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In Wicca certain tools are used to enhances rites, magick and ritual work. These tools are not necessary to be able to practice Wicca, but are a great aid when performing ritual. In some traditions tools are only recommended for use until you feel comfortable without them. Other�s say that tools should always be used and some say never. Some traditions also have some tools specific to them, which are not used by other traditions. This page is meant as a generalization of all common tools used in the craft, not wanting to focus on a particular path or tradition. Athame:  This is a tool used VERY frequently. It is very common and used by many today involved with the craft. It is used to direst energy. An example of this is to cast the magick circle, and also to banish it. The tool itself has no magickal power or energy, but is an extension of the arm. Having said this, the handle is usually black or dark wood, and this is because black absorbs energy well. This stored energy can be left there forever, as an aid to make the handlers magick and energy casting more effective. Or, it can be summoned out later on in a ritual. You can purchase your very own athame or magick knife from any occult supplier, (an example of this being www.new-moon.demon.co.uk ), or if this is not appropriate, then you can make your own. It does not have to be anything particularly special. It could be a letter opener, an old cooking knife, or any other sort of knife that appeals to you and takes your fancy. Remember that in ritual you should never invoke the Lady and the Lord with your athame, because it is a tool of commandment, and the Lady and Lord are higher beings than us, and do not take kindly to being ordered about. Note: pronounced� a-tha-mey � Wand: The wand is a piece of any type of wood. It has roughly the same uses as the athame, but some prefer it as it is made of wood and therefore more natural. It can be decorated however you want, by scratching or painting runes onto it, or any other sort of decoration you want. It usually has a precious stone or crystal placed at the end of it, held on by wrapping wire around it. It is not rare that people have many different wands, made from different types of wood, for different occasions. You can obtain these from any occult supplier, or by yourself. One particular method that I like is, you go into a wooded area or the countryside. On the way there take in Mother Earth�s beauty, and respect and admire your surroundings. You may want to say a prayer to the God and Goddess, asking for there to be a stick appropriate for your wand. You may stumble across it straight away, or after a while. At all costs avoid taking wood from a tree. Look for fallen wood, or dead wood, that is readily available. Censer: This is a holder to burn your incense in during ritual or at any other time. It can be decorated in any way you like. There are many different types. You can have swinging ones, stick incense holders, cups, etc. If you don�t want to fork out for one from elsewhere, you can make one yourself. It could be out of metal or clay, or generally anything that won�t catch alight, i.e. wood. Cauldron: The cauldron is sometimes used for magick or as altar decoration. It can be light, or herbs and other magickal ingredients can be placed in it. It is commonly placed in the centre of the altar, and not much is known about. Bell: A bell can be used to represent the element of Air in ritual, or it can be rung to mark new stages of the ritual. Pentacle:  A pentacle is not the same as a pentagram. A pentacle is a flat piece of solid material placed on the altar. It can have many symbols on it, but especially the pentagram or five-pointed star. It can be made easily out of things like wood, clay, fimo, or whatever else you can think of. Use your imagination. Besom: The besom or broom is made out of wood and straw, different traditions have different woods used especially. It is used to cleanse ritual space, by clearing a special place to commune with the God and Goddess. Wherever humans live, there is an energy build up, and we sweep this away in a purification of the space, to create an environment in which to perform ritual. Chalice: A cup is used in the feast, as an offering to the Lord and Lady. It is usually made out of silver or pewter, but can be made out of fimo or anything else. You could even make your own one yourself out of clay! God and Goddess symbols:  Possibly the most important, (which of course is why it�s last, lol) are the God and Goddess symbols. Representations of the Lord and Lady, something special to you, made out of whatever you want. Placed on either sides of the altar. By Ecne |