Silverm00n
03-31-2006, 09:56 PM
There are many tools and implements used in Witchcraft. These items can come in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Though there are tools out there that are quite expensive, and you may run out to the store and pay top dollar for them, it does not make you a "better" Witch. It's important to remember that the Witch makes the tool, and not the other way around. Most of the tools that are used can be obtained from ordinary house hold items, or can be created by you. It is the power that you put into your tools that makes them effective, not what they are made out of, or how much you bought them for. The following list is to give you a general idea of what tools are used in most rituals, and what they represent. If you should choose to buy your tools, it is important for you not to haggle over the price, because in doing so you are reinforcing it with negative energy even before your first use, and may prove them to be ineffective. It is also a must to concecrate each tool before its use, and once you do so, make sure that noone else will be handeling them except for you or other people who have themselves been consecrated to the God and Goddess. This list is in alphabetical order and not in any order of importance or use. Since this is a general list, there may be some specialized items that are not included.
Altar:
There are no specifics when it comes to an altar or the space you use, except that it needs to be a space that is clean, and will be sacred to you in your time of ritual. The altar can be tall or short, round or square, big or small, its up to you. Just be sure its big enough to fit a few items like: an athame, 2 candles, a bell, a bowl of salt and water, a chalice, a pentacle, a candlesnuffer, incense and cakes. You can also put crystals or God/dess idols on your altar if permissible. It is also handy if you can have some drawers in your altar to keep your ritual supplies handy.
Altar Cloth:
The altar cloth is usually draped over the top and front of the altar. Its color is representative of the season, with the softer pastel colors generally used in the spring and early summer. Reds or dark greens can be used in summer to early fall, and orange and black are suitable in fall and winter. The altar cloth should not be used for any other purpose; it should be folded and put away when not in use.
Athame:
The athame is generally a double-edged, dark handled knife with a blade of about five or six inches in length. The blade edges are not sharpened, and are not to be used as a weapon, and should never be used to draw blood. The athame is used to mark the perimiter of the circle, to stir the salt and water used in consecrating the circle, and as a marking implement to carve words or symbols on candles for use in candle magic. The athame is a personal tool and can be marked either on the handle or blade with your own unique glyph or sigil that is representative of your Craft name taken at initiation. Your athame should be put away safely, wrapped in a white cloth or stored in a white container.
Besom:
The besom is a sacred broom used to sweep away any lingering energies around the area in which a circle is to be cast. You can also accomplish the same task by purifying your space with sage, if you choose not to obtain a besom. I like to cleanse my circle with the besom as well as smudging with sage before each ritual. Besoms can be easily obtained at any craft or occult shop. If necessary, you can make your own with any old broom handle or any piece of wood of a suitable length and some twisted straw or grass tied in a bundle at the end.
Boline:
The boline is a small sharp white-handled knife with a curved blade resembling a small sickle. The blade is generally made of copper, not steel. It is used to cut herbs and for nothing else, and whether or not you need one will depend on your own requirements. The boline should be put safely away when not in use.
Cauldron:
A cauldron can have many uses, from holding a small balefire, to functioning as the female counterpart to the male athame in a symbolic Great Rite. It is also used to burn any incantations used in spell work or to burn written requests to the deities during some rituals. They come in various sizes, and the size of the cauldron you aquire depends on its anticipated use. Any iron pot will do for this purpose, but the old-fashioned, three legged black cauldrons, some emblazoned with a pentagram, are usually only available from occult shops.
Chalice:
The chalice is a glass or metal drinking goblet, I prefer metal. It can be used in the initiation rite and rituals when drinking a toast to the Lord and Lady.
Incense and Holder:
The type of incense burned at any ritual depends on the purpose of the ritual. I find sandalwood to be an effective generic incense for most occasions. You can you stick, cone, or powdered insence, but sticks burn more reliably and with less bother than cones or sprinkles of powder used with a charcoal block. The burning incense represents the elements of both air and fire in the circle consecration process and in some initiations or dedication rites.
Pentagram Symbol:
The pentagram is a basic symbol of witchcraft. It is the focal point for spell work and is generally placed on or in front of the altar. Some altar cloths are emblazoned with it, or, if you have a homemade altar cloth, you can purchase a pentagram tile to place on the altar. The five points of the pentagram represent the Elements of Spirit, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
Quarter Candles:
There are four quarters used in casting a circle, sometimes called Guardians or Watch Towers, with each represented by an individually colored candle: yellow for East (air), red for South (fire), blue for West (water), and green for North (earth). These are placed at the appropriate cardinal points of the circle and form the perimeter edge that you will inscribe with your athame.
Salt Container:
Salt is one of the purification agents (representing earth) used in casting a circle and is usually held in either a glass dish or seashell. Any type of salt will do, though sea salt is preferred. The salted water then represents the Elements of earth and water for consecration of the circle and in some rituals, initiations or dedication rites.
Wand:
A rod or branch used in ritual to direct energy, and represents the element Air. Wands are sometimes difficult to come by in stores, so you will likely have to make your own. A branch from a tree is a traditional wand, and decorated with feathers, runes, crystals or whatever strikes your fancy. Try to find a branch that has fallen off the tree naturally, rather than tearing one down.
Water Container:
Water is another circle purification agent. The water container should be any vessel capable of holding water without leaking and of sufficient size to allow you to add three pinches of salt and stir with your athame.
