Tools

The Athame is not used to hurt or harm. It is a black-handled knife used to direct power. It is probably most powerful if you hand carve it yourself, but they can also be bought from stores. The Athame is never used for cutting, it's purpose is singly to direct power, like a wand.

The broom has long been a tool of magic. It used to be thought of as good luck. During marriage cerimonies, the couple often jumped over a broomstick to bring good luck. Brooms have long been associated with witches, however we don't use them for flying (on this plane). Brooms are used to sweep an area clean of negative energy. Before you cast your Circle, first sweep away all negative energy with the broom. The broom doesn't even need to touch the ground, you only need to visualize the negative junk being swept away and leaving your area clean. Brooms, like all magical tools, are most powerful if hand-made.

The chalice represents the feminine side of the universe: the Goddess.
This is the cup that holds the waters of life; the womb of gentleness and love. The chalice holds the sacred water that is the Goddess, and life itself.
It is kept most often on the left side of the altar, as this is the Goddess's side.

The bolline, like the athame, is never used for harm either. This is a smaller, white-handled knife, used for all jobs the athame is reserved from, such as cutting herbs. The athame is used mainly as a wand, to direct magic, and so the bolline is used to cut things needed for the ceremony, like an ordinary knife.

Like the chalice, the cauldron, being womb-shaped, is an object of the Goddess. This is where she stirs new life, and burns the old to ash. A cauldron (just a small one) is a very worthwhile tool, being useful in many different things. You can use it to hold juice or brew potions, or you can burn away things in it that you no longer want. A common New Year's excersise is to write down things you wish to change or be rid of, then burn the scraps of paper in the cauldron, in the name of the crone.

Yes, again common belief proves true. Witches do use wands. However, they're not nearly as common as one might think. Athames are just as prevenlant (perhaps more, depeding on where you go). Wands and athames are all used for the same purpose anyways, and that is to direct power. Wands come in all shapes, sizes and materials. There are wooden ones and crystal ones (crystal ones are rather expensive, though they're gorgeous). If you're thinking about a wand, be aware that all different woods and stones will give different results and personalities. Take time finding the right wand for you. Like all magical tools, wands are of course, more powerful if you make it yourself. And make sure to consult the wand, or wand materials, before you decide. Remember, everything is sentient!