GwP

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The Burning Times
A brief history of wicca,witches. History is a very important aspect of wicca.

Wiccan Rede
These are the basic laws that we fallow. Do not take these words lightly.

Book of Shadows
I should call this the book of light since this is not a private collection. The bos is a useful tool

What is Wicca?
GwP's answer for that eternal question

Sabbaths
The 8 Wiccan holidays and there meanings

Wicca FAQ
This FAQ is for those who know nothing/close to nothing about wicca

Charge of the goddess
The Goddess and what she is to Wicca.

Charge of the god
The god and what he is to Wicca.

Tarot spreads
Tarot spreads Compiled by David. c. Jones. One of the best I have seen.

Herbs
Just a small section on herbs will be adding to it soon.

Forum
A general Wiccan message forum I will be happy to answer any questions you have there.

Runes
The Basics on one of the oldest forms of divination

Witchy Tools
The Basic ritual tools and how to use them

Tools of the Craft

Certain tools are used in Wicca for ritual purposes, such as to
invoke the God or Goddess, banish negative influences and
cast circles. While these tools are not necessary to practice
Wicca, I find they are helpful in increasing concentration and
directing energy. Most tools correspond to certain elements of
nature, such as Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and are particularly
helpful when performing rituals centering around that particular
element.
Some of these tools may be difficult to find, but don't worry -
the right one eventually will come to you. On my links page, I
have listed several on-line merchants that carry many of these
items.



Athame
The magick knife is commonly linked with the element of Fire.
Most Wiitches do not use it for cutting purposes, or for any
purposes outside the circle.
The athame is used in ritual to direct energy and is an
instrument of power and manipulation.
The blade is often dull and double-edged and the handle is
black or some other dark color to absorb power.



Cauldron
The cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess and corresponds to
the element of Water.
It is used in ritual as a container in which magickal
transformations can occur and is often a focal point of a ritual.
During spring rites, it can be filled with water and fresh flower
petals and in winter, fires can be lighted within the cauldron to
symbolize the rebirth of the Sun.
It can also be filled with water and used for scrying into the
future.
Cauldrons often are three-legged and made of iron. They come
in all sizes ranging from a few inches in diameter to several feet
across.



Wand
The wand, an instrument of invocation, corresponds to the
element of Air.
It is sometimes used to direct energy, to scratch magickal
symbols in the ground or to stir the contents of a cauldron.
Woods such as willow, elder, oak, hazel and apple are
traditionally used for the wand, but any fairly straight piece of
wood can work. Many carve special symbols into the wood to
personalize the wand. I've also seen some beautiful wands
made out of crystal with gems and stones set into them.



Censer
The censer, or incense burner, represents the element of Air.
It can be a big, swinging metal contraption like those used in
Catholic churches or a small wooden stick incense holder -
whichever feels most comfortable for you. I personally use both
the stick holders and the metal ones for powdered incense.
If you can't find a suitable censer, a bowl filled with sand or salt
works fine. The sand or salt absorbs the heat from the charcoal, or
incense sticks or cones can be pushed into it.
I find that incense greatly increases my concentration and is
especially useful in meditations.



Pentacle
The pentacle (there's a picture of one on my home page) is often
used an an instrument of protection - it can be hung over doors
and windows or worn about the neck as a pendant.
The five points on the pentacle represent each of the five elements;
Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
In ritual, the pentacle can be used to consecrate other ritual tools.
It can be made out of brass, silver, wood, clay or any other
material that can be engraved.



Chalice
The altar chalice symbolizes the Goddess and fertility and is
related to the element of Water.
I generally use mine to hold the ritual wine that is imbibed at the
end of a rite, but it can also be used for holding water for scrying
into the future or other ritual purposes.
The chalice can be made out of any substance, from silver or brass
to wood or soapstone.



Broom
The broom often is used to purify space before a circle is cast. It is
related to the element of Water and is used in many water spells
involving cleansing.
It also historically has been used to protect the home by laying it
across the door.
To make a magick broom, it is suggested that you use an ash staff,
birch twigs and a willow binding.(ash is protective, birch cleansing
and willow sacred to the Goddess.)



Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows is your personal collection of rituals, spells,
ideas and thoughts about Wicca, etc. Many covens have a group
BOS, while solitaries keep one for themselves. Traditionally, it's
supposed to be handwritten and many Wiccans may suggest strict
adherence to that. I, however, keep most of my BOS on my hard
drive on my computer and know several others who do the same
thing. Again, whatever is most comfortable for you is what you
should use.



