How Has Your Tool Use Changed Over Time?

[Scott Hill]

When I began to practice, I was often using spells that didn't have physical components. As I learned and evolved, I found that there were particular objects that could help focus the energy I wanted, and I slowly began to gather magical objects together. I began to enchant and consecrate my tools. Now that I've been seriously practicing for nearly eight years, I find I rarely use these objects any more. When I do, it tends to be my divination objects and the staff I use to cast circles (or other objects that help focus the group if I'm leading ritual). I've almost come full circle as far as my use of objects. Most of the foci for energy of various types, for me, are thought-objects. I've kept many of my objects because I never know when they will come in handy, but I don't often build rituals or spells around them or even use them to compliment such practices.

How has your use of tools changed over the years? Do you rely on them more or less than when you started to practice? Are there still ones you use all the time? How do you feel about people who insist on the use of physical objects? Or who sell them? Which leads to a further question: Do you think that some objects shouldn't be harvested for magical purposes because that harvesting harms the earth? How do you harvest objects from nature, if you ever feel the need?

So, in general, how do those of you who consider yourselves advanced use tools?

[Windsmith]

When I first started out, I bought or made all of the tools my books said I "had to" have. But aside from my chalice, I never truly used them or felt connected to them. When I moved in with my wife, I went through a long period where they were completely packed away.

Recently I've gotten back into using tools more often. My spell work and ritual are most effective when they are multi-sensorial, and tools can be great sensory aids - their color, their texture, even their smell.

But my tools have changed since I collected that first set. Those are mostly still packed away. These days my tools are homey objects I already have a connection to and use on a regular basis: a paring knife instead of an athame; a stovetop burner instead of an incense holder; a mortar and pestle instead of a special pentacle figure.

Tools can add a wonderful sensorial dimention to my spellwork and rituals, but I don't need them to be "special" objects laid aside only for that purpose. Intention turns a mug into a chalice, not where you bought it or whether someone tells you it's a chalice.

[Glowy]

I honestly don't use them much at all anymore. I use to all the time because I felt I had to. For me, the greatest tool I have is my mind ( clearly not for every day stuff.. but for spells and such) It is easier for me to think it.. I can't explain it well.

I do use sea salt, and candles still..

[SilverClaw]

Oh man you come up with the good topics :D

When I first started on my pagan path 11 years ago I thought I had to have tools before I could do any type of ritual. But over time I learned you use what you have and could adapt spells and rituals and even the way you do divination. I also learned that just because an author says to you HAVE to do something does not mean you
necessarily have too. And for me once I learned that, it made a difference in my use with tools and expense.

So now I am at the point where I do not need tools for ritual use or divination use, but on the occasion they are nice to have and if I can afford it I may splurge every now and then and buy something, but unlike before it is not a have too.

Also I am a one to work with my hands and I have to say I am addicted to making tools.. Especially this time of the year :D



How do you feel about people who insist on the use of physical objects? I feel that it is each to their own. I will use physical objects when I feel the need to or if I am working with someone who feels the need too then fine, but otherwise it really is not something I worry about or think about too often.



Or who sell them? As some one who will be selling my own work soon I have no issues with people who sell their tools. There are some very talented people out their who create beautiful work and have beautiful energies on the tools they sell.



Which leads to a further question: Do you think that some objects shouldn't be harvested for magical purposes because that harvesting harms the earth? How do you harvest objects from nature, if you ever feel the need? When I take something from mother Earth I try to leave a gift of thanks or a psychical gift in trade as it were.

There are some things I have been questioning as to what I gather where it concerns trees, antlers, or get crystals but I make sure I take only what I need. But then again I still wonder about exhausting resources.

But other then that I get most of my tool stuff from nature such as rocks tree branches that I find on walks. We have a tradition to load up on stuff in the fall and spring and usually it keeps us busy for the season then summer is another thing entirely:D Usually it is stuff from storms that are lying on the road or in the park. And since the park people just burn the stuff I take it as quickly as possible home :)

[Calli]

Windsmith, I love what you said about being multi-sensorial. I think I could benefit from that kind of thinking. :thumbsup:

I used to use all kinds of tools, and I used them often. I like having things. I like surrounding myself with things that mean something to me, and displaying them in an attractive way. Nowadays, I mostly just use me, although I do use candles a lot and often burn paper with something written on it as part of my spell. I use my divination tools. That's about it, for the most part. Oh! I like to burn herbs and use oils, although the oils aren't usually for magic purposes. I use them a lot for healing and stuff. Commercially prepared incense activates my asthma, so I never use that. I guess I still use a lot of things. I didn't realize that. Of course, I can just as easily come up with some words and say them and do nothing else.

