|
Banner coming soon! |
|
Navigation |
Magical Tools ALTAR Any consecrated place or thing used to hold the ritual instruments, to perform spells & rituals, and/or used as a primary point of magical energy- used in the magic circle.AMULETS These are symbols of various magical or spiritual means in which are blessed and used as many different things, including: offerings, tokens, aids in centering energies or visualization, and/or charms to protect, purify, influence, and various other communications.ATHAME The knife of witches, usually black-handled. It is used to open the circle, direct energy, and/or banish energy. The athame and sword are commonly used to perform all magical rites and to subdue rebellious spirits, demons, and genii.BELL The bell is rung to clear an area of anything that would seek to hinder or harm, and also to call those things that are friendly and helpful. It is attuned to air, and is rung three times when the Quarters are being called.BOLLINE/KERFAN The witches' knife, usually white-handled, used to make instruments, inscribe, and/or cast energy. It is commonly thought to only be used inside the magic circle.BOOK OF SHADOWS The personal or family grimoire of a witch or family, where all the ceremonies, rituals, spells, wisdom, and other practices of the craft were kept for future generations. The Book of Shadows normally has black covers and handwritten by its owner.BOWL OF SALT Used as a symbol of the element of earth in some traditions. It is also used as a bowl to purify other tools and/or circles. This salt is usually blessed by a priest/priestess or the individual and kept in a special container to prevent unpurification.BROOM/BESOM The Witches Broom is used for many things as well as represents many things. These brooms can generally be made out of most wood and even sometimes synthetic materials (modern). Brooms can be used for sweeping negativity away from your circle or altar, hung above a door to keep away bad spirits, send messages to the astral plane, used in astral projection, used as a gaurdian or protective charm, and/or a vehicle for magical incantations. The Broom also symbolizes flight of spells, protection, witches in general, power & courage, dreams being realized, and so much more.CAULDRON A kettle usually of iron or an ordinary cooker in which food or drink, potions, and/or influences are prepared over fire for rites, spells, and other magical performances.CENSER The censer is used to burn incense and to encourage and welcome good spirits, as well as to banish evil ones. It marks the center point in magical atmospheres.CORD The magic binding cord is usually made from strands of red wool or ribbon. It is braided with a loop tied at one end to represent the femal aspect. The other end is left frayed to represent the male aspect. The cord normally measures 9 feet long. It is worn during rites and used in binding spells. Tie the cord around you by passing the male end through the female end.CRYSTALS Crytals are used to draw in energy, extend energy, divination, protective housing for week spirits, cages for bad spirits, focusing energy, and much more depending on your faith or sphere of influence.CUP/CHALICE This is normally the vessel used for wine offerings to the gods, ritual drinks, and/or self-offerings. It is usually made of metal and is often carved with vines and fruits or pentacles.Also a sacred cup of glass that represents water, emotion, and fertility. They hold a verity of beverages used in rituals. They also symbolize womanhood in the symbolic Great Rite. HERBS Herbs are used as various influences during magical workings. They can be held as offerings, potion tools, spell influences, and much more.LIBATION BOWL This is the bowl the libations are poured into. During the circle, 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 must be emptied outside, in a ritual that we know in our tradition as "Cold Feet," because that's what you get when you go outside barefoot to do it! The bowl is raised towards the moon, and the participants, 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 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. MIRRORS Mirros are commonly used as a way to open a veil between words to help your incantations reach fate's ears. They are also used for protection, divination, meditation, and decorated for the sabbats in a manner to allow invocations.MORTAR & PESTLE Most commonly used to grind herbs used in potions and spellcrafting, they are also used as tools to free trapped spirits, release influences of oils & herbs, and/or annointing powders and grains.MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Music is commonly a very powerful force of drawing a magical atmosphere and/or influences. It can be used to help yourself stay focused or in a proper air of conscience, or help to invoke deities or creatures. Festival music is also thought to unite attending witches into a spiritual circle.PENTACLE (Disk) Symbol of the elements, power & magic, and/or symbolizing the element of earth is made from a round piece of wood, brass, or copper (ancient way) or glass, ceramic, metal, gemstones, or sometimes a paper substitue (modern way) and is usually 7" in diameter, with the pentacle inscribed or painted on it.SCOURGE The handle of birch and four thongs of leather. This instrument, used in initiations, is normally the symbol of the power of domination. It is the weapon of the horned god of the witched (typically) and is very important in formal ceremonies.STANG This is a straight piece of ash (or other wood modernly) with a fork at one end, used in ancient times as a staff. A shorter version is used to beat out the rhythum of the circle dances.WAND The wand, sometimes known as the most important aid for witches, may be made of many different types of wood. The wand should be around 1" diameter and as long as the distance from the elbow to the top of the forefinger (anciently speaking). Ancient witches removed about 2" of the inside of the wood at the base and filled it will a piece of cotton with 3-5 drops of blood upon it. The blood was said to have come from the thumb of the owner, which was pricked with a new needle.The base was then sealed with wax from an altar candle. A pentagram and the magic name of the witch were then painted on it and followed by consecration with water, fire, wine, oil, and 3 deep breaths of air in the names of the deities of worship (normally the god and goddess). These substances represent the four elements. |
OTHER NOTES MAGICAL WEAPONS & THEIR QUALITIES
|