Athame/Dagger
My athame is my "general" because it is used to call and banish the quarters. I have heard some say
that the athame is associated with the East/Air. I associate it with the South/Fire. I guess it all depends on what tradition
you practice.
The blade of your athame is usually double-edged with a black handle. Athame's are never used
to cut anything and are by no means used to shed any blood. If your athame comes in contact with any blood, wash it, cleanse
it, bury it, and buy/make a new one. Lengths may vary according to your tradition.
Wand
Being that my wand is used to cast circles, it has attained the status of guardian to me and my circle
and anyone within it.
The wand is associated with the East/Air. Again, some may say different depending on which tradition
they follow. Some people who do follow a certain tradition might find a tool to be associated with a different element then
their tradition believes. This is okay. Magick is feeling. If your tools take on a different feel then what was taught
to you, don't worry. The vibes your tools release cannot be changed by any tradition.
Traditional wands were made of wood. The length is usually from your elbow to the tip of your middle
finger. Some witches fasten crystals to the tip of their wands, or paint runes and symbols on them. My wand is special
and is a representative of me. If you get your wand from a tree, even if it has already fallen to the ground, ask the tree
first if you may take it, and then thank it afterwards.
Cup/Chalice
My chalice represents the West element of Water and is used to hold wine or juice for rituals.
During circle, the cup is passed from covener to covener so that each may take a sip of it. The cup
is never emptied and at the end of the rite the remaining liquid is given back to nature.
Pentacle/Pentagram
My pentacle is a basic rock with natural water holes in it with a pentagram drawn in red paint on
it. I set all new things on my pentacle to be blessed before placing on my altar. Your candles, incense, cakes and wine etc.
should be placed on your pentacle to be blessed. It is associated with the North/Earth.
Salt and Water dishes
I place two bowls upon my altar, one containing salt and the other water. Each are used in the purification
of self, ritual, and tools.
Censer
The censer is used to burn incense during ritual. The censer is used during every ritual and is associated
with Air/East. Certain incense pertaining to specific rituals are used.
These are the tools that I use. There are many other tools that are used by witches. It is up to
you to decide what tools you work best with. Some witches prefer to use a wand over an athame, while others prefer to use
only themselves and no tools at all. Some other tools that witches use are:
Sword
Bell
Cauldron
Broom
Bolline
I don't count candles, oils, crystals and robes as a tool. I count them as a necessity.