The thing I'm finding I do a lot less of is read. I used to devour books on magic and the craft, and loved the variety in the short articles in Llewellyn's almanacs, but the last few years, that's been more of a chore than a joy.

[Windsmith]

Windsmith, I love what you said about being multi-sensorial. I think I could benefit from that kind of thinking. :thumbsup:Glad it helps, Calli!


The thing I'm finding I do a lot less of is read. I used to devour books on magic and the craft, and loved the variety in the short articles in Llewellyn's almanacs, but the last few years, that's been more of a chore than a joy.But I bet if you think about it, you're reading just as much that's related to the Craft, just more focused on your particular interests. Like you, I used to read tons and tons of those books specifically marketed as Pagan; however, as my practice and areas of focus have become more defined, my Pagan books are more likely to be found in the cooking section, or gardening, or science, or even bike repair. I still read as many books as ever that are germane to my spirituality; I've just shifted my perception of where those books can come from.

[~*Sacred*~]

Glad it helps, Calli!

But I bet if you think about it, you're reading just as much that's related to the Craft, just more focused on your particular interests. Like you, I used to read tons and tons of those books specifically marketed as Pagan; however, as my practice and areas of focus have become more defined, my Pagan books are more likely to be found in the cooking section, or gardening, or science, or even bike repair. I still read as many books as ever that are germane to my spirituality; I've just shifted my perception of where those books can come from.

:reading: Absolutely.

[BryonMorrigan]

When I first started doing Magick about 19 years ago, I remember finding nothing wrong with the fact that I was using a steak-knife and candles and incense that I got from my grandmother. (They were all like, perfume-scented...and smelled horrible...) Yeah, I was 16.

Eventually, I worked a job as a blacksmith (historical re-enactor) and started creating everything by hand: handmade knife; handmade sword; handmade beeswax candles; specific handmade wands for every different occasion under the sun; handmade leather-bound grimoire...et cetera...et cetera...

In my case, I kinda view it as an addiction. When I was 16, my Magick worked just as well (if not better) than it does today...but I just HAVE to use handmade tools that I created, or ones that I bought from other Magician-Artisans.

It's like how people who are fashion conscious just HAVE to buy things because of the brand label. ;)

[ffetcher]

When I was starting out, there were, I think, two 'occult supply shops' in England, plus I didn't have any money. fortunately I was in contact with sensible people who pointed out that within limits you could use pretty much anything (I liked the comment about it being intent, rather than who made the thing, that makes something a chalice rather than a mug). Ove the years my wife and I have collected or made a number of tools for special rituals, and we have a chalice we searched for for several years before finding one (in a Christmas market in Gent) that exactly matches a piece we wrote together, which we now use regularly.

So no, personally and between the two of us, usage of tools hasn't changed that much over many, many years.

Where I have changed my view, is that I now feel that within limits a set of familiar working tools helps bond a group for ritual work. I've seen Wiccan altars where you can't see the cloth for the number of items thereon, and I wouldn't go that far, but for the basics, it helps.

blessings
ffetcher

[Taliesyn]

i went through making a "set" of tools when i was a student- then i got in a situation where i had to throw them all away to protect myself from persecution...
then i started making tools- copper and crystal wands, handmade knives, ect... had a plethora.

now i
Just have my staff... i do love it, and for large rituals that i sometimes lead, but i can't take tools to work, and every day, all day, i practice rituals in my practice as a healer.

i do still use crystals though.....

[brymble]

Like a lot of craftspeople, I've watched my spiritual and artistic practices merge. I no longer feel the need to distinguish between a spell and the act of sculpting, or between a drawing or painting and a talisman.

I find myself using tools just as often, if not more, but they are more likely to be improvised, using whatever's on hand, and not limited to the standard 4 Cup-Wand-Pentacle-Athame. I am just as likely to "harvest" something from a scrap heap or dumpster than I am to harvest from nature - which I do frequently, living out in the country where I am. At the same time, I'm more aware of the appearance of a tool, and more likely to make or alter it (this is in keeping with my artistic philosophy as a found and altered object artist.) Like many craftspeople, the process of creating a tool is often more important than the tool itself.

