Lesson 14 – Tools of the Trade So by this point in time you are probably wondering when you get to pull out the wand, and play with your cauldron. Well here is where you get to learn about some of the major tools of the craft, what they are and why they are used. I will only be touching on the main tools. I advise for this lesson that you take at minimum of a week to read this through and understand it, due to the length of this lesson. Part 1 – substitutions A Really big issue that most witches come across is a lack of money. Thankfully, you dont need a lot of money to be a witch. Here is where Im going to give you a lesson on being money savvy with your ritual supplies. If there are any suggestions or additions, please feel free to add them at the bottom of the lesson. Cauldron - a bucket, a large pot from the kitchen Wand - Harvesting your own wand is always preferred, just remember that when you harvest a wand you must give something back to nature in return. Tarot cards - can be made by you yourself, and is actually some what preferred by many tarot readers as the tarot deck becomes specific to you and you alone. Athame - a knife from the kitchen with a straight blade, a pocket knife, or is neither is available, you can use your index finger and middle finger together. Scrying mirror- a simple hand mirror works just fine Scrying bowl - a dark colored bowl from the kitchen, or one that you get cheap and then paint a dark color( usually black or brown) Herbs in general - can be bought from the local grocery store Runes - can be made by you, you can use dried out chicken bones, rocks you find, or even reinforced paper cubes. Fine stones/semi precious - usually arent to bad on price but when its an issue, using stones you like that you find on a beach or in a rock pile work just as well. Candles- also usually not to bad on price, usually 25cents to a dollar in most cases, when an issue, tea lights are just as good for representation of white, and now come in a wide variety of colors so take your pick Altar- a milk crate, coffee table, end table, night stand, anything that is flat. Altar cloth - simple fabric big enough to cover the surface being used as the altar. It is also a good idea to decorate it with symbols that mean something special to you. When all else fails, remember - MAGIC IS ALL IN THE MIND, ALL THESE THINGS CAN BE CREATED IN YOUR MIND. Rituals can be done in the mind as well, just imagine all the tools and supplies on an altar, then perform the ritual in your 3rd eye. Part 2 – The tools Below is a short list of a few tools commonly used in the Wiccan Tradition. It is not necessary to have expensive and fancy tools, (though some of us just cant resist a beautiful cauldron or athame ^_^ lol). Tools are used as a focal point and way for us to prepare ourselves for rituals and spell casting, or generally Magick. Athame Pronounced a-tha-MAY or ATH-a-may, this symbol of the element of air is a misunderstood tool of the witch. The magickal knife is used only to direct energy and never to hurt ourselves or another in any type of sacrifice. Some witches believe that the athame should not be used for mundane purposes such as cooking or cutting herbs, while others (sometimes known as kitchen witches) believe that that such use makes sacred every day tasks. Regardless of what you believe, your athame should be a black or dark handled knife. Remember--always be careful when handling a sharp object! Wand The wand, or staff, is a tool of the element of fire and in some traditions its known to be associate with air. It is usually used in invocations of the God and Goddess, and can also be utilized to draw magickal symbols on the ground or direct energy. Some witches paint, add feathers and beads, or otherwise decorate their wands, while others leave them unadorned. Chalice The chalice is a symbol of the element of water. It can be used for salt water cleansings, filled with water on your altar to represent the element of water, or filled with wine or juice during ritual and shared within the circle (also found during cakes and wine). Pentacle The pentacle is a symbol of the element of earth. The five pointed star is usually inscribed on a round, flat piece of clay, metal or wood (This is an example of an altar tile as well as necklaces), and articles to be consecrated (blessed) are placed upon it. The Pentacle also represents the 5 elements, fire-earth-air-water and spirit. Its the elements that make up the human body as well as everything in the universe, in its eternal cycle. Cauldron The cauldron is a symbol of the center and of transformation as well as water, the feminine, as well as a tool of the Crone. It is here that we mix herbs and potions as part of our spell craft. Its also great for candle magic (if its a small cauldron) Book of Shadows A collection of spells and rituals that you or your coven keep to chronicle your magickal workings. It can be a hard bound blank book that you fill, a notepad, a folder of loose papers, a computer file or even a website. Many traditions require that your Book of Shadows be kept secret and only shown to initiated members of your coven; however, as we move further away from the threats of the Burning Times, many groups and individuals share their books with the public in order to foster learning and openness. Please respect the rules of any groups you have affiliated yourself with regarding the sharing of their Book of Shadows. Broom or Besom (Bee-som) Long associated with witches and flying, the broom is an excellent tool for psychic as well as physical cleansing and purification. Laying a broom across the threshold is believed to protect the home, and couples also jump over a broom in weddings and hand-fasting’s (marriages) for luck and fertility. The Besom is also great for cleansing your personal area, or sacred space
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:57:21 +0000
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