room should be consecrated only for the period of your residence in it.
You can then follow the instructions given in the “Rooms and other premises” section.
Enterprises, companies and offices
Holy salt should be used to bless the premises and offices of businesses owned by the Unification Church, even if they employ more than just members. If someone (a parishioner of the Church) is hired to work in a company not associated with the Church, then he can, if he wishes, consecrate some things there. In this case, you need to do this carefully and pray for the consecration of objects only for the time of your immediate use.
Business enterprises should not consecrate items that will later be sold to the public.
Consecration of a house or room where a low spiritual atmosphere is felt
In the same way as described in the previous section, Holy Salt can be used to uplift the low spiritual atmosphere of a room.
Effect of Holy Salt
For things and objects
Holy salt is an effective tool for Unification Church members to use against the satanic force in our environment. Our final separation from Satan's dominion will depend on our attitude towards life. Each of us must try to win an internal victory, and it is not achieved only by creating external conditions.
Until blessed with Holy Salt, purchased goods cannot be accepted into the dominion of God. The food most likely did not come from a farm that God can take over, and the clothing most likely came from a factory that God cannot claim as His own. Despite this, we still have to use things from the satanic world. Therefore, God can accept into the sphere of His dominion the things we buy, which are sanctified with Holy salt.
Although the consecration of objects with Holy Salt may seem like a purely external ritual, the meaning of Holy Salt is such that it allows the consecrated things to become the property of God rather than remain part of Satan's domain.
Products grown in the domain of the Church
In principle, there is no need to sanctify food grown on a farm that is owned by the Church and operated by Church members. All seeds have already been blessed with Holy Salt upon purchase.
On people
Although Holy Salt is a condition for separating things and environments from Satan's dominion, it does not separate people from Satan's dominion. It cannot provide a person with fundamental inner cleansing and should not be used to “cleanse” anyone upon entering a Church premises.
However, if a parishioner feels strongly influenced by the forces of Satan after being in a spiritually low environment, he can sprinkle himself with Holy Salt. Although this will not cleanse a person, it may help him feel that his garments have returned to the realm of God's dominion and that he is no longer tied to or dependent on Satan's environment.
Eliminating the effect of consecration with Holy salt
Sale of property or assets
There is no official method for eliminating the effect of Holy Salt's consecration. As mentioned above, in the prayer during consecration with Holy salt, it is necessary to clearly indicate that consecration is conditional and is valid for a certain period of time.
If, during the consecration after the purchase, the prayer did not say about the temporary nature of the consecration, and, nevertheless, the property needs to be sold, a special prayer must be offered. In prayer, it is necessary to explain that despite the fact that the property was sanctified with Holy salt, there was a need to sell it. The reason must be explained (for example, money is needed for other purposes, or the premises have become too small and cannot fulfill its purpose, etc.).
Donation of personal property
If a parishioner donates his clothing, furniture, other personal property, etc. for an “external” organization (an organization that is not part of the Church), and during the initial consecration of these items the prayer did not say about the temporary nature of the consecration, a special prayer must be offered before donating items. In this prayer, it is necessary to explain that, despite the consecration with Holy salt, due to certain circumstances (name these circumstances), this property should be donated to someone.
Items returned to the store
When items have been purchased and blessed with Holy Salt for use, but for some reason it becomes necessary to return them to the seller, prayer should be offered as to why the items have to be returned (see the instructions described in the previous two paragraphs).
If it is inconvenient to use Holy Salt
There is nothing wrong with using Holy Salt to bless food in a restaurant or when visiting friends; however, this is not always convenient. The father noted that in such cases, consecration with Holy salt can be replaced with another option. He recommended that instead of using Holy Salt, one should bless food by quietly blowing on the food three times. Use common sense; in such cases, focus more on sanctification through your prayer.
When she is sacred
Thursday salt is consecrated in the temple on the same day it was prepared. The most suitable time is Holy Week, Maundy Thursday. After the consecration ceremony, our ancestors put black salt in a small bag made of natural fabric and stored it in a secluded place behind the icons (“goddess”).
Prayer for Consecration
With the help of this prayer, you can consecrate Thursday salt at home without going to church.
Important: when you read the text of the prayer, make sure you do it sincerely. Words must come from the heart. Your faith will charge the salt and provide incredible energy.
To make the consecration ceremony even more effective, put some salt in a bag and go to church, read a prayer in front of the icons. And then keep this bag at home, in a secluded place.
Watch the video about Thursday salt:
What methods of protection can be used
Each person considers his home to be his fortress, but in practice, a person’s home is filled with entities that enter it in different ways, and living quarters need regular cleaning. If you do not install powerful protection in your home, then so much negativity will accumulate that it will begin to affect the well-being of the people living in it.
To protect yourself from negativity, you need to throw a handful of salt over your shoulder. This method is used at the very beginning in all aura-cleansing rituals in order to drive away entities that will try to interfere with this action.
You can protect your home from damage and the evil eye by collecting negativity on hot salt. To do this, place a clean frying pan on the stove and heat it. Then regular medium-ground rock salt from a new, just opened pack is poured into the frying pan. Crosses are drawn on it and the prayer “Our Father” is read.
Fry the salt for 7 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly. If everything is in order with the energy at home, then the color of such salt may change slightly, becoming gray with a whitish coating. If there is a lot of negativity, the salt begins to shoot and turn black. You need to take this salt to the crossroads, scatter it on the road and say:
Take away your troubles, slander and sentences, devils.
Then turn your back, throw a coin over your shoulder and walk away. So that a person does not hear at this moment, you cannot look back.
To combat negative phenomena occurring in the house, magic salt is sprinkled in corners, laid out openly under beds and in hard-to-reach places. Once a month on the new moon, the salt is removed, taken to the crossroads, and a new portion of salt is poured. Used salt should be collected in the morning. First, they sweep it away with a damp broom, and then take it away without touching it with their hands.
Protecting the entrance with salt
To protect the threshold from negative information and evil people, a bag of magic salt is placed somewhere near the entrance. You can put it in the pocket of an old coat that has been forgotten by the owner and has been hanging on the hanger for years. It’s good to use the outerwear of an older relative who died and left the item as a keepsake. Then the salt will further strengthen its properties, because generic protection will be added to it.
You need to make a bag of salt with your own hands. The process for making it is quite simple. It is sewn from natural fabric and has a drawstring so that the bag can be opened and closed. A red woolen thread is threaded into the drawstring. After finishing the work, they pronounce the following spell:
Salt-salt, a guard against any grief, listen to me, protecting you from damage. Protect and take you away from hatred and misfortune!
After all, the finished bag is filled with magic salt. It can be carried with you and used for energetic cleansing of amulets and jewelry. It is recommended to look into it from time to time. If the salt in it has darkened or become too wet, it is disposed of and a new portion is poured from a freshly opened package.
