Tools of the Trade
The original practitioners of Witchcraft did
not use many tools. All they had were
themselves and a fire. But as time passed,
tools evolved and became increasingly
common.
Now, there are several tools in common usage
by Wiccans everywhere. This is a list of the
major ones. Remember though: nothing is set
in stone; whatever works for you is good. If
you feel no need to use a particular tool, by
all means, don't! The key is being
comfortable in your practices.
Altar -- This is the most obvious tool.
Almost everything utilized by Wiccans in
ritual is placed on the altar. It can be
anything from the ground to a table to a
board propped on two cement blocks. Just
about any flat surface will do.
God and Goddess Images -- These are used to
represent the God and Goddess in ritual.
These "icons" can be anything from candles to
carved statuettes.
Censer -- This is the incense burner, where
incense is burned to invite the Goddess and
God and clease the ritual space. It
represents the element of Air. There are tons
of incense burners on the market, or you make
one out of a small but fairly deep bowl
half-filled with sand or salt (to absorb the
heat) You can also use any kind of incense,
from sticks to cones to the loose kind burned
on small charcoal blocks (available through
most occult suppliers).
Athame -- This is the ritual knife. It is NOT
used for cutting, but rather for
power-directing. It represents the element of
Fire and the God. However, groups who
practice a more cermonial "flavor" of Wicca
may associate the knofe with the element of
Air. The athame is usually double-edged and
has a black handle.
Bolline or White-Handled Knife -- This knife
IS used for cutting purposes within ritual
(cutting flowers, slicing a pomegranate,
carving a candle, etc.). It usually has a
white handle to ditinguish it from the
athame.
Chalice -- This is a cup used to hold liquids
for use during ritual. It symbolizes the
Goddess and the element of Water. It can be
of any material: glass, wood, silver, brass,
etc.
Wand -- This is generally used as an
instrument of invocation, although it can be
used to stir a caudron or draw things into
the ground (like a circle or symbols). They
represent the element of Air (or Fire, if you
follow the ceremonial association). Wands are
classically wooden, but you have any kind of
wand. Some stores may carry a selection of
wands (some works of art in themselves,
crafted from precious metals and gems). Or
you can use a dowel from a hardware store or
a simple stick off the ground.
Cauldron -- The cauldron is perhaps one of
the most recognized tools. Fires can be lit
within it, it can be filled with flowers
during spring, or it can be filled with water
and used for scrying. They represent the
Goddess. Cauldrons are traditionally made of
iron, stand on three legs, and have a mouth
that is smaller than its widest part.
Cauldrons are a bit difficult to find, but a
thourough search will usually turn up one.
Some supply shops carry them, but you have to
check around (Or, if worse comes to worse,
you can ask the Goddess and God to "send" you
one).
Pentacle -- This is a flat disk or plate
bearing a five-pointed star, the pentagram,
on its surface. It symbolizes the element of
Earth and is sometimes used to summon the God
and Goddess. Also, charms, amulets,
talismans, and tools are sometimes placed
upon it to be consecrated.
Bell -- This tool is used to signify points
during a ritual, summon the Goddess (because
it represents Her), bring luck, and ward off
evil spirits. Any bell may be used.
Book of Shadows -- The witch's "notebook," a
book of spells, rituals, etc. utilized by the
witch. It is usually written by hand
(although some type them now and keep copies
on disk). A blank book is best, but any lined
notebook will do. Some even use binders so
they can move pages around at their will.
Bowls of Salt and Water -- The salt is used
for consecration and circle-casting, as well
as representing the element of Earth. The
water is used to represent the element of
Water and for purification of the circle and
other things.
Altar Candle -- This candle is used to
symbolize the element of Fire, or it can be
used a center of a certain type of spell
(example: a red candle for a love spell).
There are even more tools to be considered
(the broom, the crystal sphere, altar cloths,
robes, candle snuffers, etc.), but they are
not as commonly used as these tools. Again,
it is not necessary to use a particular tool.
It is up to you to decide what tools will
help you best serve the Goddess and God in
ritual.
Bright Blessings
Notice: This document is property of its author. It may be distributed with permission of the author as long as this disclaimer is intact.