Wardrobe:
The type of clothing that you elect to wear is totally up to you. If you prefer you can work skyclad, or wear your regular street clothes. You can purchase or make a robe in any color, and wear it during Sabats, Esbats, or any other ritual work that you preform. Wearing "special" clothing or jewelry designated for ritual work can make you feel more magical and may even help in getting your mind in the right "zone." Remeber that it is most important for you to feel comfortable, so wear what suits your needs best.
Altar:
There are no specifics when it comes to an altar or the space you use, except that it needs to be a space that is clean, and will be sacred to you in your time of ritual. The altar can be tall or short, round or square, big or small, its up to you. Just be sure its big enough to fit a few items like: an athame, 2 candles, a bell, a bowl of salt and water, a chalice, a pentacle, a candlesnuffer, incense and cakes. You can also put crystals or God/dess idols on your altar if permissible. It is also handy if you can have some drawers in your altar to keep your ritual supplies handy.
Altar Cloth:
The altar cloth is usually draped over the top and front of the altar. Its color is representative of the season, with the softer pastel colors generally used in the spring and early summer. Reds or dark greens can be used in summer to early fall, and orange and black are suitable in fall and winter. The altar cloth should not be used for any other purpose; it should be folded and put away when not in use.
Athame:
The athame is generally a double-edged, dark handled knife with a blade of about five or six inches in length. The blade edges are not sharpened, and are not to be used as a weapon, and should never be used to draw blood. The athame is used to mark the perimiter of the circle, to stir the salt and water used in consecrating the circle, and as a marking implement to carve words or symbols on candles for use in candle magic. The athame is a personal tool and can be marked either on the handle or blade with your own unique glyph or sigil that is representative of your Craft name taken at initiation. Your athame should be put away safely, wrapped in a white cloth or stored in a white container.
Besom:
The besom is a sacred broom used to sweep away any lingering energies around the area in which a circle is to be cast. You can also accomplish the same task by purifying your space with sage, if you choose not to obtain a besom. I like to cleanse my circle with the besom as well as smudging with sage before each ritual. Besoms can be easily obtained at any craft or occult shop. If necessary, you can make your own with any old broom handle or any piece of wood of a suitable length and some twisted straw or grass tied in a bundle at the end.
Boline:
The boline is a small sharp white-handled knife with a curved blade resembling a small sickle. The blade is generally made of copper, not steel. It is used to cut herbs and for nothing else, and whether or not you need one will depend on your own requirements. The boline should be put safely away when not in use.
Cauldron:
A cauldron can have many uses, from holding a small balefire, to functioning as the female counterpart to the male athame in a symbolic Great Rite. It is also used to burn any incantations used in spell work or to burn written requests to the deities during some rituals. They come in various sizes, and the size of the cauldron you aquire depends on its anticipated use. Any iron pot will do for this purpose, but the old-fashioned, three legged black cauldrons, some emblazoned with a pentagram, are usually only available from occult shops.
Chalice:
The chalice is a glass or metal drinking goblet, I prefer metal. It can be used in the initiation rite and rituals when drinking a toast to the Lord and Lady.
Incense and Holder:
The type of incense burned at any ritual depends on the purpose of the ritual. I find sandalwood to be an effective generic incense for most occasions. You can you stick, cone, or powdered insence, but sticks burn more reliably and with less bother than cones or sprinkles of powder used with a charcoal block. The burning incense represents the elements of both air and fire in the circle consecration process and in some initiations or dedication rites.
Pentagram Symbol:
The pentagram is a basic symbol of witchcraft. It is the focal point for spell work and is generally placed on or in front of the altar. Some altar cloths are emblazoned with it, or, if you have a homemade altar cloth, you can purchase a pentagram tile to place on the altar. The five points of the pentagram represent the Elements of Spirit, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
Quarter Candles:
There are four quarters used in casting a circle, sometimes called Guardians or Watch Towers, with each represented by an individually colored candle: yellow for East (air), red for South (fire), blue for West (water), and green for North (earth). These are placed at the appropriate cardinal points of the circle and form the perimeter edge that you will inscribe with your athame.
Salt Container:
Salt is one of the purification agents (representing earth) used in casting a circle and is usually held in either a glass dish or seashell. Any type of salt will do, though sea salt is preferred. The salted water then represents the Elements of earth and water for consecration of the circle and in some rituals, initiations or dedication rites.
Wand:
A rod or branch used in ritual to direct energy, and represents the element Air. Wands are sometimes difficult to come by in stores, so you will likely have to make your own. A branch from a tree is a traditional wand, and decorated with feathers, runes, crystals or whatever strikes your fancy. Try to find a branch that has fallen off the tree naturally, rather than tearing one down.
Water Container:
Water is another circle purification agent. The water container should be any vessel capable of holding water without leaking and of sufficient size to allow you to add three pinches of salt and stir with your athame.
Wardrobe:
The type of clothing that you elect to wear is totally up to you. If you prefer you can work skyclad, or wear your regular street clothes. You can purchase or make a robe in any color, and wear it during Sabats, Esbats, or any other ritual work that you preform. Wearing "special" clothing or jewelry designated for ritual work can make you feel more magical and may even help in getting your mind in the right "zone." Remeber that it is most important for you to feel comfortable, so wear what suits your needs best.