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Here you will find any needed items to practice the Magickal Arts.
Following is a list of common altar tools and their purposes.
CHALICE----------The cup
(also chalice, goblet) is associated with the female forces in the universe:
fertility, beauty, the womb, earth, emotion, love, compassion, receptivity,
instinct, intuition and the subconscious mind. It is the receptacle of
spiritual forces. It is associated with the element of water. Held upright, the
cup is the open womb, ready to receive. Held inverted, it symbolizes birth and
realization. The chief purpose for the cup in neo-pagan witchcraft is to assist
in concencrating the circle, toast the gods, spellcasting, scrying, and ritual
work.
ATHAME------------------Athames
(also known as ritual knifes) are a witches personal, magical knife. In
neo-pagan witchcraft the athame is used only for casting the circle, and never
for cutting. Other older traditions use the knife as much as possible in the
belief that its power increases with use. The athame is associated with the
element of fire (in some traditions, air). The athame is also used in many
invocations, evocations, calling the watchtowers, LBRP (lesser banishing ritual
of the pentagram), spellwork, ceremonies, initiation, and various rituals and
rites.
ALTAR COVER---------Altar
covers, as their name implies, are used to cover your altar. While they indeed
have a specific purpose, you may fancy to use them as decoration. Many people
use altar covers as tapestries to hang above their altars, while others might
use them to drape their body or even wrap their tools in. Altar covers are
available in a variety of styles, shapes, colors and sizes; choose your altar
cover by what appeals or "calls out" to you.
ALTAR
PENTACLE-----------The pentacle represents the element of earth. It is used to
ground energy, purify, and assist in ritual work. Pentacles can also be hung
upon the wall above the altar as a meditative or focusing tool. The pentacle is
a good reminder of the five elements and spirit, when reversed it is a reminder
of the sabbatic goat or the black arts.
RITUAL
BOXES-------------Ritual boxes can be used on the altar or as decoration for
holding your tarot cards, jewelry, ritual items, incense, powders, or whatever
else you might need to protect. Ritual boxes are available in a variety of
shapes, sizes and colors.
CAULDRON-----------Cauldrons
are used for burning incense, scrying, holding the earth, making oils and other
concoctions. Cauldrons are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and
styles. Choose a cauldron that will best suit your needs.
ALTAR JARS AND
BOTTLES-------------Altar jars are used for storing herbs, oils, powders,
incense and other small ritual items.
POUCHES----------Pouches
are used for carrying or storing Tarot cards, jewelry, herbs, stones, powders
and other small ritual items. Pouches are also well suited for making charm
bags, also known Gri-gri bags.
BELLS-------------Bells
are associated with the divine: their sound is symbolic of creative power,
their shape a symbol of the female force and the celestial vault. The sound
vibrations created by the ringing of bells have been believed for centuries to
possess a magical and/or spiritual power. In some Witchcraft traditions, the
bell is used to open and close the circle, creating positive astral energy.
BOOK OF
SHADOWS---------------The Book of Shadows: a book of beliefs, rituals,
Witchcraft laws and ethics, herbal & healing lore, incantations,
invocations, evocations, chants, dances, spells, divination, sabbats and
miscellaneous topics which serves as a guide for Witches in practicing their
craft and religion. There is no definitive Book of Shadows for Witchcraft in
general; each tradition may or may not have a standard Book of Shadows, which
is usually added to or adapted by separate covens or individuals.
BESOM---------Besoms or
Witches Brooms are used to sweep away negative influences from the working
space, and clean the area for your energy before starting any rite.
CANDLE SNUFFER--------Some
Witches believe that blowing candles out will offend the element of fire, thus
ruining the spell or ritual at hand. Therefore, pinching candles or using a
candle snuffer is their only solution for pleasing the fire element.
MORTAR AND
PESTLE------------Mortar and Pestles are used for crushing herbs and other
essences for making oils, incenses, powders, potions and other concoctions.
CENSOR-----------------The
censer or incense burner in neo-pagan witchcraft is used for burning incense,
herbs, wood and other substances, to cleanse and purify the air before rituals.
Censing, which represents the element of air, exorcises and keeps unwanted
energies away from the magic site; offers sweet air to the God and Goddess;
raises vibrational rates and summons energies; relaxes the senses; and contains
and concentrates power. The act of burning incense or other substances is also
known as carrying our wishes up to the God and Goddess.
WAND------------The wand
is the instrument of invocation of spirits. In most traditions, the wand
represents the element of fire (in other traditions, earth, air, water or
spirit) and symbolizes the life-force within the Witch. The wand dates back to
prehistoric times. The Greek god Hermes is represented with a caduceus, a wand
entwined with snake and winged top, a symbol of power, wisdom and healing.
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