Tools, though not essential to a witch, are often employed to set a tone or mood. The more in the mindset you are about magick, the more powerful your workings will be, and sometimes we need a few props wink . Of course, they're looked at better than just mere props. I have an athame that as soon as my boyfriend picked it up, immediately dropped it and said rather bewildered that it wasnt something he should be touching (not in a bad way. I really wish he would have done the same to my tarot cards...). I've made necklaces and wands for folks who feel a certain energy to them that you wouldnt normally get from buying something out of a shop. Either way, they're supposed to be important to you, but you dont rely on them. A witches most powerful tool is themselves, and in all reality, its all they truly need.
Still wanna look and feel cool though, dont ya? Well, here is a list of the better known and used tools.
Altar-basically a flat surface in which you do your workings on, mostly ritual. Its a place of power, so you may set like...a charm or a ring on it to "charge" it (will be explained later). It's also one of the focal points if you were doing an esbat or any other type of worship. Usually a statue or a god or goddess (or both) would be on it, or other things that represent your goal or intent. It can be decorated with things sacred to your workings, flowers and shells and the likewise, or dressed up according to one of the holidays. If you've ever been to a more formal church, they have a similar kind of altar...
Athame- Pronounced A-tham-ay, not ath-aim. I wish they'd put a little accent mark on the e, it sounds French. Anyway, and athame is a little knife used for directing energy. Usually the blade is horribly dull, and the handle is black, but I've seen lovely ones in all shapes and forms. My first one was a butter knife xd , fitting for a hedge witch. Despite the dull blade, you need to be careful with this one. It must NEVER EVER be used to hurt ANYONE, yourself included. The only thing the athame should ever cut is a door to and from a circle in case you ever need to leave it (circles will be explained later). The athame represents the God, as its shape is rather straight and uh...resembles something.... xd
Bell- its just that, a bell. Usually you would use to to stir up the attention of whatever it is you're working with. Sometimes I use a bell when I call the corners (also explained later). Sound is also a very powerful magick smile
Besom- A broom. For centuries, witches have been portrayed on the back of flying brooms. That actually comes from a nice little tradition where at a festival, people would jump with brooms to encourage the harvest to grow that high. Brooms sweep away anything we dont want, both mundane and magickal. Traditionally, brooms were kept upside down to encourage good spirits. Which reminds me, I have a nice little spell I do when cleaning my room that involves both a broom and bells...I should post that!
Boline- A small knife used to cut herbs or cords. Also, you never hurt anyone with this, cause thats flat out mean. Anyway, a boline sometimes has a curved blade and a white handle, but again it depends on the persons tastes. Mines an exacto knife xd
Book of Shadows- I think we've been over this one, but its basically a book in which spells, recipes, rituals, and other important material is kept. Be it a spiral notebook, a three ringed binder, or an actual book, its contents are what matter.
Candles- will not light up when you blow on them. Though...that'd be nice and save me on lighter fluid...Candles are easily the simplest magick, and one of the more effective methods. They come in different colors, have a surface that you can inscrie runes and symbols on, and are fairly mess-free. Candles also can be used to symbolize the god and goddess if you dont have or want any statues, or give off a light that beats a standard lightbulb.
Chalice-a cup. Normally a rather ornate cup, as it holds water, juice, or wine during a ritual. If you're tight on funds, anything thats not a paper cup can suffice. I prefer teacups, without handles, but I also have a gold trimmed wine goblet Im fond of. The chalice represents the goddess, the womb, and is a smaller representation of the cauldron. Just...dont set this one on fire...
Cauldron-a fireproof vessel that can be used for a multitude of things. It can hold water, burn herbs, boil potions, make stew, represent the goddess and rebirth, and can be all yours for just three easy installments of $19.99! Sorry...anyways, cauldrons can get costly, $24 up in my area for one that would hold maybe three cups of liquids...I use a saucepan that we've had for a while, and I keep my herb burning for another fireproof dish...it can kinda stick to the pans surface sad
Herbs- plants! Magickal plants! That can be used for medicinal purposes as well as magickal. Each plant has a purpose, an element, a planet, hell if they could relate it to a plant, its prolly been done. Just as a VERY BIG WARNING! Herbs are not straight up medicine. They arent doctors visits, and they wont cure cancer (yet...theres gotta be a few out there that do). You need medical care and regular visits to doctors, herbs wont cut it alone. THey need help too. Think of it as another method. Two ways are better than one. And as always, make sure you know EXACTLY what herb it is, what it can and will do, both good and bad.
There are poisonous herbs out there too. I suggest both Cunningham's book on herbs, as well as one that shows pictures, or looking them up online before doing anything that involves ingesting or putting them on your skin.