Nowadays, I'm more likely to use tools such as a consecrated quill or pen (for the creation of sigils and sacred art or writing), censer, cup, pentacle, focus stone, candles, needle-and-thread, brush, and craft knife - not to mention the hammer and anvil, pliers, tinsnips, shears, tongs, spray bottle, and wirecutters. I no longer have a cauldron, but it would probably get a lot of use if I did.

I also find components to have taken on increased meaning and importance, but never in the sense of looking something up on a facile chart in a mass-marketed "pop Pagan" book and blithely matching up candle color, incense and herbs! The transformation of objects and the consciousness surrounding them is central to my craft, hense the preference for using tools like poppets or spirit dolls, sigils, stones, and spirit boxes - I even began studying hypnosis to support my art, as my artistic work provides a vehicle fo consciousness transformation, the two disciplines supporting each other in my personal development.

As for those who sell tools, I support them. Food, clothing and shelter is as important to a craftsperson as to anyone else, and there comes a point in the development of any artist where there may be a need to go professional in order to be able to dedicate the time and attention required for continued artistic growth. Even those who sell mass-marketed, cheap, beginner tools should be appreciated, for providing new Pagans who are drawn to the use of tools with an affordable starting place.

[Scott Hill]

I also think craftspeople deserve recognition and the ability to earn a living - as long as they make things in a way that doesn't harm the earth more than it can recover from. That's an important factor for me, but sometimes the information about harvesting practices can be hard to find.

Some of my most powerful tools are those I made, painted or prepared. Especially if that took a lot of time. I like to be in a ritual frame of mind the entire time I harvest, make, prepare, consecrate or cleanse an object for ritual use.

I was with a group at one point that also insisted the altar look like a rummage sale. And later found out that the High Priestess was particularly asking people to bring items that she sold in her shop so that she could cash in on the ritual. Personally, I thought that was pretty low, even though she insisted she was just making a fair living.

I also wanted to ask something I forgot to post before. Do those of you who are psychometric (and this is definitely NOT me) think you use tools differently? I ask because my wife is highly psychometric, and she often brings me things and tells me that she just felt they were meant to be in my possession. She's often initially more accurate about what tools I should be using than I myself am. And I've found a use for almost everything she's brought me, even though I don't use a lot of tools.

Someday I need to write a book called Magick on a Budget, but I suppose that belongs on another thread... ;)

[Allytria]

I have been practising for 15 years. I do not make use of many tools, though I collect them as oddities and pretties (yeah I am strange). I use paper, pencil, Libations, candles, tarot and my own imagination. I am not against tools, but they are not really my style.

[Regulus]

When I first started out i felt the need to have an athame or something to help me focus my energy. Now I think the only tools I use are candles. Thats when I use anything at all. I would love to have an alter and all that but when there is no room, one makes due. I've learned to be a minimalist. All I need is tha Momma and Me. After that its all frosting.

[RubyFire]

In the beginning, hehe, I went out-actually I ordered in, from AzureGreen, the basics; the black handle & white handle I just took from my kitchen, but the altar, etc........I did cast circles & asked questions, I did hand write spells & made seals out of correct color materials for the purpose. The thing is, I did not feel connected to the knives(athame) or any of the tools, they seem really outdated to me, please excuse my word it's 3 am & I cannot spell.
I stopped using tools because I suspect they are there to help guide the person; I have always been able to hold images in my mind & I think that's all there is to magick, with exceptions like protection seals, watchdogs.....I do think if you make your own tools-& they don't have to conform by-the-book, you'd have more of a connection. As for ecological impact, Human population does far more damage than cutting some mistletoe from a tree, unless you happen to choose some incredibly rare last-of-its-kind tree, shell, horn, bone, etc.

[*oonagh*]

i guess i've been on my path since i was about 13. while my path has become more defined over the years, my tools remain the same.

[Royzen]

Speaking of tools and their usage, I was wondering if someone could give me any advice about my wand.

I made a wand about 2 years ago but sadly I feel the wand has no energy... no spirit... no heat... no weight... When I hold it I feel absolutely no response or vibe from it. Nothing. It's as if it's "dead"! Unfortunately because of this I end up not using it at all.

It's beautiful (to me:)). I worked really hard on it, did a proper consecration and blessing ritual to it. But I don't know why it seems to ignore me. It would be sad to throw it away.

I only suspect the wood. I didn't pick it in Nature. I bought it in a shop so I don't know what wood it is. Could that be the reason?

Has anyone had similar situations with tools?

[kagekarasu]

Speaking of tools and their usage, I was wondering if someone could give me any advice about my wand.

