| Tools |
| When it comes to Wicca, tools are used to help focus our energy or conciousness to alter our state of conciouness which is used when we have a certain need that needs to be met. Here is a list of the most common tools used by Wiccans with a description and use for each tool. Enjoy- Skye RavennWolfe |
| Altar- The point of focus in a ritual. A large stone or wooden structure used to place ritual tools and sometimes even store these tools. If not to store materials, then a closet is usually used. Is never made out of metal and neither is blood permited on anything on the altar including the altar itself. Amulet- An object not made by man, with nothing marked by man, found in nature, worn to lend its majickal propertise. Asperger- An object used to sprinkle consecrated water to cleanse the circle while being casted. Athame- A majick ritual knife. Usually double edged with a black, and sometimes brown handle. It is used to focus energy while casting the circle and to form majick markings. It is never used to draw blood. Some Wiccans believe it should never leave the circle while others believe it should never leave your side, except within the circle but it can only be placed on the altar. It can also be used to cut herbs if the Wiccan lacks a bolline. Bell- Used to create sound at certain points of a ritual to add rythm to your purpose while raising power. The sound of a bell has always been thought of as divine. Bolline- A sacred herb knife. Having a white handle and a thin, sharp blade in the shape of a sickel, it is used to cut herbs. Much like the Athame with similar beliefs surrounding it, it is only used with herbs. Due to this, most Wiccans will just use the Athame. Book of Shadows- Wiccan book of rituals, spells, myths, astrological cycles, poetry, and journal entries. The name comes from the burning times, where covens were split up and people started to record their traditions. Sometimes though, they managed to meet in the shadows of their hiding places, where they would consult their books and add to them. Now, Wiccans will choose a book and bless it at their intiations and dedications to be used for their personal purpose. Some covens share a coven book which the whole coven adds too and copies into their own book. Broom- A broom with circular bristles opposed to square, used to sweep out negative energy in a ritual area. Also used at Beltane to leap bonfires to increase luck and to make the crops grow as high as the jump. Also, some handfasting (Wiccan/Gypsy marrige) ceremonies include a jumping of the broom as part of both to ceremony and party games. Candle- Used to mark the elements in the circle, to lend light and to scry. Some wiccans consecrate a candles flame by adding salt to it and use this candle to light the rest. When that candle is done, before the flame is exstinguished, it is used to light another candle to preserve the sacred flame. Cauldron- A Goddess symbol, used to hold water to be consecrated, holy water, and objects to be burned. Also used in making oils and heating liquids. Can be subsituted with a large, black, fire proof bowl. The black is so whatever is placed into the bowl, the bowl will absorb its negativety, (symbolically sending it back to the Goddess for a better purpose), and the object will be pured. Censer- A heat proof container used to hold incense. The smoke from the incense is used in consecration, scrying, and casting the circle. Crystals- Also gemstones, were each kind has its own energy that is used to attone with these energies, so as to aid in ritual practice. Pentacle- A stone, wooden, clay... circular object that has a pentacle marked into its surface. (a five pointed star with a circle around it.) It is placed in the center of the altar and is decorated with flowers, herbs, and gems that lend the specific energy needed with the spell and/or ritual. Talismen- A man made object charged with specific energy to be worn. Wand- A stick that is from elbow to finger tip length, used to focus energy (much like the Athame) and to stir the contents in the cauldron. |
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