Necessity of Tools and Complexity?

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

This thread is made in ignorance of totality, as I ask others for their own opinions so that I may have a basis from which to form my own opinions as I find my way along my path. I would like to discuss in any form necessary and relevant, the actual degree of importance people put to the use of tools and complex rituals in Pagan practices, and preferrably, why each poster feels this way. I'll begin the discussion with what my present view is (subject to change five minutes after hitting the submit button), from what I have read and reasoned.

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My view is that tools and long complex rituals are, for the most part in common usage, largely unnecessary. I feel they are not necessary to communicate with Goddess, and that they are not required for the successful fruition of magickal workings.

My reasoning is that Goddess is there and She is readily able to communicate with you in Her own ways; nothing you, as a horribly frail and ignroant human, can do could possibly make Her more open to communicate with you or more likely to do so. In other words, it's up to Her whether or not you get an audience, and no ammount of verse or pretty objects will bring Her to you if, by chance, She decides today simply isn't the day to speak with you. Thus, She's not impressed by the fact that you went out and bought all these assorted candles and runes and charms. The same goes with rituals and chants.

Further, I feel that whatever energies that exist for you manipulate are not tangible and thus are not affected by the presence or absence of specific items. Obviously, if anyone with a black-handled knife could work magick, the world would be a much different place. Thus, since you don't see congressmen and dictators carrying Athames with them to work forced loyalty spells (they have guns and compound interest payments for that anyway), the energies that be obviously are not simply going to start flowing for just anyone. The same goes for rituals and chants; how often do you see a rain dance work when a cowboy does it on TV?

Finally, I feel that what these tools and rituals DO provide is something much more fundamental and personal than what many sites would have us (seekers and readers of those sites) to believe. Most every site focuses on the importance of the Athame and its traditional symbolism and all that, and I don't dispute that. What I dispute is the premise inferred by most sites that you simply must have all these meticulously exacting items and follow exact rituals. This is not to say that having them may or may not be a good thing; I personally think the more effort you put into it the more you will reap from it, but this too brings me to my closing and primary point.

The reason you will reap greater return in it is because you put effort into it; you believed in it and made it happen yourself rather than relying on the pre-formed product someone else made for you. You can call this "your vibrations helping you" if you feel it right, but it also has a psychological impact. Now, without excessive talk on that, the point of ALL this is that the tools do not seek to make the energy or contact easier; they rather make it easier for you, the pitifully frail and ignorant human, to focus your infintesimal intelligence and conscious into one task. Without meaning at all to be vulgar at all, this follows along the principle of a chastity belt. Sure, it's possible for a sex-crazed nymphomaniac to avoid sexual stimulus by willpower alone, but it sure is a lot easier physically to do if there's a locked chastity belt physically barring the way,a nd even easier if there's a distraction of some sort. In the same way, I feel that it is *possible* for such mentally inept creatures as we (humans in general, in comparison to the Divine), to gain the focus needed without any sort of ritual or physical contact with anything, but it is easier for the mind to focus on the tangible; thus the physical objects. And it is easier for the mind to envision success when one can envision and carry out an actual process towards that success; thus the rituals.

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That is to me what I have come to think at the present moment. I apologize if I have posted this in the wrong place, as I can see how this could possibly fit in New Pagans or someplace else. Also, if something similar has been posted before, feel free to post a link to it, but I'd still like actual responses, not only to my thoughts, but of your own thoughts independent of mine as well.

After all that, I think I deserve two boings instead of one.




:boing: :boing:

[AstraSkye]

Many new Pagans are recommended to use tools "to make it easier for them". IMO, all you need is willpower. Running off, buying $500 worth of tools won't make anything any better - in many cases, it just might make everything worse (you know, wrong energies and so forth)!

Nothing against people who want to use tools... But maybe they shouldn't be bought "just because I need tools", but instead let the tools find you. I read one post from someone who found a branch and made it into a wand...

As for the rituals. It's really up to oneself to decide how and what to do. While I see the symbolism in the circles and chants and all that, it's just not very useful for me (not right now, at least).

