Bags, Binds, Besoms, Bottles (or Balls), Bundles, Baths and Blue. The Seven-fold protection.

Bags: Medicine bags, also called sachets, are great for protecting and warding things off from ones person as well as giving one some personal power. Protective charms, herbs and other small objects of spiritual medicine can all go in the bag. Though generally used to empower and align the practitioner, it can also be used for warding by aligning shield and/or aura to the attributes of the bag to ward off the undesired thing. This is extremely effective against parasitic entities. The practitioner effectively souring the milk. Likewise, any seal so charged with the circle during a rite can be used to effectively carry the energies and intent of that rite with the practitioner. This also goes for herbs, stones, natural objects and anything used and therefore charged. The seal being placed in the center of the altar atop the witches shield and under the candle of the circle to thusly charge.

Bases covered: Protection of self; individual protection.

Binds: Used to limit the power of an entity or otherwise void the authority of its intent. Considered especially effective if you know the name of the thing for of old ones name reveled their nature. To ensure a strong binding it is advised to use the triangle of the art and a black candle having inscribed upon it the limiting powers of Saturn. As the entities of a tome are reflected both in nature at large and in the psyche; one may bind the "[name of agent entity] of [name of entity or person]" as to bind a specific agency of being. As this is the the limiting of the a will's volition and/or it's control over it's sub-servant agencies to do so is a violation of free-will. Therefore, one should not bind lest they be sure they are on the side of providence, putting themselves upon the sacrificial altar of the spirit. Thus the binding that is not of warring is the binding done having invoked the supernal, for it must be done through the power of the True Will, and all those who have achieved thus are galvanized from such manipulation for their thread is golden. Yet this is of no concern for what reason is there to bind the virtuous?

Bases covered: Protecting yourself and others from a specific entity; protecting others from themselves.

Besoms: The traditional witches besom is highly protective, being so on all planes. Put them above your doors and rightly so anything you consider to be an in-between. For anything by which one moves from one place to another, from state to state or observes the distant, exterior or interior, is by definition a portal between worlds. Let it be known that to the beings of higher realms such pathways are not as mundanely straightforward but much more whimsical.

As such be prudent to keep note of any entry ways that line up, and especially so if they line up or have significant relation to any number of mirrors. For therein is as the alignment of celestial forces wherein powers and principalities are given entry to operate. If entry is unavoidable or desirable, dowse or otherwise determine the center of the flow and put there an altar doing the proper ritual work to mediate and set things as they need to be. Be sure also to doctor any besoms accordingly regarding desired intake. Thus they can be used to stir and purify all phantoms and residual constructs of emotion and thought through their sweeping. If it should be turned into a staff it will keep one aware of their path and protected thereon.

Bases covered: Spectral protection, that is protection on all levels; control over foreign influence; control of atmosphere through mediation.

Bottles & Balls: Both Witch-bottles and Witch-balls are used to ensnare and trap passing entities. Not to be confused with crystal balls, these witch-balls attracts spirits with their iridescent spectral beauty, trapping them within the glass sphere. They are especially useful in attracting beings like the fae and such a sphere giving way to a follow tube and doorway will bring much resilience and fortitude to ones garden and creative endeavors. As such they can be used to protect and invigorate the crop as well as bring livelihood back to areas in which nature spirits have been cast out. Though less inclined to visual scrying, like a crystal-ball they can also be used as a vessel for communicative purposes. Bottles are far more sinister in design as they are generally used as a means of entrapment into a state of extreme torment. Thus they should be effectively doctored to protect any non-malicious spirit from such a fate. If one should place therein the Sixth Pentacle of Mars it shall direct the torment of the entity back unto it's sender. Though the glass makes a fine vessel of containment, a bottle of quartz if obtainable makes a well structured egregore and chargeable battery. Either kind can be placed to effectively protect the perimeter though bottles of quartz properly stationed, programmed and charged in succession deosil, will gain the benefits of a crystal ward. As they are to be buried, and operative for an extended period of time it is beneficial to put within each, a peace of amber and/or citrine quartz. Know however that it will act not unlike a fire to a circle. Be sure to occasionally if not routinely walk the path of the bottles to ensure the ward is built up and properly functioning.

Bases covered: Perimeter protection and warding; protection of regeneration and renewal.