These are just a few of the basics - you can certainly improvise
and add different items to represent different elements. Or, like
some Wiccans I know, you can simply use candles and incense
during rituals.
Either way, it's the energy YOU put into it that makes the ritual
powerful and successful, not the tools you use.
Tools are simply a way to direct and focus energy for magickal
workings. They have no power except for what we give them.
Tools should be consecrated, or cleansed, before use in a circle,
to clear them of any negative energies.


Tools of the Craft

Certain tools are used in Wicca for ritual purposes, such as to
invoke the God or Goddess, banish negative influences and
cast circles. While these tools are not necessary to practice
Wicca, I find they are helpful in increasing concentration and
directing energy. Most tools correspond to certain elements of
nature, such as Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and are particularly
helpful when performing rituals centering around that particular
element.
Some of these tools may be difficult to find, but don't worry -
the right one eventually will come to you. On my links page, I
have listed several on-line merchants that carry many of these
items.



Athame
The magick knife is commonly linked with the element of Fire.
Most Wiitches do not use it for cutting purposes, or for any
purposes outside the circle.
The athame is used in ritual to direct energy and is an
instrument of power and manipulation.
The blade is often dull and double-edged and the handle is
black or some other dark color to absorb power.



Cauldron
The cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess and corresponds to
the element of Water.
It is used in ritual as a container in which magickal
transformations can occur and is often a focal point of a ritual.
During spring rites, it can be filled with water and fresh flower
petals and in winter, fires can be lighted within the cauldron to
symbolize the rebirth of the Sun.
It can also be filled with water and used for scrying into the
future.
Cauldrons often are three-legged and made of iron. They come
in all sizes ranging from a few inches in diameter to several feet
across.



Wand
The wand, an instrument of invocation, corresponds to the
element of Air.
It is sometimes used to direct energy, to scratch magickal
symbols in the ground or to stir the contents of a cauldron.
Woods such as willow, elder, oak, hazel and apple are
traditionally used for the wand, but any fairly straight piece of
wood can work. Many carve special symbols into the wood to
personalize the wand. I've also seen some beautiful wands
made out of crystal with gems and stones set into them.



Censer
The censer, or incense burner, represents the element of Air.
It can be a big, swinging metal contraption like those used in
Catholic churches or a small wooden stick incense holder -
whichever feels most comfortable for you. I personally use both
the stick holders and the metal ones for powdered incense.
If you can't find a suitable censer, a bowl filled with sand or salt
works fine. The sand or salt absorbs the heat from the charcoal, or
incense sticks or cones can be pushed into it.
I find that incense greatly increases my concentration and is
especially useful in meditations.



Pentacle
The pentacle (there's a picture of one on my home page) is often
used an an instrument of protection - it can be hung over doors
and windows or worn about the neck as a pendant.
The five points on the pentacle represent each of the five elements;
Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
In ritual, the pentacle can be used to consecrate other ritual tools.
It can be made out of brass, silver, wood, clay or any other
material that can be engraved.



Chalice
The altar chalice symbolizes the Goddess and fertility and is
related to the element of Water.
I generally use mine to hold the ritual wine that is imbibed at the
end of a rite, but it can also be used for holding water for scrying
into the future or other ritual purposes.
The chalice can be made out of any substance, from silver or brass
to wood or soapstone.



Broom
The broom often is used to purify space before a circle is cast. It is
related to the element of Water and is used in many water spells
involving cleansing.
It also historically has been used to protect the home by laying it
across the door.
To make a magick broom, it is suggested that you use an ash staff,
birch twigs and a willow binding.(ash is protective, birch cleansing
and willow sacred to the Goddess.)



Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows is your personal collection of rituals, spells,
ideas and thoughts about Wicca, etc. Many covens have a group
BOS, while solitaries keep one for themselves. Traditionally, it's
supposed to be handwritten and many Wiccans may suggest strict
adherence to that. I, however, keep most of my BOS on my hard
drive on my computer and know several others who do the same
thing. Again, whatever is most comfortable for you is what you
should use.



These are just a few of the basics - you can certainly improvise
and add different items to represent different elements. Or, like
some Wiccans I know, you can simply use candles and incense
during rituals.
Either way, it's the energy YOU put into it that makes the ritual
powerful and successful, not the tools you use.
Tools are simply a way to direct and focus energy for magickal
workings. They have no power except for what we give them.
Tools should be consecrated, or cleansed, before use in a circle,
to clear them of any negative energies.