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Altar and Magickal Tools
Cauldron
The cauldron has long been associated with witches and mysterious magickal workings. Representative of the Goddess and the element Water, the cauldron symbolizes immortality, inspiration, and transformation. It is often the center of a ritual, and is an ancient vessel for cooking and brewing.
Chalice
Another symbol of the Goddess and fertility, the chalice, or cup, can hold water or ritual beverages and can be made of any material. The chalice is commonly made of silver, crystal, glass, brass or earthenware.
Athame
The athame, or magickal knife is linked with the element fire and represents the God. Steeped in ancient lore, the athame is commonly a dull knife, double edged, with a black or dark handle which absorbs power. In ritual, the athame is not used for cutting, but for directing energy. It is a tool that brings about change. Some witches prefer to use a sword for this purpose. Often, this is the "blade" referred to in the expression "the chalice and the blade".
Bolline
Generally a white handled knife, the bolline is a practical knife used for cutting wands, herbs, inscribing symbols into wood, wax or clay, and in cutting cords. Some witches prefer to use this knife only in the magick circle, however, that limits its use to some degree.
Bell
A feminine symbol, the bell releases vibrations which are used to invoke the Goddess and evoke good energy. They can be rung in ritual to mark various points, and signal beginnings and endings.
Crystal ball
The crystal sphere is historically made from quartz, although the high cost can be prohibitive. An alternative is a sphere made of glass or leaded glass. The ball is often used for divination and scrying. Often representing the Goddess and her realm, the crystal ball is often used during moon rituals. Exposing the ball to moonlight, or rubbing it with herbs is said to increase its psychic power.
Wand
The wand represents the element Air and is sacred to the Gods. It is used to direct energy in magickal workings, draw symbols, and even for stirring brews. Woods commonly used for wands are willow, elder, oak, hazel, apple and other fruit trees. Even dowels from hardware stores make useful wands and can be carved relatively easily. A popular size for a wand measures from the elbow to the tip of the index finger, however any size can be used. The most important thing is that the tool is meaningful and comfortable for the user.
Pentacle
A pentacle is usually a flat piece of wood, brass, glass, gold, silver, clay or wax that is inscribed with symbols. The most common of these symbols is the pentagram, or upright 5 pointed star. The pentacle represents the element Earth, and is a favorite resting place for amulets, charms or other ritual objects. It is considered a tool of protection and invocation.
Censer
A censer is an incense burner. It can be made from any heat tolerant material and used with self igniting charcoal to burn herbs, powdered incense, or popular commercial cones and sticks. The censer can be complex or as simple as a seashell, and holds the smoldering herbs during ritual. It is representative of the God and the element Air. If none is available, a censer can be fashoined from a bowl and filled with salt to absorb the heat and prevent the bowl from cracking.
Bowl of Water
A bowl of water can be used to represent the element Water.
Bowl of Salt
A bowl of salt can be used to represent the element Earth.
Goddess and God Candles
The candles and candleholders used to represent the Goddess and God are a matter of presonal taste. Colors for specific sabbats can be used, or you can use colors which represent the Goddess, such as green, blue or white and the God, such as red or orange. In addition, a singular color such as purple can be used.
Goddess and God images
Often objects representing the Goddess and God are used in ritual or on the altar. This is generally a matter of preference, and images that are meaningful to the individual are used. Often, pine cones, tapered stones or acorns represent the God, while round stones, seashells or a corn dolly represent the Goddess.
Broom
The broom or besom is used to clear away energy in the ritual space before ritual. It is generally not used for physical cleaning. A broom can be purchased or made from an ash staff, birch twigs and willow binding or a branch from any tree, including pine, can be used. The broom is a protective and purificatory instrument sacred to the Goddess and the element Water.
~Adapted from Scott Cunningham
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Gems and Crystals
Moss Agate
Energy: Receptive
Element: Earth
The marking suggest trees or moss, and for that reason, it is the special gardener's talisman. IT is worn to relieve stiff neck, to lend energy to the depleted and for healing. It is also used in spells involving riches, happiness and long life. Wear this stone to make new friends and to discover "treasure".
Rose Quartz
Energy: Receptive
Element: Fire or Water
Rose Quartz is used to stimulate live and open the heart chakra. It's magickal applications include promoting peace and happiness.
Crystal Quartz
Energy: Projective, Receptive
Element: Fire, Water
Used to promote protection, psychicism, healing and power. Also, quartz crystals amplify the power of other stones when placed together, or when used during magick.
Adventurine
Energy: Projective
Element: Air
Green adventurine is used to strengthen the eyesight or increase perception. It is also used to stimulate creativity, and enhance intelligence. It's green color indicates that it is useful in calming troubled emotions and in speeding healing. An all around good luck stone.
Picture (also called Mottled) Jasper
Energy: Projective
Element: Air
Promotes healing, protection, health, beauty. Jasper is often worn or carried to promote mental processes. Mottled jasper is particularly good to protect against drowning.
Amethyst
Energy: Receptive
Element: Water
Promotes dreams, healing, psychism, peace, love, protection, courage and happiness. Placed beneath a pillow or worn to bed, amethyst drives off insomnia or nightmares. It produces a peaceful sleep and pleasant healing, even prophetic dreams. It will also insure the wearer does not oversleep. This stone is soothing, and calming and de-stressing. It calms fears, raises hopes, lifts the spirits and promotes thoughts of the spiritual reality behind our lives. Amethyst also sharpens the conscious mind, quickens the wit and enhances mental powers.
Malachite
Energy: Receptive
Element: Earth
Promotes power, protection, love, peace and tranquility. Gazing at malachite, or holding it in your receptive hand relaxes the nervous system and calms stormy emotions.
Tiger's Eye
Energy: Projective
Element: Fire
Promotes protection, courage, confidence, energy, luck and is used for divination purposes.
Snowflake Obsidian
Energy: Projective
Element: Fire
Promotes protection, grounding, peace and divination. Useful for centering.
Moonstone
Energy: Receptive
Element: Water
Promotes protection and love. It is useful for divination because of its association with the moon.
Hematite
Energy: Projective
Element: Fire
Used for healing, grounding, stability and divination. It is said to be powerful in drawing illnesses from the body.
Lapis Lazuli
Energy: Receptive
Element: Water
Promotes healing, joy, love, fidelity, psychism, protection, courage. It is said to improve mental, physical, spiritual and emotional conditions. It is useful for healing, and especially useful for alleviating fevers and problems in the blood. Lapis is also an uplifting spiritual stone which releases peaceful vibrations, relieves depression and strengthens psychic awareness.
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Music and Drumming
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Herbs
Sage
Cedar
Cinnamon
Frankincense
Myrrh
Lavendar
Vanilla
Sandalwood
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