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Tools may be helpful to a Witch, but they are in no way necessary. The only tool you really need is yourself. You are the most important and most powerful tool you could ever have. In fact, they are virtually nothing and powerless without you, for you are what gives them their power. So you may ask, �why then, do so many Witches chose to use and work with them?� I believe each Witch has his or her own answer to this, but often it is because they can make the Witch feel more powerful, add an extra flair and specialness to ritual, crystals placed on tools can help direct energy, or any other reason. Not all of the tools are necessary, or even any of them. Acquire what you feel you need or want. You shouldn't try and own all the tools just to validify your "witchiness." That's not what any of this is about. You can buy tools at metaphysical shops, and in some cases like a chalice, get it at any other regular store. However, I am one who believes in making one�s own tools. Of course few of us are experts with glass making and I am yet to come across a Witch who has made their own cauldron, but there are other tools such as the wand, athame, and pentacle that can be made yourself. If you can make your own tools, I encourage you to do so. Also, rather than going out at once on a big scavenger hunt for all your tools, it is best to collect them over time. Let them come to you. As with many other things in the Craft and life in general, when it is time, you will be presented with what you need. Have faith and patience in this. The right tool for you will come your way at the right time. Keeping tools clean is important. Dirtiness creates negative energy, something you don�t want or need. Unless it is the cauldron, or the chalice, which is often drank out of and should be washed with soap and water, a good idea with most other tools is to wipe them down from time to time with a wet cloth, even if they haven�t recently been used, just to keep the dust off. One very important thing to remember is to never touch anyone's else's tools unless you've asked and been given permission. Many take great care of their tools and have instilled them with much of their energy. They are sacred and should only be handled by someone other than the owner with permission. So now lets look at the tools of Wicca, what they are used for and a few other things about them. This isn't exactly a full on complete list, but they are the most common things used in ritual or preparation of ritual. I may add to it as I see something that should be listed as a "tool." Since there can be quite a few, let's just go in alphabetical order.  Athame (a-tha-may; the �a� pronounced like in �apple�) The athame is a double bladed ritual knife. It is never used for any sort of literal cutting. The only cutting it does is of energy within the circle, and also is a tool used to direct energy. It serves basically the same purpose as a wand. It is masculine, represents Fire and used to represent the God during the symbolic Great Rite. Usually it has a black handle and a dull blade. The most common use for it is circle casting.  Bell The bell is used for many things. Often this includes signaling the beginning and ending of ritual or meditation, cleansing an area of negativity and creating an atmosphere of positivity. Chimes are sometimes used for the same purpose as a bell.  Besom A besom is a Witch�s broom. It is used to sweep a space of negativity before ritual and to create sacred space. When sweeping, it never actually touches the floor but is done symbolically and through visualizing the negativity being swept away.  Book of Shadows The Book of Shadows is a Wiccan�s personal religious and spiritual book. It is written by the Wiccan him/herself, traditionally by hand. It contains whatever information the person feels is appropriate, which often includes: a book blessing, basic beliefs, personal morals, journal entries, rituals, spells, information on Deity, and information on anything else they are interested in. The list of information a Wiccan may have in his or her Book of Shadows is literally endless and definitely varies person to person.  Boline The boline is a ritual knife that is used for actual cutting of herbs, plants, and anything else needed for ritual and magical purposes. It usually has some sort of white handle and the blade is often a crescent shape as the one shown here, but any working, cutting knife would make due.  Bowls There are numerous uses for bowls. Usually there is a bowl or chalice (we�re getting there) filled with water on the altar and a bowl of salt. Another common use is a libation bowl. This is used during the cakes and ale ceremony of ritual. Before partaking of the food and drink, one first offers some to Spirit in the libation bowl, to give thanks and show appreciation for our many blessings and abundance. Whatever is put into the libation bowl during a ritual is later given to the Earth, either by pouring it out into bushes or burying it. Offering bowls are common as well. Offering bowls are similar to libation bowls (and even may be the same bowl) but they are used outside of ritual and kept on the altar to put things in throughout the day, whenever we are compelled to, to give thanks to Spirit. These are just a few things they are used for, as each person has their own reason for using bowls.  Candles Yet another thing which has a wide variety of uses. Obviously they are used in spells, and candles kept on the altar for light during ritual is called an illuminator candle. Many have prayer candles, or a candle they light at the altar and to say prayers and send energy. Most also have two candles on the altar, one for the Goddess and one for the God. These are basic uses for candles, but obviously the list can become quite extensive as each has their own personal and creative uses for candles as well. It is very easy to make your own candles, so I encourage you to give it a try sometimes. Make a trip to your local craft store and check out what is available. Candles represent the element of Fire.  Cauldron A cauldron is often made of cast iron and has three legs. It needs to be able to bear a lot of heat without cracking, whatever it is made of. Uses for a cauldron include scrying, mixing potions and herbs, and burning things in. Cauldrons may become expensive, and a good alternative is a small metal bowl that can withstand enough heat of burning things inside of it. It�s generally not a good idea to use most metal bowls over fire like you would a cauldron, however. The cauldron is feminine and representative of the Goddess�s womb. Censer A censer is anything used to burn incense with. Often they are much like the thuribles Catholics still use, but there are also charcoal incense burners. It is important to keep these on a hot plate because they become VERY hot and burn things, including your hands. Obviously the censer represents the element of Air.  Chalice The chalice is a ritual cup used for holding water, wine or any other liquid for drinking. It is feminine as well and represents the Goddess in the symbolic Great Rite. Often in group/coven rituals the contents of the wine are blessed and passed around the group for each participant to partake of, of course after some being poured into the libation bowl. Incense Incense is used usually for correspondence, or to set the mood for ritual, meditation, or whatever else. It is important to be sure that someone, including yourself, is not allergic to incense before burning it. There are many different types of incense as there are many different ways of burning it. There are sticks and cones, as well as burning herbs or powder on a charcoal block. Incense come in many different scents and these scents can correspond with spells or rituals. Many chose to make their own incense, but it can take some practice.  Mortar & Pestle The uses for this is rather simple. It�s generally used simply to grind herbs that have been harvested or bought. The herbs are placed in the mortar and the club shaped pestle is used to pound and grind the herbs.  Pentacle The pentacle is a five pointed star within a circle. As a tool, it is a disk made with a pentacle drawn or carved into the surface. It is approximately the size of a saucer dish and made of any material, including, wood, clay, ceramic, glass, metal, or anything else. It may have runes drawn on it, or have any other personalization to the owner. It is often used for blessings, consecration or cleansing. These can be easily made by you, with some creativity. It�s element is Earth. Wand Basically, a wand is an alternative for those who are weary of blades and would rather it over the athame. It�s purpose is the same. This is the most commonly self-made tool. You can make one by cutting a piece of branch off a tree (although I prefer finding an already fallen piece), sanding it down, and decorating it to your liking, then placing a crystal at it�s end. They are typically the size from the tip of one�s finger to the elbow. The element of the wand is Air. |
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