Athame
- (Pronounced a-tham-ay) Element:: Fire
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Athame
- (Pronounced a-tham-ay) Element:: Fire
The magick knife usually has a steel, double-edged blade. The knife should feel comfortable to you. This is your personal tool. The Athame is used in ritual to direct energy and is an instrument of power and manipulation. The Athame should be personalized. Carve your magick name or runes of protection on its handle. You can find some marvelous blades at: http//www.spanishsteel.com/hoconnor
Cauldron-
Element: Water
The cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess. It is used in ritual as a container in which magickal transformations can occur. Cauldrons are often three-legged and are mostly made of iron.
Wand - Element: Air
The wand is an instrument of invocation. It is used to direct energy, draw symbols on the ground or to stir the contents of the cauldron. Some say the wand must be of rowan, ash, willow, hazel or oak. I believe that you should chose a wood that YOU like. Something that is native to where you live to bring you more in touch with YOUR surroundings. A comfortable length for your wand is that from your elbow to the tip of your longest finger. As with the Athame, personalize your wand. Carve or burn your magickal name into it or decorate it with copper, silver, gems, whatever you like. It is an extension of your power and should, then, be a reflection of YOU.
Pentacle -
Element: All (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit)
The five points represent each of the five elements. Hung over doors or around the neck, the pentacle is an instrument of protection. You can purchase some very finely crafted pentacles or you can make one yourself out of anything that can be engraved or molded such as wood, brass, silver or clay.
Chalice
- Element: Water
The altar chalice (or goblet) symbolizes the Goddess, water, the great purifying Ocean, the womb and the receptive energy in all of us which makes us capable of giving birth. The chalice is generally used to hold the ritual wine that is taken at the end of a rite. The chalice can be made of earthenware or metal, however if you use a chalice of copper or brass, be sure to coat the inside with Varathane or some other non-reactive coating, as the alcohol in the wine reacts with these two metals and you can poison yourself.
Censer- Element: Air
The censer, or incense burner, is pretty much a necessity. The old belief is that the smoke of the incense carried your prayer up to the gods. Since, during a ritual there is a need to move the incense about the circle, the censer should be easy to handle. A hanging censer, like those used in Christian churches, is ideal. Stick holders or a dish filled with sand or salt work just as well.
The Craft was originally a purely oral tradition. Rituals were passed down Coven to Coven by word of mouth. With the start of the persecutions Witches had to go into hiding and began losing touch with each other. To preserve the rituals and traditions the Witches had to write them down. Since they were meeting in secret or "in the shadows", the book in which the rites were kept became known as "The Book of Shadows". This is your personal collection of spells, rituals, ideas, thoughts, etc. Many covens have a Book of Shadows for the group. The Book of Shadows can be handwritten or typed on your computer a typewriter, whatever works best for you.
Your tools should be consecrated (cleansed) to clear them of negative energies before using them in a circle.
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