Folk Magic Water and Horse Brass Spell for Luck and Protection



This spell uses traditional elements such as horseshoe, horse brass and silvered water. First, a little background on each of the items we will be using in this spell.

Horse Brass
Horse Brass are brass amulets traditionally used in the UK to decorate and help identify draft horses. They were used during the 17th century and now are collectors’ items used to decorate homes, pubs and other spaces. As a child, I remember growing up and having many of these around the house. Recently I found that they were used as charms and protection amulets. “Horse brass were first used as amulets and not primarily as decorations”(Pearson:198) While this spell uses an actual horse brass, other brass charms or even shells could be used in a similar manner employing them for specific purpose for the sea or water witch.  “The brasses used to decorate the horse trappings originate thousands of years ago in amulets designed to ward off evil influences and protect the bearer from all forms of negativity. Designs such as the Sun, Moon, Stars, Equal-arm Cross and Circle have been found on amulets dating from the Iron Age period in Britain and still appear on brasses today…” (Pearson:154) The brass I selected has a Rose, Thistle and Shamrock on it. The thistle and rose are sacred to me and the shamrock mirrors the Triskele with its three heart shaped leaves.

Horseshoe
When you first think about a Horseshoe you might instantly think of luck! It is popular folklore to associate both the horseshoe and shamrock with luck, in fact there are probably hundreds of thousands of tattoos with both! However, horseshoes have been used as protective amulets as well. “Old horseshoes are of course seen a-plenty hanging on house and stable doors throughout the region, many having been placed there as protective devices many years ago.” (Pearson:199) When visiting the UK in 2012 I stayed on a Barge, which is a narrow house like boat full of its own watery traditions, ghost stories and folklore. The Canal ways have their own style of art as well, which is full of stylized roses and often castles with sun, moon and other motifs. While I was on the canal, at one of the locks, there was a little village store. I stopped in and grabbed some local art; a painted pail, small boat and a painted blue horseshoe featuring roses in the canal folk art style. This has become a wonderful magical tool and furthers my connection with the water.

Silvered Water
In Scotland “silvered water” was often used by a Faery doctor to cure the curse of the evil eye. However, there are many accounts of silvered water being used to heal, cure, and used in other forms of magic “Silvered water was water into which silver coins had dropped; and it was prepared in a special way.” (McArthur: 119) The water was taken from a liminal place and the silver dropped in the water. For my silver water I chose to use my sacred vessel and a very special silver pendant I have had since I was 16. I acquired it in Scotland around Edinburgh and it features 3 thistle arranged in a similar way as the Triskele. I have it attached to a short silver chain which is perfect for charming and silvering water. We will start by creating silver water and move into our protection and luck charm. 

How to create Sacred Water with Silver
You will need:

  •   A Sacred Vessel
  •   Distilled water, or water from a sacred source 
  •   A silver coin, ring, or pendant


1) Start your spell by clearing your space, ground and center.
2) Consecrate your sacred vessel by holding it and saying... With my breath, with my heart and with my will I consecrate this vessel.
3) Place your silver into the bowl, and begin to pour water over the silver filling the bowl up.
4) Carry your sacred vessel outside and place under the light of the full moon for 1-2 nights or just let it sit for 24 hours.
5) Bless the water with a prayer or incantation, Nine times is recommended. Something similar to this will work.
Nine maiden of the sacred well
Bless this water
bless the well
in your sacred spiral swell
Bless this water
Bless the well

6) Retrieve your water, label it, and store it in a mason jar with a tight lid. Now it is ready to use any time you need it!

Once your water is finished, dip your horseshoe into the water 3 times with the specific intent of making it a magical tool for either luck, protection or both. Empower and consecrate it in the same way you empower ad consecrate your other magical tools.

When this is finished lay out your working board, cloth or altar space and place the sacred water on the surface and then lay the horse brass inside of the Horse shoe. Spend a moment getting your intent clear, cast your circle or lay your compass and call upon your deity’s or spirits. Then hold your hands over the horse brass and tell the charms with words what you are employing them to do. Now sprinkle the silvered water on to the charm, as you do this speak aloud to your spirits and ask them to aid you in your work and to lend their power to the charm and its intent. Be sure to give them plenty of offerings, you know what they like so be sure to give them their favorites! 

Sacred Springs and Sulis

It was time to return to the hot mineral waters of Tonopah. El Dorado Hot Springs which means "Hot water under the bush" is a Hot Spring in Tonopah Arizona. These hot waters bubble up from the subterranean hot springs that lie under the hot desert sands. The waters are thick with a soothing mix of natural minerals. Ducks, Peafowl and wild birds roam the desert oasis, which is full of life. Don't let the hot desert fool you, there is much life, wild and tamed that roam these grounds and call them home. 
 I have visited this wonderful place before and you can read about it and see some other photos here. This time though, it was time to relax, rejuvenate and to bring offerings to Sulis. Sulis has been watching over my hot baths for years. In fact she even was able to somehow secure the entire space for herself, because I never intended it to be a shrine just to her, but it just happened. Sulis is a Brithonic Goddess that presides over Bath, where she has a temple first built by the Romans. Though inactive for several hundred years during the Victorian era the hot springs was resurrected and many would still visit. Aristocrats from both the Roman and Victorian area would frequent this sacred space. Today tourists flock to see the ruins and her temple is alive and well with many patrons visiting and the Government caring for the ruins. While it is now a museum the energy that surrounds it keeps her alive and well.  While Sulis is a water goddess, and healer she is also the keeper of  curses. 

Sulis
Sulis was also called Sulis Minerva by the Romans, while they are the ones credited with the wonderful architecture of her temple, she was originally worshiped by the Celts and other locals of the land. The etymology of her name is still argued about today. Some believe it means clear sight, while other think that it is associated with the sun. Still others think it means gap, and she is often referred to as the Goddess of the Gap. This is interesting as she isn't really an underworld deity but isn't really an above world deity either. She is the goddess of the gap, the place between, she is both here and there, in and out etc. Hundreds of votive offerings and over 100 curse tablets are found in her temple ruins. She is a goddess of indulgence, chocolate, flowers, luscious waters, and votive offerings. This liminal goddess was once loved and feared for being both a Goddess of healing and cursing. Today she is honored by just a few Priestess who are dedicated to working with her, keeping the waters clean, and sacred springs.

Visit Sulis the Goddess of the hot springs at bath with this virtual tour.