| Tools & Symbols of the Craft |
Many symbols and tools are used in Wicca.
They each have their own purpose and use, and below are some of them
and what they are used for.
Tools
The Pentacle
The pentacle is a five-pointed star with a circle around it.
The five points represent earth, air, fire, water, and the spirit.
The circle represents the protection of these five. It is usually made of wood, wax, or metal, and can
be worn around the neck for protection.
The Cauldron
The cauldron is a black cast-iron pot. It represents the womb of the Mother Goddess, and is used
to brew potions, burn incense, and hold flowers, herbs etc.
The cauldron can also be used as a tool for divining. Many Witches fill it with
water on Samhain night, and use it as a magick mirror.
The Book of Shadows
The book of shadows is as important to Witches as the Bible is to Christians.
In it you write spells, thoughts, recordings of magickal rites, recipes for potions, dreams, and
anything else you see as being important to Witchcraft.
The book is usually leather bound with a pentacle on the front.
No-one except you (if you are solitary) should be allowed to access and read it, because it is
private, like a personal diary.
Covens usually have a Book of Shadows which is shared by the entire coven, and can be written in
by the whole coven. Because it is your personal book, it should be hand written; however many Witches nowadays prefer to have a Disk of Shadows, for easier and faster use.
The Athame
The athame is a ritual dagger with a black handle and a double-edged blade which is traditionally
engraved with magickal symbols. It represents the element of air. It is used to draw and cast circles,
and exorcise evil and negative forces. An athame can also have a white handle, in this
case it is only used for cutting wands, harvesting herbs, carving runes or other symbols on talismans and candles,and carving the Samhain jack-o'-lantern.
The Chalice
The chalice is placed on the altar during rituals and Sabbats, and usually holds the sacred wine.
It is traditionally made of silver, and carved with magickal symbols. Many modern Witches use
brass or crystal chalices.
The Wand
The magick wand is a slender wooden rod made from the branch of a tree. It is a symbol
of strength, will, and the magickal power of the Witch who owns it. The wand can be used to draw and cast circles, draw magickal symbols on the ground, direct energy, and stir cauldron brews.
Many different trees can be used to carve the wand from, as each tree has a different meaning.
Examples: For a healing wand carve the wand from an ash tree, and a wand to be used in lunar
magick could be carved from willow and rowan trees.
Symbols
The Crescent Moon
The crescent moon is a sacred symbol of the Goddess, and also a symbol of magick, feminine
energy, fertility, abundant growth, and the secret powers of Nature. It is used in invocations of the Goddess and all lunar deities (both male and female), moon magick, Sabbat celebrations, and women's healing rituals.
The Pentagram
The pentagram is one of the most powerful and popular symbols used by Witches and
Ceremonial Magicians.
The pentagram (a five-pointed star) represents the four mystical and ancient elements of earth,
air, fire, water, surmounted by the Spirit.
In Wicca, the pentagram symbol is usually drawn with its point facing upwards. A
pentagram with its point facing down is a symbol of the Horned God (which is also the symbol of
Satanists, which is why Witches are linked with Satanism).
The most common form the pentagram is in, is when it is inside a circle, called the pentacle.
The Triangle
The triangle is a symbol used by many practicers of Western magck. It is used in invoking the spirit,
because it is believed that the spirit will ground in the middle of the triangle.
The triangle also represents the magickal number three, therefore also representing the TripleGoddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Upside down it represents the male principle.
The Ankh
The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol. It is a cross with a loop at the top.
All major Egyptian Goddesses wear one, and it represents life, cosmic knowledge, and rebirth. It is
also sometimes called a "Crux Ansata", and many Witches use this symbol in spells and rituals involving health,divination, and fertility.
The Circle
The circle is considered a magickal symbol because it possesses neither a beginning nor end. It is
used by many Witches and neo-Pagans as a sacred symbol of magickal energy, protection, and constant renewal.
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