Bundles: Smudge-sticks and bundles are perhaps the most effective purifiers of atmosphere and all things that pass through the the smoke, which is as a passage through the fire. It is through smoke which the medicine and magick is sent forth and by which the fire reaches out to finds it's discipline. Thus does the smoke consecrate and remake all things. Tobacco is burned to open the mind towards communion with the creator, providence. It bringeth great contemplation and clarity of thought coming hence from great lucidity of spirit. Sage is chiefly burned for protection and purification though it does not still and focus the mind toward a sense of Samadhi as does the Tobacco. Ceder is a guardian of the fire warding off ill spirits and attracting the good. When mixed with tobacco and thrown into the fire it crackles, stirring a vocation within all spirits to heed the call of providence to kindle and nurture the fire. It is important to smudge when taking a new residence but not without respect to the entity that is that residence and all those within. Let the house breath, opening up windows and such so that it can take in what it needs. Call the quarters around it to nourish. After the house has been awakened and you have become aware of its prescience and informed it of your intentions; Bless the house with Tabasco or Sage with the intent of remaking it, those entities within and your relationship to them as to bring all into alignment with their higher aspirations and true will. Never manifest within or lead an assault on your own sanctuary. It is also wise to set up an altar at the energetic center of the residence as mentioned previously. One may teach and empower the residence to shield and ward itself, that it may do so in accordance to its own needs. It is also good that you should covenant again as others come to reside or when much as changed. This should be considered when re-arranging furniture, remodeling or anything that can be considered Feng Shui. Such things can be beneficial. however they can also be like stirring up the mud from the bottom of the pond or river. Cleansing brings renewal but everything must go somewhere.

Bases covered: Direct protection and restoration of atmosphere; Ethical approach teaches atmosphere to protect itself.

Baths: Purifying baths are often recommend before ritual and for good reason. The most important thing is to be in the mindset you need to be. To neglect this is to be undisciplined and sin; that is, to miss the mark on what is presently needed. This is the most important protection here presented. When one is not in the proper ritual mindset they are unable to move with the spirit and their work is powerless; yet one who can align their psyche to providence is cloven in supernal light and cannot be harmed. Just as they can remove impurities, they can also bring desired attributes through herbs, oils and anything non-lethal that can be brewed. Baths help the practitioner align to the forces and agents to be invoked and exalted through them.You must season yourself for the work.

Bases covered: Protecting self from self.

Blue & Bowls: Blue is the color of communication and interpersonal harmony, as green is personal harmony. Thus windows are sometimes made, partly in blue or have by them places a translucent medium of the color as to purify any thing that doth move through. Being both of glass they communicate by affinity though a crystal of blue that brings those things around it to focus will do. Masons will at times protect the lodge by placing on the window-seals, a light, often three in number held by a common base, and over these candles individual glasses blue in color. These glasses are charged by the fire and bring it's light to the vibration of the color. The three lights corresponding to any trinity yet especially of the supernal light. Note: regarding windows you can also put salt, sage, basil or tobacco as well as protective stones such as Apache's Tears along the window-seal.

In the more extreme use of the color, some in Appalachia paint their front and back doors what is called "Haint Blue" for the same purpose. In Appalachian tradition all blue glass and other mediums of the color to be used for purification are washed in and therefor by the Long Man, the spirit of the river. We often call upon him for purification and protection which are kin; again the worst power that can be used against you is yours. If a malicious entity is following you it is said they cannot cross a running stream if you have the spirit of the river to protect you. When the river is not close by it's water is to be stored within a blue glass bottle and kept on the altar.

Sometimes bowls of water, which are more effective when blue, are placed in active areas of passing or congregation to purify at those crossings or during those interactions. Sitting near or around a such a bowl will deepen and strengthen the communication, particularly of emotional nature, between those present in such a way as to yield healthy sharing of one another. When this is an intentional gathering a covenant flame should be place atop the water. This is also effective if placed upon the home altar.

Bases covered: Protects windows and other mediums of entry; Protects communication and group health; Protects the emotional/Astral body.

Lastly if all has failed, consecrated iron likely shalt not; but there is a deeper instruction here. The power and proper agency your will is the most important thing to manifesting victory in everything that you do. However it is the mindset that leads ever to the abuse of the will, or its disciplined state and thus it is the most important thing to taking care of your will. Always do everything with intent, even if your intent is to be playful.