A Witch's Tool Kit pt. 2 Optional Tools
We already discussed the necessary tools a witch needs in their toolkit and now we will discuss the optional ones that aren't exactly necessary but good to have around for specific rituals.
The Chalice:
The chalice symbolized fertility; in times past, its bowl represented the womb of the Goddess. The base of the vessel signified our world as we know it and the stem suggested human rapport with the spirits. I have a chalice on my altar that holds magickal water, but whenever I cast spells to help someone get pregnant, I empty out the chalice and fill it with fresh basil leaves instead. It can also be used to hold wine for a ritual that calls for wine.
The Cauldron:
This magickal vessel is probably the mos recognizable symbol of witchcraft after the broomstick. Today, the cauldron can be used as a vessel for making infusions and potions (although a microwave can be used for many such spells). For spells that involve burning herbs, the cauldron, typically fashioned from copper or cast iron, i still a useful object. Lots of witches like to have cauldrons on display in their houses and also use them to store their herbs. Cauldrons used to be difficult to find, but now they are available online. I have spent many years collecting cauldrons and have a large selection. When I moved to my farm some seven years ago, I got out my faithful metal detector and dug an old cast-iron one out of the ground. Maybe I am not the only witch who has ever resided here!
The Bell:
Used primarily in banishment spells, a bell can be rung to indicate that a spell is about to begin or tinkled repeatedly around the home to get rid of unwanted vibrations. I always walk around the house ringing my bell when the kids have been bickering or anyone has been upset. It sounds bizarre, but it really does settle down a d bad atmosphere and leave a place feeling calm again.
The Athame:
An athame is a ceremonial knife, typically black-handled with a double-edged blade; it is an ancient tool that you don't see on many witches' altars today. Some witches inscribe their candles with the athame or use it to cast a magickal circle around the altar before commencing a spell. To cast a magickal circle, hold the knife in your right hand and draw a circle clockwise over the altar, a few inches above the items on it. An athame works by conducting your power through it, and it is to be used only for magickal purposes -- not for gutting fish or peeling potatoes! Like cauldrons, athames are now easy to purchase online.
The Wand:
A witch wouldn't be a witch without a wand, and I have to say, I do love mine. By tradition, wands are usually crafted from the wood of the willow, elder, apple, or cherry tree.
Today you can easily buy a wand online or in a specialty store, but the real magick in a wand is channeled into it by its maker, so, if possible, try making your own. If you decide to get creative and make a wand yourself, you can craft it from any tree branch that you feel an affinity for, and you should always thank the tree for sharing its wood with you.
Wands come in many shapes and sizes; the width is not that important, but the length of the wand should measure from your elbow to the tip of your index finger. You can carve designs into the wood or smooth it down with sandpaper before finally varnishing it and then charging it in the same way you would a pentagram. Make your wand as ornate or as rustic as you like. I carefully decorated mine with gold paint and glued a big chunk of quartz crystal to the tip of it.
For spell-casting purposes, the wand is used as a summoning toold and also to bless and charge objects.
Before a ritual begins, you can touch each object on your altar with the end of your want to transfer its natural earthly energy to the items and ass a little extra magick. Some witches like to "draw down the moon" prior to casting a spell. This is a very old tradition that involves standing outside during a full moon phase and pointing the wand at the moon. It is thought that the moon's power charges the wand, making its magick more powerful.
The Broomstick
In witchy circles, the round-bottom broomstick, or besom, as it is more commonly known, is actually a fertility symbol, long used by female witches in fertility rites and to sweep away negativity. The sweep, or brush, corresponds to the female genitalia, and the staff is associated with the male phallus -- therefore it is a symbol of the male and the female combined.
Often a besom was propped up near the hearth of a witch's home to keep evil energy from entering through the chimney. Some modern witches still follow this practice, bu many just display the besom as a Wiccan home decoration and embellish it with pretty flowers and dried herbs. Of course, besoms always were and still are popular at handfastings (Wiccan weddings), where couples jump over the broom to display their union.
The Crystals & Gemstones
Crystals possess a pure, natural magick. I always keep at least three on my altar. Blog post on types of crystals to come.
The Feathers
Because most of our spells invoke angelic energy, placing a selection of feathers on the altar will entice our angels to visit us. You can color=coordinate the feathers with the candles you are using in a particular ritual or simply use white for purity and peace.
The Book of Shadows
A Book of Shadows is a kind of journal or diary that witches keep close at hand for jotting down and recording their spells. You can use any type of notebook for your Book of Shadows, but because it is a treasury, many witches prefer to use a nice leather-bound book or something a little fancier. When you cast a spell, write down in the book all the details of the ritual, such as the date, the ingredients you used, and the phase of the moon. Leave a space underneath to record the results. Many ancient spells have been passed down through the centuries in this way, and, at last count, I think I had seventeen of these books -- you could say I have a bit of a witchy library. If you would rather record your spells on the computer, you can create a folder on your desktop for your Book of Shadows, but please remember to back it up because computers have a habit of crashing and, once lost, you findings will be gone forever!
For more spells to add to your Book of Shadows you can visit our Spells section!
