Athame / Sword
The "magic knife" isn't actually used to cut anything, but it is used to direct energy like the wand. Unlike the wand, it is more used as an instrument of commanding and power manipulation, so don't use it to invoke the Goddess and God. The blade is often dull, double-edged with a black or dark handle. Black absorbs power. It is most often linked with the element of Fire. An antique letter opener might work well.
Bell
Ring the bell and it gives off vibrations which have powerful effects. Good for warding off evil, halting storms, or to evoke energy.
Bolline
Used as a working knife. Has a white handle. (To distinguish from the athame.) It can be used to cut herbs, carve wands, inscribe symbols into things etc.
Broom
The broom is a purifier and is linked with the element of Water; thus is useful for water spells and love and psychic workings. Before a ritual, use it to "sweep" away the astral build-up to make for smoother magic. Here's a few ways to make one: use an ash staff, birch twigs and willow binding; use the branches and twigs from native trees; a small broom of pine needles works too. (Be sure you thank the tree for its sacrifice). If you decided to buy a broom, try to get a round one. The flat ones don't seem to have the same effect.
Cauldron
The cauldron is a symbol of the element Water, reincarnation, immortality and inspiration. Ideally speaking, the cauldron should be of iron, resting on three legs, with it's opening smaller than it's widest diameter. For a tool that is the witch's "par excellence," it can be difficult to find outside of occult suppliers.
Censer
The censer is an incense burner, but a bowl or cup half-filled with salt or sand will serve the same purpose. The heat from the charcoal or incense is absorbed in the salt or sand and prevents the container from cracking. It represents the element Air.
Chalice
The chalice is simply a "cauldron on a stem." It represents Water and the Goddess. It is often used to hold water or a ritual beverage. It can be made out of silver, brass, gold, earthenware, soapstone, alabaster, crystal, and other materials. Obviously, next to salt, the chalice is the next easiest item to obtain.
Crystal Ball
A key tool in divination. Used for calling upon past life images or the future.
It helps to heighten psychic awareness, and exposing it to moonlight once in a while can help even more.
Pentacle
The pentacle is usually a flat piece of brass, gold, silver, wood, wax, or clay inscribed with certain symbols. The only necessary one is that of the pentagram, the five-pointed star. It is an instrument of protection, representing the element Earth, and is convenient to place amulets, charms or other objects to be ritually consecrated. You can make one by getting a circle of wood and inscribing it with a wood burning tool or flatten some clay into a disc and using a stylus to draw the symbols. Otherwise, you can get fancier ones at occult shops.
Stone
Used in many the same ways as a Pentacle. Used as a tool of the North.
Wand
The wand is used to direct energy, to draw magical symbols or a circle on the ground or to stir a brew in a cauldron. It represents the element Air. The traditional woods for wands are: willow, elder, oak, apple, peach, hazel, and cherry. Native woods work well too. Most witches cut their wand from the elbow to the tips of the fingers. I also tipped mine with an Amethyst crystal, so you can try adding a gem, a rock, or pine cone, etc. etc. to yours, but it's isn't necessary. Painting or carving symbols into it also helps to infuse it with your energy.
