As you may or may not know, I do not use tools. Minimalist, utilitarian tools, at most.
But, for those of you who feel the need for tools, I have them listed here.
In the beginning, it helps create the ritual feeling to use them, but I find they greatly hinder the magick.
That's for Me, and not necessarily for you, so don't let that buggar you from using magickal tools. However,
if you are of a mind to try it without them, Try This.
God/Goddess Images
You should have a figuring or other representation which is indicative of the Goddess and the God.
Broom
The broom is used to purify an area prior to its magickal use and therefore is attuned to the element of water. Brooms are used to purify
the altar area in any and all magickal endeavors, but may also be used in conjunction with psychic and love magicks because of the water
association.
The handle should be cut from a wood whose attributes you wish to bring into your magick. (See Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs.)
The broom straws themselves should also be taken from a tree whose attributes you wish to incorporate. You may try the old formula
of a handle of ask, birch twigs as the straws and bound with willow which is sacred to the Goddess.
Or, you can go to a country mart and buy an old-fashioned hand made broom, take it home and purify, then consecrate, then dedicate it.
Wand
The wand is a tool of the element of Air. It can be of literally ANY kind of wood, including roots. As long as it is straight,
and feels comfortable to you, it will do fine. You can make it as ornate or as natural as you wish. No decoration is required
and no ornamentation is necessary. But if you wish, you can make it a carved wonder of Art. It's your wand, so do it as you wish.
Research the woods first and determine for which aspects you wish to use the wand. There are healing woods, money bringing woods,
blessing woods and woods associated with each and every God/dess. Do a little research before choosing.
Censer
This is just a fancy name for an incense burner. You can have one which is very ornate and swings as a ball on a chain like the Catholic priests
use, or it can be a simple ceramic tile upon which you pyramid your incense powder or burn your cones. It can also be one of those long flat wooden
ones. It doesn't matter. Whichever is more aesthetically pleasing to you. As long as it's blessed, consecrated and dedicated, it will work fine.
Do try to stay away from man-made substances, however. The censer is of the element of fire and air.
Cauldron
The element of the cauldron is water. Its powers are creation, transformation and rebirth. The typical cauldron is of iron, rests on three legs and its opening is smaller than its widest part.
It should have a lid. It can be a few inches wide, or over a foot.
Athame
The magick knife is double-edged with a black handle. Its element is Fire. This knife is used
to direct energy. It can be a small, dagger-sized blade, or a sword. As long as it is comfortable to handle.
This is the knife used to create the magickal circle.
Boline
This white handled knife is used to cut herbs for sacred use in ritual or spellwork, wands, inscribe symbols onto candles, other magickal items, etc.
Oracle
A method of seeing into the future, whether it is a crystal ball, tarot, runes, etc.
Chalice
The cup is of the element of Water and can be of anything you wish, as long as it is not a man-made substance. silver, brass,
gold, earthenware, soapstone, crystal, anything.
Pentacle
A flat piece of wood or even paper with the pentacle drawn there large enough to fit over Yyour altar. Preferably painted onto your altar cloth.
It should be large enough to house the entire retinue of magickal items as things are conjured, created, charged, blessed, consecrated, dedicated and so forth.
Grimoire
I do not hold with taking books into ritual, but many traditions state that your Book of Shadows or Grimoire be present on the altar when
doing any SpellCraft, be it a spell, or the creation/dedication of a magickal craft or tool.
Bell
The bell is used to ring away evil spells and spirits, to stop storms or bring good energies. It's rung in ritual to signify the beginning or ending of
a phase of the spell or ritual. Any kind of bell can be used.
Bowl of Salt
Used for casting circles, consecration of tools, etc. Make sure you've blessed and consecrated the salt, or else it's just...salt.
Bowl of Water
Used to consecrate the circle.
The Cords
Part of your ritual robes, colored cords are used to signify rank within the group.
Altar Cloth
You should have several altar cloths; one for each of the Sabbats, one for Moon Rites, one for spellwork and two for Deity bonding {one for the Goddess(es) and one for the God(s)}.
The cloths I use as altar cloths, I recently inherited from My Grandmother. She made those by hand, crocheted the lace around them, embroidered the designs which She designed, and used
for years as altar cloths of Her own when I was a Child. They bring Me fond memories of My happiest times.
For Information concerning the altar, itself, please see Altars.
As you may or may not know, I do not use tools. Minimalist, utilitarian tools, at most.
But, for those of you who feel the need for tools, I have them listed here.
