Water that is used in religious and/or magical rites. It is usually ordinary water to which salt has been added and that has been consecrated before use. In Witchcraft, this consecration is done by placing the forefinger or the tip of an athamé into the water while asking that all negativity be removed and all good enter into it.
It was once thought that Christian holy water was a powerful witch deterrent. It was also considered a protection from sickness and a cure for many ailments. In some towns and villages, churches had lockable lids fastened to the fonts to stop people from helping themselves to the powerful panacea.