I made a wand about 2 years ago but sadly I feel the wand has no energy... no spirit... no heat... no weight... When I hold it I feel absolutely no response or vibe from it. Nothing. It's as if it's "dead"! Unfortunately because of this I end up not using it at all.

It's beautiful (to me:)). I worked really hard on it, did a proper consecration and blessing ritual to it. But I don't know why it seems to ignore me. It would be sad to throw it away.

I only suspect the wood. I didn't pick it in Nature. I bought it in a shop so I don't know what wood it is. Could that be the reason?

Has anyone had similar situations with tools?

Here's the thing, tools are a channel for releasing/focusing your energy. It's like a writer using a pen and paper. The words and the story are all in him, but the pen and paper make him focus, make him write it down and give life to the story. The story is still in him and theirs all kinds of ways he could let it out, that's just the chosen form.

In other words, it's not the ritual, the materials or anything but you. For some reason, you don't feel it's up to par for what you're doing. I know witches who can cast with a plastic drinking straw from fountain soda cup, so it's never the materials, but the person, so try to figure out what's not allowing you to use the wand you made.

[Astucity]

In the 12 years I have used them, it has significantly changed .. by .. like a lot.

12 years ago I did not have 2 children, I had one, so .. I, of course, thought I had to have that $80 Athame, ritual soaps, oils, herbs, the $150 cauldron, etc etc. I had an EXPENSIVE habit. Then, my first husband and I got divorced and he, out of spite, threw every single tool, book, journal, just .. everything away. So .. I had to go out and replace everything. By that time, I was a single working mother, with no child support currently coming in, and I a child to take care of, so .. I found this wonderful thing called "Making your own stuff".

Yep, my mom is a crafter and woodworker, and, well, she's good. So .. I told her what happened and she helped me make my pentacle, wand, an incense burner, and everything all over again. What we couldn't make, we either found, got really creative, or went garage saling to help me. At that point, I had no shame.

When I have changed out tools, if I can't make it, I will scrounge until I find it cheap. I don't buy into that if your altar isn't outrageously expensive you aren't a "good pagan". It's all BS and untrue.

So, I guess I learned to live without all the bells and whistles, if all I have is Morton's Salt instead of Sea Salt I don't trip out, I just use it.

I'm a very practical Pagan now.

[Royzen]

Here's the thing, tools are a channel for releasing/focusing your energy. It's like a writer using a pen and paper. The words and the story are all in him, but the pen and paper make him focus, make him write it down and give life to the story. The story is still in him and theirs all kinds of ways he could let it out, that's just the chosen form.

In other words, it's not the ritual, the materials or anything but you. For some reason, you don't feel it's up to par for what you're doing. I know witches who can cast with a plastic drinking straw from fountain soda cup, so it's never the materials, but the person, so try to figure out what's not allowing you to use the wand you made.

Hello Kagekarasu,

Yes, I'm very much aware about true power being within us and not the tools themselves. And you're absolutely right about the straw and soda can!

Actually I found this thread quite interesting cause from what I've read from the posts above, I've noticed that as Wiccans (or atleast I assume they are, since this is a Wiccan forum) they too are flexibe as to the usage or non usage of tools. I mean I'm actually glad to hear that tools aren't priority for every magickal working!

This because now I find it contradictory to what some Traditionalists say about Wiccans being too "fluffy" and have to use tools at all times in order to do magick. Well, now I see they're wrong. It only takes one Wiccan to say the contrary to make they're "fluffy" statement invalid. This is my point of view of course.

Anyway, back to topic, I know true power lies within us but as personal preference I still love using tools. Bottom line is I just wanted to know why I feel indifference from my wand, as an inanimate object (let's put it that way), when I clearly have no problems with my other tools. Hmm... And since you've mentioned that tools are just tools, then yeah, the only problem should really be me!

Thanks for the reply and useful suggestions.

[kagekarasu]

Hello Kagekarasu,
Actually I found this thread quite interesting cause from what I've read from the posts above, I've noticed that as Wiccans (or atleast I assume they are, since this is a Wiccan forum) they too are flexibe as to the usage or non usage of tools. I mean I'm actually glad to hear that tools aren't priority for every magickal working!


I'm actually in no way Wiccan, though you're right, most people here and in the pagan community in general in some way are. Part of why I stay on this board is to give a nice, non-Wiccan view point.

The aspect of tools like said before is channeling your energy. Some will say that you need certain things, but I think those people are focusing to much on the ceremonial side of things and not the actual objective. They're giving the tools the power, and not realizing they're the power and tools are just tools, which is where it starts to get fluffy. I personally don't use tools, but I can understand the help they can provide.

