3 Ways To Make Your Own Holy Water - WikiHow

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How to Make Holy Water at Home without a Priest Download Article A guide to preparing, consecrating, & blessing your own holy water Co-authored by Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: April 16, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Making Holy Water with Catholic Rituals
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• Creating Pagan Holy Water
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• What is holy water?
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• Consecration Help
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Aimee Payne is a writer and editor living in Jacksonville, Florida. For more than 10 years, she has created informative and engaging marketing content for the insurance, collectibles, and apparel industries. She has a BA from Otterbein University where she studied English Literature and Music, and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,073,706 times. Learn more...

Various religions use holy water for cleansing, protection, and blessings. This article covers making your own holy water using Catholic rituals and prayers, as well as several pagan rituals for charging or blessing water for use in rituals and ceremonies. However, many people believe holy water can only be truly sanctified by an ordained priest. For this reason, depending on your faith, you may not be able to create genuine holy water. If your faith allows you to make your own holy water, read on to learn how.

How to Make Holy Water: The Basics

Place water from a natural source into a bowl. Add consecrated salt in the shape of a cross and bless the water. Or, gather seawater for cleansing, rainwater for purity, or add salt for banishing. Leave water in the moonlight or place silver in it to make it holy.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Making Holy Water with Catholic Prayers & Rituals

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1. 1 Gather pure salt and consecrate it with the “Exorcism and Blessing of Salt.” Before making holy water, you must create holy salt. Consecrate the salt (or make it sacred) first. Add pure salt, like Kosher or natural rock salt with no added ingredients, to a small bowl or jar. Say the following words from The Roman Ritual, one of the official liturgical books of the Catholic Church:[1]
   • “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God, by the God who ordered you to be poured into the water by Eliseo the Prophet so that its life-giving powers might be restored. I exorcise you so that you may become a means of salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, arid that you may put to flight and drive away from the places where you are sprinkled every apparition, villainy, and turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit, adjured by Him Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. Amen.”[2]
   • If you are consecrating the salt in front of witnesses, invite them to join you in prayer: “Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore Thee, in Thy immeasurable kindness and love, to bless and sanctify this salt which Thou did create and give over to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it, and may rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness and protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
   • The Roman Ritual contains the services a priest or deacon performs that are not included in other liturgical books.
   • There are no special requirements for the container you use for the salt.
   • If you keep any holy salt that you do not mix with the water, make sure you mark the container so you don’t confuse it with regular table salt.
2. 2 Collect water from a natural source if possible. If you can, get your water from a nearby lake, stream, or river. Filter your water before using it—you don't want dirty holy water! Place the purified water in an open container, such as a large bowl.
   • Try to avoid using tap water. It may have additives such as chlorine and fluoride in it.
   • However, you may use tap water or bottled water if a natural source isn’t available. Store-bought distilled water or spring water are also good choices.
   • If you use tap water, filter and dechlorinate it before you use it to make holy water.

   Safety precaution: If you plan to sprinkle the holy water on yourself, put it on your lips, or drink it, it’s very important to make sure that it’s clean and well-filtered. You may get sick if you drink unclean holy water.[3]

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3. 3 Exorcise the water using the “Exorcism and Blessing of Water.” Before combining the salt and water, perform an exorcism over the water to bless it and prepare it for use in making holy water.[4] Recite the “Exorcism and Blessing of Water” from The Roman Ritual:
   • “O water, creature of God, I exorcise you in the name of God the Father almighty, and in the name of Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. I exorcise you so that you may put to flight all the power of the Enemy, and be able to root out and supplant that Enemy with his apostate angels: through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. Amen.”[5]
   • If you’re doing the exorcism in front of witnesses, have them join you in the following prayer: “O God, Who for the salvation of mankind has built Thy greatest mysteries on this substance, water, in Thy kindness hear our prayers and pour down the power of Thy blessing into this element, made ready for many kinds of purifications. May this, Thy creature, become an agent of divine grace in the service of Thy mysteries, to drive away evil spirits and dispel sickness, so that everything in the homes and other buildings of the faithful that is sprinkled with this water may be rid of all uncleanness and freed from every harm. Let no breath of infection, no disease-bearing air, remain in these places. May the wiles of the lurking Enemy prove of no avail. Let whatever might menace the safety and peace of those who live here be put to flight by the sprinkling of this water, so that the healthfulness, obtained by calling upon Thy holy name, may be made secure against all attack. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
4. 4 Pour the salt into the water in the shape of a cross. Once you’ve exorcised both the salt and the water, the final step is to combine them. Add the salt to the water, making the form of a cross as you pour it in. As you pour in the salt, recite the following from the “Exorcism and Blessing of Water”:[6]
   • “May this salt and water be mixed together; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
   • If you are performing the ritual in front of witnesses, say, “The Lord be with you.” They will respond, “May He also be with you.”
   • Invite anyone present to join you in this prayer: “God, source of irresistible might and king of an invincible realm, the ever-glorious conqueror; who restrain the force of the adversary, silencing the uproar of his rage, and valiantly subduing his wickedness; in awe and humility we beg you, Lord, to regard with favor this creature thing of salt and water, to let the light of your kindness shine upon it, and to hallow it with the dew of your mercy; so that wherever it is sprinkled and your holy name is invoked, every assault of the unclean spirit may be baffled, and all dread of the serpent's venom be cast out. To us who entreat your mercy grant that the Holy Spirit may be with us wherever we may be; through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
5. 5 Bless the holy water with a prayer from the Novus Ordo Book of Blessings. Once you’ve made your holy water, you can bless it using the following prayer from the Novus Ordo Book of Blessings: “Blessed are you, Lord, Almighty God, who deigned to bless us in Christ, the living water of our salvation, and to reform us interiorly, grant that we who are fortified by the sprinkling of or use of this water, the youth of the spirit being renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit, may walk always in newness of life.”
   • When you finish the blessing, make the sign of the cross over the water.
6. 6 Use your holy water to bless your home and family. Once you’ve finished making your holy water, place it in the container of your choice, such as a small glass vial or plastic spray bottle. Bless your home by sprinkling the holy water around different rooms, or use it to bless yourself or a family member when they go to bed at night.[7]
   • If you’re not comfortable using holy water that you blessed yourself, go to a priest in your parish and ask for some.
   • Some churches also have a holy water font where you can fill up a container to take home with you.[8]
   • Keep a holy water font at home to use for blessings throughout your day.
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Section 2 of 3:

Creating Pagan Holy Water

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1. 1 Collect seawater to use for cleansing and purification rituals. Many Pagan traditions consider seawater to be sacred. When you want to use it in blessings and rituals, gather seawater in a small bottle and leave an offering of thanks in return.[9]
   • For example, you might leave some fresh flowers or a little food (such as fruit or vegetables) that the animals living in the area can eat.
2. 2 Gather rainwater for rituals of purity, fertility, and abundance. If you want to use water in fertility rituals, set out an open container, such as a glass jar or chalice, to gather some rainwater. You can also gather the water from a well or rainwater reservoir.[10]
   • Water gathered during a lightning storm is thought to be infused with powerful energy.
   • You can also collect morning dew for use in rituals relating to beauty, healing, and rejuvenation.

   Tip: Many Pagans believe you can use rainwater to help bring fertility to your garden. Simply use it to water your plants as you normally would. Don’t add salt if you plan to use it this way, though—it will damage your plants!

3. 3 Add pure salt to the water to use in banishing spells. Practitioners in many religious traditions believe salt is the preserver of life that helps ward off unfriendly spirits and entities. To make holy water for this purpose, place the water in a chalice. Say prayers over the salt and water that are appropriate for your particular Pagan tradition, then combine the 2 ingredients together and say a final prayer to bless the water and make it holy.[11]
   • For example, you might first dip your fingers or a magic wand into the water and say the following prayer: “Behold this water that is the giver of life. I ask that this water be blessed and purified and made holy. In the name of Goddess and of God, in love, light, peace, and trust.”[12]
   • Next, dip your fingers or wand into the salt and recite: “Behold the salt that is the preserver of life. I ask that this salt be blessed and consecrated and purified. In the name of Goddess and of God, in love, light, peace, and trust.”[13]
   • Add a pinch of the salt to the water and mix them together, stirring in a clockwise direction. After you’re done mixing, say the final prayer while still touching the mixture of water and salt: “For, as the water is holy and as the salt is holy, may the union of these two be blessed and purified and consecrated. In the name of Goddess and of God, by the almighty power of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, may this now be holy water to be used in goodness, love, light, peace, and trust. So mote it be.”[14]
   • Any kind of water or salt will work for this purpose, including tap water and table salt.
   • In addition to dispelling negative energy, many Pagan magic practitioners believe you can use this type of holy water to bless and purify your body by gently dabbing it on your skin.
4. 4 Leave water outside in the moonlight for another way to make it holy. Many Pagans believe that simply exposing water to moonlight can make it holy. Put any type of water in the container of your choice and set it in a place where it will receive plenty of moonlight. You can “charge” this water with any intention you like and use it for a variety of purposes, like relaxation, clarity, enhanced psychic awareness, and cleansing.[15]
   • Preferably, you should use a silver or glass container for this purpose since these materials are believed to be good at holding spiritual energy.
   • As you set out the container of water, say a prayer or chant expressing your intention for the water. For example, you might ask for a blessing of love, purity, or protection.
   • One blessing is: “As the full moon rises, so I rise. I am awestruck by my divinity, my potential, my power illuminated fully in Luna’s light. Her great cycle is the death and rebirth that empowers my ascension. I am her and she is me. Across the lands where night has fallen, I am the light. I have released the darkness — the fear, the grief, the worry — and opened my heart to let beauty and bright fruition flow in and to cast it back out, like a beacon from the heavens. Luna, I am thankful. Amen, A’ho, So it is.”
5. 5 Add silver to the water for additional lunar blessings. In addition to consecrating your water by moonlight, many Pagans believe you can bring extra lunar blessings by putting a piece of silver metal into the water. Choose any silver object, such as a ring or a coin, and drop it into the water before leaving it out in the moonlight.[16]
   • For a sunlight blessing, which is associated with healing and positive energy, you can add a piece of gold to the water and leave it out in the sun.
   • Add silver to a bowl with snow and ice and charge it with an intention such as “freezing” your enemies or getting stuck energies to flow. You can then put this “Winter Blessing Water” out in the light of the full moon to make it holy.[17]
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Section 3 of 3:

What is holy water?

