As in most religions, Wicca makes use of
certain items as tools in ritual and in the performance of magick. Many of these
tools have gained their own reputation, much of it misconceived, among the
uneducated masses and with the popular media. The tools are symbolic, but do
have purpose. They direct and receive energies, invoke the God and Goddess, and
banish all realms of negativity. As witches, it is important that we gather at
least some of these items, consecrate them, and use them. It is not necessary to
have tools, but they do lend their energies, energies you've infused them with,
to whatever magick or ritual you're performing.
Where
can you find these tools? Just about anywhere. Antique stores, flea markets,
junk stores, garage sales, and occult and metaphysical stores. Just remember
that the tool, be it a lavish, crystal encrusted athame or just an old,
scratched knife, it must feel right for you. What is good for one witch is not
necessarily right for the next. Also remember, used what you have! I have an old
fishing knife that has served me well as an athame and I will continue to
use it until I find that perfect dagger to call my own. And if I never find this
perfect athame, its okay. I've got one now that's just fine.
The athame (pronounced ah-thah-may) is
normally a dark or black handled, double-sided knife or dagger. The athame is
normally dull, for it is not used to cut. The athame is used to direct energy
and is often employed when casting circle. Symbols and words are sometimes
engraved on the handle, but it is not necessary.
The athame is
the tool of the East and is associated with the element of Air. In some
traditions it is the tool of Fire.
The
athame is phallic in nature and is therefore a masculine tool and linked to the
God.
The
wand is one of the most renown of the tools and one of the most versatile.
Traditionally, the wand is made from the wood of many different kinds of trees
including willow, elder, oak, hazel, and fruit trees. The length of the wand
varies from tradition to tradition, but it is safe to say that the wand should
be fairly straight, comfortable in your hand and is not so long as to be
unwieldy. When searching for wood for your wand, even wood from a building
supply store will work. If you take your wood from a living tree, remember to
ask the tree first, then thank it for its sacrifice. Wands can also be
made of crystals and metal. Make the wand your own by carving or painting
symbols on it, adorning it with ribbons, whatever makes the wand special to you.
For thousands
of years the wand has been used in both magick and rituals. The wand is used
mostly to invoke the God and Goddess, direct energy, and to charge other
objects. It is used to draw symbols on the ground and even to stir the cauldron.
The wand is the
tool of the South and is associated with Fire. In some traditions it is the tool
of Air.
The
wand is phallic in nature, is a masculine tool and is sacred to the Gods.
The cauldron is an ancient tool of magick and
ritual. It is normally a three-legged vessel, ideally made of iron and has the
opening smaller that the body of the cauldron. They come in a variety of sizes
from little ones that can be held in one hand to behemoth cauldrons that take
three strapping young men to move. Finding cauldrons may not be easy, but there
are mail order houses that they can be ordered from or possibly a metal smith
could help you out.
The cauldron is
used for many different purposes. It is used for magickal brewing and cooking,
and is used for scrying. It is used many different ways during ritual,
especially the rituals of the Sabbats.
The cauldron is
the tool of the West and is associated with Water.
The
cauldron is feminine in nature and represents the Goddess, fertility and
femininity.
Of all the symbols and tools used in Wicca
and witchcraft, this is probably the most misunderstood. The pentacle is usually
a flat piece of metal or wood inscribed with a pentagram, a five-pointed star.
The pentacle
came from ceremonial magic and has been used in ritual and magick for thousands
of years. It is used to represent feminine energy and to consecrate objects such
as amulets and charms. The pentacle is also a traditional symbol of protection
and is one of the official symbols of a Wicca.
The pentacle is
the tool of the North and is associated with Earth.
The pentacle is
feminine in nature and represents the Goddess.
The
pentacle, as used by Wiccans, has the a single point of the star pointing up,
which is not to be confused with the Satanic version which is inverted (two
points up).
The broom is a tool of magick and ritual that
is still used by Witches today. The traditional Witch's Broom is made of ash,
birch and willow because of the attributes of those woods, but it can be made of
just about any wood available.
Although not
employed for flying purposes, the broom does have many uses. It is used for
protection. It is also and most commonly used for physically and magickally
cleaning an area that will be used for sacred space. The broom does not have to
touch the ground to sweep away the psychic clutter that often collects in well
used spaces. Brooms are also often used in handfasting rituals (broom leap).
The
broom is associated with Water and is sacred to both the God and Goddess.
