Tools of the Craft

Most religions use tools in their practices. Wicca is no different. Through our touch and intention, energy may directed through these tools to invoke the Deities or accomplish our goals.

Tools are not absolutely necessary. The tools themselves have no power. The power comes from within you. You need to change your mind set when doing ritual and magickal work. These tools help to do that.

You may buy tools at an occult shop, but it is more fun to search antique shops, flea markets, fairs, junk shops, and even kitchen supply stores. It may take time, but you will eventually find what you need. Or you may make most of your tools.

The Athame

The athame is a magick knife. It is not used for cutting, but to direct energy raised during rites and spells.

It is usually a dull, double-edged knife with a black or dark colored handle. Black absorbs power.

Athames are sometimes engraved with magickal symbols, but this is up to you. The knife absorbs power from you and the area around you.

A sword is sometimes used, as it has all the qualities of a knife. Because of its size, it is cumbersome to use indoors. Stories about magickal swords are common in mythic literature, and are associated with men.

The symbolism of the knife is change. It is linked with the Element of Fire. Its straight phallic shape links it with the God.

The Bell

Vibrations are released when a bell is rung. The effects differ, depending on the tone, volume, and material of the bell. Any type of bell may be used.

A bell may be rung to signal the beginning and ending of a ritual. It also may ward off negativity or evoke good energies. It is a protector if hung on a door.

The bell is a feminine symbol. It is often used to invoke the Goddess in ritual.

The Boline

The boline is a white-handled knife. It is an actual cutting knife. It is used to cut herbs, wands, to inscribe symbols on other magickal items, or cutting cords. It is not used just in circle.

The Broom (Besom)

History and Lore

Brooms have long been associated with witches because they were used in pagan rituals of marriage and birth. In Rome the broom was a symbol of Hecate's priestesses, who swept the threshold of a house after each birth to remove evil spirits that might harm the child.

The broom also used in weddings, signifying sexual union. Wedding customs included jumping over a broom. Medieval peasant weddings were churchless and came under the area of common law. The broom was so closely identified with nonecclesiastical marriages that by the time of the Renaissance, when the church began to take over wedding rites, marriages "by the broom" were considered illegitimate.

Children ride a broomstick with a toy horse head at one end. This is copied from Sufi mystics who entered Spain in the early Middle Ages. They organized themselves into groups of 13, like covens. The Sufi sages rode horse-headed canes called zamalzain, "gala limping horse." The dervish's stick horse stood for the Pegasus-like fairy steed that carried him to heaven and back. Customs like this became prevalent among the Basques, and they were frequently accused of witchcraft.

The broom's stick is traditionally made of ash for protection. It represents the male. The brush is traditionally made from birch twigs for exorcism, purification, and also protection. It represents the female principle. A branch of willow is used to bind the stick and the brush together. The willow represents protection, healing, and love. Because of the sexual symbolism involved, the word "besom" was used as slang to describe a "loose" woman.

Flying

The legend of flying has its roots in the fact that witches used an ointment that contained aconite. This drug is readily absorbed through the skin and mucus membranes. It produces sensations of giddiness, confusion, lethargy and tingling sensations followed by numbness, and possibly the illusion of flying. Oldham wrote:

The broom is used in ritual and magick. This tool is sacred to both the Goddess and God. Pre-Colombian Mexico worshiped a goddess who rode naked on a broom, so this idea is not new.

The broom became a powerful tool against curses. Even today many people hang a broom on the front door of their home, but most do not know the symbolism of it.

The area to be used for ritual is swept clean with the broom. The sweeping is more than a physical sweep of the area. Visualize the broom sweeping out all the negativity in the area. This clears the way for more effective magick.

The broom is a purifier that is linked the the Element of Water, which is also a purifier. It is used in all types of water spells.

The Censer

The censer holds the incense burned during ritual. It may be one made of fancy metal, or a beautiful shell from the sea.

The censer represents the Element of Air.

The Cauldron

The word "cauldron" is from the Latin cauldus meaning hot and Sanskrit cra to boil. The word "caudle" also comes from the same Sanskrit root. It is a spiced gruel used for healing. This was given to people who were confined and to those who came to see a new baby at home.

