A ceremonial blade with a black handle, used in ritual for ceremonial magic. Traditionally are double-edged blades, but don’t NEED to be. Often decorated at the handle with carved symbols or crystals. Used to channel and direct energies mostly.
P E N T A C L E
Used for magical evocation. Usually printed on altar cloths, painted on altar tiles or work on jewellery or clothing. Used for multiple different purposes; protection, summoning energies or spirits, among other things. Symbol for air.
W A N D
A witch’s wand can be made of almost anything that she/he is drawn to. Used in most spell work to raise and direct energy. A lot of witches decorate their wands with an array of crystals and magical objects to make it prettier. Symbol for air.
C H A L I C E
Symbol for water. Used to hold wine or any other ceremonial liquid. In some cases symbolizes the physical body or the womb of the Goddess.
B O L I N E
White handled knife, often with a curved blade. This blade is strictly for harvesting or cutting herbs, also anything that has to do with carving or cutting during spellwork.
C E N S E R
Holds the incense.
I N C E N S E
Symbol for air. Different incense scents have different properties and you would pick one based on the intent of your ritual work or spellwork.
C I N G U L U M
Mainly used in Wicca as a belt to signify rank, but in other paths it is just used in spellwork. The cingulum is basically a 9ft long chord made from natural fibers or materials.
B E S O M
Mostly used to sweep away negative energy. Most witches make their own besoms.
C A U L D R O N
A pot used for potion making, brewing or for safely burning out candles or incense in spells or rituals.
J E W E L L E R Y
Enchanted rings, necklaces or even earrings that are used in ritual or spellwork.
S T A N G
A forked staff. Symbolic of horned deities.
A L T A R
A designated place for worship or witchcraft. Normall adorned with symbolic items and offerings.
A L T A R C L O T H
Used to decorate the altar, store tarot cards or runes. Normally decorated with symbols of the craft depending on it’s purpose.
A L T A R T I L E
Placed on the altar for symbolic purposes. In old texts it was said to trap and hold spirits.
S W O R D
In some cases used in place of athame. Also never used to cut anything physical. Said to keep negative spirits at bay.
C A N D L E S
Different coloured candles are used to represent different things within spellwork or ritual work. Burnt for intent.
C O N T A I N E R S
Used in spellwork to hold concoctions or other witchy items together.
C R Y S T A L S
Used for a wide variety of magical purposes. Each crystal has individual purposes and can be used in many ways to channel these properties.
D I V I N A T O R Y T O O L S
Tools used for psychic practices are a staple for any witches looking to practice this.
H E R B S
The oldest magical tools. Probably the most important tool and has been used for centuries to treat ailments and other purposes. Different herbs have different properties.
E S S E N T I A L O I L S
These contain the properties from the plants from which they are made. Their scents also have effects on people and are wonderful to use in the craft.
M O R T A R & P E S T L E
Used to crush herbs and other ingredients.
O F F E R I N G B O W L
Used to hold offerings for the Gods / Goddesses that a witch sometimes worships.
S T A T U E S & R E P R E S E N T A T I O N S
Figurines or symbols used to represent deities honoured, this is normally kept on the altar.
B E L L
The vibrations from ringing a bell is said to banish unwanted spirits and clear stagnant energies from a room. This is normally done before any magical workings.
R O B E
Normally used to help prep one mentally and also to get into the mood. Putting on ritual attire is mostly to help you focus and this in turn will help boost your intent. it’s also a lot more comfortable than jeans.
S T A F F
Used similarly to the wand to draw and direct energies.
D R U M
Often used the same as if one were to chant. The rhythm helps induce a trance like state and I am assuming that it would work the same as the bell in some sense.
M I R R O R
Used as a divinatory tool but also in spellwork.
C O M P A S S
As some witches do rely on the cardinal directions in spellwork it is handy to have a compass near or on ones altar.
P A P E R & P E N
Have spells written down or to help quickly jot down any visions one might have during divination or other psychic practices.
S A L T
Strong protection and purification properties. Most witches will use salt in nearly everything. Symbolic of earth.
·Cast a circle large enough to encapsulate your space.
·Ground yourself.
· Chant to your deities, repeating 3 times -
Divine Goddess, Goddess divine,
Divine God, God divine,
If evil dwells within this place,
Please remove it from my space.
·Visualize a divine white light around you. Slowly count down out loud from 5 to 1, slowly expanding to encase the entire space you are claiming. When you reach 1, the space is yours.
·With care, break the circle and utilize your newly claimed space.
@arrowstone and I decided to do this spell today to feel safer doing spellwork at church (the irony). Repeat this spell when your hold over the space is weakened, or at least once yearly.
Just a reminder: Heathenry does have a term for smoke-cleansing.
Recaning. To recan. (Or reocan, in Old West Saxon.) This is cleansing via smoke, whether through incense or a bundle of herbs put together for a particular type of cleansing. Juniper and mugwort are both favorites for this.
In case you’re wondering how to pronounce it, it sounds like reekening. The word “reeks” is actually derived from it, signifying a potent smell.
For Old Norse fans, this seems to be related to the work reykr. In case you were wondering, Reykjavik in Iceland translates to “Smoky Bay”.
*dances around the entire pagan community waving this post like a fucking banner* THANK YOU.
Just a little addendum: Mugwort can be dangerous due to mildly psychoactive properties in the herb. Use with caution and avail yourself of the following list of free-use alternatives:
Basil (any kind, noting that Sweet Basil smells the best)
Sage (any type, but keep in mind that White Sage is becoming endangered)
