Tools

Tools of Wiccan Craft

Before I start with the list, I want to talk a bit about the nature of tools and their energies. Tools can either be active or passive. This refers in part to Elemental associations. Active tools (athame and wand, for example) are associated with the active Elements of Air and Fire. These Elements are active because they are changing and dynamic, charged up and forceful. The passive Elements are then Earth and Water, because they are more mutable and slow in their changes and how they change other things, so their tools (pentacle, cup. cualdron, etc.) are also considered passive.

Additionally, the God's energy is said to be active, partly because Air and Fire are considered His Elements. Likewise, Goddess energy is passive, so Earth and Water are Hers. This is because the God is seen as being more headstrong and vivacious, while the Goddess has more patience and steadfastness. It does NOT mean that the Goddess (or women in general) is a doormat or utterly unconfrontational. It is simply describing the general nature of Her/their energies as understood and utilized in Wiccan context.

Another way to think of these energies and Elements is as receptive and directive/projective. The wand and athame are used to direct energy, while the pentacle and cup are used to receive it.

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Altar and altar cloth - the altar is generally a low table or other flat surface on which other tools are placed during ritual. There is usually a prescribed setting, “a place for everything, and everything in its place,” but these placements vary according to the nature of the practitioner (Traditional vs. Eclectic, group work vs. personal, etc.) and, occasionally, of the rite itself. The altar cloth then is simply a cloth draped over the altar to protect the surface from ash, water, and candle drippings. The color is often determined by the rite and/or season, and it is often preferable that the cloth be of natural materials.

Athame - personal knife, traditionally with a double-edged stainless steel blade and a black wooden handle. In some Traditional settings, initiates’ athames have specific symbols inscribed on their handles, the meanings of which are oathbound. General appearance otherwise is very much left up to the individual. The athame is used for saluting and directing energy (such as calling the Quarters) and leaving the circle if necessary, never for physically cutting. It is considered a masculine tool, one ruled by the God, but varies between persons/groups/Traditions as to whether it represents Fire or Air, but is nonetheless directive in its energies. The two sides of the blade represent the union of duality between God and Goddess, light and dark, hexing and healing, etc., and that a Witch walks in neither extreme, but in balance.

Bell - rung to indicate intervals between parts of the rite. Seen as a masculine tool.

Book of Shadows - in Traditional paths, this is the collection of ritual scripts, instructions, lore, and spells that are considered to make up the Tradition’s core practice. Added to it can be poetry, commentary, and other materials, but nothing is ever supposed to be subtracted. This volume (or volumes, depending on the number of additions) is not revealed until after initiation, and some Traditions hold that it must be copied at least in part by hand. In a personal sense, it is also such a collection that may or may not be shared with others at the individual’s discretion, but is more prone to changes as the individual’s learnings, preferences, and needs of their path progress. Sometimes this more personal version is instead called a grimiore (roughly pronounced grim-mwore or grim-mwaar).

Candles - lit to honor, represent, and invoke the Elements and the God and Goddess, and simply for illumination. Also a symbol of the masculine Fire Element and therefore projective.

Cauldron - a symbol of the Goddess’ womb and a representation of the Water Element, and thus feminine and receptive in nature. It is used to hold either liquid or fire, depending on the rite’s purpose. In less ritualized matters, in can be used to cook herbal brews for Magickal purposes, but in some cases the “cooking cauldron” is a different one than the “ritual cauldron,” depending on the practitioner’s path and preference.

Cup - each participant has their own cup (often a goblet or chalice) for sharing in Cakes and Wine, and the Priestess' is placed on the altar during ritual and is the specific vessel used in the Cakes and Wine rite. Like the cauldron, this tool is feminine, receptive, and represents the Element of Water, and thus the Goddess.

Incense - used not only to "set the mood" for a ritual, but also to represent the active masculine Elements of Air and Fire, and to cleanse and consecrate the circle and its participants.

Names - many ritual participants choose a special name to go by within sacred space. These names can come from a variety of inspirations, and while not always permanent choices, are meant to be personally meaningful and to facilitate the change of mindset necessary for ritual/Magickal workings.

Necklace - women are asked to wear an unbroken (meaning no charms, and if possible, no clasps) necklace of stones or beads (preferably of natural materials) in ritual. This symbolizes the eternal cycle of life that the Goddess is seen as ruling. If men so choose, they may wear such a necklace as well. Other jewelry is allowed or not at the discretion of the group/ritual leaders.

Robe - while some Traditions do practice skyclad (that is, in the nude, “clad only by the sky”), non-initiate workings are generally done robed. This change of clothing is meant to facilitate the change of mindset necessary for ritual and Magick, much like the aforementioned name change. Some groups have guidelines on the color and style of robes, others do not.

Salt/Water - representatives of the receptive feminine Elements of Earth and Water, and when combined are also used in consecrations and cleansing.

Statue - often times, a statue (or statues) is placed on the altar as a representation of Deity.

Wand - a length of (usually) wood and another tool for directing energy. Often used in invoking/channeling rites, and sometimes used to draw the circle. Another directive masculine tool and the other side of the Air/Fire dispute with the athame. Variations exist on standards for length, materials, and adornments.