Tools of the Craft

Here is a some of the tools that most witches use. They are not used by all witches as there are alot of different traditions that have different ideas and uses. but here some of the tools most commonly used.

Pentacle
A Pentacle is a five-pointed star with a circle around it. The five points of the star represent the five Elements. Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. The circle around it represents the everlasting cycle of life.
The Pentacle represents Earth. It is a symbol of protection so it is used to hang over doors, or around the house, and on your neck as a pendant.
The actual tool is on a flat surface, made out of brass,
silver,gold, wax, wood, or clay.

Cauldron
The cauldron is a cast iron pot on three legs. It sybolises the Goddess and it represents the Element Water. The cauldron is a focal point in Ritual magick.
They are used for many reasons: burning things inside, divination( fill with water to gaze like in a crystal ball.), and many other reasons. In the summer rituals they are usually filled with flowers. And in the winter, they light fires inside them.

Wand
This Tool is usually made out of wood and made and decorated by the owner. It represents the element of air, but in some traditions it may represent Fire.
It is used for invocation of the Elements and Deities(Gods).  It can be used to direct energy or scatch symbols into soil, salt, cakes in feast etc. This tool is usually no longer than your forearm, and decorated any way you want. You made make it with alot of woods, but some may be more affected than others for some people. Oak, elder, rowan, apple and willow are probably the most used. Not all wands are wooden as there are many store bought ones made out of metal. And crystals are used too.

Censer (incence holder)
This tool is usually brass with a lid to hold charcoal and incense. It represents the Element of Air. It can be anything though. Like a dish with sand or salt filled, and a swinging  one. Also you could use a seashell, or a rock. (make sure its big enough so it doesnt fall off.)
Incense can be used to purify space or an object.or helped in meditaion, ritual, spells, or concentration.
You do not havi to use a censer to burn incense you can use the stick-type ones.

Broom
This Tool is a wooden stick and branches for bristles. Also known as a besom. It represents the Element of Water. The broom is often used to purify an area by simply 'brushing' the area and visualizing the negative energies get 'brused' away. Not many witches actually brush the floor, they just brush the air. In the old time, the witches used to ride their brooms like horses and jump in the fields to show the crop how high to grow.

Athame (pronounced A-tham-ay)
This Tool is a black-handled Knife usually double edged and dull. It representsThe God and the Element Fire. It is used to direct energy in rituals and spells, and to invoke the Goddess and God, And to draw pentacles in the air to welcome and dismiss Elements.
This knife is NEVER used for cutting purposes. Inside or outside the circle.

Bolline
This tool is a white-handled knife with a blade shaped like a cresent moon. This is the tool you use to cut things for magickal use. Such as magickal herbs, wand making, inscribing symbols on candles,etc.

Goblet (Chalice)
This Tool is simply a cauldron on a stem. It represents the Goddess and fertility, and the Element of Water.
It is used to hold wine in ritual, but can be used for other things. (By the way, it doesnt have to be wine, it can be almost any beverage.
The cup is usually made out of Gold, silver, brass, crystal, and other materials.

Book Of Shadows (BOS)
This book is used to contain spells rituals, herb recipes, chants, and other research that you feel you need to write in.
I also have a Mirror Book, which i write all my magical experiences and exercises i try. The difference between the BOS and the Mirror Book is, that the BOS is what you have accomplished magickally. (I.E the rituals and spells you have done, and recipes you made,etc). And the Mirror book is used to Write down practices and almost everything you do to do with magick. (I.E Meditation, visualization, raising energy, chanting.) So basically, if youre starting out, it would be best to make Mirror Book first, and when Wicca becomes an important part of youre life, and you are really ready to take this path, start making your BOS.