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Weiser Books 2004 ISBN #1-57863-324-9
 While authoring a compendium of magickal tools, Neal shows himself to be a master storyteller, bringing the craft to life through his words. There is great depth in this book, not only in the breadth of magickal tools covered, but in the respect shown for various traditions, and the honoring of solitary as well as ritual work. I was taken back many years, to the time when I was (with great excitement) gathering my first magickal tools. I was not given the option of making them - but then, I did not ask to, either. And I had neither the time nor the talent to do so. I was told very specifically what to purchase, and where to purchase it (which was actually a great deal of fun, as I got to go to the downtown market in Honolulu and go through the wares t here). And no, there were no kickbacks from the sellers to my High Priestess. What was there was a powerful lady who understood the Island, and knew who the best craftsmen were! My path has changed since then - I now consider myself on the path of aeclectic shamanism - but I am still using the same tools in ritual and ceremony. Carl Neal is a practicing Pagan who has sold alter tools to the Pagan world since 1995 (as well as magickal tools and ritual implements). He is also a professional incense maker, and has advised many people along the way. I have to say this, as I am one who draws stray cats to her, and has never been able to turn one away - in his bio, it is noted that Neal has adopted several special needs cats. I tip my hat to him, and honor him as one who pays attention to all that is around him. That alone makes him someone worth listening to. In The Magick Toolbox (doesn't that sound like Harry Potter is just around the corner!) Neal has created what I consider to be a very complete guide to the tools that are used in ritual and ceremony (to me, this is not just a book for the Wiccan and Pagan communities - it is a book for all that work with ritual and ceremony). Neal covers over 20 different categories of tools, discussing how to select or create a tool, how to consecrate it, and how to care for it. For each category, there is also at least one ritual that the specific tool may be used for. (The rituals are written in a deliberately general manner, with Neal suggesting that if the ritual does not fit you, that you use it as a template for writing your own ritual.) The categories that Neal covers are: Athame: Neal discusses the use of this tool (generally for focusing and channeling energy), the types of Athames available (metal, wood, stone, crystal, bone and plastic), the shape (single vrs double edged), as well as how to make your own. Bell: I loved this section - I never realized bells had this many uses! Neal discusses types of bells (hanging vrs hand), material used (metal, crystal, porcelain, glass, wood and bone), size, and how to make and/or decorate them. The ritual for this chapter is a lovely cleansing ritual. Besom: This is the broom that is often associated with witchcraft. It can be large or small, and is used for just about anything other than sweeping the floor! The material used - the type of wood and the type of straw, as well as possible decorations are discussed at length. The ritual given here is a spell of release (besoms are most often used to gather together loose/negative energies so that they can be discharged). Book of Shadows: The grist of many mystery stories - the all knowing Book of Shadows! Something that we don't often think of is that the Book of Shadows, or Grimore, comes from an oral tradition, and is of relatively recent vintage. The materials used here should reflect the intent of the practitioner, which can mean anything from smiley faces and lined notebook paper to leather covers and aged parchment paper. Candleholder: This was another absolutely wonderful section, discussing the type of candles used (taper, pillar, votive and tealight), materials made from (metal, crystal, wood, glass, ceramic ... even soapstone!), and making your own candleholder. Importance is also placed in this chapter on using candles and candle holders with an eye to safety - including the use of a candle snuffer. Cauldron: Hansel and Gretel time! The discussion here was actually quite serious and in depth, covering material used (cast iron, pewter, brass, copper, aluminum, even ceramic, earthenware and stone), size, and how to make your own. There is also a wonderful hint about scrying with your cauldron! Censor: A censor is simply that which holds your incense (or charcoal) for burning. Neal makes a very solid point about different types of censors being used for different types of incense. Neal discusses the material used (brass, silver, pewter, soapstone, glass or ceramic), the size, and whether or not to use a cover. He also nicely covers safety issues - especially if one is going to use a censor on a chain, and be swinging it, however gently, through the air. Chalice: Neal emphasizes the importance of the purpose of the chalice, and the fact that it represents the sacred feminine. Materials include metal, glass, ceramic, wood and stoneware. Neal does a wonderful job of discussing how to create a chalice, as well as how to decorate one. Neat stuff like painting and glazing is also featured! Pentacle: I actually never thought of the pentacle as a tool in its own right, but it can be. Created to be laid down flat on the alter, it can be used as a base for other items being used in the ritual, as well as a focus point. Materials include brass, silver-plated brass, clay and wood. Pipe: The pipe is a magickal tool of communication, and is not included in every tradition. Even in those that do include it, the history may be rather recent. The pipe represents the female (bowl) and the male (stem), and acts to combine the energy of the material being smoked, the energy of the person smoking and the words used to send a powerful message. Neal does an excellent job of discussing the pro's and con's of pipe smoking, and how easily ones health can be affected. Staff: Staff's are absolutely lovely tools of empowerment, and each one is unique unto itself. I have several - all were received as gifts, and I treasure each one. The material used in staffs is normally wood, with different types of wood lending different qualities to the staff. Making and decorating a staff is given special consideration here. Wand: There is such a great variety of wands out there that it is magickal just looking at them all! Of course, Harry Potter seems to come into play here too. ;-) There is a wonderful discussion here on using wands for channeling energy. Materials for wands are addressed (wood being the preference), as well as the addition of such things as crystals, personal symbols and magickal symbols. Other Tools: Here is where Neal discusses a few items at random, such as musical instruments, scrying tools, Tarot cards, and statuary. Tool Boxes: I loved the tone of this section - very upbeat, with a hint of the imp about it! Neal makes a point of saying that magickal tools can be left out and about, serving as decorations, but that they are best placed in protective covering and set away from prying eyes. This can be done in such a fashion that no one will know what is being stored, and can be done in many different ways - from the simplest (a footstool or perhaps a basic box) to the most complex (antique cabinets and such). Neal has included two Appendixes: the first one covers magickal supplies, including charcoal, incense, candles, herbs and resins, and inks, pens and papers. The second Appendix covers possible alter arrangements. There is also a well done glossary, and quite an inclusive bibliography. For those who are new to the use of magickal tools, as well as those that have been using them for a while, this book has a great deal to offer. At the least, the reader ends up with quite a bit of information on caring for his or her magickal tools, and some nifty new rituals! Some sneaky thoughts may also start forming as to crafting ones own tools - things like this do happen when one comes across the right information! This book is quite a wonderful resource for all concerned.
Bonnie Cehovet
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