Discussion of The Week 01/09/07

[Teresa]

This week let's talk about any tools you have made for your magical uses. Do you think they work better for you than a store bought tool or a gifted tool? These can be divination tools ,or altar tools ,wands , etc. Post your thoughts and opinions and even pictures etc. if you wish .

[Xirian]

I don't know if they work better. I've only made a wand by hand and it works just fine, but I really can't compare it to a store bought wand, because I've never bought one.

I guess I'll only make a tool if I can't find one at the store. I think once a store bought tool is cleansed and charged with your personal energy, then it should work just as well as something you made. But that's just my personal opinion. I look forward to other posts on this and other ways of thinking.

[Prophecy]

Old oral tradition (mine) one should always have 2 sets of tools. One set for personal, private, or coven use and that these should be handmade the other set can be either and used for public use. By public use I mean when "other" covens or groves or whatever you may call your teaching and working group, get together. One should always make their own wand staff and if you choose to wear them, their own cape cloak and robe. Unless you make your own jewelry that can be purchased outside but bought from a reputable dealer of pagan items and not a tourist trap. The altar items such as candle holders scensors cauldron and the like can be bought unless you are totally crafty.
The tools such as wand staff etc are extentions of you and I feel should be made by the person weilding it.

[Sage Rainsong]

The first tool that I made by myself was a wand. There was a tree branch that I found on the shore of a beach. The wood was slightly worn by the ocean and I loved it. I carved symbols and I put a crystal on it. The wand is broken now and I have a copper one. I don't think that hand made is nessesarily better, magically speaking, but there is something about having a tool that you have made wth your own hands.

[Teresa]

For me, I feel more attuned to the wands that I have made and also the pendulums and scrying mirrors. I want to attempt to make my own runes too sometime in the near future. There have been things that were gifted to me that I have a strong bond with too. IMO things that call out to me "take me home " work just as well has the handmade and gifted items I have. I see it as an attuning process in that when using something your energies just flow with that item like the item becomes an extension of you and vice versa maybe.{/ shrug } I am not one for explaining these types of things well. One has to experience this to understand what I am attempting to explain maybe.

[Tabbykitty]

I've made amulets and small wearable charms for myself and others as part of my trade in jewellery making. I have to say that stuff that is made by hand, either all on your own, or with the aid of a friend or craftsperson is definitely a cut above a similar item you might find in a store..... unless the item in the store fits ur purpose to a "T".

Rationale, in making wands or amulets, the act of searching for the stone that is to be set into the item, looking for the branch that becomes the shaft of the wand or staff allows you "put your energy and intent" behind your ritual item.

Also, it allows you the ability to intimately customise the item to your own purpose. Allowing you to draw your own symbols, write/carve your own spells on the items.

The downside of most store-bought items is that they are usually made with a general purpose and intent in mind...... so its not as personalised. Occasionally, there will be items you can find in a store that have been made (usually handcrafted) by someone with a special intent..... depending on the craftsperson and intent, I think items like that deserve a second look.

It is possible for an item to be made by a craftsperson with a certain type of person and intent in mind without first having met the person. Sometimes the correct person finds the item that was made.... it is like karma. Perhaps there is some subtle energetic link between both people. I do think items do call out to their owners and regardless of whether one makes or buys ritual items, the most important think should be that the process of obtaining feels right, appropriate and that the connection should be strong.

[Teresa]

I've made amulets and small wearable charms for myself and others as part of my trade in jewellery making. I have to say that stuff that is made by hand, either all on your own, or with the aid of a friend or craftsperson is definitely a cut above a similar item you might find in a store..... unless the item in the store fits ur purpose to a "T".

Rationale, in making wands or amulets, the act of searching for the stone that is to be set into the item, looking for the branch that becomes the shaft of the wand or staff allows you "put your energy and intent" behind your ritual item.

Also, it allows you the ability to intimately customise the item to your own purpose. Allowing you to draw your own symbols, write/carve your own spells on the items.

The downside of most store-bought items is that they are usually made with a general purpose and intent in mind...... so its not as personalised. Occasionally, there will be items you can find in a store that have been made (usually handcrafted) by someone with a special intent..... depending on the craftsperson and intent, I think items like that deserve a second look.

It is possible for an item to be made by a craftsperson with a certain type of person and intent in mind without first having met the person. Sometimes the correct person finds the item that was made.... it is like karma. Perhaps there is some subtle energetic link between both people. I do think items do call out to their owners and regardless of whether one makes or buys ritual items, the most important think should be that the process of obtaining feels right, appropriate and that the connection should be strong.

Very well written and explained! I agree 100% and the amulets that I have made and helped make with others are dead on to what you have stated too. :)

[Prophecy]

For me, I feel more attuned to the wands that I have made and also the pendulums and scrying mirrors. I want to attempt to make my own runes too sometime in the near future. There have been things that were gifted to me that I have a strong bond with too. IMO things that call out to me "take me home " work just as well has the handmade and gifted items I have. I see it as an attuning process in that when using something your energies just flow with that item like the item becomes an extension of you and vice versa maybe.{/ shrug } I am not one for explaining these types of things well. One has to experience this to understand what I am attempting to explain maybe.

Understood here..........On making your own Runes may I suggest using Agate, the reason is they are used "to as a gate to the unknown" and have worked perfectly for me.

[Prophecy]

I've made amulets and small wearable charms for myself and others as part of my trade in jewellery making. I have to say that stuff that is made by hand, either all on your own, or with the aid of a friend or craftsperson is definitely a cut above a similar item you might find in a store..... unless the item in the store fits ur purpose to a "T".

Rationale, in making wands or amulets, the act of searching for the stone that is to be set into the item, looking for the branch that becomes the shaft of the wand or staff allows you "put your energy and intent" behind your ritual item.

Also, it allows you the ability to intimately customise the item to your own purpose. Allowing you to draw your own symbols, write/carve your own spells on the items.

The downside of most store-bought items is that they are usually made with a general purpose and intent in mind...... so its not as personalised. Occasionally, there will be items you can find in a store that have been made (usually handcrafted) by someone with a special intent..... depending on the craftsperson and intent, I think items like that deserve a second look.

It is possible for an item to be made by a craftsperson with a certain type of person and intent in mind without first having met the person. Sometimes the correct person finds the item that was made.... it is like karma. Perhaps there is some subtle energetic link between both people. I do think items do call out to their owners and regardless of whether one makes or buys ritual items, the most important think should be that the process of obtaining feels right, appropriate and that the connection should be strong.

I totally agree. I will add that I too make items for majickal use. When I had my stores yes things were made for money but it was the intent and energy put into the piece that "called to the buyer" but then again I did alot more custom made items that are one of a kind. I prefer to do that than mass produced.

[Pagan Warrior]

I really haven't made any of my own tools. However, I did stumble accross a branch one day that resembled (to a great degree of accuracy) the druidic rune Fehu for "wealth" ... it has been added to my altar and has been there ever since.

[Metta]

I do a lot of beading, sewing, and sculpting. I make witch rosaries, meditation beads, and small goddess dolls (Thinking of starting commissioned goddess statuary...). I think there is definitely something to be said for putting your own energy into the creation of something you'll use for your personal workings.

I, however, am missing a Chalice for my altar still, and have not seen *any* that have called to me, neither in my local metaphysical shop nor online. So I think I'll be posting suggestions on how to make/embellish a chalice on the Arts & Crafts forum :P

[RavenStars]

While I love my assortment of altered and purchased tools, and even follow idea of the energy alignment of a properly prepared one; but I also feel that the everyday object whether found, or off the shelf, can have serious power. I have a little kitchen witch in me. The tool is worthless without the intent and will of the user. A stick I picked up off the ground at that moment, a wooden spoon or even a finger have helped cast some powerful circles. IMO.

[Autumn-Forest]

I have made my own wands and they work brillantly! I use stones and colored wire to decorate and impower them.

My athame, however, is a medieval envelope opener, lol. There are not a lot of spiritual stores around here, but if you improvise you'll get a drawer full of witchy things that are modern day. :) The athame also works very well.

I do not have any store bought tools so I cannot compare. :/

blessed be-
Autumn