~Tools of the Trade~


List of tools and definitions ~ Make your own Wand!

Amulet
Generally a small item made from natual materials (Wood, Stone, Shell or Gems) charged for a purpose or intent of protection.

Asperser
a device used to sprinkle water for purification at the begining of spellcraft or a ritual. Usually made from silver or brass.

Athame
A personal ritual blade/knife, it traditionally is black-handled. It is never used for actual cutting, although some traditions use it to cut the handfastin cake. The Athame is considered to be a male/fire symbol.See below for a way to make your own Athame

Making an Athame
First, obtain a normal blackhandled knife. Then, cover the blade with parrafin. Then you let it cool. Next you take a LONG sharp nail and inscribe your personal symbols into the wax. Then you use dilute Hydrochloric acid, (be careful, this stuff is dangerous) and drop by drop place on the blade where it shows through due to your inscriptions. When the acid has worked, (usually fairly quickly) you rinse the blade under running water THOROUGHLY and then you use VERY hot water and a lot of elbow grease to remove the wax.

Bolline
A white-handled knife used to cut, carve or inscribe things(candles, talisman, etc.)

Book of Shadows
A magickal journal kept, where spells, incantations, invocations, dreams, herbal recipes, riual notes and divination results can be recorded and kept. It is usually carefully written in a nice hardcover book, although many variations can occur, including versions on computer disc, in old note-pads, and even on web-pages...:)

Candles
Frequently used in spells, with their particulat colors, fragrancces and inscriptions serving a symbolic purpose.

Chalice
A goblet or cup used to hold the wine shared around the circle of those participating in a ritual. It is considered symbolic of the female/water influence.

Charcoal
In ritual, charcoal is often used for inscribing and ceremonial incense is often burned on a charcoal saucer.

Cord
Either a cord or a heavy string used for binding and releasing magick. The color/thickness depends on the spell being cast.

Cloth
Felt and velvet cloths are often used in magick to contain charms and herbs that have been charged with power. Felt is preferred, being closer to the natural world.

Feathers
Feathers are commonly used in magick ritual to represent freedom as well as the element of Air.

Herbs
Flowers and Herbs are used in magick often for their powers of healing and other properties. Different Herbs correspond with different requirements, some required to be burnt during ritual, others are needed to be added to the making of a charm.

Incense
Comes in sticks, cones and powder, with aromas varying from floral to herbal mistures. The incense chosen and burned depends on the ritual it is being used for. A "common" purpose incense is Frankensense.

Pentacle
A disc of metal, wood or ceramic, (all natual stuff) with a pentagram and various other symbols inscibed on it. It symbolises the element earth, and is used during rituals of protection to represent a shield.

Robes
Often worn by the spell caster to enhance the effectiveness of a spell. Usually made from natural materials, cotton, wool, rayon that allow the skin to breathe. In general, its whatever you feel comfortable wearing.

Talisman
A talisman is a drawn symbol or a constructed item that is charged with specific energies. The talisman can either be worn as jewellery or carried on yourself, allowing its enrgy to exert a continual and subtle influence on the holder.

Thurible
a metal dish or burner used to hold charcoal and incense throughout ceremonies. Considered to represent the element Air.

Wand
usually a stick about as long from your wrist to the curve of your elbow carved from a wood that appeals to you, and inscribed with your own symbols, used to channel power. Also used in casting a circle.




~Making Your First Wand~

    Some feel the tools of magick must be made by some powerful person with more knowledge than yourself. This just isn't true. Making your own wand is the most powerful thing you can do. making your own tools invests then with your personal power and therefore will work better for you as from its' conception it is imbued with your vibrations, your energy, it is a part of you - a familiar, if you will.



    You will want a quartz crystal point for the tip - you could use rose quartz on the love wand or amethyst on a wand for spiritual contact and guidance.


    Gouge a bit of wood out of the tip of the wand to help hold the crystal - glue with high temp hot glue gun or a strong hold glue - let set.


    Now use glue on bottom sides of crystal and top inch or so of wood, wrap with leather strips or cord or embroidery thread in a color that goes with the purpose of the wand. That helps to secure the crystal. Now wrap the base end of the wand by gluing wood and wrapping with leather or yarn to make a hand hold. Use the same color as on top and cover about 4 inches.


    You may decorate the shaft of the wand with symbols that relate to the purpose of the wand, such as runes and other symbols that have meaning for you. You can use a knife, water proof marker, paint, woodburning tool, etc.


    You could decorate the end of the top yarn with gemstone beads, metalbeads, wood beads and tip it with feathers if you like. Cleanse and consecrate as with any tool.


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