Salt is a common material with strong mystical associations, most notably of purity and cleansing.[1][2][3]
Uses[]
Impure ghosts which are tainted by anger and hatred (i.e. hostile ghosts) are vulnerable to salt,[2] as are Wraiths.[3][4] Even a relatively nice ghost, such as Evan, is vulnerable to salt.[5][6] Blake suggested that it's preservative, edible, and sterilizing nature gives it a place in the cycle of life and death.[3]
Malignant Others in general tend to be allergic to salt due to it's purity.[7] It opposes and can be used to bind Bogeymen,[8] Night Hags, and Goblins, among other things.[9]
Unlike a Wraith, an astral being such as a Curse made manifest is not vulnerable to salt.[4] Turtle Spirits find salt neutral, presumably because they are not impure, and it can be used to construct neutral bindings for them in the same way as chalk circles.[10]
References[]
- ↑ “Blake, salt is a purifying material, cleansing. It can work against certain Others,” Rose said. “There’s a ton in the study, if you can’t find any in the kitchen. Go and throw it at them!” - Excerpt from Bonds 1.6
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 “Salt,” she said. “Is a pure substance, and any ghosts that actively want to hurt us are going to be naturally impure. Tainted by anger and hatred.” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 “Salt,” I said.
“There’s salt on the road.”
“Salt holds power because it’s pure,” I said. “It was used to preserve. It held off rot and it stopped the emergence of life, if you salted the earth with it. It flavors food. Life, consumption, death, it fits into a niche in the cycle of life and death. Dirty, gritty salt, I don’t know how effective that’d be. Probably enough for something as weak as Molly is, but…” - Excerpt from Mala Fide 10.3 - ↑ 4.0 4.1 “Ah, ow,” I said. Almost hurts. “Salt in eye.”
“Not a wraith,” Tiff muttered to herself, already digging through pockets
I could make out Green Eyes swiping her claws at the thing. Touching only air.
“Astral,” I said.
[...]
“Nightmare? No. Um. Doom. Curse made manifest? Roxanne, when you looted the bag, did you collect anything that looked like a dreamcatcher? A necklace, pendant, rosaries?” - Excerpt from Sine Die 14.5 - ↑ “F-frostbite?” Evan asked.
He held up one hand, showing us fingers that were frayed at the tip. More ghostly than they might otherwise be.
“Salt,” I said. “This is all very deliberate.” - Excerpt from Conviction 5.3 - ↑ I was dimly aware as the dead bird was tossed at the side of the building. I felt it like a physical blow when salt was tossed onto the body. - Excerpt from Conviction 5.4
- ↑ Like in Essentials, malignant Others are going to react to purifying substances and patterns, like salt and running water. Fresh wood against dead things. - Excerpt from Bonds 1.7
- ↑ The negative binding, using opposites, then applies to seal the hallow, should you want to trap the Other within. Put the Bogeyman or echo into a container that suits them and their nature, then seal that container appropriately with something anathema to them, so emerging is harder. A rusty box surrounded by fine silver chain, an old fashioned syringe of emotional significance, buried in salt. - Excerpt from Cutting Class 6.1
- ↑ Bonus Material: Binding and Countermeasures
- ↑ Tortoise Spirits