CONCERNING TOOLS ~FD~ FIRST----I want it to be known that it is my personal opinion that tools are not of a major priority in this religion. I grant you that tools do add to the ritual or spell, but they do not make the magick. I personally feel that too much importance is placed on things that dont make the religion the beautiful thing that it is. Please remember also that this is a NATURE RELIGION! Tools and accessories only add to this religion; they enhance your personal energies and that of the world around you. I said enhance, not create. For true magick comes form within...AND is granted form the deities. *************************************************************** Athame This is probably one if not the most, misunderstood tool of the craft. The athame is a knife, a doubled edge knife. But for most atham? both edges are dull, not sharp. You see the athame is a knife used on the astral level not on the physical level. The athame is used to help create your magick circle, or to symbolize the union of the God and Goddess when plunged in to the chalice. It is used to direct energy that has been raised, or cut a door way when needed. But it is not a knife to be used for cutting anything. Your athame will probably not be one of the first tools you acquire. I had been practicing for a few years before I found an athame that really felt right to me. And yes, I did buy my athame, but I have made it mine. You can do this by carving symbols or runes or names on it. Or just by wear on it. But dont run out and get the first black handled knife you find, please find tools that truly feel good and right for and to you. ============================================================================== Witches Tools ?2001 Cerelia and Eileen Holland Ritual and tools are very important to a beginner. That is where it all starts. Many Witches continue using ritual, but after a certain time, some Witches become adept enough that ritual is used only because it is enjoyed. It doesnt make you any less of a Witch if you decide not to use tools or elaborate rituals. The magic is not in the ritual, it is in the Witch. - Cerelia WHAT TOOLS DO WE NEED? Some Witches are very adept. They take to magic quickly, without the help of tools. Tools are just that, helpers. They help focus and are enjoyable, especially to a Coven or other group of Witches working together. We always try to assure new Witches that although tools help and aid you, they are not necessary. They are excellent for training a new mind in magic. That is their purpose. After that, when one becomes more adept, you choose when and if you want to use them. After one becomes adept, tools are used mostly because they are enjoyed. - Cerelia You only need whatever tools you feel you need. The magic is in the Witch, not the spells or tools or candles. Some Witches work without any tools at all. Tools are not needed to worship, to commune with the God/dess, or even to work magic. This is a personal choice. I still dont have a cauldron, and still use an old bronze letter opener for an athame, but I love incense and have several censers. Tools come when you need them. - Eileen Intent! Nothing to be scared about. As we have said many times, tools are great, especially to get started with, but some Witches are naturally adept. Other Witches, after a long time, are able to do their magic quickly, by only thinking about it. If you plan it and think about it for a day, you are actually doing the ritual as you think about it. Intent, that is the magic. Not the tools. - Cerelia Props are optional. We use candles and things because we like them, rather than because we need them. Props aid focus, thats all. - Eileen IF TOOLS ARE NOT THE IMPORTANT PART OF MAGIC, WHAT IS? My favorite word... INTENT! It wouldnt matter if you had five of every tool imaginable. Without INTENT, they are all powerless. They serve a great purpose for a new Witch though, to help train and focus your mind through ritual. The magic is in the intent, not in the tools. Some Witches never even have to pick one up. - Cerelia HOW DO WE ACQUIRE TOOLS? Use what you have, or no tools at all, or acquire fancy ones when you are able to. I still use a goblet from the kitchen for a chalice. Tools are just props, not that important in spellwork. - Eileen WHAT DO I DO IF I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY TOOLS? You dont actually need any tools at all, but they can be easily acquired right in your own kitchen. ************************************************************* Athame: got a fancy cake server, or letter opener? Chalice: use any goblet. Cauldron: a big old cast iron pot will work great, and any stock pot will do. Censer: use a pot of dirt. Wand: get a tree branch, or a piece of driftwood. Pentacle: draw it on paper. Book of Shadows: any blank book will do. ************************************************************ Use what you have around you, then trade up to fancier tools if you feel you still want them later on. In terms of other magical supplies, I often say that a Witch can accomplish almost every imaginable type of working with a basic kit of white candles, sandalwood incense, an amethyst, and some rosemary. The tools are fun, but theyre only props. Being a Witch doesnt take money, it takes time and dedication to the path. There are many traditions and many superstitions about tools. I think its fine to acquire them however they come to you, and see nothing wrong with buying them. - Eileen CAN I USE A BRANCH THAT I FOUND FOR A WAND? Thats exactly what Witches mean when they say that tools find you when you need them. - Eileen DOES A WAND HAVE TO BE STRAIGHT? Druids sometimes used a curving yew rod hung with tinkling bells, and ur hekau (the mighty one of enchantments), the Egyptian wand, was curved at the end where the rams head was. - Eileen WHAT IF I HAVE TO HIDE MY TOOLS? Athames and swords can look scary to people who dont understand their purpose. A letter opener athame could hide in plain sight though. - Eileen WHAT IS A PENTACLE USED FOR? It is a Witchs symbol of protection, and is very powerful. Placed on your altar, it can also be used in the magic you may be doing. You can also use t in meditation practices. - Cerelia WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PENTACLE AND PENTAGRAM? One way of remembering is that a pentagram is drawn. A pentacle is the same symbol, but it is called a pentacle when it is a round disk, which is inscribed with the pentagram. For example, on a necklace it is called a pentacle. - Cerelia
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 06:21:38 +0000
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