The Witch's Tool Kit
- Jun 6, 2017
- 6 min read
There are some implements witches simply cannot live without and quite a few more they may just like to have. Some of you may want to follow tradition and accumulate several of the ancient tools to make your "tool kit" as authentic as possible. However, this isn't always necessary. Your spells and rituals will still work even if you use the bare basics. Modern witches tend to toss aside a lot of the old apparatus and incorporate some modern appliances into their spell casting, whereas more traditional witches like the idea of creating a timeless atmosphere with their spells, so they use vintage tools if they can get their hands on them. Whatever assemblage you decide on, it is key that you feel comfortable with the tools you choose.
The required tools vary from spell to spell. There are a few rituals that don't require any implements at all, but for most, a selection of candles and herbs is generally kept close at hand, as well as tools such as the pentagram (to represent the five elements), crystals (to energize the area), and salt (to sanctify the space).
Many people are discouraged from casting certain spells because the ingredients or tools are hard to get hold of, but you can be as flexible as you want, and it is okay to improvise. There are, however, several items you'll certainly need.
Essential Tools
The Altar:
A base to work on, called an altar, is highly recommended. You should create your own altar and personalize it to your taste with whatever charms and objects speak to you.
Some homes do not have space to accommodate a full-sized altar, which can be anything from a large coffee table to a dining table. If space is an issue, you can use a shelf, tabletop, small coffee table, or mantelpiece. Some witches born under a fire or earth sign prefer to cast their spells directly on natural wood, while others like covering their altars in cloth, which can be bought inexpensively at fabric shops. If you do opt for a cloth, the best color to use is lavender or deep purple. In Wiccan circles, the color purple is though to be the most positive color to attract spiritual fulfillment. It is also associated with the chakra balancing and healing and will create the perfect mood for you magick.
If you have already come "out of the closet" as a witch to your friends and family, you can leave your altar set up in a main area all the time so that when you need to conduct a ritual, you can access it quickly. Witches who want to be more discreet can create a portable altar by place a cloth on the floor and laying out the tools on top. This method is also handy if you are traveling and want to take your altar with you.
The Pentacle:
One of the most essential items a witch uses when casting spells is the symbol of a five-pointed star, known as a pentacle or pentagram. Believed to date back more than five thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia, the pentagram has been a powerful and positive symbol for many different religions throughout history, as well as in alchemy. In Pagan times the symbol was often worn as an amulet for spiritual protection and to ensure a safe, happy homecoming. The five points of the star represent the five elements; spirit is the topmost point, and the other points, moving in a clockwise direction, are water, fire, earth, and air.
When turned upside down, the pentacle assumes the shape of a goat, symbolizing the horned god of some neo-pagan faiths. At some point in Western history -- the actual date is debated by scholars -- the five-pointed star became erroneously equated with Satan and devil worship. As time went on, those working on the darker side of magick adopted the down-turned pentagram sign that often appears in horror movies today. Because of the bad press, and probably because most witches want to practice purely white magick and not associate themselves with anything negative, we tend to use the pentacle in the more familiar upright position that, if you look closely, resembles the form of a human: the top point of the star is the head, the outer points represent the arms, and the lower points correspond to the legs. Many witches wear pentagram necklaces and earrings as a form of protection or as a way for fellow witches to recognize them.
When casting spells, it is always best to have this symbol on your person or somewhere on your altar. You can either draw a simple pentagram or, if you are an artistic soul, create a more ornate centerpiece with painted glass or something similar. As you set up your altar, place the pentacle directly in the center so that you can arrange the other items all around it. The size of the five pointed star doesn't matter in the slightest. You can have a full-size dinner-plate version or just a small earring.
Whatever kind of pentagram you choose to use, you should first "charge" it. This is a straightforward procedure that will cleanse and bless the pentagram and imbue it with magickal energy. The best way to do this is to leave your pentagram outside overnight in your garden or on your front porch or window ledge during a full moon phase; this approach charges the pentagram naturally. You can also charge other tools, such as crystals and talismans, this way to give them extra potency. Once the pentagram is charged and placed in the center of the latar, it will ward of negativity and act as your source of protection.
The Candles:
Candles represent the elements fire and air. Most spells will include a candle or two, or even more, so always have a selection of different colors at hand. Traditionally, you start with one main white candle on the altar to neutralize the energies. This is usually centered toward the back of the altar. There is no need to inscribe or anoint this candle, but blessing it with water is a good idea. To do this, dip your fingers in some bottled water and run them over the candle while saying, "This candle is now cleanses and blessed." Dry the candle with paper towels.
The Incense:
Burning incense while a spell is in progress is an absolute must. Its magickal properties help create the perfect atmosphere and boost any spell's potency. However, there are so many varieties to choose from that it can be difficult to determine which ones to use. I have seven types in my tool kit that cover almost any situation. If you have trouble finding the right one for your spell, simply burn sage to clear your work space.
Basil: An aromatic scent that is used for attracting wealth and prosperity and in fertility rituals.
Eucalyptus: Centers and balances emotions; excellent for helping make decisions.
Frankincense: A wonderful spiritual disinfectant. Burn this if anyone in the family has a bad cold, or use generally with any health spells. If you are trying to ward off coughs and cold, it might be a good idea to burn this is a different room from where the patient is sitting, to avoid irritation from the smoke.
Opium: Induces sleep and invigorates your psychic senses. If you are an insomniac, light an incense stick about an hour before bed and you'll sleep like a baby.
Sage: Used as a smudging stick or burned as incense, this will cleanse your space in preparation for a spell. Its magick automatically dispels any negative energy, leaving the space free from bad vibes.
Sandalwood: A warm, gentle, woody fragrance to relax you an ease distress.
Yland-Ylang: A sweet and heady perfume that enhances any love spell. Use for attracting new love, harmonizing marriages, and healing impotency problems.
The Soil & Water:
These substances symbolize the natural elements of earth and water and bring balance and harmony to your work space. A small bowl or an eggcup of garden soil should sit to one side of the pentagram, and the water -- in a similar vessel -- should sit on the other side.
The Salt:
Salt is a fantastic source of protection and is used in many spells to banish anything evil. Either sprinkle a little sea salt over your altar cloth or put some on the altar in a small bowl.
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