Broom/Besom: The Wiccan broom, (also called the besom), is used mainly
for cleansing sacred space before a ritual. In handfasting rituals, the couple
jumps over a broom if they want children as it, (the brush and handle), is seen
as a powerful fertility symbol. The broom can be handmade, or it can be a
typical house-hold broom.
Chalice: The chalice, (or cup), is used during rituals to represent the female
aspect of water, and sits in the west on the altar. It is a powerful symbol when
used in conjunction with the (male) athame. The chalice can be made of any
material, but many people choose silver, because of it's relation to the moon
Athame: The athame is a knife or dagger used strictly in rituals, and is never
used to cut anything physical. In the ritual, the athame represents the element of
fire, and can lie on the southern end of the altar. The athame can be used to
cast the circle, and when used with the chalice is a powerful fertility symbol.
This tool is very personal in nature many people engrave their athame with
special runes, or with the tool's "name."
Cauldron: The cauldron is seen as a traditional tool of witchcraft. In some
rituals, the cauldron can hold (and represent) water and be used for scrying,
while in other rituals it can represent fire, by holding a small fire inside of it.
Therefore, depending on the ritual, the cauldron can be placed in the west or in
the south. Cauldrons can come in all sizes, from 3 inch diameters, to 2 foot
diameters. However, if one has the need, they can always use an old cooking
pot for their cauldron.
Censer: The censer is a vessel in or on which incense can be burnt. Because
of this, it represents air, and sits in the east on the altar. The only stipulation for
this tool is that it must be fire proof.
Pentacle: The pentacle is usually a plate or disk of wood or metal, engraved
with the five pointed star in a circle. The pentacle is mainly used to consecrate
tools in the ritual, and as a focal point of concentration. The pentacle
represents the element of earth and sits in the north on the altar.
Bell: The bell's primary purpose during rituals is to "call" the gods, spirits,
elements, or watchers. The bell can be of any comfortable size, but the typical
bell is small and hand held.
Wand: The wand represents the element of air, and lies in the east on the
altar. In rituals, the wand can be used to cast the circle and direct energies for
spells and/or incantations. Many people who don't use an athame will use a
wand instead. Wands can be both store bought, or taken off the closest tree,
(with permission from the tree, of course). As well, they can be made of many
different materials, the most common, however is wood because different wood
has different magical properties.
Staff: In some traditions the staff is very important, as it is used to mark the
directions in the ritual. It is used in many ways like the wand. Typically the
staff is as tall as your shoulder, and can be decorated an whatever fashion you
find pleasurable.
Sword: The sword is seen as a large version of the athame, and is used in the
same way. Swords tend to be more popular amongst Celtic traditions, but are
often seen in ceremonial magic circles. Swords can be handmade or store
bought, but either way a good quality sword can be quite expensive.
Cord: The cord has different uses in different rituals. It can be used to mark
the perimeter of the circle and in handfasting rituals, a cord is used to tie the
couple's hands together (hence, hand-fasting). The cord can be of any color,
depending on the purpose of the ritual, and it can be store bought or
handmade. Many people believe, however, that handmade, (by yourself), tools
hold more personal energy and work better in rituals.
God/Goddess Representations: Often called patrons, these symbols sit
on the left (goddess) and right (god) side of the altar, and are used to represent
the god and goddess. The symbols can be statues made of glass, metal, clay or
wood, or can be pictures drawn on paper. Many people simply used candles
of colors representing the god and goddess to stand as their patrons.
Candles: Candle have many different uses in a ritual, depending on the
person. Candles can be used to mark the directions of the circle, to represent
fire on the alter, or to represent the goddess and god. In spell working rituals,
candles of the appropriate color may be used as vessels for the magic. Candles
can either be store bought or handmade, the only stipulation is that they be solid
color. There is disagreement in how candles should be snuffed out. Some
traditions say candles should never be blown out, and some say they should
never be pinched out.
Book of Shadows: The Book of Shadows (BoS) can be the Wiccan's most
important tool. If a Wiccan doesn't use any other tools, they probably have a
Book of Shadows. The BoS is where a Wiccan writes down all of his/her
rituals, spells and magical correspondences that are used during rituals, in order
to remember them for the next time. Most often a Wiccan will memorize the
ritual before hand, but the BoS is there just in case something is forgotten.
Traditionally, witches didn't keep written records of their rituals, as witchcraft
was an oral tradition. However, when witchcraft went underground, it was
necessary to begin keeping records, so the tradition wouldn't die.
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