Tools

[Lacuna]

Hello everyone! First, a little background on myself. I have been Pagan for about 8 years, mostly eclectic. I do not follow a particular path. For my World Religions class I am working on a presentation on the tools of Wiccans. Being that I am not Wiccan, I am getting a little confused since there seems to be such flowover from one Pagan religion to the next. I have read various lists, but there seem to be so many things on those lists that I do not feel all are absolutely necessary. I do not use many "tools" myself, but would like to ask what kinds of tools you each find helpful or important and use often.

Thanks a lot!

[Astara Moon]

Blessings -

It's important to know that there are a variety of "working tools" found in Wicca. The tools used in making magick hold no inherent power within themselves, but focus and refine the power within each of us.

The tools I use act as more of a visual aid to help in contacting the subconscious mind and persuading it to work the magick desired. The success of magick is in the belief, emotion and discipline you bring to the ritual, not in the tools you use.

Here are some of my tools:
Altar
Athame (represent fire)
Wand (cast my circle)
pentacle wreath (represent earth)
stones (represent earth)
shell (represent water)
insense burner (represent air)
chalice
gold candle - represent God
silver candle - represent the Goddess

[Lacuna]

Thank you Astara Moon! That is exactly the point I would like to present in my presentation. Thank you so much for your list, it will be very helpful.

[Romani Vixen]

Candles... and more candles...
insence

[Celtique]

I don't have the cash flow to supply myself with a lot of the tools I might like to have, so I can identify. To me...it's all about mindset, attitude, and environment. One of the basic rules of Wicca is to find what works for you, feels right to you, makes you feel at home and connected.

Candles and incense are a HUGE favorite of mine. They don't have to be anything special.
I don't have an alter as of yet. I have some random pieces, but nothing complete. I'm working on it, very slowly. So when I need to meditate, pray, think, chant...etc...I simply set a special rug on the floor in my bedroom and place a small cirlce of candles around it. I light the incense, the candles, and play some music that helps me slip into a meditative state. Sometimes I use a small bowl to hold water...but not always.

Really, when you begin, it's all about what puts you in a state of mind where you are ready to recieve or send energies. Don't be afraid if something doesn't feel right to you when it does to someone else. Each of us finds our own way...good luck!

[Faeawyn]

Here is a list of things that are most often found in a witch's magick cabinet. This is not all the things that one may have nor is it a list of "must haves" although there are a few that are.

Pentacle/Pentagram
Athame
Wand
Chalice
Cauldron
Book of Shadows
Herbs
Candles
Incense
Tarot cards
Runes
Incense Burner
Altar Cloths
Amulets
bell
bowls
robes
compass
crystals and gems
divation tools
earth
feathers
glass jars
holy water and oil
lighters/matches
magick mirror
mortar and pestle
music
oils
parchment
pens
dragons blood ink
pendulum
knife
pouches
sea salt
statues
wooden boxes
string
talismans
Scrying bowl
Fresh Spring water
Flowers(dries or fresh)

[Pip_Sensei]

Remember to give credit to the Catholics who originaly used half of Wiccas tools.

[mucgwyrt]

My tools are a little more basic, I dont feel the need for the pomp that Gardner favoured so much.
I use...
Candles - various colours, white if I run out. I favour the solid colour candles, but as they're so expensive compared to the white-dip candles, they're a rare treat!
a penknife which I decorated myself, for collecting herbs etc.
a wand of hazel, which is undecorated & complete with bark.
an incense dish, handmade from red clay
incense, loose herbs which I dry myself for the most part, others are bought.
My grimoir/BOS - to remember all that I do and all that I know.
and my one downfall, my obsidian scrying ball which I just couldn't resist :lol:

When circle casting, earth/north is a piece of wood, air/east is incese, fire/south is a candle, water/west is a cup of rainwater. I don;t observe the 5th 'spirit' which some wiccans do, but I sit at the centre as a symbol of the unity of the elements creating consciousness within me :)

[RubyRose]

Tools I have at present:

athame
wand
incense/oils
candles
tarot cards
runes
crystals
pentacle

[DarkSidhe]

I'm not Wiccan, but I'll give you my list, I guess to compare...

I have a portable altar, that I hand painted myself (silver pentagram in center and other symbols).
I use both an Athame, and a sword.
I don't have a wand, but use a short walking staff made of ash.
I use a 3qt. beaten copper cauldren (I picked up from goodwill).
A brass bell.
Incense burners.
I buy as many candles as I can when they're on sale (black candles get really cheap right after Samhain).
My BOS.
Various stones that wanted me to have them.
A BIC lighter.
Self-made runestones.
And a good-sized, round, black tablecloth.
A ceramic chalice.
And a few other misc components from here and there.

[Faeawyn]

I am addicted to tools and magickal items. If I see it, I have to have it....its a sickness :lol:

[9-2-2]

This may sound harsh, but tools to me are nothing more than toys that are pretty to look at, or a crutch that needs to be grown from. I do, however, use two, and one I am slowly growing out of. I use tarot for divination, though I'm getting into mental scrying from an instant (though it's choppy at best). My second is my BOS, which I find very inseperable from myself, based on the fact that I have the memory of an Alzheimer's patient. :) But with mind magick, I'm slowly repairing that problem.

I started without tools due to money issues, and I'm glad. My friends started with them, and once they left, it's difficult for them to work magick. I'm all for magick without crutches.

[Faeawyn]

I don't look at my tools as a crutch. They just set the mood for me to prepare for a ritual. Plus...I just love the stuff....I love the feel of them, and especially the smell....ahhh...the smell of herbs and oils...nothing better. I love the vibrations.....I am perfectly comfortable performing a simple spell without any tools...but simply choose to enjoy them :)

[mucgwyrt]

I don't look at my tools as a crutch. They just set the mood for me to prepare for a ritual. Plus...I just love the stuff....I love the feel of them, and especially the smell....ahhh...the smell of herbs and oils...nothing better. I love the vibrations.....I am perfectly comfortable performing a simple spell without any tools...but simply choose to enjoy them :)
I second that, though I understand what 9-2-2 means :)

[Astara Moon]

I agree with you Faeawyn - I don't need my tools - I just love my tools. But if I'm creating space in a public place - let's say full moon ritual at the beach - I don't need any tools to create my space - everything I need is in my heart - and that is Wicca to me.

Blessings
AM