Brigid Amor
Within the pagan community, everyone argues about the necessary tools for working magick and doing rituals. The truth is, there is no ultimate set of tools nor any ultimate maker or kind of tools. The tools you need are the ones you find important and need in your chosen spell or ritual. They can be highly expensive investment pieces, borrowed (and cleansed!) from someone for your ritual, pulled from your kitchen cabinet or made. Your take on them all depends on what you’d like for your ritual and the tradition you practice. It’s your ritual and no one has the right to tell you you’re wrong. Feel free to add or subtract objects as you like from your magickal workings- however, there are some objects you can’t get by without, such as the altar. Below are a few of the objects often (as well as some of the rarer ritual objects) used and described.
Altar- An altar is a special flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgment. Usually adorned with idols, flowers, candles, tools for magickal workings, religious symbols and laid with the appropriate altar cloth. The altar is the center of the circle and the center of a spell or ritual and therefore considered sacred. It must be kept clean and kept as a place of worship. However, the altar does not have to be a permanent fixture in your home or chosen place to work magick. It can be as simple as a table, covered with a cloth and laid with the needed objects for your spell or ritual or as extravagant as you can possibly imagine.
Asperger (aka Aspergillum)- A device used to sprinkle water for purification at the beginning of rituals. Having a formal asperger is not necessary. You can sprinkle water with your fingers, a shell, a pinecone or anything else you can think of. Most formal aspergers are made of brass or silver but porcelain is also acceptable.
Athame- Pronounced ath-ay-may. The magick knife is commonly linked with the element of fire. The athame is used in ritual to direct energy and is an instrument of power and strength. It is never used to cut anything and therefore the blade is often dull. Traditionally it is double edged (to symbolize the action and reaction associated with a spell) and the handle is black or some other dark color to absorb energy.
Bell- A bell is a feminine symbol, sometimes used to invoke the Goddess, to guard against negative energy or to bring positive energy. The bell is often used to cleanse the area where the circle will be cast as the loud clanging sound breaks up negative energy and washes it away. You may choose to buy a formal prayer bell or even something as simple as a dinner bell or cow bell. Chimes or other noise makers are also often acceptable.
Boline- A boline is a white-hilted knife that is used for cutting and harvesting herbs, inscribing candles, cutting cords,etc. It is important that you reserve the boline for magickal workings only. However, this said, any kind of white knife is acceptable- even a kitchen knife will work, especially for those on a budget.
The Book of Shadows- The Book of Shadows is a workbook containing invocations, rituals, spells, runes (in the form of incantations or invocations), rules governing magick, and so on. Traditionally, the Book of Shadows is written in your own hand partly so it is legible and partly because of the magickal connotations of it. However, it is acceptable to use anything from a bound (blank) book to a binder, notebook or even computer to create your own book. Your Book of Shadows is simply that- it is solely yours (unless you’re part of a coven of course- some covens have a group book of shadows.) You can add or subtract things at will, decorate it, use different colors- even add sparkles and feathers if you like. It’s your sacred book. The Book of Shadows is meant to be a record book and therefore no book of shadows should ever be considered “holy writ”, especially since paganism is a religion without strict doctrine and has no universally accepted books associated with it (as the bible is to Christianity for example.)
Burin- An engraving tool, used by many Witches (and Ceremonial Magicians) to mark sacred names, numbers, runes and various magickal and/or astrological symbols ritually on their athames, swords, brass altar bells, metallic jewelry and other tools of magick and ritual. Personally I’ve never actually met anyone who actually has one- they’re rather rare - therefore I won’t speculate on how to make one. I would assume that an engraving tool from your local fix-it store would suffice.
Broom- A broom also called a besom, is used literally to sweep away negativity and purify a space. During handfastings couples jump over a broom to solemnize their union. It is considered unlucky to move into a new house with your old broom, so buy a new broom for a new home. You can buy a broom and decorate it to your heart’s content or, if you wish, create one out of twigs and twine. Just like the bell, this is an optional piece of equipment and isn‘t always necessary depending on how you practice.