[Umbress]

Tools we are supposed to use tools - darn I knew I was missing out!!

I have more colors of candles, and rocks, and an excuse to buy a cool looking knife but I could have used the fact is was on sale also . . .maybe my use has changed - learned to put coaster things under my burning candles because I got tired of having to scrape wax off the carpet or my desk.

[MsRavenFires]

When i first started out I used to keep all my tools in a box, one for my car, cause well a witch had to travel... lol.. and another for my home, with everything at the ready. Reference books close by, etc... sighs.. my how things have changed for me.

What i found out after 22 yrs of practicing is that tools, are just that... tools... to help me focus, to help me create visually, etc...Now my cauldron is the pot i use to cook with on the stove, or the tea pot, or heck even my washing machine. I use what's at hand and if there's nothing tangible, then i visualize and go from there... i really believe that everything you need will be provided and you carry it with you 24/7... yourself :)

[Shanti]

Same as everything else in life, they have changed accordingly. :toofless:

[Kalioppee]

When I first started out 30 plus years ago I mainly used candles and maybe some herbs from my moms cupboard, as time went on, I started collecting the tools that I was "told" I should have. Some I bought mainly at flee-markets or garage sales and others I made, even today my boyfriend loves to seek things out I may want - he found a wonderful large cauldron for like 2 dollars, but honestly I don't use many tools on my own. Now when I teach I pull them out and I do explain, how and why they are used and that they are a focusing point for the most part.

Kali

[hunter*]

I think there is something intrinsic or experiential about us that makes us gravitate towards certain types of tools and not others. I don't have a wand and don't think I ever will. My well worn companion of a pocket knife does anything a wand can do and better.

It I need an air tool, it will be some arrows or a spear with feathers on it, not a dull ended wand.

[IanCorrigan]

Personally, I like performing ritual, and ritual performance is better with good props. Certainly a lot of my practical magic is done 'in my head', calling on assets that I have developed over time. But when I do worship, whether seasonal rites or monthly rites, I like to do full ritual. So I keep a consecrated set of my system's tools on my home shrine, ready to use.

I think of the tools as talismans. The Dagger is a specific magical device to connect with elemental Fire, the Cup to Water, etc. I'm not dealing with 'archetypes' but with specific objects that gather connection with spiritual things both by intention and by repeated use.

All in all my tool-use hasn't changed that much over 30 years. I switched systems, and so have had to make new tools but my attitude toward them remains the same. I see my home shrine as my own temple, and the tools on it as the sacred things of my own temple.

[Ula]

I have items I use like a mortar and pestle, incense burner, bell but I don't think of them as tools. I don't use them all the time or very often. I think of herbs, candles and moon phases as enhancers but not necessary. I have two of what I would call tools, my athame and one wand. The wand I have is part of a spinning wheel I have to represent Frau Holda. I only use it when working with/for her. My athame I went through the process of naming. I consider it a partner in my magic not so much a tool, but it is one none the less. I can do spells without it but prefer to use it. I also sleep with it to help remember dreams. It's the one thing I would hate to give up or loose.

[Maggie-in-the-Mead]

I don't use them very often. Candles, cauldron for burning things like paper or herbs (incense). I use to have a wand and athame and disk, etc etc but now it's just whatever I have on hand to illicit the energy I am looking for. I am considering an athame again simply because I remember liking it. We shall see.

[Katsbrain]

As a young child, I learned a lot about tools and altar prep from my mother. I am the rare breed of Pagan who was actually born into it, and while my mother's mother was Greek Orthodox, she practiced a lot of old folk magick that she learned from her family in Greece, so I grew up with a variety of spiritual and magickal influences. Mom had her way of doing things, with lots of incense, candles, pentacles, her athame, and tons of other stuff (she was the very model of a Scott Cunningham-influenced solitary practitioner), and when I was little, I loved learning what each tool was for and what it represented. But, she always encouraged me to trust my own instincts and learn what worked for me. As I got older, I found that the tools that I felt most comfortable using were "focus objects," a burning candle, or some sort of physical representation of the deity I was working with, be it a statuette, a picture, or some sort of natural object that represents the deity. I am a very visual and tactile kind of person, and I like having something I can see and touch to help me feel closer to the Divine. Today, I don't do a lot of spell work, but I do spend a lot of time in communion and meditation. The tools I use are mostly for the purpose of creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere, with candles, an image of the deity/deities, and sometimes a little incense.