[Rick]

Originally posted by PaganInkubus
My view is that tools and long complex rituals are, for the most part in common usage, largely unnecessary. I feel they are not necessary to communicate with Goddess, and that they are not required for the successful fruition of magickal workings.
The purpose of ritual is to help people move to an altered state of mind... and maybe also to 'set the mood', particularly when working in groups of more than one; i.e., to get all parties involved onto the same page, so to speak. And while it serves the same purpose when working solitaire, there just aren't as many people to get onto the same page. ;)


Further, I feel that whatever energies that exist for you manipulate are not tangible and thus are not affected by the presence or absence of specific items.
Gamma rays, solar rays, cosmic rays may not be tangible, but they are measurable phenomenon... I believe that these (& others) are the sources of the 'free energy' that magic harnesses. Can tools used in magic manipulate energy? Sure... that's why communication devices have quartz crystals in them. When you use a Rune, the energies flow through the pattern of the shape of that Rune (no, I can't prove this, but I've observed it empirically), causing certain effects.

If someone can focus the energies without tools, & if you can get into an altered state of mind without ritual & chanting, they are the exceptions.

PI, don't over-intellectualize all of this... it'll make ya crazy, brother...

[Flar's Freyja]

I have lots of lovely tools which mostly sit around looking pretty and collecting dust. I believe that this is an individual thing. Some folks find that using tools can help them focus and transition from the mundane to the sacred. I'm more the type of person who believes that The Magick IS the Witch.

I do use my runes, tarot, incense and candles frequently. I do have a nice collection of candleholders that are appropriate to the sabbats or specific gods or goddesses and use them now and then. I only own one "real" goddess figurine. The others are ones that I picked up because they reminded me of a certain goddess and I've gotten most of them in dollar stores. I love making wands but give them away. My chalice does get more use when I have time to do a formal ritual.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Presently that is my opinion that although useful for people, they aren't a necessity. I do plan to find myself an Athame and chalice at the very least, as well as a Pentacle which I feel will help me to find comfort in the symbolism, much as Catholics seem to find comfort in the symbolism of doing the little cross over the chest thingie at times of serious prayer and respect.

Also, a question:

Would it be acceptable for me to actually create my own tools? My grandfather used to be a jack of all trades when it came to metalworking and woodworking, and as such he has a whole bunch of metalworking equipment; it would be entirely possible for me to make a metal blade out of sheets of metal that are lying around collecting dust from disuse. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? :)


:boing:

[AstraSkye]

Originally posted by PaganInkubus

Would it be acceptable for me to actually create my own tools?

Definitely!!!!! Then you're charging the tools with *your* energy, while you can also take pride in the fact that the tools are entirely yours, and your creations...

[Flar's Freyja]

*nods* I just made a pentacle out of clay, and you can paint them on the backs of plates, terracotta plant saucers, etc. I've made my own besoms and wands and runes. We've had threads on making tools, they should come up if you do a search.

[Storm]

Well my opinion is tools aren't necessary. The biggest part is being able to go into an altered state of mind at will. Some of the best magick I have ever done I just danced around to some very evocative musick until I felt all wound up with energy and sent it out. It fit because it was romantic moving music and I was sending out love to the object of my affection and drawing him near to me. Yet at the same time rituals and certain tools have an affect on me that they reach into the dark arcane recesses of my mind and I have no doubt that it lends to the energy I release. I don't have many store bought Tools. A table made out of a tree trunk, some simple lake rocks with pretty colors, shells, candles, old fashion candle sticks, a really cool pot belly cauldron, my tarot cards, a big circular board with a Hawk carved on it that my dad did when I was a baby which I read my tarot cards on. Then I have oils with scents that just make me feel primative and magickal. Anything that can stir that sensation in you has its place in your workings. I believe when you are working magick you are working with the universal energy, giving it form and a purpose and sending it out to do its job. It is independent from the deity but apart of it as we all are. You can choose to ask assistance from the deity or not. That is up to you. Some prefer to keep worship seperate from magickal workings. For others it depends on the intent.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

I just spoke with my father and grandfather. My father works in a bakery in maintenance so he has access to scrap metal and such; we're going to get me a peice of just plain steel and put a cutting torch to it to make it the right basic size and general shape, then it'll be up to me to file it down to the size I want.. then we'll need to find some black leather strips to make a good handle. :)

[SpiritWings]

I don't feel tools are strictly necessarry, after all some of my most fervrant communications with the goddess has been when walking in the park and the only tools I had with me were my body and mind. But I do think tools are helpful in seeting the scene and facilitating the changes in consciousness associated with walking between the worlds

Having said that I wouldn't rush out and buy lots of expensive tools. Rather collect them slowly as they come to you. Most of my tools have been "finds" at secondhand shops, or gifts from friends, or gifts from the goddess, my wand and staff are both hand carved from branches I found on the ground when walking in the park. My athame however was bought from a hardware shop. Just a plain black handled knife.