Incense- Scent is a wonderful magick as well, and incense has been used for centuries by almost every old religion out there. Different incenses have different uses and properties, you can even make your own. I'm sure you've come across them, at stores...you know the type...anyways, I rather prefer sandalwood and nagchampa, but as it turns out, the poor trees that produce both arent being replanted, or torn down altogether for buildings ~anger~ Incense should also be burned on something fireproof, but if the store youre buying it from sells incense, they've usually got holders to waste your money on too...
Pentacle- The pentacle, as we've gone over, is the five pointed star within a circle which represents the elements connected through protection and magick. In ritual, it represents Earth, and is usually a disk of stone, wax or metal.
Robes- Clothing that you may or may not wear for magickal purposes. They're whatever you want them to look like, so long as they serve the purpose of separating your mind from the mundane world. I have some, its an old black dress that I wear with a cincher, but I dont wear them often. Personally, I think magick can be performed just as well in the clothes on your back. Some believe you dont need clothes at all...and go stark nekkid...
Runes- Runes are Nordic in origin, symbols that represent different aspects of life. Runes can be inscribed on things like candles, drawn on stones or on paper to give an added oomfph of energy to a spell or ritual. Some even wear them to invoke their power. Similar to the Ogham, and hieroglyphs.
Stones-Stones and crystals are used in the same matter as herbs (only dont ingest or burn them...bad results for both). You may draw different energies from them, or charge them for your own purposes. Each has different qualities, and can be worn around or kept in pockets or put in sachets, the possibilities are almost endless...
Sword-Not often seen in many Wiccan practices short of the Celtic and Norse traditions. The Swords like a really big athame, and carves out that circle used for rituals and sacred spaces. I rather like the use of swords, but sometimes they're just to clunky. Not to mention if I've invited more of my erm...hyperactive male friends to a ritual....bad outcomes.
Staff- Like a really big wand, the staff shares many of the same uses as its counterpart. Sometimes topped with a crystal or some oak leaves/acorns, you'll find that Celtic traditions use this, as well as some Native American tribes.
Wand- OoOOooOohh, the wand. Harry Potters got one, as does every other stereotypical wizard out there, and now you want one!!!! Eh, I have several, each have a different use but honestly, I used my athame for much the same reasons. Wands are used to project energy as well, and usually come into play if you're invoking the elements. They can be made of wood, or metal (like my spiral-y copper one I trashed before my friend imparted on me just how much copper was selling for that year), and decorated to your liking. Mine has a crystal at its tip (as crystals are kinda like catalysts of energy), and its handle is wrapped in green cord. I burned symbols on my old one, and superglued stones to my copper one. Wood and metals can be selected for their magickal purposes, as can everything else to enhance power.
Just...if you make it out of wood, try to find a stick from a tree that has already fallen. If you MUST take from a tree or a plant, always give thanks for it later, and if you can, give back.
Anyways, thats about it for the more common tools. There are more out there, but I figure as time progresses.... wink
Still wanna look and feel cool though, dont ya? Well, here is a list of the better known and used tools.
Altar-basically a flat surface in which you do your workings on, mostly ritual. Its a place of power, so you may set like...a charm or a ring on it to "charge" it (will be explained later). It's also one of the focal points if you were doing an esbat or any other type of worship. Usually a statue or a god or goddess (or both) would be on it, or other things that represent your goal or intent. It can be decorated with things sacred to your workings, flowers and shells and the likewise, or dressed up according to one of the holidays. If you've ever been to a more formal church, they have a similar kind of altar...
Athame- Pronounced A-tham-ay, not ath-aim. I wish they'd put a little accent mark on the e, it sounds French. Anyway, and athame is a little knife used for directing energy. Usually the blade is horribly dull, and the handle is black, but I've seen lovely ones in all shapes and forms. My first one was a butter knife xd , fitting for a hedge witch. Despite the dull blade, you need to be careful with this one. It must NEVER EVER be used to hurt ANYONE, yourself included. The only thing the athame should ever cut is a door to and from a circle in case you ever need to leave it (circles will be explained later). The athame represents the God, as its shape is rather straight and uh...resembles something.... xd
Bell- its just that, a bell. Usually you would use to to stir up the attention of whatever it is you're working with. Sometimes I use a bell when I call the corners (also explained later). Sound is also a very powerful magick smile
Besom- A broom. For centuries, witches have been portrayed on the back of flying brooms. That actually comes from a nice little tradition where at a festival, people would jump with brooms to encourage the harvest to grow that high. Brooms sweep away anything we dont want, both mundane and magickal. Traditionally, brooms were kept upside down to encourage good spirits. Which reminds me, I have a nice little spell I do when cleaning my room that involves both a broom and bells...I should post that!
Boline- A small knife used to cut herbs or cords. Also, you never hurt anyone with this, cause thats flat out mean. Anyway, a boline sometimes has a curved blade and a white handle, but again it depends on the persons tastes. Mines an exacto knife xd
Book of Shadows- I think we've been over this one, but its basically a book in which spells, recipes, rituals, and other important material is kept. Be it a spiral notebook, a three ringed binder, or an actual book, its contents are what matter.
