Magic Tools!

I promised in one of my posts on the home page that I would make a post about magical tools! Well here it is:

One of the things that I am quite sure that my fiancé thought when I let him in on the fact that I am, indeed, a witch was “damn…witches sure come with a lot of accoutrements!” With two cats, a Book of Shadows (which is starting to get rather hefty), wands, crystals, herbs, my four leaf clover collection, my scrying bowl (not all scrying is done with crystals, I prefer water and ink), various in sundry pendants, altar cloths, altars, pentacles, a besom, a wand (which he made me…I’ve not gotten around to consecrating it yet) I’m rather inclined to agree. While you don’t need all of the accoutrements that many witches use in their craft or even any at all to be a witch…they do make ritual and life rather easier.  Witches try not to encourage materialism but it is rather difficult to pass up magical articles that we find. You can certainly be a witch without any of these things because magic is in strength of will, but they definitely make life easier. Here, I will make a list of the tools that I think most witches should consider…if you don’t already have them.

Since I mentioned besom above, and not everyone is familiar with that word I will start there! A besom is one of the more famous symbols associated with witchcraft- the broom! The witch’s besom is not used for flying as we often see, but rather, it is used for purifying. The besom has also been used by some for protection by laying it under the bed or across a windowsill. Witches don’t just use any old broom. A besom is handcrafted, often by the witch, and much thought is put into what kind of wood is used because different woods have different properties.

The second symbol, often associated with witchcraft is the wand. Wands are used for invocation, to draw symbols, and quite often, to direct the flow of energy for spells. The same consideration for the properties of the materials that brooms are made of is also given to the creation of wands…and most other magical tools.

Cauldrons have so many practical uses; they can be used to mix different magical ingredients, for scrying, and to contain magical transformations.

An athame is a knife used by witches to cut things in the astral plane. This knife is not for physical cutting. It can also be used to direct energy as you would use a wand, and is a symbol of the God and masculine power (as is the wand) and goes in the God corner of the altar.

Not all witches have a boline, but it is a crescent shaped knife that is basically a witch’s pocket knife. It is used to gather herbs, and cut things in the physical plane…if we get down to it any old knife will really do though.

Many pagans include a pentacle on their altar; this symbol is used for protection as well as invocation.

Incense is often used for purifying the place that magical work is to be done in, but it can also be used to instill a magical state of mind, peace, and as an offering to the Goddess and God.

A bell is used to invoke the goddess, good energies, and to banish evil spirits and spells. This is often placed in the Goddess corner of the altar.

A chalice is the symbol of the Goddess and is used for drink offerings. This tool goes in the Goddess corner of the altar.

Candles are an integral part of ritual (and even have their own category of magic) and are often used to represent the Goddess, the God, and the different elements on the altar. White or silver is often used for the Goddess candle while gold or yellow is often used for the God candle.  

As I’ve mentioned it is very important that you consider the magic properties of the materials with which all of these tools are made. When you make magical purchases, if you are not crafty enough to make your own tools, make sure that you purchase from a reliable vendor, especially when shopping online. When shopping for your magical tools, do so with intent. What are you drawn to? Which item urges you to take it home right now? These items were probably meant for you and will serve you well. It reminds me of the line from Harry Potter, “The wand chooses the wizard, Harry!” I believe there is definitely truth to that!  

As always brightest blessings!

~S