substitutions

[tamara]

I was wondering what can be done if a person cannot afford all of the essential oils,herbs, incense, wands,bolines,cauldrons etc..
. Although some of my magick has been sucessful ( candle magick), I feel that in order to go further I need all of this stuff.
Do I really need an athame? Can I use a dutch oven for my cauldron? can I use herbs based on the vibe they send out to me - even if others dont use it for that purpose? Is there any way to go completely wrong making it up yourself? If anyone could help me I would really appreciate it.
Tamara

[Raevyn]

If it makes sense to you, use it. No tool is necessary but yourself - with a little focus and consideration you can do a spell without any prop.

You can use a wand, a kitchen knife, a stick from a tree, or your finger instead of an expensive athame.

I think the only way you can go "completely wrong" is if you are careless or lazy, which I'm sure you're not.

[tamara]

thank you Raevyn- that's how I felt, but needed "permission".

[Raevyn]

*nods* I can totally understand that. I remember thinking that too, "I'm pretty sure __, but I'm not positive". In the beginning it's hard to know for sure what you can alter to your needs and what maybe you shouldn't.

With correspondences, what you're doing is using something that reminds you of your goal - so whatever reminds you will work. When you see tables of correspondences those are what has worked for someone else, so if it doesn't make sense, or you happen to have another herb/tool on hand, go with that instead.

[Jenett]

I think there's a couple of different issues here: (Let me list them, then I'll explain what I mean)

1) You don't necessarily need the stuff in the first place.
2) It's ok to acquire the stuff over time, anyway.
3) The stuff doesn't generally need to be expensive, even if you acquire it.
4) However, there are times when using the correct tool is important.

1) You don't necessarily need the stuff in the first place.

Like Raevyn said, much of the time, you don't need all the formal accoutrements. There are many things around your house or that you can find in nature that are perfectly good tools.

An example would be using a kitchen knife, making a wand from a piece of wood, using found objects or simple things for elemental correspondances, etc.

2) You don't need to acquire it all at once.

I've been working with a formal group for over a year now, and did some work on my own prior to that - but it's only been in the last, oh, four months, that I've actually acquired all the tools I actually felt I needed

(and no, I don't have everything that shows up on book lists: I have a wand (handmade), a cheap knife for an athame, a bowl, cup, bottle of salt, incense, candles, and a few tokens.)

There are some things I want in the future - a cauldron suitable for burning things in. The supplies for loose incense (which means something to hold it safely, charcoal, sand, incense, and tongs) and some other things like that. but I don't need them, so I'll get them when I get them.

I've also been slowly acquiring oils, but I currently have all of two bottles - in my case lavender (because it's useful for several things I'd want to use it for) and clary sage (for some specific research I was doing.) If in the future I need more, I'll acquire them, but I don't need to have all of them immediately in stock.

3) Stuff doesn't generally need to be expensive, even if you acquire it.

My current altar finally has an athame - but it's a $10 knife. I expect to eventually replace it with something handmade and probably custom-made, but for right now, what I have seems to be working fine.

I have a simple wooden bowl and cup that I've had for years. Salt lives in a bottle that was a gift from a former boss, and a bunch of candles and some stick incense from Target.

I could have bought equivalents to all of these at my local mainstream stores (Target, etc.) for probably under $20. (The wooden bowl and chalice were a little pricier, but not by a whole lot, and it's fairly easy to find glass or ceramicware at such stores or at thrift stores and rummage sales.)

4) However, there are times when using the correct tool is important.

There are some things that you really need the right tools to accomplish, or when having the right tool makes it easier.

For example, if you want to burn pieces of paper (to banish something from your life, or whatever) you're going to need some way to do that safely. Now, if you already have a barbecue or fire pit or something available, then you can do that safely.

Otherwise, you're going to need to find something that you can burn things in safely. A cauldron is a very good tool for this, so if you're doing a lot of this, you might consider getting one.

Likewise, if you want to use loose incense, you need the right tools for that. Or if you want to work with herbs, you're probably going to need the specific herbs and tools to work with them (an appropriate knife, maybe a mortar and pestle.)

Now, there's probably other ways to accomplish many of the tasks - it's if you pick a specific method that you're going to need the tools for that method.

Sort of like, if you want to drive somewhere, you need access to a working car. There might be other ways to get to your destination that either don't you to own a car (walking, public transportation), use an alternative (biking) or making occaisional use of a tool owned by a friend (getting a ride).

But if you always want to be able to get places on your own, on your own schedule, at a further distance than you can walk or bike, then you're either going to need a car - or deal with not being able to do certain things.

[tamara]

Thank you Jenett that makes a lot of sense.
Tamara

[Skye]

Tamara, I believe tools are only the way to do things safely. You do not need what every book tells you is the proper tool for this and that. All you need is your energy, desire, and dedication, what you use to achieve your goals are yours alone. Don't let someone elses formalities interfere with your direction.

Nice to have you here, I hope you enjoy the community:)

[dreamweaver]

First question is to find out what path you are going to follow.A lot of these tools to me are just that tools.The wand,candles,and athame are tools for concentration,they help keep you focused.In candles it's not the color it's the flame.The candles of old never had colors as there was nothing to color them with.

Depending where you live there are herbs growing wild.Make use of what is there.There are lots of sites on the net that will tell you how to use them.

Incense is fairly inexpensive if you use the sticks and can be bought anywhere.To me again it only helps set the mood.

Take your time and look around there are lots of items that can be used that are free and there's always something you will find that will serve your purpose.Remember all forms of majik are based on simplicity.A fair sized tin can with some sand it the bottom will work to burn things in if needed.Always remember the power to do a spell is not in what you use it comes from within you.

[Phoenix]

Creativity helps in the long run too..... My wand is from the tree outside my house, decorated by me, craft stores are great finds for cool stuff, rummage sales too! Just keep your eyes open and soon you'll start seeing inexpensive tools all around you.


*I do agree with many of the other people in this thread that the tools are not necessary but I just LOVE collecting them!