Welcome to Gaia! ::

We've all dealt with it.

You're about to perform a ritual for whatever reason, and you're missing a few key items. :[ So, what do you use?

Just looking for some ideas we can all share.

I mentioned this thread to Arcane and he asked, "has anyone mentioned the finger?" LOL! Well now I have, Arcane. ^_~

But this sounds like it could lead to some interesting places.^_^ I don't really recall a sense of tool scarcity when I first started, because inasfaras actual ritual "tools" go, I've either found them to be fairly easy to come by (cups, bowls, brooms, etc) or not entirely necessary to begin with (athame, wand- you can just use your fingers to direct energy, really). So depending on what the tool was that I was missing, I'd either find some household item which would do (and then kept it, so that I continued to use the same one in future rituals), did without, or altered the ritual until I no longer needed it.^_^'

But you can find ritual tools in very unexpected places, and when I was Wiccan I used to delight in using more mundane items in ways for which they were never intended. I was of the opinion that this was one of the best ways to find ritual tools, in fact- and in rural Alabama, it probably was.^_~

One of my favorite things to do was to go through dollar stores, craft stores, or those country decor stores (sometimes Pier 1 Imports, or even Spencer's Gift stores when I visited larger cities) and just browse the isles thinking of possible uses for random objects which caught my eye. If the idea was good enough, I might purchase the item and add it to my stock. Decorative stores, at any rate, place a high emphasis on the unique and appealing appearance of each item- which, to me, was often inspirational and highly suggestive of creative powers. My favorite subjects to work with were candle holders- I've a general fascination with fire anyway, and I tend to love the designs of objects designed for or around the use of it.

My first brazier was a candleholder, originally- made of wrought iron (I love wrought iron) which curled on the ground level in a spiral, then rose up about 6" and again circled itself to form a ring, into which was nestled a cup of smokey white glass. The spiraling iron below complemented beautifully with the spiraling smoke above- and the glass tied them both together quite nicely; it glowed with the incense embers.

Another makeshift tool which I also particularly liked (and still use, actually), was a very simple brass candlestick. It had a round base, and a very slender stem which terminated in a small cup- the lip of which was turned out so that when viewed from the side it looked very much like a stylized Egyptian papyrus plant. The lines etched around the base of the cup enhance the resemblance even further. I think that once or twice I actually put a candle into it (judging by the wax I'm seeing on the base, now^_~), but above all I prized it as an offering stand for small amounts of precious liquids- such as honey, or magical oils. It made a particularly fine offering stand for the honey, because the golden, translucent surface of the honey coordinated well with the candle light reflecting off the brass of the offering stand itself.^_^

I suppose my use of soapstone powder as a purifying agent could also be considered a makeshift tool, even though I didn't use it for lack of salt- but rather, because I didn't feel that it would be appropriate to be salting the fields of Mother Nature.

When I was a Wiccan, I used to perform my rituals outdoors in a small, secluded clearing in the forest- the center of which had a rather large, flat rock which was a little uneven but otherwise ideal for use as an alter. Most Wiccan rituals call for a purification of sacred space by salt and water, but did you know that salt will kill plants and small animals- rendering fertile ground sterile? It's one of the things which the Romans used to do to their enemies, to make sure that the conquered people were dependent on Rome for food- and so would loose their will to rebel. It's not great for carpets, either, btw- the grains of salt tend to cut into the carpet fibers as you walk on them, and it'll wear out more quickly.^_^' I didn't want to salt the forest, so I kept an eye out for an alternative means of purifying outdoor areas.

One year when I went to one of the large Pagan seasonal gatherings, there was a workshop on soapstone carving. People were learning how to shape soapstone with rasps- mostly to form god or goddess forms, totems, or what-have-you. Actually, I still intend to take up my rasps again one day to start carving amulets, but that's beside the point.^_^ When you carve in soapstone, you make a very fine, white, soft powder- technically it's the same thing as talcum powder, actually. I gathered that up, charged it with the intention of purity, and placed it on the alter during our communal ritual that night to add a little kick, and began using that in place of salt during purifications.

And while we're on the subject of makeshift ingredients, I have a somewhat magpie-like tendency toward constructing (or "improving") spell recipes. That may or may not be a good thing, I suppose- but that's a conversation for another time, perhaps. If I see something in my stock which matches the energy, intent, and atmosphere of the ritual, I'm likely to throw it in for the extra boost. Being as closely aligned with the feline as I am, my cat was a veritable treasure trove of magical ingredients- and my apothecary sometimes verged on looking like the "traditional" witch of Disney or Shakespearian fame.^_^' Protective spell? Add in some shed claw husks. Something to do with perception? Toss in a few shed whiskers. Wealth? Stability? Comfort? Plenty of fur to go around.^_^ It's kind of fun, actually- once you get into it.^_~

*pokes Nihl* ALL HAIL THE ALMIGHTY FINGA'!!! domokun

I've used my hands on quite a few occasions when my letter-opener athame was readily available. As I haven't probably done any training with my athame, as well, my hand can be more effective, especially with dispelling energy.

The only major subsitutes I use are when it comes to herbs or crystals; if I don't have the exact one, I go with something that, in my mind, is just as effective. And that's what it should be about- what helps you. 3nodding

I, like WB, have a habit of collecting items that I might not necessarily use. sweatdrop I guess it comes from the idea of 'being prepared'.

Then agina, I might use more of my items if I had the time. gonk

Hey, maybe I'll do soemthing formal this break... ninja

I also like going into shops and stores to see what they have; I like to try to think about how I could sue something, or where I would place something. That process also helps prevent 'impusle spending'. mrgreen

For me i only use tools that i either make. Or get blessed by Sacred Sorce (A local wiccan store i work at) The owner is amazing at blessing and is teaching me alot about different tools to use. 3nodding

3.88. I dont' feel bad, though, as there are no Valedictorians in our school this year.

Weird. Is it weighted?

Think so.