Many tools are used for both magick and ritual. All of them, while not interchangeable, serve the same basic purpose. The purpose is to assist you in focusing your mind on your goal. Always remember that the power is inside you not your tools. No tool can be picked up and used to reach a goal without the power of your mind!

Here is a list of some common tools and their uses.

Altar: The altar can be a million different things from a floor to a specially made table. As long as it provides a firm flat space for you to work. I have a small table that provides me with space to place my tools, Goddess and God symbols as well as a space to write or grind herbs etc. I am lucky enough to have a room to dedicate to my rituals and celebrations, so I leave my altar set up all the time. If you dont have this space you might use a livingroom or bedside table that you can move easily.

Athame: This is a ritual or magick knife. Usually the athame is a dull double edged knife. This knife is not used for cutting, it is reserved for the purpose of directing evergy during a ritual. Some people engrave runes or symbols into the handle or blade of the athame. As with most tools the athame will absorb a small amount of power each time its used, and because of this become more attuned to you and more effective.

Awl: An awl is a small tool with a handle and a point on the end.(like an ice pick) These can be used to inscribe runes or symbols on candles or anything else you need to inscribe. Mine is home made. Try cutting the flat end off a nail and pushing the nail into a wooden handle. The handle can be decorated any way you like. Or even sharpen the end of a wooden dowel.

Bell: The bell is rung at the beginning of a ritual by some. It sets in motion vibrations that help to invoke the Goddess. I use a small silver bell, but any will do. I also ring it at the end of a ritual. To me this povides a fealing of finality and helps me to ground after rituals.

Broom: The witches broom has a long history of use. The broom is a purifier and protector. Brooms cane be used to cleanse your sacred space of negative energies before a ritual. Brooms may also be imbued with power and hung on or placed behind doors to protect your home.

Book of Shadows: This is probably the single most important tool a witch can have. Its just a book that contains notes and observations made by you. It can be anything from a three ring binder to an elaborately bound leather tome. I suggest the three ring binder, because as you learn you will want to add to and take away things from it. You might get a binder and make a cover for it sewing in equal patrs of the following herbs. Lavender for protection, Jasmine to encourage spiriual awakening and Dragons Blood for energy and magickal power.(be careful with the dragons blood though it has a tendency to stain fabrics)

Candles: Candles, like the cauldron are a tool of change. They are available in all shapes, sizes and colors. Candles are used for both illumination of the ritual space, as Goddess or God immages, and for magickal work. As a candle burns energy is added to your work. This energy can be combined with that of your own as well as herbs and other tools and programmed through visualization to effect a needed goal. I have included a section on candle magick.

Cauldron: This is my favorite tool. It symbolizes change. To me that is the purpose of magick. The cauldron is generally made from cast iron. It is used for many things. Filled with water it can be used for scrying. I use mine to burn items in for certain rituals. It can be used to hold offerings of flowers and herbs or for brewing potions.

Censer: The censer is anything used to hold incense. Many use a small bowl filled with salt or earth. Others use a stick incense holder. I use a brass bowl that I fill with salt to absorb heat. A charcoal block is burnt and powdered incense is smoldered on top of this. Incense not only helps you to attain a ritual state of mind, but can also add the powers of specific herbs to a magickal working.

Cup: The cup can be of any design or material. I use several small stemmed crystal chalices. The cup is used for holding liquids that you drink during rituals. It is also used to hold offerings to the Goddess or God.

Mortar and Pestal: This is a bowl with a blunt stick and is used to grind or powder herbs. Its a must if you plan on working with herbs(its also a lot of fun).

Pentacle: This is another favorite tool of mine. The pentacle is a five pointed star inside a circle. It is a powerful tool of protection. Tools may be placed on the pentacle for consecration. It also may be hung in doorways or over the bed to protect the home from negative energies. The pentacle is commonly made from wood or brass, but may be made from other materials. The five points of the pentagram(or five pointed star) represent the four elements plus a fifth point to represent the spirit.

Wand: The wand may be made from many materials, however, wood is the traditional one. Wands are used to direct energy, and also to invite the Goddess or God into your circle. Some add gems or crystals to their wands, others carve runes into them. They come in all sizes and are decorated in many different ways.

White Handled Knife: This is a tool of practicality. It is used to cut different things such as herbs for use in rituals. As the title suggests it traditionally has a white handle, however any knife can be used as long as its reserved for ritual use. This tool is also called a Boline. The tools listed here are just a small part of an infinate list. The uses are what I have found works for me as well as what I've read in books. The list and uses are by no means the only ones. Like everything incorporated into Wicca, the truth for each individual lies within yourself. Follow your heart.

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