Altar Table: This is the table that all of the things are set up on. It can be any shape, and many folks use round ones, which are entirely appropriate. If you don't happen to have a round table, though, or can't afford to buy one, or have no room to store one, any other shape is fine. A sofa table is quite frequently used because it's easy to get, it's a comfortable height (unlike a coffee table) and it's easy to match with your room's other furnishings. (Most people don't have a whole room to use just for spiritual purposes.) If it is an oblong shape, traditionally the long, front side should face North, meaning the side away from you is North. The whole thing is laid out so that it will be easy to use the tools from where you stand.
Altar Cloths: An altar cloth is usually considered essential to a well dressed altar. It protects the altar table from candle drips or other stains. Even the most experienced practitioners find candle drips after a ritual. It is good if it is machine washable. You CAN buy that beautiful gold wrapped altar cloth, but the first time the chalice full of red wine tips over, or the Goddess candle drips wax, you won't be a happy witch.
Athame: (Pronounced aa-THAM-ee or ATH-a-may) This is the sacred black handled knife. It's used to focus and direct energy, for casting the circle, for invocations, and for consecrations. It is the symbol of the male, and of active energy, that is sent out into the world. Many consider it the most sacred tool of the craft. It's also aligned with the element of air, and is one of the symbols of air on the altar. The athame is double bladed to show that every spiritual truth cuts both ways, and that any energy used will come back, so be careful.
Bell: Sound is very important during ritual. Ringing a bell gives off vibrations which have powerful effects. Good for warding off evil, halting storms, or to invoke energy, a bell is used by many Witches to summon spirits or deities or to signal the beginning or ending of a ritual. The nice tones of an altar bell will let the Gods know that you would like an audience, please. The bell is also used to cleanse energies at the end of a ritual. Oftentimes bells are rung at Wiccan funeral rites to bless the soul of the Witch who has crossed over.
Besom (Broom): Used in rituals. It is used to purify an area at the beginning of a ritual. It sweeps away all the "astral buildup" caused by people every day.
Bolline: Used as a working knife. It has a white handle to distinguish it from the athame. It can be used to cut herbs, carve wands, inscribe symbols or words onto candles, etc. Often has a curved blade.
Book of Shadows: This is a Witch's personal book of information on spells, rituals, recipes, invocations, dreams, etc. kept for a Witch's reference. Sometimes called Book of Lights and Shadows.
Candles: Many types and kinds of candles are often used on the altar. Most witches have a Goddess candle--a large white or silver candle--which is lit when the Goddess is invited into the circle during ritual. Some witches also have a God candle in gold or matching the white Goddess candle. Other candles in various elemental colors can be employed during the quarter-calls. Candles of various colors are often used for specific direction of energy in many spells. Candles are sometimes used in meditation rituals as well. A white candle can substitute for any other color candle, and a white candle burned along with a colored one can augment it's power.
Cauldron: The cauldron is a black, cast-iron pot which is used for brewing potions, burning incense or parchment papers, etc. It symbolizes the elements of earth, air, fire, and water and represents the divine womb of the Goddess.
Used for cooking and of course for making those famous witch brews. The cauldron often sits near the middle of the altar, or in the center of the circle instead of on an altar. Other than cooking, a common use for this tool is scrying. Some Witches fill their cauldrons with water on Samhain night and use them for scrying--to gaze into the future or past.
Censer: Used to burn incense. Usually some type of bowl or cup is used. The incense symbolizes both fire and air, and can be used to bless and purify things. It is also an offering to the Lord and Lady, and can attract helpful energies, or banish those that seek to hinder or harm.
Chalice: A sacred cup that represents water, emotion, and fertility. it also symbolizes womanhood, and/or the womb of the Goddess. The chalice signifies the Mother Goddess and is used to hold water or wine on your altar during ritual. Your chalice can be anything from a paper cup to a gaudy, ornate, jewel-encrusted one. The Goddess doesn't get upset with you for not buying a solid silver chalice. A pretty glass or stoneware one will do just fine.
Crystal Sphere/Ball: A key tool in divination. Used for scrying, calling upon past life images, storing raised power, or recieve messages from the Gods. It helps to heighten psychic awareness, and exposing it to moonlight once in a while can help even more. When looking for a crystal sphere, quartz crystals are the best. They are also the most expensive (sometimes up to many thousands of dollars.)
Grimoire: Another name for a Book of Shadows, or Book of Lights and Shadows.
Incense Burner: See "Censer" (above).
Libation Bowl: This is the bowl the libations are poured into. It's not necessary if you are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate outside, because the wine can be poured right onto the ground, and the cakes can be tossed into the bushes for critters. During your ritual, all food and drink that is consumed is first shared with the Gods by putting some into this bowl; so keep that in mind when you choose one. After the ceremony, the bowl is emptied outside. In some traditions, the bowl is raised towards the moon, and the participant(s) once again give a blessing or dedication such as, "As the Gods share with us, so too do we share with the Gods," and the contents of the bowl are then emptied onto the ground. However you do it, the contents should eventually wind up outside, on the Earth, to show that we realize that is where all of our food comes from, and that we are grateful.
Offering Bowls: Having a nice set of tiny offering bowls on the altar is nice, but by no means traditional. Sometimes they are used to hold the salt or a tiny amount of actual earth. They can also be used to hold a few coins or a bit of loose tobacco or other offerings given during ritual, to be buried out of doors later. Offering bowls can be any type at all, from beautiful hand-carved quartz or jeweled ones, to little black scrying altar bowls, to the proverbial paper cup. As with all things, it's your choice.
Pentacle: A flat piece of wood/silver/clay etc. inscribed with the pentagram (five pointed star) in the center. While the pentagram is a symbol of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, the pentacle itself is a symbol of the earth, and so it too, stands for Earth on the altar. We put things on it to call helping energy into them, and to bless them.
Salt: A bowl of salt is another symbol of the earth. Salt has been used for centuries to purify things, and that's what we use it for as well. It represents the earth on the altar, and is also mixed with the water to bless and purify the circle, the area, and anything that needs to be blessed during a celebration. Sea salt is traditional, but you can use table salt or any other type of salt you desire.
Staff: Directly related to the wand. Has the same attributes and uses. It is becoming more and more popular with Wiccans now.(Particularly older Wiccans who can pass it off as their "walking stick".)
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