In the Wiccan religion, there are many different tools for many different purposes. Let’s explore some of the more common ones:
The Altar Cloth
Basically, this is a cloth used as an altar cover that’s made of silk, velvet or cotton. It’s not limited to those materials but should be made of natural fibers. An altar is a sacred space, as it is in most religions, and Wiccans will keep their tools, incense, candles, statues, crystals, and anything else that’s important to them on it. The cloth is just a covering of the mundane item that the altar is made of, and is a show of reverence. There’s no set size to an altar, and is only limited by the Witch’s size constraints or desires.As for colors, purple and black are always very popular, with all the other colors following a close second. Some may be solid, some may be decorated with sewn-in images, such as pentacles, ankhs, suns/moon/stars, or even goddess images. You may find altar cloths that have charms and crystals sewn on the corners or along the edges. It’s just a personal choice. Many Witches change the color of the altar with the seasons, or if they’re working toward a particular purpose (green for money, blue for healing, pink for love).
The Athame
The athame (pronounced either “a-THAH-may” or “ATH-a-may”) is a knife. Traditionally, it’s made of a black handle and has a steel blade. The handle is usually carved with various symbols which can include (but aren’t limited to) astrological glyphs, Runes, bind Runes, or anything that means something to the practitioner. Even crystals affixed to the athame are acceptable. The athame does not come pre-decorated; that’s up to the ultimate user. The goal here is to decorate and consecrate the tool to make it yours so that it becomes an extension of the self.The athame is a ritual tool, associated with the element of Fire (because it’s been forged), or Air (due to the “whoosh” it makes, slicing through the air). It is used to cast a Sacred Circle before Ritual, and to banish or evoke once in the Circle. It is used to direct energy, never used to physically cut anything, and if it is, it’s been rendered useless and must be destroyed. It focuses and directs your intention, fixes your concentration, and cuts through reality. A very powerful tool and one of the most important used by Witches.
Because it is, mundanely, a knife, you want to keep it away from young hands. Once it’s consecrated, like all your tools, no one else should be touching it anyway, unless you give your permission.
The Bell
The bell is rung at each Quarter (direction) when casting a Circle. It sends a message to the Four Elements (each represented by a Quarter: East=Air, South=Fire, West=Water, North=Earth) that serves as an attention-getter that their presence is desired in the Circle. Bells are sacred to the Goddess and were once used to ward off evil, hence the protection aspect in a Circle. Most bells are made of brass or silver, not glass, due to the breakage factor. If hung in the home, it acts as a protection amulet, and if hung from a cord, symbolizes the human soul suspended between the worlds.
The Besom
This is just another word for a broom. However, it’s not a broom such as you’d find in a supermarket or housewares store. It is traditionally made from ash, birch, and willow to signify the three phases of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone).It has a variety of purposes, ranging from sweeping the ritual area clean (such as before casting a Circle), to temporarily sealing the Circle’s doorway by laying it across the threshold, to wedding ceremonies where the couple leaps over the broom to ensure fertility, harmony, and longevity. Didn’t know “jumping the broom” was an ancient Pagan custom, did you?
If you’re located in a rural or suburban area, it might be a little easier for you to craft your own besom than if you’re located in a more urban area. If that’s the case, you can find the proper branch in your yard or laying dead in the woods.
The Boline/Bolline
A boline is a scythe- or sickle-shaped knife with a shorter handle that’s used for cutting, or wildcrafting, herbs. Today, it’s used mainly for ceremonial work, such as the cutting of herbs for ritual. It differs from an athame in that it is used for physically cutting, while an athame is not.
The Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows (or BOS) is a book that’s a sacred diary and contains all of a Witch’s magickal workings. It may include spells, rituals, symbols, guidelines, and personal notations. A BOS is traditionally handwritten in any kind of notebook that works for that Witch. It may be leather bound, spiral bound, lined or not, or even a simple loose leaf binder which allows for shuffling and rearranging of papers.Most Witches use a specific pen for writing in their BOS, so you may want to find a special pen for writing in your BOS. Quill pens and magickal inks, such as “dragon’s blood” or “dove’s blood,” will also be of interest. And just to set your mind at ease, these inks really aren’t the blood of dragons or doves. They are really tree resins that have been watered down to make an ink.
Today, many Witches keep their BOS as a DOS, or Disk of Shadows, on their computers.
The Bowl
Bowls are used for holding salt and water on an altar. When mixed together, these two elements form a purifying liquid, and are constants in a Witch’s box of goodies. Water represents the Goddess and feminine energy, while salt represents the God and masculine energy. The blending of the two creates a balance of these energies.Ritual bowls come in many different forms, shapes, and materials. They may be made out of stone, pottery, or even china, if that means something to the practitioner.
This is another tool that might be hand made, perhaps in a pottery store, or hand-thrown.
Candles
Candles are used extensively in ritual and spell work, so it’s a big part of a Witch’s toolbox.Anything from the little 15-minute candles to votives to tapers to 7-day sizes are used, as well as figural candles, such as cats, goddess images, and human forms. Generally, Wiccans look for unscented candles, and will frequently use purpose-blend oils to anoint them. However, there are some great ritual and spell candle lines that many Wiccans love using.
Candles that are already scented often do not work in ritual, so you’ll need to be sure that the candles you’re using are unscented. Very often, the scent that’s embedded in the candle doesn’t coincide with the purpose that someone may want to use it for. Pagans will anoint the candles with the proper oils anyway, so the scent only interferes with the purpose.
Here is where knowledge of the meanings of colors comes in handy, since that’s the governing force behind which candle is chosen. You can choose gold or green for abundance, red or pink for love, blue for healing, brown for grounding. You get the idea. No matter what the candle actually looks like, it’s the color that’s important.
You’ll also want to find candle snuffers, since some Wiccans believe blowing out a candle is an affront to the elementals they work with. Many people don’t like to use their fingers to extinguish a candle, and a snuffer is just so great looking! Brings just that extra bit of pleasure to your work!
The Cauldron
The cauldron is a symbol of germination, transmutation, transformation, and metamorphosis. It is a symbol of the womb, and as such, represents the Goddess. It represents the full circle in that everything is born from the Goddess and everything returns to it. It is placed in the center of the Ritual Circle where all magick flows from it and from the center. Today, the fire it contains usually takes the form of incense or candles. It is also commonly used to burn herbs or as a vessel for liquids. You may want several different sizes as these are used for a variety of purposes.
The Chalice
The chalice, or goblet, represents the element of Water, and is associated with Goddess/female energy. It is used as a containment device for whatever the Witch may wish to use it for, until the time comes to release the energy therein. It is traditionally made of sterling silver, but you can now find many beautiful ones made out of glass, pottery, or brass. As long as it’s food-safe, it’s fine.
Clothing
Clothing encompasses, but certainly isn’t limited to, robes, capes (short), cloaks (long), shirts, dresses, and shawls.The favored color is, of course, black, but purple, blue, green, and burgundy are gaining in popularity.
Divination Tools
Divination tools are a very important part of any Witch’s toolbox. Runes, pendulums, Tarot, oracles, and scrying mirrors all come under this heading.
Herbs
Herbs are used quite a bit in spells, with candles, and in ritual work. Bagged herbs are the easiest way to buy them.Herbs are endowed with many metaphysical qualities, so be sure to have a good array of herbs that will cover many different circumstances. If you do some research, you’ll find the list is very easy to accumulate.
Many herbs used in magickal work can be poisonous, so please be aware of warnings on the labels of the herbs you purchase.
Incense
Pagans burn a lot of incense. Not only will you want to buy the individual scents, but you’ll want to find purpose incense, too. By that I mean, Money Drawing, Banishing, Sacred Space, Protection, Love Enhancement, Balancing, Purification, and Healing, to name just a few. The names pretty much tell the story, so it’s easy to choose those you’ll most likely want to buy.However, you may want to brush up on the metaphysical qualities of various scents, just in case you run out of a particular purpose incense, or you’re not thrilled with the scent of the purpose incense you find. For instance, knowing that cinnamon is a money drawing scent, or that rose is for love, or that sage is for purification, can go a long way toward having a good grasp of the information, and being able to make any adjustments when and if the situation calls for it.
