[Guide] Magical Tools

[SlaineWildfire]

Magical Tools: A Guide
Welcome to your guide to magical tools! This is going to be a very simplistic guide, targeted to the newbie practitioner of magic. If you have any questions at all, feel free to post in the thread and ask away. Also, if you want to add anything to my list, let me know.

Thanks,
SlaineWildfire  

[SlaineWildfire]

A - L

Athame
Also known as the black-handled knife. The black-handled knife is simply used for all things magical, such as consecrating of other tools and frequently casting the circle. The reason for the handle being black is simple, black absorbs energy, similar to when you wear a black shirt on a sunny day - it gets hot! This makes black perfect for magical use. The athame is generally seen as a symbol of the God and connected to the element of fire.

Besom
Also called simply the broom, the broom is not used for flying, we have airplanes for that. The broom is used to cleanse the space used for ritual. The act of sweeping clears the space of negative energies. The broom represents the union of male and female energies.

Bolline
The bolline, also known as the white-handled knife, is responsible for any cutting during magic. Traditionally, a bolline is a curved blade knife, similar to a small sickle. For instance it is normally used when harvesting magical herbs or plants. Also, if anything needs to be cut during a ritual, such as food, thread, or anything else the bolline is often utilized. It is often associated with the Goddess.

Book of Shadows
A complicated piece of equipment, the Book of Shadows is the name that many witches use to refer to a book which holds a collection of rituals, spells, correspondence tables, and other material pertinent to spellcasting and life as a witch. It may come in many different formats, even going so far as to exist entirely on a computer, but many witches find it an important ritual tool for guiding and assisting in magic.

Book of Mirrors
Though this book is known by many names, or possibly no name at all, a Book of Mirrors is a witches journal. It usually contains thoughts about the nature of deity, magic, the craft, and other private thoughts that would not belong in the Book of Shadows. It is known as a Book of Mirrors because it is the reflection of the witch who uses it, and can be used as a tool for meditation or for taking basic study of witchcraft to the next level of sophistication. It can also be used for recording dreams for interpretation or recording the outcomes of meditations or astral travelings.

Candles
Candles are just another tool used by witches and magic users the world 'round. They are used as energy focal points and releasers. Many spells require candles, both for their connection to fire and to air, but for their strength, ability to control, and the fact that almost all people can access candles. Candles are typically used in spell work based on the color and/or shape of the candle. Some witches prefer to use unscented candles and/or candles made of natural materials in order to be as pure and free of the maker's intention as possible. Some witches also prefer to make their own candles for this reason.

Cauldron
The cauldron is sometimes used as a censer, a vessel in which incense is burned. Sometimes the cauldron is also used for brewing up magical beverages or brews. They can range in size from very large (big enough to fit a person in) to ones that can fit in the palm of the hand. The cauldron is generally associated with the Universal Spirit. The cauldron can be looked at to represent the womb of the universe from which all things come from. The cauldron is generally associated with the element of water. It's important to note that to be a cauldron, the top opening must be wider than the bottom, and it must sit upon three legs. Anything else is simply a pot.

Chalice
The chalice is often used to hold ceremonial beverages, such as wine or juice. The chalice is also used during the part of the ritual when Wiccans partake of cakes and wine, or cakes and ale. The chalice is generally seen as a symbol of the Goddess, and the element of water. Because it represents the element of water, it may also be used on the altar and/or as the symbol of the west.

Crystals & Gemstones
Many different stones and crystals are used during spell casting, for many different reasons. They are most often associated with the element of earth and the northern direction, and can be used as symbols of the goddess.

Herbs
Herbs of many kinds are used during spellcraft in many different ways. Some are ingested, some are displayed, some are burnt, some are used for ornamentation, some are crushed into pastes or slurries, and some are put in magical bags (gris-gris or mojo bags).

Incense
Incense is intimately connected to the element of air, and is often offered as a sacrifice to the elemental rulers. Also, incense has typically been used as a purifier, or cleanser of negative energies. It can be used in sticks, powder form, cones, whatever is easiest. As with candles, incense is often used based on a specific need.  

[SlaineWildfire]

M - Z

Mortar & Pestle
The mortar and pestle is a common tool used for pulverizing and crushing plant material. The mortar is a bowl while the pestle is a heavy stick tool. The mortar and pestle usually come in marble or ceramic, but any heavy duty, non-porous material works well.

Oil
Both essential fragrance oils and olive, vegetable, and other base oils can be used during ritual. Oil is most frequently used for annointing objects and tools, particularly candles or ritual participants (depending on the practitioners).

Pentagram/Pentacle
The five pointed star is usually worn as a necklace by many Wiccans, as it is a symbol of the religion, but it also has protective energy. Displayed on the altar, objects to be consecrated are usually lain on it, it represents the element of earth. The upright pentacle is not a symbol of Satanism, although some Satanists have chosen the inverted pentacle as a symbol for their religion. Some Wiccans use the inverted pentacle to signify lower degrees in the Craft.

Salt
Salt is frequently used as a tool for purification during spell work. Some stones or other tools are immersed in a bowl of salt in order to cleanse them of their past purposes. It may also be used to protect the practitioners from negative energies. It is also a symbol of the element of earth.

Staff
A common symbol associated with magic, the staff serves simply as a very large wand. It too is associated with the element air, but also with classical wizardry and druidry. Some individuals choose a staff over a wand because of these very connections. It is also much easier to see a staff than a wand during mass ritual. Most staves are made of wood and decorated to suit the practitioner.

Sword
While not as common as the athame, some practitioners prefer to use a sword for ritual purposes. Swords are bigger and easier to see in mass ritual than athames are, and they are more dramatic. They too represent the element of fire and are symbolic and etheric, only used to metaphorically or spiritually cut.

Wand
The wand is basically a long piece of material, made of different types of wood or stone, and adorned with different materials, such as crystals, feathers, herbs, colored cords, etc. This tool is used by some witches, but not all. This is another tool used for the directing of energies. Although sometimes it is used to invoke the Goddess, as it is usually associated with her. Different woods have different meanings and uses within magic. They range from simple sticks, to very elaborate pieces of art. They are also connected to the element of air.


(This is for the Lammas puzzle. Please don't remove).  

[SlaineWildfire]

Post claimed.  

[God_of_Skills]

This is very useful! thank you!  

[WicciStud]

thanks for posting this it was helpful! 4laugh  

[Emii Cat]

thanks for clarifying the book of shadows & the book of mirrors ^.^
whee  

[zainith666]

can you explain the book of shadows more? and is it all necessary, the book i mean. but i guess are the other implements needed? just curious  

[too2sweet]

Not including things that are required by specific Traditions, no tool is absolutely necessary, and at their most basic they are simply focus points.

In terms of Wicca, a BOS is oath-bound, so exactly what it contains is only known to initiates, but for the most part it contains the core orthopraxy - rituals, mysteries, etc...

In general Neo-Pagan terms a BOS holds whatever you want it to hold. It can be a journal of your magical workings, rituals, bits of information you think are important, etc... it's all up to you. While many witches might have one, they aren't absolutely necessary either, though it can be useful to have everything in a central location, especially if it's stuff you use on a regular basis.  

[zainith666]

thank you. sorry, i was never really sure about that. i feel silly now... sweatdrop