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tools of the craftfor more information on getting started in wicca-like paganism and ritualistic work, i recommend you read some books. web pages are good for free info, but books are much better. even better would be to get an actual, breathing teacher, but i understand that that would be impossible for alot of you guys! certain tools are used in wicca for ritual purposes, such as to invoke the god or goddess, banish negative influences and cast circles. while these tools are not necessary to practice wicca, i find they are helpful in increasing concentration and directing energy. most tools correspond to certain elements of nature, such as earth, air, fire and water, and are particularly helpful when performing rituals centering around that particular element. some of these tools may be difficult to find, but don't worry, the right one eventually will come to you. 
athamethe magick knife is commonly linked with the element of fire. most witches do not use it for cutting purposes, or for any purposes outside the circle. the athame is used in ritual to direct energy and is an instrument of power and manipulation. the blade is often dull and double-edged and the handle is black or some other dark color to absorb power. 
cauldron or chalice(some people have both, i think that the cauldron is a bit excessive unless you are the head of a coven, or are purposely trying to frighten your neighbors) the cauldron and chalice are symbols of the goddess and corresponds to the element of water. they are used in ritual as a container in which magickal transformations can occur and are often a focal point of a ritual. during spring rites, they can be filled with water and fresh flower petals and in winter, fires can be lighted within the cauldron to symbolize the rebirth of the sun. they can also be filled with water and used for scrying into the future. cauldrons often are three-legged and made of iron. they come in all sizes ranging from a few inches in diameter to several feet across. the chalice can be made out of any substance, from silver or brass to wood or soapstone. wand the wand, an instrument of invocation, corresponds to the element of air. it is sometimes used to direct energy, to scratch magickal symbols in the ground or to stir the contents of a cauldron. woods such as willow, elder, oak, hazel and apple are traditionally used for the wand, but any fairly straight piece of wood will do just fine. many carve special symbols into the wood to personalize the wand. i've also seen some beautiful wands made out of crystal with gems and stones set into them. censer the censer, or incense burner, represents the element of air. it can be a big, swinging metal contraption like those used in catholic churches or a small wooden stick incense holder - whichever feels most comfortable for you. i personally use the small wood burner, the swinging ones give me bad flashbacks to my catholic days. if you can't find a suitable censer, a bowl filled with sand or salt works fine. the sand or salt absorbs the heat from the charcoal, or incense sticks or cones can be pushed into it. i find that incense greatly increases my concentration, helps to set the "mood" for ritual, and is especially useful in meditations. 
pentaclethe pentacle is often used an an instrument of protection - it can be hung over doors and windows or worn about the neck as a pendant. the five points on the pentacle represent each of the five elements; earth, air, fire, water and spirit. in ritual, the pentacle can be used to consecrate other ritual tools. it can be made out of brass, silver, wood, clay or any other material that can be engraved. broom (my opinion of the broom is much like mine of the cauldron. however, some people do use it, and if this is what floats your boat, then knock yourself out.) the broom often is used to purify space before a circle is cast. it is related to the element of water and is used in many water spells involving cleansing. it also historically has been used to protect the home by laying it across the door. to make a magick broom, it is suggested that you use an ash staff, birch twigs and a willow binding.(ash is protective, birch cleansing and willow sacred to the goddess.) book of shadows the book of shadows is your personal collection of rituals, spells, ideas and thoughts about wicca, etc. many covens have a group BOS, while solitaries keep one for themselves. traditionally, it's supposed to be handwritten and many wiccans may suggest strict adherence to that. i, however, keep most of my BOS on a disk for the computer and know several others who do the same thing. again, whatever is most comfortable for you is what you should use. these are just a few of the basics - you can certainly improvise
and add different items to represent different elements. or, like
some wiccans I know, you can simply use candles and incense
during rituals. | ||||||