Oils
Oils are used for a myriad of purposes, from anointing tools to wearing in spellwork. You’re going to want to familiarize yourself with the single scents here too, just like with incense.
Parchment Paper
Parchment is used for writing your ritual and spell intentions on.
The Pentacle
The pentacle is an altar piece that represents Earth/male energy. It is one of the Witch’s Four Tools, the others being the athame, the chalice, and the wand. It is a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, which serves to ground all energy on an altar. The pentacle itself is a protection symbol, invoking all the elements (each of the four lower points represent Earth, Air, Fire and Water) and Spirit (represented by the uppermost point) is always over all. Any items placed on the pentacle during ritual - stones, coins, jewelry, food, drink - are energized and therefore, stronger.Many pentacles are made of wood or metal, such as silver or brass. The wood pentacles can be engraved (such as by a wood burning tool), or carved. There are no size limitations, but typically can be 3”, 6” or 9” in diameter, to represent the Goddess’ three phases (Maiden, Mother, Crone).
The Pentagram
Let me just take a moment to dispel a myth or two. Many people use the words “pentacle” and “pentagram” interchangeably.Technically, this isn’t correct. There are also several definitions floating around about which is what. Some people subscribe to the thought that a pentagram is an upside-down star; two points above, one below. This orientation is usually considered a symbol of Satanism, representing matter over mind (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water over Spirit), and many Wiccans do not use it at all. They do not believe in, or work with, a Satanic God. However, it is still used by many Traditional Witches to symbolize the Second-Degree Initiation, and is representative of the Horned God aspect.
The most accepted explanation is that a pentagram is a pentacle without the surrounding circle. In other words, an upright star without an encompassing ring. This is representative of the Five Elements, integrated but not contained.
Salt
This isn’t table salt! Salt used in rituals and for cleansing is either sea salt or kosher salt.
Statues
A statue is a very individual taste. Once you’ve found the god/goddesses you wish to work with, you’re going to want to find a representation of each. You may want several! Until you find the perfect statue, you can do your research and find flowers or scents or herbs that are favored by that particular deity and substitute with that.
The Sword
The sword is a long-bladed knife, used to cast ritual and magickal circles. It can also be used in Rites of Initiation. It is a symbol of the God and is used by the High Priest in Circle.See athame for cautions.
The Wand
The wand is associated with either Fire or Air energy, depending on Traditional teachings. It is a long, straight instrument, usually created out of wood. But there are many beautiful ones crafted out of glass, pewter, silver, and stone.It is used to evoke the God and the Goddess, charge objects, attract and repel energy, and draw down the power of The Moon. It can be one of the most important tools in a Witch’s coffers.
Many Witches like to make their wands, especially if, as mentioned when I discussed besoms, they’re located in a rural or suburban setting and have access to fallen branches. And many Witches will have more than one wand, depending on its projected energy and what they wish to use it for. A different wand for healing, purification, and protection uses, for example, is not unusual.
Let me also just say a word about my use of the word “magick,” with a K. This is the devised spelling to differentiate from sleight-of-hand magic and is commonly used by Wiccans and Pagans. An alternative spelling is “majick,” but that isn’t as commonly used.
Sandi Liss is the owner and founder of SoulJourney in Butler NJ, northern New Jersey’s longest, continually operating metaphysical store. She holds a Level 1 Certification in Astrology from NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research), her Master/Teachership in Reiki, her Master’s degree in Natural Healing, and continues working toward her Ph.D. She has been a practicing Wiccan for many years, both Solitary and Coven-trained. She revels in Candle Magick and spell construction, and in spending time with her two deaf Dalmatians. Contact her at www.souljourney.com
Disclaimer
This article first appeared in New Age Retailer (www.newageretailer.com) and is used with their express permission. It is not allowed to be copied or displayed without their knowledge or that of the author, and without this disclaimer being included. Ó 2003.