What it comes down to is this:
Wheather or not you incorporate tools
into your rituals
and spells is totally
up to you.
If you choose to do
so,they can be as simple
or as elaborate
as is comfortable to you.
You must remember that simply having the
trappings,
does not make you a Witch,just
like not
having them lessens your
power in any way.
This is a list of the more common tools
that are used in the craft.
The Altar:
This is your magickal work space.It can
be a big flat topped boulder in the
mountians,the stump of a fallen tree,a
counter top in your kitchen,a dresser
top or coffee table,or any other flat
surface that is large enough to
accomodate what you are working
with.
Of course the more you use it
the more
highly charged with your power
it becomes.
The Athame:
A knife used to direct power.
Traditionally a double edged blade with
a black handle.
Now,I know a great
many Witches that
use there finger to
direct their energies
a butcher knife or no
knife at all.
The Broom/Besome:
A handmade besome is used to ritually
sweep clean
the area you intend to do
magick in
A cleansing tool...
The Burin:
Depending on what tradition you listen
to,
this can be anything from a white
handled knife to a sharpened nail.
It is simply a tool used to ritually
engrave
or mark names or sigils
(symbols) on your tools or candles.
Candles:
Probably the most used tool of the
craft!
In some Traditions it is used to
correspond to the elements.
The color of
the candle used in spell crafting is
significant
in that it relates to the
purpose of the work your doing.
The Cauldron:
Simply,this is a metel or cast iron
vessel
used to burn either incense or
paper
and herbs used in ritual.
Dress:
Some Witches wear robes,some work sky
clad (naked)
some have special clothing
of some sort
used exclusively for their
magickal workings
And then there are
those that live a life style that
incorporates
magick into their day to
day lives
so special clothing is not
needed.
Incense:
Another biggie in the craft.
Not only is
the smoke of the burning incense
used to
carry your request or intent up to the
Gods/Goddesses
The aroma will help to
direct your focus
and put you into a
magickal frame of mind.
Pentacles:
This is a five pointed star used by most
pagans.
Symbolizing Earth,Air,Fire,Water
and the top point representing
Spirit.
Most Witches wear this symbol on their ritual
jewelery
as well as have at least one
on a
tile in the center of their
altar.
Staffs and Wands:
Used as an extension of the owner.
A
staff is used as a pointer
or in some
cases is used to create a sacred circle
marked onto the ground.
A wand is used to point or direct your
energies
Like I said before,these tools are used
as an extension of you and your own
intent and power.
It makes very little difference in your
abilities as a Witch.
Magick is just as
effective if you use
but one candle to
focus your intent,
or if you have a huge
ritual with all of the trappings.
As you become more familiar with the
workings of the craft,
the tools that you do
aquire will hold much more meaning to you.