| THE FOUR BASIC TOOLS There are four principal altar tools. These are the same four tools shown on the Tarot card, the Magician. They also correspond to four of the Thirteen Treasures of Wales, the four Tarot suits, the Four Treasures of Ireland, and the four "Sacred Hallows" of Arthurian legend. Like the four elements, two are feminine and two are masculine. The Pentacle - is a shallow dish inscribed with a Pentagram, representing earth, and is placed in the West. The Chalice - womb-shaped and symbolising water, is placed in the east. They form the horizontal feminine axis. The phallic-shaped Wand - representing air, is placed in the south. The equally phallic-shaped Sword/Athame - is placed in the north. They form the vertical masculine axis. (The gender relationships of cup and blade are especially emphasised in the ritual blessing of wine.) In nearly every culture, the vertical line is a symbol of masculine energy. The horizontal line is feminine energy. When the vertical masculine line penetrates the horizontal feminine line, forming the ancient Pagan symbol of the equal-armed cross, it becomes a symbol of life, and life-force. Place a circle around it or on it, and you have a circle-cross or "Celtic" cross, symbol of everlasting life. Please note the importance of the EQUAL-armed cross. If one arm is longer or shorter, then the four elements are out of balance. The Christian cross, for example, has an extended southern arm. And many historians have commented on Christianity's excess of "Fire" or zeal in the Northern Hemisphere. Some versions actually show a shortened northern arm, indicating a dearth of "Air" or intellectual qualities (Northern Hemisphere). THE WAND: Its direction is South, its element is Air and it is a male symbol. This is the magic rod of Vril and is an extension of the Witches arm. It is the sending point of power in all beneficial work. All work done on the Wand should be done under the influence of Mercury. It is traditionally cut from a tree, which is sacred to the Goddess or God: Willow, Elder, Oak, Mistletoe, Apple, Rowan, or Hazel. The traditional length is from the tip of the middle finger of the right hand to the tip of the elbow, or approximately thirteen (13) inches. Cut a branch about 1" in diameter and 18" to 24 " long is appropriate. Thus, it easier to hide in the sleeve of a robe. Our tradition says that the wand should be from virgin wood (no more than one years growth.) The wand is to be cut with a single stroke on the day of Mercury at sunrise using the Cyllel Carn Gwyn (golden sickle or kerfan). Remove the bark, dry and smooth with fine sandpaper. Wax and polish the entire wand, then consecrate with fire, air, earth and water. Do this in the names of Ceridwen and Cernunnos. Your Magick wand is now ready to do your will. It is the very personal possession of its owner and is never to be used by another. It must be destroyed by fire when its service is done. The wand may be painted for power or it may remain natural. The Wand is painted certain colours depending on what level you are. Within the tip, a Quartz Crystal or piece of Silver, Gold or Copper metal should be attached to act as a power absorber. An Acorn cap attached to the end for festivals is also traditional. Like the Riding Pole, the magic wand is really a phallus, which serves as the symbol of the virility of its wielder. The wand is considered a tool of persuasion rather than command. THE PENTACLE: Its direction is West, its element is Earth, and it is a female symbol. This is the sacred moon talisman and is a disk of plain silver, wood or wax, which serves as the initial point of contact in the drawing down the Goddess power from the moon, which is a source of psycho-electric energy during its Waxing and Full periods. Silver metal is preferred. The five points represent the five elements: air, earth, fire, water, spirit/ether (spirit and ether are the same). The circle represents power. The circle also represents the solar and lunar disks, the male and female principles. In Magick, a pentacle is a mandala or focal point for the work it encompasses. Most pentacles are made of a malleable material, such as wax or cast in the metal corresponding to the astronomical planet that the Magician is evoking in his/her works. In most traditions of the craft, the pentacle is an Earth pentacle incorporating the symbols that are meaningful to the members of the tradition. It is the centrepiece of the altar, on which objects are consecrated; the water and salt bowls are placed upon it for blessing. Some traditions call it a Moon Pentacle, and the symbols, while basically the same, are carved into a silver disc. The idea being that consecration and blessing is performed in direct contact with the Goddess. When the pentacle is an Earth pentacle, it is usually made of a metal such as copper. It is normally round, and 5-6 inches in diameter. When work is done in a particular planetary power, a small plate is made of metal on which the signs and characters of the respective planet is engraved. Each of the planetary powers has its own metal. These are: Gold for Sun; Silver for Moon; Copper for Venus; Brass for Mercury; Tin for Jupiter; Iron for Mars; and Saturn for Lead. Each Pentacle should be made under the appropriate times. THE ATHAME: Athame (ath-ay-me). Its direction is North, its element is Fire, and it is a male symbol. This is the black hilted knife and the most important tool of the Witch. It is a sacred possession and never to be out of its owners care or given over to another for use. It must be double edged and never used for cutting. It is used to cast the Magick circle, call in the Watchtowers, evoke (summon) the gods, banish evil or negative forces, and to pull down energy to the circle. It is never used for any other purpose. It can be used to protect your life if needs be. It is the only tool consecrated on the waning moon. The Moon should be absent from the skies when manufacturing or engraving the knife. It represents spirit, will and being. The ruling forces are those of Fire and Saturn. Remember this when you plan your work. This is the Witches basic working tool. It is a steel bladed knife, with an edge on both sides, and has a black handle. Some Athames were made of chipped flint. The handle was made of twine made from plants, which was died black with berry juice. Some modern ones have a bone or deer hoof for a handle. The knife should be kept wrapped in a black silken cloth. The Athame is a physical symbol of the Witch's magical will. It is used in the circle as a symbol of authority and a badge of faith. Because the steel was forged in fire, the Athame is assigned to the element of Fire and is a male symbol. Charging the Athame before casting the Circle: Hold the Athame in your outstretched palm. Extend it up and out, full arms' length, grasp with both hands. Hold in this position until you can feel the power building. There will be a tangible pull, almost as if the Athame wants to go upward. Hold until the full power is built. Then slowly pull the force down with the Athame until it rests against your forehead. Let the energy flow through. When fully charged, kiss the Athame first with the blade to the front, back toward you, to the left, to the right, then up, and then down. THE CHALICE: Its direction is East, its element is water, and it is a female symbol. The chalice represents the womb of the Great Mother and of Nature. It holds the wine of the Sabbat. It is used for libations to toast the God and the Goddess. It may be of any non-ferrous material. It is never used for any other purpose. It is feminine, receptive, sustains, springs forth, and gives nourishment. It is the cup of life that shall never run dry. This is the cup from which you will drink a toast to the Lady and Her Lord. It is a smaller version of the cauldron with all the attendant symbolism. The Arthurian legends speak of the quest for the Holy Grail, which was much older than Christianity. One of the Mysteries attached to the Grail was that the King and the land were one. If the king were to grow old and frail without passing his kingdom along to a younger, more virile successor, the land would wither and die. A major portion of any ritual involves the symbolic mating of the Athame and Chalice, in recognition of the life forces of the God and Goddess. Most traditions have the Priest wielding the Athame and inserting it into the womb-chalice that is held by the Priestess. Note: Do not use brass or copper if wine is to be poured into the chalice. They react with the wine and produce a poisonous substance. |
| Altar Tools |
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