The key to everything: a road-opening rite

Recently, on a Wednesday, walking home from work in the evening by a different route, upset by troubles at work, I happened to find a key on the road — not an old one, but already slightly covered in rust. The thought flashed at once: "Someone lost an office key. Maybe I've found my way to a new position?" But when I went online, I was disappointed. I shouldn't have picked it up at all — it may carry a curse. What do you say? What should I do with it now? Respectfully, Roman.

In olden times, when a person was handed the key to an office, they received along with it power, freedom, a career, and a prosperous life!

A key is believed to endow its owner with power and spiritual strength. It widens the range of possible actions. In ancient times people believed a key helped open the door to the realm of the dead, which is why whole bunches of keys are often found in old graves. A key can do more than unlock your flat or your office — it can be a talisman key that advances your career, a key to your sweetheart's heart, or a bringer of success in any sphere of your life.

If a key was lost by accident, it can be put to very good use in magic to attract whatever you need! It can become a very powerful talisman even though you have no physical lock for it — it can help you open any mental door! It is especially good that it has begun to rust: this suggests it can bring material well-being.

What matters is not only the place, but also the time and the day of the find. Finding keys in the morning or during the day foretells a joyful event, profit, a possible imminent housewarming. A key found in the evening speaks of obstacles on your life path soon being cleared away.

But if you discover a key in the dead of night, you should think hard about your behaviour and your way of life: it is a sign that you may soon make a fateful mistake that will turn your universe upside down — and not for the better.

On Saturdays, no metal objects and no keys should be picked up from the ground.

Keys are very often used to transfer a problem onto someone else: they are used to lock away prison, or to lock someone into it; to lock away binge drinking, to lock away mistresses, to lock away the gravest illnesses and other troubles!

And whoever picks up such a key, even without having its lock, may take all of that upon themselves. That is why you should never pick up keys in the street — especially old ones, near bodies of water, in water, at crossroads, or by the entrance to any church.

But since it has happened and you picked up a key in the street out of ignorance — what are you to do now.

First, you must check whether it carries a curse!

To find out as quickly as possible whether there is a curse on it. Place the key on a stool by the front door. Remember: keys must never be put on a table. Take a clear glass and place it over the key. Pour in half a glass of water, lift the information off the water (circle the surface of the glass three times as if gathering a cobweb, and flick it aside), then cross the water with your right hand and read the prayer "Let God Arise". Then break an egg, pour it into the water and look: if the water is clean and clear and the yolk lies within the white, there is no curse. But if streaks rise upward from the white, a curse is present; if there are bubbles at the ends of the streaks, the curse cast is a strong one, and if black dots or veins are visible, it was done very powerfully.

If the egg shows that a curse is present, come to me and I will help, or find a specialist where you live. For if you simply throw this key away now, it will not rid you of the curse, and taking it back to the place where you found it may not always help either.

If there are no rising streaks, the water is clear, the yolk lies within the white — good, then there is no curse, and this key can become a strong talisman for you. One that will turn your career for the better.

All the more so since you found it on a Wednesday — the day that governs contacts, communication, and career. And the very first thought that flashed through your mind has already built the mental door your found key is meant to open for you: "Someone lost an office key. Maybe I've found my way to a new position!" It is almost so already — lucky you!

Still, for a start the key must be cleansed of its former owners' energy imprint. You can give the same cleansing to all the keys you use.

Cover them with salt overnight, so that it hides them completely, saying:

In the morning, tip the salt into running water. The key is ready — now it can be charmed.

For the ritual, use a key that was either found or is no longer in use. But not an old one, and of course not one from a wardrobe or a sewing machine. A safe key, a padlock key, or a brand-new key will do.

In your case, wait for the full moon; early on Wednesday morning light a candle and first read the Akathist to the Archangel Gabriel.

