Basic Ritual Tools

[MystIc_WolF]

Ok, people have told me what feels like a million times that tools aren't necessary for wiccan worship, and infact I agree that tools, especially ornate expensive $100 athames and the like, are totally unnecessary for practice (currently most of my practice consists of prayer, meditation, and similar practices). What my question is, is this: What would people consider the absolute basic tools needed for wiccan ritual? It seems like a chalice, athame, wand, and pentacle/offering plate (same thing possibly?) and some way to cleanse the space, like a broom or incense, would be the absolute basics. What do other people think? Are there things that are needed that I haven't listed? Are there unnecesary things that I have included?

[Ben Gruagach]

I'm going to reply but with an answer that might not be what you're looking for.

What you need to perform a Wiccan ritual (from someone who's been practicing Wicca for just over twenty years now):

- To Know: enough study to have a grasp of the mythology and symbolism you are planning to use in your ritual, to have worked out what the steps are to best achieve your goal.
- To Will: magickal and spiritual discipline honed through meditation and concentration practice.
- To Dare: the emotional drive to push your ritual and make it truly meaningful and effective.
- To Keep Silent: the wisdom to realize that if you want to hear the voice of the Divine, you have to listen for it! A ritual designed to have any sort of contact with the Divine should include a time of silent listening so that you have at least a chance to hear the things They are trying to tell us.

(Those four things are often called the four corners of the Witches' Pyramid, the Magicians' Pyramid, or the Powers or Secrets of the Sphinx.)

Wiccans also tend to try and focus a lot on balance and the four elements air, fire, water, and earth plus often a fifth element, spirit. Many Wiccan rituals are designed around recognizing and building a balance between these things, honouring them all, through symbolic actions, words, and the use of the senses to remind us of those things. Working out how to acknowledge and respect the elements in a way that is meaningful to you is more likely to be effective than just using someone else's list of correspondences and physical objects used as symbols. Use what works best for you!

The answer that is probably closer to what you're looking for would be this: look for things that you think represent the four elements best, that have a special or magickal feel for you. They can be actual tools (pens, wrenches, cups, knives, sticks, whatever) or could be natural or decorative objects (shells, stones, plants, etc.) Another example would be if you're really into herbs and gardening it might be most effective for you to work out which of your tools or plants or herbs represent the elements most effectively for you and use those as your magickal tools. Be creative!

[SylverStar]

Yeah what he said. :) I was just going to say something to represent the elements. I have a wand, insence, chalice, recorder, candles, salt, BoS, pen. Well I have a little emphasis for air that I probably should balance. I think that all elements should be represented beyond that I don't think anything else is needed. I also do spellwork without any tools, so basically if you have will and knowledge, ect. I believe thats all you really need.

[DebLipp]

Ok, people have told me what feels like a million times that tools aren't necessary for wiccan worship, and infact I agree that tools, especially ornate expensive $100 athames and the like, are totally unnecessary for practice (currently most of my practice consists of prayer, meditation, and similar practices). What my question is, is this: What would people consider the absolute basic tools needed for wiccan ritual? It seems like a chalice, athame, wand, and pentacle/offering plate (same thing possibly?) and some way to cleanse the space, like a broom or incense, would be the absolute basics. What do other people think? Are there things that are needed that I haven't listed? Are there unnecesary things that I have included?

Beyond the deeper stuff -- and I very much like what Ben Gruagach said -- here is a basic shopping list. I am working off the top of my head. I want you to know that a thorough "setting up the tools and space" section is in my book, but I'll be damned if I can find the file right now.

Athame/Cup/Pentacle/Wand. Check! These are a good basic set.
A sword is ever so nice but not necessary.
You really want to burn incense. I like burning loose incense best, so you want your basic fireproof censer and it should have a handle so you can carry it to cense shit. You also want a fireproof tile or trivet so you don't burn a hole on your altar.
Some extra dishes: One for water, one for salt, one for loose incense before you put it on the censer, one for cakes, one for pouring out libations indoors so that the offerings can be poured upon the earth later, and an ashtray. Between the incense and the dishes, you can have the four elements in your circle, and that's very important. (Air+Fire=incense+charcoal; Water+Earth=water+salt.)
Tongs for the charcoal so you don't burn your fingers, a corkscrew for the wine (I really like keeping a separate corkscrew near my ritual space rather than tearing apart the kitchen), a compass for aligning the quarters.
Altar clothes are very nice if you don't want melted wax and soot and other such on your altar.
Candleholders you obviously thought of. You also MUST have a fire extinguisher in your ritual space.
I keep a giant stuffed pillow, the kind you get at home decor stores like Pier One, under my altar for sitting on during ritual. This is definitely not a "tool" but my butt loves it.

