Animating Images

If possible, make the image yourself. In this way everything may be placed to your specifications with input from the Spirit themselves if necessary. If you cannot make it, however, purchased images are just fine.

Situate the image within its new home in the Shrine, Temple space, or wherever else it is to be housed. Ideally this should be done ritualistically with a procession and an offering of flowers and incense, and other pomp.

Through the usual means, then, cast the circle, call the quarters and elements, and invoke the Spirits to be present.

Prayer is then recited over the vessel, which is then censed and (if safe) ritually bathed or sprinkled with salt and water purified in the usual manner, to make it spiritually and physically ‘clean’ and fit to inhabit.

Hymns and adorations are made to the Spirit of the image, dedicating it to them, offering them this vessel as space, and enticing them to take up residency in it as the statue is then ‘opened’ to them.

First the lips of the statue or other chosen image are anointed with oil; a prayer of anointing it in the Spirit of the chosen figure is said, and the image is ritually ‘fed’ with offerings of food and drink.

Next the blindfold is removed from the figure, and the eyes of the image are then simultaneously anointed with oil. Again a prayer to the chosen Spirit is said, and the eyes (including the middle or 3rd eye) are anointed a second time.

The head is anointed, finally, and a wreath of flowers and ribbons is placed on it. More prayers to the chosen Spirit of the figure are said.

More hymns and adorations are said. A list of epithets may also be recited, while offerings of flowers, fresh fruits, fine oils, and incense are given to the Spirit. Libations of good Wine are also made; this is the celebratory pomp.

Prayers of gratitude, thanksgiving, and welcome are finally made, and the circle may be closed according to the usual methods.

At this point the vessel is considered inhabited and should be veiled, closed into a cupboard, or otherwise hidden from view when not in active visitation.