Then thread a yellow or orange string or ribbon through the key and read the incantation 12 times. At the words "I tie it with a knot", tie knots while picturing what you wished for — unlocking the door to your office; everyone pictures their own, whatever they need — a chest of jewels, wedding rings, a fur coat, tickets to the city of Happiness, the sea...

"I walk and wander through twelve fields, through twelve forests, along twelve roads. On every road there is a door, on the door a lock, behind the lock a treasure. I hold the key — a wondrous key, the key to all doors. With my key I shall open the door and take that treasure, and tie it with a knot. Firm is my little knot, precious is my treasure. It serves me and never grieves, it brings me luck, it sings of joy." It goes to no other. My word is true! For my good, and harm to none. So be it!"

Carry the key with you; show it to no one and tell no one about it.

A key can make a fine amulet. For this, charm a small key — a gold or silver one — and wear it on a chain around your neck, or place it under a newborn's pillow; but an ordinary key can be charmed too. In that case, read this incantation:

"One key, seven locks. Behind those seven locks I am closed off from the evil word, closed off from the evil deed, closed off from the evil eye, closed off from curses, closed off from envy and closed off from theft. The seventh lock guards me and lets no strangers in! Verily!"

Such a key-amulet should be worn on your person, never taken off and never shown to anyone.

Three keys hung on one chain will help you gain health, wealth, and love. Wearing a small key on your body strengthens fertility, while an old key placed under the mattress is used to treat impotence. An inverted key kept beside the bed will banish nightmares and insomnia and bring sound sleep.

Keys are an excellent remedy against thieves — and not only in their direct use. Gather the keys to every door in the house and, touching each door with its key, read the incantation:

"Lock the thieves in the night! Lock the thieves in the night! Lock the thieves in the night!"

Then bind all the keys together on a red ribbon and hang the bunch to the right of the front door.

When you feel that too much negativity has built up and dark thoughts are besetting you, simply jingle the bunch of keys. Their ringing, like the ringing of a little bell, scatters negative energy and fills the air with positive energy.

The jingling of keys can also make a wish come true. To do this, picture the desired object or situation and jingle the bunch of keys loudly.

And if you wish to improve your finances, perform this ritual with a key. Take an old lock and its key. Turn the key in the keyhole several times to feel the lock's mechanism.

"Here is the lock, and with it the treasury. In that treasury my wealth shall lie, and the key and the lock shall guard it. While the lock stood open, there was nothing to guard; once the lock is closed, the treasury will fill. The lock is mine, the key is with me — I shall rule the treasury. So be it."

Keep the lock where you keep your money. Carry the lock's key with you.

Take a piece of black cloth or a black napkin, draw little crosses in chalk at its corners, draw a circle in the centre and write the word "Luck" inside it. Lay the key on the cloth, on the word, and around the circle write the word for whatever you are attracting success to. For example: business, love, conception, happiness, well-being, strong health.

"As on the sea-ocean, on the Isle of Buyan, there stands a forged chest, spelled by a witch. Whoever never opened that chest — neither opened nor broke it — stepped back. Only my little key opens that chest and lets success out; neither fluff nor feather hinders the deed or blocks the road! These are my words — a command for what lies ahead!"

For house keys — two doves, two hearts, the "double happiness" sign, anything paired will bring family happiness. A horseshoe, or the symbols of a cat, a dog, a rhinoceros, or another animal will also bring the owner comfort and protection.

For office or work — clover, the scarab beetle, the tortoise, the toad with a coin are money talismans and attract income.

For a car — a five-pointed star, an eye, any symbol in green.

For a country house — the Eiffel Tower, a globe, a ship, an aeroplane, the symbol of a country you would like to visit.

Clasping a new key-ring in your palm, visualise your wish for several minutes. And speak the incantation:

"As I gather power from the (name of the symbol), so I draw to myself (name what you desire). I shield myself from every trouble. I attract love, joy, and income. As commanded, so shall it be! Amen."

Hang the key-ring on your bunch of keys. From now on you will touch your wish every day, and it will surely come true.