Witches' Tools

There are specific tools that are used during Rituals. Among them are:

Goddess Candle	God Candle
Source Candle	Libation Bowl
Bell	Wand
Athame	Food
Salt Bowl	Incense Burner
Elemental Candle	Water Chalice

Goddess Candle: This candle represents the Female aspect of Deity. It is usually red to symbolize life, although some Traditions use white which represents purity during the second half of the year. Some other Traditions use white candles for both Deity candles all year.

God Candle: This candle represents the Male aspect of Deity. It is usually green to represent fertility and green growth, but some traditions will use red which symbolizes new born life during the second half of the year.

Source Candle: This candle represents the One Source from which all else comes. This source is called the Drygthyn or Drichtin by many British Traditions. The candle used is usually blue which represents cosmic energy, but some Traditions use white or gold, or none at all.

Libation Bowl: When we drink Toasts during the Ritual, we drink to those Deities who have given us strength or help, or those who we have a special connection with. The Libation Bowl is for the wine and food that we offer to those Deities. The offerings are later taken outside and poured upon the Earth.

Bell: The Bell is rung at special places during the Ritual to call attention from the Deities.

Wand: The Wand is tapped before the Ritual to signify that it is about to begin and also afterward to close the Ritual. It symbolizes the South, and masculine energies.

Athame: The Athame is a double edged blade which represents male energies. It is used in many parts of the Ritual. It is usually four to ten inches long, the customary length of the blade being from fingertip to wrist.

Food: This represents all that we receive from the Deities. It is not always placed on the Altar, only if there is space, otherwise it is placed nearby until it is called for.

Salt Bowl: This is the symbol for the Element of Earth. It can be any open container that holds the Salt of the Earth. It is placed in the North on the Altar. The Earth is a feminine energy.

Incense Burner: Also known as the Censer, it can be anything in which you can burn incense. The rising Smoke represents the Element of Air and is placed in the East on the Altar. The Air is a masculine energy.

Elemental Candle: This candle is a red candle which represents the Element of Fire. It is placed in the South on the Altar. The Fire is a masculine energy.

Water Chalice: Also called the Cup, it represents the Element of Water. It is placed in the West on the Altar. The Water is a feminine energy.

Feast Day Altar Setup

A Feast Day is any Moon Celebration or Solar Festival. There are eight Solar Festivals during the year, thirteen Full Moon Celebrations, and thirteen Dark Moon Celebrations. The Feast Day Altar is set up facing East, in honor of the Solar and Lunar Tides. That means that the leader(s) of the Ritual stand in the West and look East across their Altar. Below is a diagram:

Esbat Altar Setup

An Esbat is any Celebration which is not a Feast Day. The word Esbat means Witches' Meeting. Witches need no excuse to meet and celebrate. The Altar is set up facing North, because North is the direction from where our ancestors and the Deities both came. Below is a diagram of an Esbat Altar, as the leader(s) stand in the South and face North: