TOOLS OF WITCHCRAFT
Different traditions and different practitioners require and desire different tools. It is unlikely that any one witch will own or use every tool listed here. The witch who is afraid of fire does'nt need candles; the witch who works purely with verbal charms doesn't require a mortar and pestle.
*If a witch or practitioner uses any tool consistenly in her magical work, it is, by definition, a magical tool
Some tools, like the bolline, cauldron or mortar and pestle serve entirely functional uses, but in addition to practicality, witches' tools are also magical tools -- tools that are perceived as radiating their own magic power. Different tools radiate different energies. Individual tools express specific elemental energies that empower and enhance spells and rituals, for instance candles radiate the power of fire.
Among the ways of determining what type of power a tool radiates is to consider what kind of materials are used in its creation. Thus a wooden magic wand places the power of trees into the hands of its wielder. Sometimes this is obvious; sometimes the radiant energy is more subtle. The concept of gazing into a crystal ball derived from gazing into the moon. A crystal ball essentially brings the moon inside nad enables you to access lunar magic anytimes not just during the Full Moon. The moon is identified with water and women. These associations have passed on to the crystal ball, which is perceived as radiating feminine, water energy.
Female and male energies, yin and yang, are considered the most powerful radiant energies on Earth. Unifiying these male nad female forces provides the spark for creation, and what isa magic spell after all but an act of creation? Instead of a new baby, ideally new possibilities, solutions, hopes, and outcomes are born from each magic spell.
A high percentage of magical tools radiate male or female powers. Many tools metaphorically represent the unification of these forces. Earths most ancient religions venerated the sacred nature of the hman genitalia, representing male and female generative power.
Sacred spiritual emblems evolved into tools of witchcraft. Many amgical tools now hide in the kitchen disquised as ordinary kitchen utensils including sieves, post and cauldrons, cups and chalices, mortars and pestles, knives, dinner bells, and most famously, brooms. To some extend this parallels the hidden history of women: once worshipped or at least respected as goddesses, priestesses, and community leaders, for centuries (and still in some circles) women were percieved as the weaker, less intelligent, meek gender, fit for little other than preparing meals. Women's old tools of power lurked in the kitchen with them. In recent years, however, witches and their tools have emerged from their broom-closets to reveal their long suppressed powers.
In fact many tools serve dual uses: few ancient people had the variety or quzntity of possessions that many take for granted today. The average kitchen withc of not that long ago made magic with whatever was at hand. She didn't have a ctalog of wares to choose from. Rare, precious items were treasured by, by definition, these were accessible only to a very few.
* Never permit the lack of a specific tool to stall a magical goal. Among the key ingredients of magical practice is inventiveness. The one and only tool that is ia requirement is the spell-caster herself, her full and entire focus and commitment to a spell. According to French master mage Eliphas Levi there are four requirements of successful magic: Knowledge, Daring, Will, and Silence.
One cauldron served a family's purposees: from creating nutritious soup to concoting healing brews to crafting magic potions. The mortar and pestle ground up botanical materials for whatever purpose was currently needed: healing, magic or cooking. In a holistic world, purposes may not have been considered distinct in any case. This holistic tradition still survives in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where medicinals are sometimes administered via food. Edible, medicinal ingredients are prescribed for the patient: the meal is the prescription and may contain magical protective elements as well.
Different traditions and different practitioners require and desire different tools. It is unlikely that any one witch will own or use every tool listed here. The witch who is afraid of fire does'nt need candles; the witch who works purely with verbal charms doesn't require a mortar and pestle.
*If a witch or practitioner uses any tool consistenly in her magical work, it is, by definition, a magical tool
Some tools, like the bolline, cauldron or mortar and pestle serve entirely functional uses, but in addition to practicality, witches' tools are also magical tools -- tools that are perceived as radiating their own magic power. Different tools radiate different energies. Individual tools express specific elemental energies that empower and enhance spells and rituals, for instance candles radiate the power of fire.
Among the ways of determining what type of power a tool radiates is to consider what kind of materials are used in its creation. Thus a wooden magic wand places the power of trees into the hands of its wielder. Sometimes this is obvious; sometimes the radiant energy is more subtle. The concept of gazing into a crystal ball derived from gazing into the moon. A crystal ball essentially brings the moon inside nad enables you to access lunar magic anytimes not just during the Full Moon. The moon is identified with water and women. These associations have passed on to the crystal ball, which is perceived as radiating feminine, water energy.
Female and male energies, yin and yang, are considered the most powerful radiant energies on Earth. Unifiying these male nad female forces provides the spark for creation, and what isa magic spell after all but an act of creation? Instead of a new baby, ideally new possibilities, solutions, hopes, and outcomes are born from each magic spell.
A high percentage of magical tools radiate male or female powers. Many tools metaphorically represent the unification of these forces. Earths most ancient religions venerated the sacred nature of the hman genitalia, representing male and female generative power.
Sacred spiritual emblems evolved into tools of witchcraft. Many amgical tools now hide in the kitchen disquised as ordinary kitchen utensils including sieves, post and cauldrons, cups and chalices, mortars and pestles, knives, dinner bells, and most famously, brooms. To some extend this parallels the hidden history of women: once worshipped or at least respected as goddesses, priestesses, and community leaders, for centuries (and still in some circles) women were percieved as the weaker, less intelligent, meek gender, fit for little other than preparing meals. Women's old tools of power lurked in the kitchen with them. In recent years, however, witches and their tools have emerged from their broom-closets to reveal their long suppressed powers.
In fact many tools serve dual uses: few ancient people had the variety or quzntity of possessions that many take for granted today. The average kitchen withc of not that long ago made magic with whatever was at hand. She didn't have a ctalog of wares to choose from. Rare, precious items were treasured by, by definition, these were accessible only to a very few.
* Never permit the lack of a specific tool to stall a magical goal. Among the key ingredients of magical practice is inventiveness. The one and only tool that is ia requirement is the spell-caster herself, her full and entire focus and commitment to a spell. According to French master mage Eliphas Levi there are four requirements of successful magic: Knowledge, Daring, Will, and Silence.
One cauldron served a family's purposees: from creating nutritious soup to concoting healing brews to crafting magic potions. The mortar and pestle ground up botanical materials for whatever purpose was currently needed: healing, magic or cooking. In a holistic world, purposes may not have been considered distinct in any case. This holistic tradition still survives in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where medicinals are sometimes administered via food. Edible, medicinal ingredients are prescribed for the patient: the meal is the prescription and may contain magical protective elements as well.
~Taken from "The Elemental Encyclopedia of Witchcraft" by Judika Illes
Edit*
~ Tools to follow include
Athame
Bells
Bolline
Brooms
Candles
Cards
Cauldrons
Chalice
Cord
Crystal Balls
Dolls
Flying Ointments
Horns
Labyrs
Masks
Mirror
Mortar & Pestle
Pentacle
Sieve
Staff
Swords
Tripod
Wands
* I'll get them up, please bear with me. Thank you for your coorperation
Much Love
~Asha Sahri
Naomi Tinuveil
