The Tools of a Witch THE BELL The bell has had mystical associations since ancient times and it is believed to possess a magical and spiritual power. They are associated with the divine: their sound is symbolic of creative power, their shape a symbol of the female force and celestial vault. The bell is an uncommon tool and there is no one way to use the bell. It can used to open and close the sacred circle or to Invoke the Goddess. It may be ruing to ward off negative energies, as well as invite positive energies, or used to signal different sections of a ritual or Sabbat. THE BLADE The athame and the boline are the ritual blades of the craft. As with all ritual tools, they are very personal magickal items. Many witches make their own blades or "personalize" purchased ones with runes, carvings and other symbols; all of which serve to blend the magickal energy of the tool with the energy of the owner. Some witches have family heirlooms, such as letter openers which serve the purpose and some never use a blade at all. The boline, which traditionally has a white handle, is used to cut wands and herbs, to mark and carve candles with symbols and to cut cords for use in magick. The boline can also be used to cast the magick circle, call the "quarters" or elements, and is part of many opening rituals, handfastings, initiation rites and any other ritual function requiring the use of a knife, such as cutting flowers for the altar. Traditionally, the boline was used to harvest herbs and had a blade in the form of a small sickle, but today it is normally a mundane knife used for carving or cutting. The athame, which has a black handle, is used only for magickal purposes. THE BROOM (OR BESOM) The broom or besom is a ritual tool of the witch, sacred to both Goddess and the God. The God; through its symbolic phallic shape and the Goddess; through its three-piece make up, the stick, brush and binding cord being symbolic of the threefold aspect of the Goddess. Traditionally the broom was made from three different woods. Ash for the handle, Birch twigs for the brush and Willow for the binding cord. Ash is protective and has command over the four elements. Birch is used to purify and draws spirit to one’s service. Willow is sacred to the Goddess. (see: Natue Spirits , "The Spirtual Properties of Trees") The broom is used for a variety of purposes but most generally to purify and protect. It is used to ritually cleanse an area before magick is performed by symbolically sweeping away negative energies and astral build up. Of old it was used to guard the home and persons within against psychic attack or evil curses, this by placing it across the threshold, windowsills or doorways. It was also placed under the bed or a pillow to protect the sleeper. Traditionally the use which most people identify it with, are the old wedding ceremonies where a couple leapt over the broom to ensure fertility, domestic harmony and longevity. The tradition continues today in Wiccan hand-fasting rituals which include a broom jump. THE CANDLE Candles have been used as a Witches' tool for centuries, as they have been used by many other religions for the setting of the proper atmosphere to help attract or to influence a particular power. There are many factors that play into the power of the candle, as it absorbs one’s personal energy from their consciousness and releases that energy in the dancing flame. The color of the candle is very important when performing rituals or magic, for each color emits a particular vibration and attracts certain influences. THE CAULDRON One of the most recognizes symbols of witchcraft, the cauldron, traditionally with three leg, is used for brewing potions and cooking herbal remedies. It represents bounty and blessings, the concept of reincarnation and the cycles of birth, death and rebirth. In their role of magical cooking pots, cauldrons are associated with the elemental nature of water and are sometimes used for "scrying". Cauldrons are also associated with elemental fire and small "ritual bonfires" can be lit in them for the ceremonial burning of sages or incense, as the cauldron has, in modern times and urban spaces, replaced the large bonfire for rituals. Cauldrons range in size from the small altar models to the antique "floor" type. Many Witches have cauldrons in various sizes for different workings and purposes. Cats are particularly drawn to witch's cauldrons and will often use them as hiding places for their toys and treat THE CENSER (OR THURIBLE) The censer is a container that holds hot charcoal used for ther burning incense. This is best made from a fire resistant or material. The most common are fire proof "mini-cauldrons' of iron or brass types which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The incense itself represents the element of Air while the charcoal fire represents the element of Fire. The combination of these two elements is used to purify ritual areas, tools or the circle itself. Sometimes hung on a chain, (a thurible), it is used in religious rites and ceremonies to bless or cleanse people and objects, usually with a prescribed number of swings or gestures. THE CHALICE The chalice or cup is used on the altar to represent the Female principle of Water. Chalices may be made of any material. Many use silver or pewter, but ceramic ones are now quite popular. Some practitioners will avoid "lead" crystal because of the Saturn energy influence. Libations of wine or water are often then poured to honor the Old Ones and the chalice is sometimes passed around the circle so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are spoken as the chalice is passed. THE CIRCLE Before enacting a ritual, witches usually create a ritual circle to provide a safe haven for the purpose of working magick. The Circle exists outside the boundaries of ordinary space and time. between the worlds of the seen and the unseen. It is a space in which alternate realities meet, in which the past and future are one. The circle represents unity, completion, continuity, and wholeness, as well as protection. and the circle also corresponds to the annual cycle known as the Wheel of the Year. Many circles are not physical, but exist as energy patterns created by an enacted meditation of words, gestures and/or visualizations. Physical circle are constructed with stones, plants, candles, sacred symbols objects, sacred symbols or just a drawn circle to form the circle's perimeter, providing a clear boundary between mundane and sacred space for the enactment of ancient rites and rituals. THE CLOTHING Within traditional witchcraft, when one is taking part in a ritual or observing a festival, there is some form of bodily covering. Traditional witches do not worship while naked or “skyclad”. Outside of ritual, witches may have personal lifestyles that include being nude, however, while taking part in ritual they decorate or cover their bodies in some manner. Some rites might even call for the body to be marked with sigils, or covered with pigments, in certain prescribed manners. Having "special" garments lends an "otherworldly" feel and sets ritual work apart from mundane life and many traditions or paths have a "standard" wardrobe which reflects the ethnic background of that path. (Scots may wear kilts and Druids may wear hooded robes.) Many embroider magickal symbols on their ritual clothing or "hide" small items sewn into the seams and hems to act as talismans for protection. THE FAMILIAR The true Witch is not born to "The Craft", nor can one just decide to walk "the path". The initiate must first be chosen by and then willingly accept a spirit entity, (usually a goddess), as their spiritual mentor along the path to becoming an "enlightened being". This mentor will often send forth an animal spirit called a familiar to help guide the initiate and to serve as a medium for the communion between the material world and the spiritual world. The “classic” witch’s familiar is of course the black cat, this coming primarily from the legend of the black cat supposedly being an evil omen. While as a domestic animal the cat is often the companion of a witch, the raven, the crow, and the rabbit are common familiars as well. In general, the witch will commune with the animal whose special life lessons they personally need to learn and emulate. THE GRIMOIRE A Grimoire is a witch's personal book of rituals and lore, which is usually handwritten and kept by the individual witch. The name “Grimoire”, (deriving from the Old French word for letters; “grammaire”), is a general term, as the true name for the book is kept secret by most traditions and even when the name for this book is discussed, it will often vary between the traditions. (In Wicca it is called "The Book of Shadows") The witch's Grimoire contains rituals, invocations, traditions, symbols, poems, chants, legends, stories and anything else thought to be important by the individual witch. The contents are most often based upon the lore of a particular tradition, but it will also contain many personal flourishes as well. It is sometimes written in “runes” or pictures so that it cannot be read by the uninitiated. An apprentice witch's Grimoire is usually begun by being hand copied from a teacher's Grimore and then later added to by the apprentice as they progress in the craft.