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Tools of the Witch

This is such a personal thing for me. I know there are many many tools of the craft however, I use only the most symplistic tools. Being an ecclectic Witch, I find things around the house and rarely go out on a quest to find traditional tools. In most cases, traditonal tools can be very simple. For example, my athame is simply a white handled kitchen knife and my cauldron has been replaced by bowls or pots that I've found around my home or at Kmart :o)

I will do my best to describe and give the uses for most if not all of the traditonal tools. So, once again, bare with me :o)

There are many rules to owning your tools such as:

  • keeping the tools cleaned is a must
  • tools must be given as gifts never purchased (this one is difficult if you're still in the closet so boot it :o))
  • never hagle over the price of any tool if you do purchase it (naughty witch)
  • don't let anyone else handle your tools

    • Use those rules with your best discresion. Onward...
    Athame( pronounced athay-may)

    From my understanding, there are two types of Athames. One athame is knife..usually with a white handle used for cutting herbs. The other is a ritual Athame, it's uses include:

  • Mixing potions or other Witchy brews
  • Casting your circle
  • Projecting Power
  • Cutting Herbs

    • Your athame should be very special to you, but once again it can be very simplistic. I have found most people use envelope openers and other use these huge elaborate swords. To each their own.

    Wand

    Wand are very cool . They are just what you'd think. They can be as simple as tree branches or as complex as detailed metal ones. Uses include:

  • Casting a circle
  • Channeling energy
  • Sealing energy into a charm
  • Or just to make things happen, an extension of your will

    • My wand was given to me by my boyfriend who just appauls Witchcraft. He did it quite by accident. He bought it for me because he thought it was 'cool'. It is pueter with a dragon claw holding a marble on one end and a crystal on the other. Very cool. Thanks Vert.


    Cauldron

    Ah the symbol of a Witch...if you ask me. Cauldrons can be anything from bowls (silver work best) to huge cast iron pots (cauldrons actually). The cauldron represents the womb of the Goddess. Uses include:

  • A good and safe place to leave candles to burn out or burn things
  • brewing herbs and potions
  • Filled with water, you can scry
  • Great for reflecting the moon and making blessed water
  • And cooking ...of course!

    • I also will put things in my cauldron to empower them. Sometimes I put in my pentacle necklace and the Strength Tarot card and let it brew over night. Try it, it really works.

    Pentacle

    Ah the sybol of a Witch. A protective 5 pointed star within a circle (you know the one). It is a symbol of the harmony of Spirt, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. It can be:

  • Worn on a neclace
  • Carved into objects
  • Meditation
  • Drawn into the air
    • It is a symbol of your Craft and your power. It is a protective charm if worn under the shirt.

    Chalice

    A chalice is basically a cup. It can be made of metal, glass, or just about anything you wish. It's uses include:

  • mixing potions
  • drinking wine in celebration

    • It too is a symbol of the Goddess.

    Inscence or a Censer

    Inscence is an important part of ritual. It puts you in the mood, carries power, or acts as the element of Air.

    Broom or Besom

    Ok, the 'traditonal' symbol of a Witch. Witches brooms are used for:

  • Purification (sweeping negativity)
  • Used in fertility rites (because it is the symbol of the union of man and women)


    • All for now, my hands are killing me from typing! For more information please visitOpen~Sesame.
    Check back here...I'll try and throw on some more!
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