[Erincelt]

Tools are not neccesary. Period. They are useful. Period. Tools are simply an extension of the self, they represent -- outside -- what the Higher Self should be up to -- inside. They are part of a symbolic language to your Child Self. They are simply trappings for ritual, a psychodrama designed to elicit specific responses in us, mentally and emotionally, in order to affect change, spiritually.

Tools are not needed, in fact some Traditions use very few. Take the Nocturnal Tradition for example. Its followers use a candle, a knife, a cup, a bowl, and either a mirror or a black stone. In this bowl, is a clod of dirt. That's it. No more. Sometimes not even that much. Or there's the Pictish Tradition, with a staff, a knife, and a scrying lens. That's it. No more.

The point is, as you and many repliants have said, the tools are for our own interest, not that of the God/dess. The Eternal Ones don't need any help, but sometimes we do. If having trappings makes you more comfortable, then by all means! If you're find without it -- as many people become even if they begin dependant -- then go ahead and use that special personal connection. Some of us, like myself, and apparently like you, are lucky enough to begin somewhere in the middle. :)

And as for the "cross over chest thingie"... they're not the only ones that do things like that.. I've actually used the Qabalistic Light Cross Ritual myself for my more Hermetic activities.. and you'd be surprised.

Alright, that's my rant for today. Hope you enjoyed. :)

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Indeed we did, and the crowd cheers for an encore! :D

[Grey]

I use tools, but Ive never really baught any except incense, and I recieve alot of that as gifts. My athame has been around the house forever, my mom put it in the yard sale- it never sold so when she said I could have whatever I wanted it slipped in. My altar is a slab of walnut I found, I found the small crystal ball I use now and again, salt is easy enough to come by. Stones I have up the yin yang as an apprentice jeweler, I got my staff during a solitary lake-side prayer day, and my grimoire was a gift.
I think that tools often give properties to what you do- hence corespondences and such. Ive noticed that anything (except fire) tend to be amplified by my staff, fire on the other hand, along with wind is often helped by my wand. Using bits of someones hair helps if the want an enchantment. Certain animal bones, or fur will help add certain energies, not to mention herbs! IMO this is more than a physchological reaction.
Often times I dont use tools at all, except of course when using runes or candles ;). But then again I dont often call upon the divinties in my rituals, I dont like top bother them with my stuff to often, maybe the differrance is whose power are you using, yours, or the gods?

[Jeleia]

I don't usually use a lot of tools in my rituals. I don't believe they are necessary, however I do believe that they are helpful. :)

If any I may use stones, runes, tarot and/or herbs. Maybe a candle. I find that candlelite really helps me relax and it sets the mood.

I don't use an athame, a wand, or anything like that.

However a lot of my workings don't involve any of these things. I think it depends on my mood.

[Flar's Freyja]

In the process of moving, I ran across my first Athame, which I had made out of an unused vegetable knife.

I no longer need it, so I buried it under the tree in my yard where I place my sacred offerings.

The house is a mobile home and will probably be sold when my son no longer needs it. Whoever lives on that land next may have quite a few surprises if they dig around the yard :T

[Erincelt]

I just now (yes, yes, I know.. sorry!) read the bit about how you're "making" your athame from steel from your father's work... Perfect use of resources, man! ;) Seriously, sounds good. I admit that's one of the few tools I still like to have.. it just reminds me so much of when I first started, and had nothing but an athame... eventually I made a pentacle/pantacle out of wax, though. Muaha! Alright, enough of that.

[Gently Gazing Eyes]

Comforting that someone else went through a period of nothingness. I have nothing; no pentacle, no athame--diddly squat minus two. I'm very proud of myself for figuring up the idea to make an athame for myself. :)

[Lady Jade]

Great for you making your tools! I have had luck in finding my tools at flea markets, etc. Mostly I do not use tools except stones and crystals and only because they hold properties within that I cannot replicate. I practice outdoors a lot and find the world is my altar and the elements are my tools. I do keep my ritual tools for a serious celebration/request, but don't use them mostly.

Sending your energies into making your own tools is most valuable and most effective. Good for you!!!

[AstraSkye]

Originally posted by PaganInkubus

Comforting that someone else went through a period of nothingness. I have nothing; no pentacle, no athame--diddly squat minus two. I'm very proud of myself for figuring up the idea to make an athame for myself. :)

Can I join the club? ;)

I don't have any tools, except for the pentagram around my neck (which I've had for two or three weeks), my candlesticks (which I bought only a few weeks ago), and a small box with incense which I bought just last week.

;) ;) ;)