That's a nice starter set. It won't cost you a fortune, and it will give you a real sense of 'having it together' as you start to do ritual.

[SylverStar]

just to expand I really like the salt/water fire/insence combo that Deb. describes in her book.

[Kalika]

Ultimately, you must do what feels right for you.

Personally, I do not often use tools in my workings... I able able to focus and direct my energy without the aid of these items.

The basics that I would consider the most important are candles... not necessarily by color, but having them present to represent the 4 (5)elements and the Goddess/God is important to me.

Also, the athame, chalice, pentacle, etc, do not have to be ornate, or extensively decorated tools, especially when you cannot afford them. Base materials, and less expensive materials, often work just as well as the most expensive of tools. It matters most what is in your heart, not how much cash you spend for these items.

Blessed Be.

[Ari]

Never underestimate the importance of a good pair of hiking boots. Earth-based spirituality, remember... ;)

[Cerulean]

It's a good idea to have glass containters that enclose the candles, designed for this purpose. This is for safety reasons. Otherwise I agree with Ben G. I don't use incense. I prefer not to. You do not have to have any particular thing, or group of things. As a religion that celebrates the physical plane, most of us use magick tools and like them, cause they're cool! But you need to understand that you are so much more important than thing you could ever buy!

[JWill0ws]

Ok - this may be a stupid question, but oh well - lol :ugh:

I have a - if spelled right - kioto from Japan. Looks much like a small samarai sword (size of a large dagger). As with a samarai, it is blunted on one side, and beveled/sharpened on the other. Can I use that in place of the athame? :huh:


:jamsessio - still loving this!!

[DebLipp]

Ok - this may be a stupid question, but oh well - lol :ugh:

I have a - if spelled right - kioto from Japan. Looks much like a small samarai sword (size of a large dagger). As with a samarai, it is blunted on one side, and beveled/sharpened on the other. Can I use that in place of the athame? :huh:


:jamsessio - still loving this!!
depends on the tradition. A traditional athame is straight-edged, double-bladed. But lots of people use other kinds. However, if you're looking to get into traditional practice, or if you hope to find a traditional coven, then you probably won't be able to use the blade you describe. If this is a problem for you, you should consider that.

Most people will say do as you please, and do as feels right. Do remember tho', that the symbolism of a double-edge has great power.

[JWill0ws]

Thanks Deb - I appreciate your response to my question. What does the double edge symbolize?

[Laurelei]

Interesting question. I'll write this reply to get myself thinking.

I'll make a checklist of the 'basics' and try to eliminate them.

Basic #1, Wand. Depending on the ritual, I think you can just use your finger.

Basic #2, chalice. Okay, that's hard. Nope, can't think of anything. That's a basic then.

Basic #3, Pentacle. Depends on the ritual and what it's going to be used for. I can't see why you couldn't just trace one with your finger. Such a powerful protection probably won't just dissipat because it's invisible, and we all leave psychic residue wherever we move. Okay, so that's that one slashed off the basics list :D.

Basic #4, Athame. Yet again, it depends on how it will be used in the ritual. If it will only be used for pointing at something, you could use your finger and hold a small stone that represents fire (or air, it differs in different books).

Basic #5, Incense/Candles. What will it symbolise? If it's for burning something into the air to manifest your desires, breathing out creates a similar effect. If you wan't a substitute for a coloured candle, visualise that your breath is that colour.

Basic #6, Extra dishes with salt, e.t.c. Physically, they are essential, unless you can chop so much stuff off your list that you find you've got nothing to put it on. :p

So I slashed everything except a chalice and dishes.4 out of 10 isn't bad is it?

Of course, you can visualise posh tools in the physical (they're free and as posh as you want), or go into the astral and zap with tools there, it usually works just as well as a ritual in the physical, sometimes even better. I should know. I'm still waiting for the repercussions of that banishing spell that worked too well.

[Demeter]

You need your brain and your hands. All else is window dressing. (Hell, even your hands are optional - I can cast a circle without moving a finger.)

[DebLipp]

Thanks Deb - I appreciate your response to my question. What does the double edge symbolize?
If you were to say verbally, "well, that's a two-edged sword" what would you mean? When you say "that cuts both ways" what does it mean?

An athame cuts forward and back. Anything it can do to the outside it can do to the inside; anything it does to others it can do to you. And it is straight; direct, pointed in a single direction. So when you point you point forward and direct with your will, and when you cut you cut two-edged, being a part of all the magic you do. As above so below.

That's part of it anyway.

[JWill0ws]

Got it - thanks. It makes sense. Again, you have been a great help :)