The Witch
You are the most magickal tool of all. It is your intentions and energies that determine the results of any magickal work. Many Witches never use any other tool but their own personal energies! And some of the most powerful workings can be done without ever leaving your armchair. It is the focus, concentration, intentions, and desires that reside within YOU that are the real ‘tools” of the Witch!
Altar
The altar is often the focus of the religious ceremony and is usually found at the center of a Pagan ritual. It’s essentially a table used for holding all of the ritual tools, and can also be used as a workspace in spell casting. You can have permanent altars that stay up year-round or seasonal ones that you change as the Wheel and it’s not uncommon to meet someone who has more than one altar in their home.
Athame
The athame is used in many Wiccan and Pagan rituals as a tool for directing energy. The athame can be used to cast the magick circle, call the “quarters” or elements, and is part of many an opening ritual, handfasting (wedding), or initiation rite. Typically, the athame is a double-edged dagger and can be purchased or hand-made. The athame is not typically used for actual, physical cutting.
If you’d like to make your own, there are a number of different ways to do it. There are a number of websites that offer instructions on how to make an athame, and they tend to vary in skill level.
Bell
Hundreds of years ago, rural folks knew that loud noise drove away evil spirits, and the bell is a prime example of a good noisemaker. The ringing of a bell causes vibrations which are the source of great power. Variations on the bell include the shaking of a sistrum, a ritual rattle, or the use of a “singing bowl”. All of these can help bring harmony to a magical circle. In some forms of Wicca, the bell is rung to begin or end a rite, or to evoke the Goddess. You can use it to open and close the sacred circle, Invoke the Goddess, ring to ward off negative energies (as well as invite positive energies ), or use it to signal different sections of a ritual and/or Sabbat.
Boline
A bowline is a functional ceremonial blade used for any purpose that may require a sharp blade- cutting and harvesting herbs, cutting cords, ribbons, string, etc., and carving symbols into candles and objects are a few possibilities. Traditionally the boline has a white handle, (it is sometimes referred to as the “white-handled knife”).
Broom
The besom, or broom, is used for sweeping a ceremonial area out before the ritual. A light sweep not only cleans the physical space but also clears out negative energies that may have accumulated in the area since the last cleaning. The broom is a purifier, so it is connected to the element of Water. It is not uncommon to meet witches who have broom collections, and it is fairly easy to make your own besom if you don’t wish to buy one. The traditional magical formula includes a bundle of birch twigs, a staff of ash or oak, and a binding made from willow wands.
Book of Shadows (BOS)
Despite popular movies and television shows, there is no one single book of shadows. A book of shadows, or BOS, is a Wiccan’s or Pagan’s notebook of information. It usually contains spells, rituals, correspondence charts, information about the rules of magic, invocations, myths and legends of various pantheons, etc. Sometimes information in a BOS is passed along from one Witch to another (and in a coven setting, there may be a coven BOS as well as individual members’ books), but you can create your own with a little bit of effort. A BOS is a very personal thing and should contain the information you find most important.
Candles
The candle is a commonly used tool in Wiccan and Pagan rituals. In addition to being used as symbols of the god and goddess, and the elements, candles are often used in spell workings. The theory is that candles can absorb your personal energy and then release that energy as they burn.
Some people believe that a candle you make yourself is far more powerful than one that is purchased. Others believe that it is the intent you put into the work that makes a difference, and not the source of the candle. Regardless, most traditions recognize certain colors as important to candle magic.
Cauldron
The cauldron, like the chalice, is found in many goddess-oriented traditions of Wicca. It is feminine and womblike, the vessel in which life begins. Cauldrons can be used to represent water and used for scrying. It is sometimes used in association with elemental fire as well and small “bonfires” can be lit in them to burn spells or incense.
In Celtic mythology, the cauldron is associated with Cerridwen, who has powers of prophecy. She is the keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration in the Underworld.
There a number of magical ways you can use your cauldron:
• Burn incense, candles, or offerings in it
• Blend herbs in it for magical workings
• Fill it with water and use it for moonlight scrying
Keep in mind that many magical uses will make your cauldron unsuitable for food preparation, so if you’re going to use one, keep a separate cauldron designated as your magical one. Also, be sure to season your cauldron properly if it’s made from cast iron.
Censer
A censer is a vessel that is used to hold smoldering charcoal (from a fire or self-igniting disks) upon which one burns the herbs, resins, gums, etc that make up their incense.
Chalice
A Chalice, or cup, is found in many goddess-oriented traditions of Wicca. Like the cauldron, the chalice is feminine and womblike, the vessel in which life begins. Typically, it represents the element of Water on the altar. Chalices can be made of any material.
