These are not required in order to practice the Craft. They're nice, sure, but in order to be a Witch or a Wiccan you don't absolutely have them in order to practice. So without further ado, here they are!!
Athamé/Magick Knife: Sacred to the God. Element of Fire. Double-edged with a black or dark handle. Used to direct the energy raised during rites and spells. Used to call upon the four quarters. The dark handle stores residual energy. Used to open and close the magick circle. Never used for cutting. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wand: Sacred to the God. Element of Air. A tool of communication and invitation. The God/Goddess may be called to watch the ritual with words and an uplifted wand. Used to direct energy, draw magickal symbols or a circle on the ground. A slender wooden rod fashioned from the branch of a tree with a crystal on the tip. | |||||||||||||||||||
Besom/Broom: Sacred to the Goddess and the God. Element of Water. The broom is a purificatory and protective instrument, used to ritually cleanse the area for magick or to guard a home by laying it across the threshold, under the bed, in windowsills or on doors. A round broom is best. | |||||||||||||||||||
Censer: Sacred to the God. Element of Air. The censer is an incense burner. Placed on the altar during rituals and spells. Also may be used during meditations. Each scent is used for a certain purpose. | |||||||||||||||||||
Cauldron: Sacred to the Goddess. Element of Water. The cauldron is often the focal point of ritual. During spring rites it is sometimes filled with fresh water and flowers. The cauldron should be of iron, resting on three legs, with its opening smaller than its widest part. The cauldron can be an instrument of scrying (gazing) by filling it with water and staring into its inky depths. | |||||||||||||||||||
White-handled Knife/Bolline: Simply a practical, working knife with a white handle. Used to cut wands or sacred herbs, inscribe symbols onto candles or wood, clay, or wax, and in cutting cords for use in magick. Can also be used to gather flowers for rites. | |||||||||||||||||||
Crystal Sphere: Sacred to the Goddess. Sometimes placed on the altar to represent the Goddess. May be used to receive messages from the Gods, or to store energy raised in ritual. Periodic exposure to moonlight will increase its ability to spark our psychic powers. It may be the center of Full Moon rituals. A genuine quartz crystal on a stand. | |||||||||||||||||||
Chalice/Cup/Goblet: Sacred to the Goddess. Element of Water. It is used to hold the wine for wine blessing and cakes and ale. | |||||||||||||||||||
Pentacle: Sacred to the Goddess and God. Element of Earth. The pentacle is usually a flat piece of brass, gold, silver, wood, wax, or clay inscribed with the pentagram. An instrument of protection, or a tool used to evoke spirits. A convenient tool upon which to place amulets, charms, or other objects to be ritually consecrated. Pentacles are also hung over doors, and windows to act as protective devices. It is the centerpiece of the altar. | |||||||||||||||||||
The Book of Shadows: A Wiccan workbook containing invocations, ritual patterns, spells, runes, rules governing magick, and so on. Should be hand written or can be computerized. | |||||||||||||||||||
Bell: Sacred to the Goddess. 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. | |||||||||||||||||||
Other Altar Tools: Some other tools that can be placed on the altar
to represent the directions/elements.
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