For the new witches, or witches seeking further education into their practice, here are some essential tools you should acquire in your home.ย
This is a place to do magickal work on for the new or already established witch. Charms or objects that speak to you should be on your alter. A large extravagant alter is not needed. You can use a shelf or tabletop. If you are born under a fire or earth sign, you may prefer to do your alter on natural wood. If you would rather cover your altar-top with cloth, lavender or deep purple are wonderful colors to decorate with, the most positive color to attract spiritual fulfillment. Chakra balancing and healing thus creating a perfect mood for magick is also associated with the purple hues. Placing your cloth on the floor for quick ritual access can also be done if youโre traveling or more discreet about your practice.ย
Leannaโs Tip: โIf an itemโs position on the alter is not specified in the following list, then just placed it in a spot you feel comfortable with. Except for certain items, modern Wicca is quite flexible about the arrangement of tools on the altarโ (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย ย ย
This is a very essential item a witch can use when casting spells. The five-pointed star, or pentacle/pentagram, is believed to date back are than five thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a powerful and positive symbol for many religions throughout history, as well as alchemy.ย The symbol was worn as an amulet in pagan times for spiritual protection and to ensure a safe, happy homecoming.ย
The five points of the start represent the five elements (moving in clockwise direction):
Spirit (the top most point)
If you turn the pentacle upside down, it assumes the shape of a goat, symbolizing the horned got of some neo-pagan faiths. Westernization has made the upside down pentacle into some sort of tan and devil worship. Sensationalized in horror movies and the adoption of the upside down pentacle in darker magick has also given it a bad name.ย
However, many witches that want to practice purely white magick will use the pentacle in its upright position to where the starโs image itself represents a person; head, two arms, two legs. It is normally worn on a necklace in this day and age.ย
When casting spells, have the pentacle on yourself or your altar. You can also draw the pentagram symbol. But whatever you choose, place the pentacle in the center of your altar and arrange the other items around it. The size of your pentacle does not matter.ย
Steps to take for your pentacle:
Charge it either by cleanse and blessing or leave it outside during a full moon. ย
Place your charged pentacle in the center of the altar to ward off negativity and protectย
(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014)
The representative of elements fire and air, most spells will include one candle or many candles. Always have a selection of colors at hand. The traditional candle to have is one white one on the altar to neutralize the energies. The best place to put this candle is near the back of the altar. No need to inscribe or anoint this candle, but bless it with water is advised.ย
To bless with water, dip your fingers in some bottled water and run them over the candle while sayingย โthis candle is now cleansed and blessed.โ Dry it with paper towels.
(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
When a spell is in progress, one must always burn incense! The magickal properties help create an atmosphere that is perfect and spell potency-boosting. There are many varieties of incense to choose from, but here are a few with their benefits and properties:
Basil: A very aromatic smell used for attracting wealth and prosperity and in fertility rituals.ย
Eucalyptus: This will center and balance emotions. It is also an excellent in helping you make decisions.ย
Frankincense: A spiritual disinfectant that is wonderful if anyone in the family has a cold, as well as any health spells.ย
Opium: Sleep-induction and invigoration of psychic senses. Light about an hour before bed to sleep deeply.ย
Sage: Used as a smudging stick or can be burned as incense. To cleanse the space in prep for a spell, burn sage. It is an automatic negative energy dispeller and gets the bad vibes out.ย
Sandalwood: Warm, gentle and woody that relaxes and eases distress.ย
Ylang-ylang: Enhances any love spell and attracts new love, harmonizing marriages and healing impotency problems.ย
(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
For natural earth elemental symbols upon your alter, one should have these substances to bring balance and harmony to the work space. A small bowl or eggcup of garden soil should sit on one side of the pentagram. The water can be in a similar container sitting on the other side of the pentagramย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
Salt is a wonderful source of protection and can be used in a lot of banishment spells of anything evil. Sprinkle a little sea salt over the altar cloth or put some on the altar in a small bowl (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
Symbolizes fertility, once represented theย womb of the Goddess. The base of the vessel signified our world as we know it and the stem suggests rapport between humans and spirits. Filling it with magickal water and keeping it on the altar can be helpful.ย
Used for making infusions and potions. If your spell calls for burning herbs, the cauldron can be a useful object since it is usually fashioned from copper or cast iron.ย
Banishment spells call for bell-use the most. However, you can use a bell to indicate that a spell is about to begin, or to get rid of any unwanted vibrations. It can help settle the atmosphere for calm feelings again.ย
This is also known as a ceremonial knife. Black handled, with a double-edged blade, it is an ancient tool that isnโt used on many altars today. Some witches will use an athame to inscribe their candles or cast a magickal circle around the altar before spell commencing.ย
โTo cast a magickal circle, hold the knife in your right hand and draw a circle clockwise over the altar, a few inches above the items on it. The athame works by conducting your powers through it, and it is to be used only for magikal purposesโย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
Traditionally, these are crafted from wood of the willow, elder, apple, or cherry tree. You can buy wands many places, but it is recommended that you make yours yourself sincerely the magick is channeled into it by its maker. If you decide to make a wand yourself, you can use any tree branch you feel an affinity for. Always thank the tree for sharing its wood with you after.ย
The length of the wand should measure from your elbow to the top of your index finger. Designs on the wood are welcome as well as painting it; decorate your wand however you like. You can charge your wand the same way you would a pentagram.ย
For casting a spell, the wand is used as ย summoning tool and also to bless and charge certain objects. Before your ritual begins, touch each object on your altar with the end of your wand to transfer the natural earth energy to the items, adding a little extra magick.ย
โSome witches like toย โdraw down the moonโ prior to casting a spell. This is a very old tradition that involves standing outside during a full moon phase and pointing the wand at the moon. It is thought that the moonโs power charges the wand, making its magick more powerfulโย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
The round-bottom of the broomstick, or besom, is most commonly associated with fertility, long used by female witches in fertility rituals and to sweep away negativity. The sweep, or brush part, is associated with female genetalia, and the staff is associated with the male phallus. Therefore, the broomstick is a symbol of the male and female combined. Besoms were often propped near the hearth of a witchโs home to keep evil energy from entering through the chimneyย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
These beautiful rocks possess a pure, natural magick. Keeping some on your altar for their specific magickal purposes is recommended. Charge your gems and crystals in the full moon regularly (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย ย
Most spells invoke angelic energy, therefore use of feathers is common and called for. Place a selection of feathers on your altar to entice the angels to visit. Color coordination is okay in the practice with the candles youโre using. You can also use white for purity and peaceย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
The Book of Shadows is a journal/diary for witches to keep close-by for jotting things down or spells down. Any type of notebook can be used, but because this is very private it is recommended to get something fancy or something that locks. When you cast a spell, write down the details of the ritual such as the date, the ingredients used, and the phase of the moon. Leave a place to record the results underneath somewhere. This is a wonderful way to pass down spells to your familyย (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).ย
Robbins, Shawn, and Greenaway, Leanna. Wiccapedia. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2014. Print.