Tools of the Craft

Ritual Tools

For ritual use, the witch often employs a number of tools. These have many uses, from focusing energies to representing the elements. Some witches will use all of the tools discussed here; others will use some and not others; some will use tools not mentioned here; some use no tools at all. The type of tool and manner it is used is as individual as the tools themselves.

The Tools

Censer: The censer is simply a container in which the witch burns incense. Some witches use a hanging brass censer, like you might find in a Catholic church, while others use a holder for incense sticks. I personally use a ceramic bowl filled with sand (to absorb the heat from the burning incense). The censer (and incense) is aligned with the element of Air.

Athame: The athame is a ritual knife or dagger. Typically having a black handle and double edge, the athame is not used to cut anything, physically. Instead, it is used for directing and focusing energy, to cut doorways in the ritual circle, and for blessings (as in the Simple Feast). The athame is aligned with the element of Fire.

Chalice: The chalice is simple a glass or goblet used to hold wine or water. Some witches have two, one for wine and one for water; personally I only have one. The chalice represents the yoni of the female, and is aligned with the element of Water.

Pentacle: The pentacle is the five pointed star within a circle inscribed in wood, stone, ceramic, or some other material. It often serves the practical use of being able to set something hot on. The pentacle is aligned with the element of Earth.

Wand: The wand is a short piece of wood, although some wands are glass or metal, that serves to focus energy in much the same way as an athame. Generally, the athame and the wand are interchangeable in ritual use. Some witches prefer the wand, as it does not have the weapon connotation of the athame. The wand is aligned with the element of Air

Sword:Basically the sword is a big athame. Usually used by the coven, it functions for the group as the athame does for the individual. The sword is also associated with Fire.

Staff:Basically a big wand, although unlike the sword, the staff is still ordainarily used by the individual. Some witches prefer the staff to the wand, because the staff has more practical uses (i.e. walking stick). The staff is also aligned with the element of air.

Cauldron:The cauldron is a larger verson of the chalice. Once again, the cauldron is usually more common in group circles, with the chalice on individual altars, but some individuals have a personal one. Cauldrons are excellent for scrying into, but rarely are concoctions brewed in them, as it is simply unfeasible to heat up a cast iron cauldron of any size. The cauldron is aligned to the element of water.

Candles:Candles are a multi-purpose tool. They can be used as a specific magickal component, for illumination, to represent the Goddess and/or God, and to represent the element of Fire. Personally, I have a Fire candle on my altar (red), a Goddess candle (silver), and a God candle (gold).

Bolline:A bolline is a more functional tool than a ritual one. A bolline is a white-handled knife, that is used for cutting, usually herbs. A bolline may also be used to engrave on candles. I use a white-handled paring knife I found at a grocery store.

Sample Altar Layout

West
Chalice

South       Fire Candle         Goddess Candle   God Candle          Pentacle    North

Censer
East

This is my altar set up, more or less. I have a rectangular table, so that does contribute a lot to the particular set up I use. I purposely didn't show where my athame is, since it's typically in my hand if I'm doing any work at my altar. If I'm not, it is in the south, to the inside of my Fire Candle.

The music is Pipes.wav downloaded from Witches' Brew

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