Altar

The altar tools:

IMAGES OF THE GODDESS & GOD
The nature of these images are of great variety. Some simply use candles; others natural objects representative of the Goddess and God. Some use hand crafted sculptures or drawings.

THE CHALICE
The chalice represents the element of air, and is used on the altar during magickal rituals and Sabbats as a container for consecrated water or wine. The sacred chalice is traditionally made of silver, and decorated with various magickal symbols; however many modern Witches use chalices made of brass, pewter, crystal or stoneware.

THE CRYSTAL
On the night of a Full Moon, rub the sphere with fresh (or dried) mugwort, then take it outside. Hold it up so that it drinks in the light and energies of the Moon. Gaze at the Moon through the crystal by holding it before your eyes. Can be used to see future events also 

THE ATHAME
The athame is a ritual knife with a black handle and a double-edged blade which is traditionally engraved or etched with various magickal and or astrological symbols. It represents the ancient and mystical element of air, and is used by Witches to draw circles, to exorcise evil and negative forces, to control and banish elemental spirits, and to store and direct energy during magickal rituals. An athame with a WHITE handle is used only for cutting wands, harvesting herbs for magick or healing, carving the traditional Samhain jack-o-lantern, and carving runes and other magickal or astrological symbols on candles and talismans. 

THE PENTACLE
The pentacle is a flat disc made of wood, is, metal, or clay. It bears the motif of the mystical five-pointed Witch’s star(pentagram), and is used in magickal ceremonies and spells to represent feminine energy and the element of earth, to invoke and bind gnomes, and also to hold consecrated objects such as amulets, herbs, crystals and so forth.

THE CEREMONIAL SWORD
The ceremonial sword represents the element of fire and is the symbol of the Witches strength. In certain Wiccan traditions, the ceremonial sword is used in place of the black-hilted athame by the High Priestess of a coven both to cast and uncast the circle. 

THE WAND
The magick wand is a slender wooden rod fashioned from the branch of a tree. It represents the ancient and mystical element of fire, and is a symbol of the strength, will, and magickal power. In ceremonial magick, the wand represents the element of air. The wand is used by Witches to invoke salamanders(the elemental spirits of the fire element) in certain types of rituals, trace circles, draw magickal symbols on the ground, direct energy, and stir cauldron brews. 

THE BROOM
To cleanse the ritual area before ritual. 

You will also need:

THE BELL
A consecrated brass or crystal bell is often used by Witches to signal the beginning and/or close of a ritual or Sabbat, to summon a particular spirit or deity. 

BOOK OF SHADOWS
The Book of Shadows is a secret diary in which a Witch records her/his personal spells, invocations, rituals, dreams, recipes for various potions, and so forth. A Book of Shadows may be kept by an individual Witch or by an entire coven. In the event of a Witches death, the BOS may be passed down to her/his children or grandchildren, kept by the High Priestess and High Priest of the coven, or burned in order to protect the secrets of the Craft 

THE CAULDRON
The cauldron is a small, black, cast-iron pot that symbolically combines the influences of the four ancient and mystical elements, represents the divine womb of the Mother Goddess, and is used by Witches for various purposes, including brewing potions, burning incense, and holding charcoal, flowers, and herbs. 

THE CENSER
In it, incense or herbs are burned to invite the presence of the Goddess and God, and to cleanse the ritual space. 

SALT
Generally used for circle casting, consecration of tools and for other purposes. 

WATER
For purification of the circle. 


THE ALTAR CLOTH
Some traditions use a specific color altar cloth for ritual. Or you can use whatever you have on hand, or go to the hobby store and get about a couple yards of your favorite print. You can use, Easter prints for Ostera, Springy prints for Beltane, Halloween prints for Samhain, and so on. Or just keep it bare. 

THE ROBE
If you choose to wear one, lay it among sachets filled with lavender, vervain and cedar when not in use. Sew a bit or rosemary or frankincense into the hem while sewing it if desired 

....as well as wine and oil. 

This is how you set up a altar:

TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAND: 

Traditionally wands
are made from tree limbs. Some witches use certain types
of wood for certain spells. Others use any type of wood.
Some witches have many wands, some only keep one. For
those of you who wish to have only one or two wands,
A wand of Oak or Willow is best to use. Once you have
your cut or broken your tree limb of choice, scrape all
bark off it. Sand it down, making it smooth and clear
from disturbances. Decide which side is the top end and
carve a small hole on the top, where you may embed a
cystal within it. You may use glue for this also. Once that
is finished, carve, paint or wood burn your favorite
protection & power symbols all over it. (Encluding your
Wiccan name).