| Tools |
| Tools are not absolutely essential in your rituals and spell work, but can make it easier to focus all your energy, and many people work better if they can see and feel things while they are working. However don't stress if you can't get any tools for whatever reason. The most important thing is that you have a strong, true intention, an open heart and mind and clear thoughts. Here is a list of the different tools you might want/need and some information on each thing. Athame This is a magickal knife which is used in the circle to call on the gods and which represents air. It directs energy and is commonly used to draw The Circle. It should never be used to cut anything physical though. Besom (broomstick) This is the symbol of fertility. It is very often used at the beginning of rituals to cleanse the area to be worked in and get rid of negative energies. Many pagans use hand made besoms and I will provide information soon on this. The besom is also jumped over at handfastings as this was thought to increase the new couples fertility and increase their chances of having a baby. The besom was also jumped in harvest festivals to show the crops how high to grow. Bell This is used in rituals to represent female qualities and to ward off negative energies and spirits. Bolene This is also a knife but where the athame is used with the non-physical, this knife is used when working with the physical. It is used to cut herbs, carve symbols in candles etc. Candles These are my favourite tools and the things I use most often. They're probably the easiest thing to get as well as you can buy them anywhere, and they can be as cheap or expensive as you want. White candles are probably used most often, but coloured candles are important in candle candles magick. You can find info on the different colours of candles and their correspondences and info on candle magick here. Cauldron This is used for scrying and in spell craft. It represents the female and is also a symbol of fertility. Chalice This is a cup made of silver, gold, brass, glass, crystal etc which is used in rituals to hold wine or juice. Crystal Ball This is used for scrying and divination. They can be expensive, but are very effective. You need to find one that is completely unmarked as any scractches can effect your reading. Incense This comes in many forms. There is stick incense, cone incense and combustable incense. It represents air and can be used in rituals and spells to represent your purpose, or different gods and goddesses. It can also help you to focus on a specific intention and can help in meditation. Like candles it is relatively cheap and can be bought in many places. However, it can be better to make your own (I'll provide some recipes soon). Also, you really need a good quality of incense and the cheaper it is, the worse the quality of it is likely to be. Incense Burner This can be anything from a large shell, to a small wooden or china bowl to a brass burner or censer. Mine is a small brass censer but it really doesn't matter what it is. As long as you are not damaging it by burning incense in it, its ok. It is used for burning combustible incense. You will also need some small charcoal blocks for this. The incense is sprinkled on top and smoulders away. If you are using stick or cone incense, it is possible to buy or make small holders for them, or if you are using them outside they can be put in the ground. Pentacle This is used on the altar in rituals, prayer and spell craft. It is usally a circle made of wood, clay, metal or some other material with a pentagram drawn or engraved onto it. The pentagram represents the five elements (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) enclosed in a circle for protection. It is used in workings for protection. It can also be used when consecrating objects and liquids in the chalice. Wand This tool represents air and like the athame can be used to direct energy and to draw magickal symbols in the air and on the ground. It is made from wood and is usually the same length as from the owners fingertips to the top of the forearm. It is usually made from fallen wood but if it is neccessary after asking permission of the tree you can break wood from it and thank it after. You can use specific woods for different purposes and use a different wand for different types of spells, for example, one for love spells, one for luck spells etc. |
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