Candles- Different colored candles are used for different spells, they can be used also for divining (staring into the flame).They are also used to represent the deities, the element of fire, and for illumination. In theory, the same candle should never be used twice as it has a purpose attached to it already and usually candles are burned down completely in spell work. However, this gets really expensive. Instead you may choose to cleanse your candles after use (don’t use water, the wick won’t burn if it gets wet) or find yourself a really cheap source of candles such as a dollar store (it doesn‘t matter if they‘re colored all the way through- white is a neutral color and can be used in the place of any other color.) In theory, if you don’t have time to burn your candle down completely, you can burn it in shifts. Just make sure that you don’t blow out your candle as it’s considered a big offense to salamanders, the guardians of fire. Instead, snuff them out with a candle snuffer (or your fingers if you can manage that), or cut off the air supply to them.
Cauldron: The cauldron is probably the most recognized tool in the craft, outside of the “magic wand.” Generally, it’s supposed to be used for cooking, spell work and divination. [I personally wouldn’t recommend cooking in it… I’d also recommend a scrying bowl for scrying instead.] Technically, the cauldron is supposed to be made of iron, have 3 legs and have a smaller opening than the rest of the vessel. However, I’ve never seen one to that description except in online stores. Alternatively, I’ve heard of ones made of ceramic, of people using large bowls or not using one at all. Cauldrons aren’t particularly common anymore due to the fact that they’re hard to find and not the most useful tool to have around.
Censer- Censers or incense burners are used to burn incenses. Something as simple as a shell or ceramic bowl filled with kitty litter can be used in the place of a formal censer- just make sure it’s flame proof. If you’re going to use charcoal blocks to burn straight herb incense, watch out because it gets really hot really fast and can cause your bowl (etc.) to shatter under the heat, burn through your altar cloth or scar your table. Make sure that you’ve placed something like a ceramic tile that will absorb heat underneath it so you avoid any of those problems. However, if your incense is simply a stick or cone, wedge it into the sand and burn away. Remember: with incense you don‘t leave the flame on the end of the cone or stick- you lightly blow it out and let it create smoke, otherwise there is no point.
Chalice- The altar chalice symbolizes the goddess and fertility and is related to the element of water. Usually the chalice is used to hold water or wine that is imbibed at the end of a rite, but it can also be used to scry or other ritual purposes. It’s relatively moot what you choose for your chalice to be made out of, however, if you’re going to drink out of it, make sure that it’s made for that purpose. Silver is a nice choice for the chalice as it’s associated with water and the moon but it can be very expensive. Glass is perfectly acceptable.
Cords- Can be either a heavy string used in binding & releasing magick, or it can refer to the piece of apparel circling the magician's waist. In many covens and magickal lodges, the color of the cord indicates the wearer's degree of attainment. Cords are mostly used by covens but can also be used by solitary witches in spells such as the witches ladder. Basically, they’re any colored piece of string you can find and knot. They’re not particularly necessary but they’re a nice addition to any altar.
Divining Tools- Divining is a method in which a person can seek advice or information on possible events that hasn't happened yet. There are a thousand and one ways to divine including a black mirror, runes, sand, rain, tree bark, clouds, tarot cards, dowsing, numerology, palmistry, graphology, I-ching, medicine cards, a candle flame, inked or regular water, etc.
Incense- Incense are burned to purify space, used in spells, burned to create a sacred, pleasing atmosphere for the gods and goddesses, or to rid a bad smell. Incense comes in many shapes and sizes including cones, sticks, powedered, and matches. If you wish to make your own incense, it’s best to grind and mix your herbs with a mortar and pestle to your desired proportions and scent. This is a very nice fashion in which to use incense as you can completely customize it and tailor it specifically to your ritual and needs. If you’re going to use this method, make sure to burn them on charcoal blocks (not the ones used for a barbeque) which promote smoldering nicely instead of having your herbs ignite in a small cloud of smoke. Start with a little bit and add as you go.
Lamps of Art- The lamps of art act as “lamps” to light your way in your ritual (i.e. light to see what you’re doing.) You may choose to use colors based on the seasons or on the nature of the magick being done, or even inscribe them with your purpose or symbols pertaining to your purpose with a sharp instrument. Personally, I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a light or two on during your ritual but if you’re going for atmosphere for your ritual, you’re going to need these. Beeswax is purported to be superior to your run of the mill candle since it’s more natural, however, it really makes no difference unless you’re really that picky.
Pen of Art- A special pen which is reserved only for entries into a Book of Shadows, or for other ritual uses. As the pen of art is your “special” pen only for magickal workings, you’ll want to make sure it’s a pen you like and feel comfortable with. If you’d like to make one, it can be created by attaching a pen nib to a feather (do NOT pick feathers up off the ground outside or harm a bird to acquire them) with hot glue, and then covering the hot glue with a pretty piece of paper or tape (I like metal tape personally.) If you’re not so crafty, it’s fine to go buy one or even use a ball point pen.
The Pentacle- A circle surrounding a five-pointed, upright star (known as a pentagram). Worn as a symbol of a Witch's belief and used in magickal workings and ceremonies. Each point on the star has a specific meaning: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Depending on your faith, you wouldn’t ever wear the pentacle upside down as it’s considered blasphemous in some circles and has been used as a symbol of “evil” in past. However, in the Alexandrian tradition, the inverted pentacle is simply the symbol of a second degree practitioner and their next level of wisdom. When the pentacle is inverted, it is symbolic of a decent into self discovery through which another wisdom can be attained.
Salt and altar bowl- Generally used for circle casting, consecration of tools & for other purposes. Salt is generally mixed sparingly with water and sprinkled over objects in order to purify them. Usually rock salt is used since it symbolizes earth but sea salt can also be used and would symbolize water. If need be, just use whatever salt you have on hand- on any level, salt still comes from the earth. It doesn‘t really matter what your altar bowl is made out of, just make sure it isn‘t something like silver that will end up being corroded by the salt.
The Sword- The sword is not essential; the athame can always substitute for it. But while every individual Witch has an athame, many covens like to have a coven sword - one for the whole group. Generally, the sword is used for marking the circle at the beginning of the gathering, however I‘ve even heard of it being used in initiation rights. There are a lot of really cool swords out there at the moment- everything from celtic broadswords, to the Asian kitana and even movie replica swords. It really doesn’t have to be sharpened- if you like it, it‘s acceptable. Note: it might be a good idea to make sure that you don‘t have a sharpened sword if there‘s kids around. In the same vein, make sure that your sword isn‘t permanently affixed to a plaque etc. before you buy it (no, I‘m not kidding.)
Wand- The wand is considered highly sacred and can be used for the traditional purpose of invocation or a non-traditional purpose such as healing. It is sometimes used to direct energy, to draw magickal symbols, to cast a circle or to ask the God and Goddess to preside over your ritual. Traditionally the wand represents air and is held sacred by the gods. It‘s possible to buy a wand that could cost up to $350 (depending on what it‘s made of) at a pagan shop or as low as about $8 Canadian. Alternatively, you may choose to make your wand and personalize it for yourself. You can use a branch (that has fallen to the ground), copper pipe or doweling (etc.) to create your wand. Feel free to decorate it with whatever symbols, stones, crystals, metals, fabrics, leathers or feathers you like. One of the traditional ways to create a wand is to paint it with the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) and affix a quartz crystal (your all-time multi-purpose stone) to the end.
Additional Tools:
-Dishes of some sort if you intend to eat or drink during your ritual or spell
-Candle holders to keep wax from running all over
-Candle Snuffer
-Flowers that correspond to the purpose of your spell, time of year or ritual
-Bottles (with air tight lids or stoppers) for putting your potions in
-Idols of your patron God or Goddess or little statues of the fae or animals
-Food (usually corresponding to your ritual)
-Prayer book
-Talismans or amulets
-Robes (corresponding colors for your ritual, spell or time of year are nice but black is always good)
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The above image is courtesy of Witch Way