Tools of the Craft

     The tools I've listed are only some of the tools that have been associated with the Craft.  These tools are only instruments, to be considered an extension of yourself, to help you achieve a goal.  They are used to help you visualize the task at hand.  Some feel that they are not all necessary, as I do, and that's fine.  You may feel you don't need a wand to draw your Magick Circle because you pointing your finger can do the job better.  Or perhaps you don't need to wear ritual robes to 'get in the mood' to do magick.  If you really think you don't need a particular item to get the job done, then don't use it.  The Craft is flexible in the fact that you mold it to your needs to make you as strong as possible.  That's the beauty of the Craft, there's no limits, no restrictions, save one:  Harm None.  Harm no one physically, emotionally or spiritually (this includes yourself).  If you live by this rule, then you can live the Craft.

A Collection of Tools

     Altar:  The Altar is a work area, usually a table, where tools are laid out and rituals and spells are performed.  The Altar is a sacred place.
     Athame or Sword:  The Athame (pronounced a-tha-may) is a double edged knife.  The blade is usually unsharpened because it is not used for cutting in the physical world.  Used only in the spiritual aspect, the Athame can cut doorways, inscribe symbols in the air and is most often used to symbolize the God coupling with the Goddess by lowering it's point into the Cauldron (a symbol of the Goddess).  The Sword was used more often in ancient times, before Pagans were driven underground by Christianity.  Since a sword was large and cumbersome to carry around, not to mention very noticeable, it was replaced with a smaller, less conspicuous knife, the Athame.   The Athame is a symbol of the God and is associated with the element of Air.  Athames at Avalon Moon, Inc.
     Bolline:  This is also a knife.  Usually with a curved blade, it is used for cutting in the physical world for magickal items only.  Such items as herbs and flowers to be used for spells and to decorate the altar.  Kitchen Witches will often use a kitchen knife for a Bolline to cut what they need for their magickal recipes.  Some may protest this, but if it harms none, why not let it be.
     Book of Shadows:   This is your 'diary' of the Craft.  It's where you keep a journal of your spells, rituals, dreams, thoughts, remedies, meanings, etc.  Using a binder makes it easy to add, remove and reorganize pages.  Every Book of Shadows is different.  If you see a spell or ritual you like, say on the internet, write it down in your Book and don't be afraid to change or make corrections to it to suit your needs.  This is what makes it yours.
     Broom or Besom:  The Broom (sometimes called a Besom) is used for several different purposes.  Mainly because it is used to ward off evil, the Broom is used to sweep a magick circle clean of spiritual impurities.  It is also used to keep evil from entering a home by placing next to, or hanging it above, the entry to the home.  
     Cauldron:  The Cauldron is a symbol of the Goddess.  It is associated with femininity and fertility and it's element is Water.  It represents her womb where all things living are born from.  Most often, it is made of cast iron, has three little legs and the top rim is usually smaller than the widest part of it's 'belly'.  It is used in rituals for libations (an offering of liquid such as wine or water) to the Goddess, for candle magick, or to hold ingredients for certain kinds of spells.  The Cauldron in some traditions was be replaced by a cup (or Chalice) when having a Cauldron was considered 'incriminating evidence of witchcraft'.  Since a cup has a bowl shape like the Cauldron, and they were found in every home, it quickly became the Cauldron's substitution.  Cauldrons at Avalon Moon, Inc.
     Censor:  The Censor (or incense burner) comes in many sizes and shapes.  It can be made of any material that is not flammable such as metal.  It is used to hold incense which is burned during rituals.   Sand should be used in the bottom of the Censor to protect whatever it sits on from getting too hot.  Incense is used to purify the air during ritual and to help the practitioner to clear their mind of mundane thoughts and gain a heightened sense of spirituality.  Censors & Incense at Avalon Moon, Inc.
     Chalice or Cup:  Usually made of glass or metal with a stem, the Chalice (or Cup) is used very much the same way as the Cauldron with the same symbolism.  Mostly, it is used to hold the practitioner's drink.  Chalices at Avalon Moon, Inc.
     Pentacle:  (This is not an evil symbol!)  It is a five pointed star (a pentagram) carved into the face of a disc usually made of wood or stone.  Each point represents an Element and a direction with the top most point representing spirituality.  Bottom left point represents the element of Earth and the direction North, bottom right represents Fire and the South, top left is for Air and the East (European tradition associates Air with the East and some Western traditions associate Air with the West.)  The top right is Water and is associated with the West (this again is based on European tradition, in some Western traditions Water is associated with the East).  As a whole, the pentacle with a single point up, represents the Spirit, or the Divine, ruling over matter or all things of a material nature.  The Pentacle is  most often within a circle.  This circle symbolizes wholeness, protection and the unending cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.  It has become known as the symbol of the Witch's religion and many Pagans wear this, just as one would wear a cross, the Star of David, etc. as a symbol of her/ his belief.  The pentacle tile is used on the altar as a tool to consecrate new tools during ritual.  To invert the pentagram, in many Pagan traditions, is considered a sacrilege, just as if the Christian cross were to be turned upside-down.  Pentacle tiles at Avalon Moon, Inc.  Pentacle jewelry at Avalon Moon, Inc.
     Robe:  Many practitioners of the Craft will wear special attire to perform their rituals.  These clothes are usually not worn for anything else, they have special purpose, to put you into the frame of mind necessary to perform.  Your 'robes' may be a favorite dress or outfit that makes you feel magickal.  Many wear the traditional hooded robe.  Most often it is black, but other colors are worn for the appropriate meaning of that color.  Some practitioners are comfortable  going 'skyclad' (nude).  There is nothing wrong with this, it is our natural state.  So long as you have a private place to hold your rituals, inside or outside, and this how you feel most relaxed, then by all means, go skyclad.  But be sure you truly are in a private place!  You don't want to offend others or get yourself into a bad situation you can't handle by holding your ritual skyclad in the middle of the village park. Always use common sense, discretion and caution!  
     Wand or Staff:  The Wand is usually made of wood from a particular tree or created from gemstones because of the spiritual characteristics of the plant or stone.  The Wand is associated with Air and, in some traditions, symbolizes the God.  It is used to invoke the Goddess and God to attend a ritual.  It is also used to direct energy, draw symbols in the air, and pointed at the ground to trace out the Magick Circle in which rituals are held.  The Staff has the same qualities as the Wand and like the Sword and Cauldron, over time became an object that drew attention.  With this in mind our ancestors decided to 'shrink' the staff to the size of a twig, something that can still be found in households today if you heat your home with wood.  Wands at Avalon Moon, Inc.

For more information on the tools of Wicca and Witchcraft, I recommend the following books.  Each book is linked to Amazon.com (on my 'Further Reading' page) where you can read write-ups, customer comments and there's purchasing info there too. It's a great place to find out what a book is about before you buy.  Some of these titles are also available for purchase on the Books page at Avalon Moon, Inc. with free shipping available in the USA.

Wicca, The Complete Craft by D.J. Conway
Wicca A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf
Celtic Magick by D.J. Conway
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi

The 'Further Reading' page within this site also lists additional books available.

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