Candles- will not light up when you blow on them. Though...that'd be nice and save me on lighter fluid...Candles are easily the simplest magick, and one of the more effective methods. They come in different colors, have a surface that you can inscrie runes and symbols on, and are fairly mess-free. Candles also can be used to symbolize the god and goddess if you dont have or want any statues, or give off a light that beats a standard lightbulb.
Chalice-a cup. Normally a rather ornate cup, as it holds water, juice, or wine during a ritual. If you're tight on funds, anything thats not a paper cup can suffice. I prefer teacups, without handles, but I also have a gold trimmed wine goblet Im fond of. The chalice represents the goddess, the womb, and is a smaller representation of the cauldron. Just...dont set this one on fire...
Cauldron-a fireproof vessel that can be used for a multitude of things. It can hold water, burn herbs, boil potions, make stew, represent the goddess and rebirth, and can be all yours for just three easy installments of $19.99! Sorry...anyways, cauldrons can get costly, $24 up in my area for one that would hold maybe three cups of liquids...I use a saucepan that we've had for a while, and I keep my herb burning for another fireproof dish...it can kinda stick to the pans surface sad
Herbs- plants! Magickal plants! That can be used for medicinal purposes as well as magickal. Each plant has a purpose, an element, a planet, hell if they could relate it to a plant, its prolly been done. Just as a VERY BIG WARNING! Herbs are not straight up medicine. They arent doctors visits, and they wont cure cancer (yet...theres gotta be a few out there that do). You need medical care and regular visits to doctors, herbs wont cut it alone. THey need help too. Think of it as another method. Two ways are better than one. And as always, make sure you know EXACTLY what herb it is, what it can and will do, both good and bad.
There are poisonous herbs out there too. I suggest both Cunningham's book on herbs, as well as one that shows pictures, or looking them up online before doing anything that involves ingesting or putting them on your skin.
Incense- Scent is a wonderful magick as well, and incense has been used for centuries by almost every old religion out there. Different incenses have different uses and properties, you can even make your own. I'm sure you've come across them, at stores...you know the type...anyways, I rather prefer sandalwood and nagchampa, but as it turns out, the poor trees that produce both arent being replanted, or torn down altogether for buildings ~anger~ Incense should also be burned on something fireproof, but if the store youre buying it from sells incense, they've usually got holders to waste your money on too...
Pentacle- The pentacle, as we've gone over, is the five pointed star within a circle which represents the elements connected through protection and magick. In ritual, it represents Earth, and is usually a disk of stone, wax or metal.
Robes- Clothing that you may or may not wear for magickal purposes. They're whatever you want them to look like, so long as they serve the purpose of separating your mind from the mundane world. I have some, its an old black dress that I wear with a cincher, but I dont wear them often. Personally, I think magick can be performed just as well in the clothes on your back. Some believe you dont need clothes at all...and go stark nekkid...
Runes- Runes are Nordic in origin, symbols that represent different aspects of life. Runes can be inscribed on things like candles, drawn on stones or on paper to give an added oomfph of energy to a spell or ritual. Some even wear them to invoke their power. Similar to the Ogham, and hieroglyphs.
Stones-Stones and crystals are used in the same matter as herbs (only dont ingest or burn them...bad results for both). You may draw different energies from them, or charge them for your own purposes. Each has different qualities, and can be worn around or kept in pockets or put in sachets, the possibilities are almost endless...
Sword-Not often seen in many Wiccan practices short of the Celtic and Norse traditions. The Swords like a really big athame, and carves out that circle used for rituals and sacred spaces. I rather like the use of swords, but sometimes they're just to clunky. Not to mention if I've invited more of my erm...hyperactive male friends to a ritual....bad outcomes.
Staff- Like a really big wand, the staff shares many of the same uses as its counterpart. Sometimes topped with a crystal or some oak leaves/acorns, you'll find that Celtic traditions use this, as well as some Native American tribes.
Wand- OoOOooOohh, the wand. Harry Potters got one, as does every other stereotypical wizard out there, and now you want one!!!! Eh, I have several, each have a different use but honestly, I used my athame for much the same reasons. Wands are used to project energy as well, and usually come into play if you're invoking the elements. They can be made of wood, or metal (like my spiral-y copper one I trashed before my friend imparted on me just how much copper was selling for that year), and decorated to your liking. Mine has a crystal at its tip (as crystals are kinda like catalysts of energy), and its handle is wrapped in green cord. I burned symbols on my old one, and superglued stones to my copper one. Wood and metals can be selected for their magickal purposes, as can everything else to enhance power.
Just...if you make it out of wood, try to find a stick from a tree that has already fallen. If you MUST take from a tree or a plant, always give thanks for it later, and if you can, give back.
Anyways, thats about it for the more common tools. There are more out there, but I figure as time progresses.... wink
