Tools of the Trade

Ok, so I want to go over some of the items you will either need, or come across when reading.  But I really want to stress... its not what tools you own and use, its what is inside.  If you have nothing, it doesn't matter.  The god and goddess will listen to what's in your heart.

Athame (pronounced ath - a- may) :  typically a double edged dagger, usually constructed with a steel blade and a black handle, used only for non-cutting ritual purposes.  Most craft traditions use the athame as a symbol of either air or fire. 

Boline :  small, white handled knife used for cutting herbs and plants

Basket :  not typically considered a standard craft tool, but many people have a favorite basket (or 2) that they use to collect herbs, flowers, stones or other magickal objects from nature. 

Book of Shadows :  Most witches have what is called a book of shadows.  A hand-made book written in the owners own hand (although some use their computer).  Through the centuries, most Books of Shadows or magickal books appear to be a mixed collection of all sorts of stuff jumbled together with little or no order.  Think grandma's recipe book. 

Broom :  Well, mine has a pull cord to start it up, but I need to get a tune up on it every 2000 miles.  Just kidding.  In modern craft practice, a broom is used for sweeping (imagine that).  It cleanses the area before a circle is cast.  Sometimes, a broom is lain across the edge of the circle to serve as a temporary closure.  Crossing brooms at quarters, and then symbolically uncrossing them, has been used to allow quarter energies into the cast circle, while nailing crossed brooms to your front door or on a wall in the home are said to guard the house and disperse negative energies.

Candles :  Perhaps the easiest of all tools to use is the candle.  Can be used as representations of the god and goddess.  To mark the four quarters of a circle.  To mark the edge of a circle.  To represent the element of fire on an alter.  To represent a particular person, place or thing.  Aids in spells by creating stronger focus.  Used as a magickal timing device.  As an offering to the spirits.  Can be used to repel negativity.  Shape and size isn't usually important.  its color and the way its used. 

Cauldron :  "Bubble, Boil, Toil and Trouble".... creates quite an image doesnt it?  A large pot basically sums it up.  It can be made of clay, stone, iron, silver... etc.  They can have three legs, representing the three phases of the goddess, or they can have four legs, representing the four elements.  Used to heat things.

Chalice :  A more refined version of a cauldron.  Think holy grail.  A cup used in offering to spirits, and communions.

Wand :  When u think wand, you probably imagine a straight stick, but in early cultures, they  were fairly flat and shaped in a semicircle, carved with all manner of magickal symbols and mythcal beasts.  They were used to turn back evil.  Today's wands measure approx elbow to wrist or elbow to thumb.  The wood chosen is usually picked in assoc. with the magickal correspondence of the tree type.  Some however are made of copper tubes, hand blown glass or topped with precious or semi precioius stones.

Staff :  Chosen in accordance to your height(doesn't have to be in accordance always).  Seen as a symbol of honor and authority. 

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