The cauldron is an ancient vessel of cooking, full of magical tradition and mystery. It is often the focal point of rituals. During spring rites it may be filled with flowers. During winter you may have a small fire in it to represent the returning heat and light of the sun (the God) from the cauldron (the Goddess). The cauldron may be used for scrying (gazing) by filling it with water.

The cauldron should be made of iron with three legs. The opening should be smaller than the widest part. The shape of the cauldron represent mother nature, and the three legs the triple face of the moon goddess. Cauldrons come in many sizes. This is usually the hardest tool to find, especially if you are looking for a used one. GreyWing found hers in a kitchen supply shop with the cast iron cookware.

The cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess, the essence of femininity and fertility. It is a symbol of the Element of Water, reincarnation, immortality and inspiration.

The Cup

You may use a cup made of any material the strikes your fancy, silver, brass, pottery, stone, or anything.

It is also a symbol of the Goddess and fertility. It is used to hold water, or any beverage to be drunk for ritual.

The Pentacle

The pentacle is a flat piece of brass, gold, silver, wax, clay, wood, or other material. It is inscribed with the pentagram. Objects that are to be ritually consecrated are placed upon the pentacle.

The pentacle represents the element of Earth.

The Wand

The word "wand" is derived from the Gothic word windan, meaning "wind" or "bind". The wand is used to bind the energy of the spell together.

The wand has been used for thousands of years in religious and magickal rites. The Goddess and God are invoked with the wand. The wand is also used to direct energy, to draw magical symbols during ritual. Wands may also be used to stir a magickal brew in your cauldron.

The wand represents the Element of Air and evokes the energy of the spell. The energy is sent in the direction the wand is pointing.

Making a Wand

You may construct your wand using metal or wood.

Metal

Go to your local hardware or home improvement store. Find a length of metal tubing with a diameter that is comfortable for your hand. Attach a crystal at one end using leather to wrap the crystal and secure it to the metal. At the other end use fabric, leather or other material for a grip.

Engrave the wand with runes or symbols of your choice using an etching tool. Decorate your wand with what you feel is appropriate. You may use things like stones, feathers, shells, beads, or anything you feel belongs there.

Wood

If possible, take a walk in the woods. Feel the energy of the living trees around you. Be aware of the life and magick in the woods. Listen to the birds singing, the squirrels, and all the animals. Touch the trees as you pass them. Listen to the inner voice of life emanating from the bark. Feel the energy. When you have found the tree that will give you your wand, you will know. You will feel it is right. There are lists of magickal trees, but you may have to do some research to find what is native in your area.

You may use a fallen branch from this tree, or you may cut the tip off one of the branches. A wand 12-18 inches is about right. Look for a relatively straight and a comfortable weight and circumference. Sever the aura after the branch has been cut. Thank the tree for its gift. Leave a gift (a flower, a shell, a stone, or coin) for the tree and the fairy folk of the woods.

You may remove the bark or leave it on.You may decorate your wooden wand any way you choose. Add a crystal to the top and attach with a leather strap, carve symbols, add stones, feathers, or whatever you choose

Additional Items

Candles

Since the earliest times candles have been used in religious ceremonies. They represent the power of light out of the darkness. It is knowledge and spiritual illumination. Ancient people used fire to symbolize the life force within each of us. Wiccans use candles to represent the Elements in ritual. They are also used to focus the thought during meditation and create a special atmosphere.

Some Wiccans carve special patterns or runic symbols on their candles, although this is not necessary.

Use fresh candles that are not cracked for each spell. Let the candles burn down. Do not leave the candles unattended. Place the candles that are burning in a safe place, away from drafts, or where they will not fall.

Candles may be lit with matches or a lighter, though some Wiccans will object to this. Some object to the sulfur on the matches, some to the petroleum product in the lighter.

Try to use hand dipped candles as they burn slower than factory candles. Beeswax is best as it comes straight from nature. Because of this, they are considered more powerful.

Try to keep at least two candles of each color. Keep more of the white and black. White may be substituted for other colors, and black may be hard to find.

Robes

Some Witches like to wear ceremonial robes for their rituals. They feel it adds an intensity that might not be there otherwise. It helps change your mind set from the day's normal happenings to the special time of ritual. Others believe that clothes hinder the energy that is built during ritual and perform in circle "skyclad" (nude).

If you prefer being clothed, represent the earth elements and chose a natural fiber cloth. Most Wiccans go barefoot or wear leather sandals.