Consecration Air and Water?

[EveningWithAstaroth]

I have heard many recommend using fire and water to consecrate tools, such as putting the tool in a candle flame for a couple seconds and using, moon water, holy water, rain water etc.

Personally with all my tools I tend to bless and consecrate with water and air, by using a homemade holy water and incense. I find especially with tools I can not put into a flame this way tends to be safer for the item itself, and find this method helpful for larger tools as well.

An example is a recently purchased, glass buoy for scrying purposes. A glass ball covered in twine rope with a loop for hanging. I do not feel my best course of action when I consecrated it this morning would have been to stick the glass ball into the flame due to it having a net rope around it- flammable.

I did what I always do, and used water and incense for consecration.

My question is, is there any reason why I should not be using water and air, and should instead use water and fire?

I mainly ask to see how everyone feels about this subject, especially those whom practice Wicca.

I guess essentially I am curious as to the reasons for water and fire, or if any other element can be used?

Personally however, I probably will not change my method, even if wiccans stick to fire being used, as I do not practice wicca anyway.

Curious to see all your thoughts on this.

[Firebird]

Well...
I tend to bless all tools with each element before use. Earth-Air- Fire- Water. And then request blessings upon tool with oil by Spirit.

You do not have to spend enough time over fire that it would catch said tool on fire, but just briefly pass item through flame and request blessing of element to now reside in tool. The glass sphere in the netting could be removed from netting, or you could pass it over a candle quickly or far enough away that it will not ignite.

Or you could combine elements. We do this prior to circle, to cleanse and consecrate the space and the folks entering into the space.
Cleanse with a mix of salt and water (Earth and Water) Consecrate with smudge of some kind. (Fire and Air) therefore the 4 elements are covered. The two could be switched to be cleansing with fire and air and consecrating with water and earth. I think that is a matter of personal preference.
In addition to align with the energy of Spirit a drop of oil to bless item or placed upon the 3rd eye of member in the circle.


Firebird

[SpiritTalker]

I like to consecrate the tool with the element it represents by putting it in contact with it's element 3 times (3rd time's the charm.) The magical law of Contagion says when 2 things touch they form a bond. Then introduce the tool to the 4-directions for balance. For example, I associate the wand to air so I want it to bond with Air; thus when I hold the tool I link as well. I breathe on the wand, pass it thru smoke & deliberately waft it around in the air to the four-directions. I'd be doing this within a circle.

IMO You're fine following your gut & could pass an item above the flame &'not thru it. Burning incense combines fire & air. Holy Water combines salt & H2O, earth & water. These 2 combinations bring the 4 elements to the table.