Many use silver or pewter (be careful with untreated metals when serving wine), but ceramic ones are now quite popular and readily obtainable. Some Witches have many different kinds for different types of rituals. Many a practitioner will avoid real “lead” crystals because of the Saturn energy influence. The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words “May you never thirst!” are passed throughout the circle with the chalice.”
Crystals
You can also use birthstones in magical workings. Each month of the year has its own birthstone – and each stone has its own magical properties.
Keep in mind that when you get a new crystal or gemstone, it’s not a bad idea to cleanse it before your first use.
Divination Tools
There are many different methods of divination tools you may choose to use in your magical practice. Some people opt to try many different types, but you may find that you’re more gifted in one method than others. Take a look at some of the different types of divination methods, and see which one – or more! – works best for you and your abilities. And remember, just like with any other skill set, practice makes perfect!
You don’t need all of these different divination tools cluttering up your workspace – figure out which one or two you’re more interested in, and work from there.
Incense
Incense is a resinous base, often mixed with additional herbs or essential oils and burned to release the fragrance. The fragrant herbs, resins, and spices create a tranquil atmosphere that otherwise would not have been possible.
Practitioners can use a censer, cauldron, or another incense holder to spread the fragrance around the ritual area or it can be used as an offering. Some people also use the smoke of incense to help them in scrying. They say that the smoke helps them to see into another plane of existence.
Moon Water
Moon water is water that has been charged with the energies of the moon. It is a popular way to charge water to be used during a ceremony or spell working or to brew magical potions and may be used for anything you are directed to use water for.
Mortar and Pestle
A mortar and pestle is a tool for crushing herbs and other materials. It consists of a bowl (the mortar), usually made of stone or ceramic, and a heavy pounding tool (the pestle), usually made of the same material. The pestle fits inside the bowl and crushes materials inside the bowl. A mortar and pestle may be used for pounding grains to remove the hulls or to make flour. Magic users normally use mortar and pestles to grind ingredients for magical spells, kitchen witchery, incense, and alchemy. Mortars and Pestles have been in use by cooks, healers, and magicians for millennia.
Pentacle
Nearly every tradition of Wicca (and many other Pagan paths, as well) uses the pentacle. The Altar pentacle is usually a disk or plate of metal or wood inscribed with the five-pointed star in a circle. This is set upon the altar and used to consecrate various other tools and as a focal point of concentration for magickal workings. most commonly seen symbol, however, is the pentagram itself, which is why the two terms are often confused.
In ceremonial magic, the pentacle is used as a protective talisman.
Robe
Clothing is “optional” for many Witches. If you are dedicated to a Tradition, you may practice “skyclad”. Otherwise, Pagans prefer to perform ceremonies and rituals in special robes. If you are part of a coven or group, your robe might have to be a certain color or style. In some traditions, the color of the robe indicates the level of training a practitioner has. For many people, donning the ritual robe is a way of separating themselves from the mundane business of everyday life — it’s a way of stepping into the ritual mindset, of walking from the mundane world into the magical world. Most people prefer to wear nothing at all under their ritual robe, but do what is comfortable for them.
Scrying Glass/Mirror
A scrying glass is a mirror that is used as a focal point for scrying or to encourage clairvoyance. The mirror may be a typical reflective, silver-colored mirror, but very often it is black and is referred to as a black mirror. A scrying glass may also be called a seeing-eye glass or a magic mirror. A scrying glass may be made of glass or highly polished metal or some reflective stone. Occasionally, a crystal sphere used for divination is referred to as a scrying glass.
It is used as a focal point for meditative scrying and sometimes just for meditation. Sometimes the practitioner will see images in the mirror itself, but most often the mirror aids the practitioner in settling into a meditative state, and answers and images come to the practitioner’s mind aided by the relaxed state.
Staff
Many Pagans and Wiccans use a magical staff in rituals and ceremonies. While it’s not a required magical tool, it can come in handy. The staff is a very important tool in some traditions. The staff is typically associated with power and authority, and in some traditions, only the High Priestess or High Priest carries one. In other traditions, anyone may have one. Much like the wand, the staff is considered symbolic of male energy and usually is used to represent the element of Air (although in some traditions, it symbolizes Fire).
Wand
Clichéd as it may sound, the wand is one of the most popular magical tools in Witchcraft. It has a number of magical purposes. A wand is used for the directing of energy during a ritual. Because it’s a phallic symbol it is used to represent male energy, power, and virility. Representative of the element of Air (although in a few traditions, it symbolizes Fire), the wand can be used to consecrate a sacred space or invoke a deity.
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