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1. Holy water is water blessed for religious purposes. Most holy water starts as regular water until a priest or other person blesses it, which transforms it. It becomes sacramental, meaning it’s a tool that believers use to practice their religion or faith.[18] While there’s nothing physically different between regular water and holy water, believers feel there is a spiritual difference.
   • In Christianity, holy water is blessed by the clergy and used in baptisms and blessings for people, homes, churches, and items used in devotion.[19]
   • In Pagan religions, consecrated water is often used as part of blessings, banishing rituals, or cleansings of a sacred space.[20]

Consecration Help

Benediction of the Salt Psalm 103

Community Q&A

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• Question What if you are not Catholic?🙏🙏 wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Non-Catholics can use holy water as well. Follow your own beliefs when using holy water, or talk to a religious leader in your faith about how (and whether) you can use it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 32 Helpful 109
• Question My friend said that you can create holy water by water and salt, is that true? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer In many religious traditions (including Catholicism and some Pagan traditions), yes, holy water is created by combining water with salt. Typically, the salt and water must both be ritually consecrated (either together or separately) in order for the water to be considered holy. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 36 Helpful 83
• Question I tried to make a Holy Water by the Catholic method, and I used water from the tap, but it is filtered and boiled. Is that okay? And I put it in a metal container, is that all right? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Yes, that should all be okay. If you plan to drink the holy water, make sure the metal container you used is safe to drink from. For example, aluminum and stainless steel are good choices. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 32 Helpful 71

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Tips

• To make holy water with salt, use kosher salt or another type of natural salt without additives (such as sea salt or natural rock salt). Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

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Things You'll Need

Blessing Water with Catholic Prayers and Rituals

• Natural water
• Pure salt
• Containers for salt and water
• Text of the Rite for Providing Holy Water from the Roman Ritual

Creating Pagan Holy Water

• Natural water
• Salt
• Non-metal container for water
• A small, silver object (optional)
• An altar

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References

1. ↑ https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/blessing-of-water-outside-mass-4887
2. ↑ https://romancatholicman.com/wp/exorcism-blessing-for-salt-and-water/
3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22960479
4. ↑ https://jdpofs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Exercism-Blessing-of-Salt-Water.pdf
5. ↑ https://romancatholicman.com/wp/exorcism-blessing-for-salt-and-water/
6. ↑ https://jdpofs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Exercism-Blessing-of-Salt-Water.pdf
7. ↑ https://www.goodcatholic.com/ways-to-use-holy-water/
8. ↑ Fr. Scott Bailey. Catholic Priest. Expert Interview
9. ↑ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/waterwitch/2017/01/water-magic.html

More References (11)

10. ↑ https://www.watercache.com/education/rainwater-harvesting-101
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/04DK7tz_GcA?t=43
12. ↑ https://youtu.be/04DK7tz_GcA?t=79
13. ↑ https://youtu.be/04DK7tz_GcA?t=96
14. ↑ https://youtu.be/04DK7tz_GcA?t=121
15. ↑ https://www.spiritofchange.org/how-to-make-and-use-magical-moon-water/
16. ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/consecrated-water-for-ritual-2562332
17. ↑ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/waterwitch/2017/01/snow-magic.html
18. ↑ https://www.ncregister.com/blog/why-do-catholics-use-holy-water
19. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/holy-water
20. ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/consecrated-water-for-ritual-2562332

About This Article

Co-authored by: Aimee Payne, MFA wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Aimee Payne is a writer and editor living in Jacksonville, Florida. For more than 10 years, she has created informative and engaging marketing content for the insurance, collectibles, and apparel industries. She has a BA from Otterbein University where she studied English Literature and Music, and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. This article has been viewed 2,073,706 times. 14 votes - 66% Co-authors: 72 Updated: April 16, 2025 Views: 2,073,706 Categories: Catholicism Article SummaryX

To make holy water for a Catholic ritual, you’ll need to start by making holy salt. You can do this by putting pure salt in a bowl and repeating the salt blessing prayer from The Roman Ritual. Once your salt is blessed, head to a nearby lake, stream, or river and gather some water to bring home and filter. Avoid using tap water in your ritual, because it might have additives like chlorine or fluoride that can affect the blessing. Before combining the salt and water, bless the water by saying the water exorcism prayer from The Roman Ritual. Finally, pour the water into the salt in the shape of a cross and say, “May this salt and water be mixed together; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” For more help, like how to bless the holy water and use it on your home, read on. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Aimee Payne, MFA wikiHow Staff Writer 14 votes - 66% Click a star to vote 66% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 72 Updated: April 16, 2025 Views: 2,073,706

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