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Ritual Tools
Before we start on Ritual Tools we should recap briefly on Wicca itself.
Wicca is a pagan earth based religion centering around nature as seen in the Goddess and God and within ourselves.
Not all Wiccans are Witches and not all Witches are Wiccan.
Wicca is one of the fastest growing religions today. It is a religion that encompasses magic and spirituality.
We celebrate the 8 seasonal Sabbats and the Full Moon Esbats each year.
The following is the Wiccan Rede, the law by which all Wiccans practice, the bottom line, “AN IT HARM NONE, DO WHAT YOU WILL”
THE WICCAN REDE
Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must
in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live –
fairly take and fairly give.
Soft of eye and light of touch –
speak little, listen much.
Merry meet and merry part –
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law ye should –
three times bad and three times good.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfil,
an it harm none, do what ye will.
RITUAL TOOLS
To be a Wiccan all you need is yourself. However, Tools help us to focus our energy to where it is needed. They can be made or bought. Bought items should have something that you add yourself to bind you to them.
The Athame
This is a black handled knife and is used to direct energy. It is used to cast a circle during ritual. It is only used within the circle and is not used for cutting. It can be personalized by engraving magical symbols on the hilt (handle)
The Athame is associated with the element of fire.
The Sword
The Sword has the same uses as the athame. It is not commonly used during circle because of its size. Some covens will own a sword and is generally only used by the High Priest or High Pristess.
The Sword as with the Athame is associated with the element of fire.
The Boline
The Boline is a white handled knife used for preparing (cutting) items such as herbs , for carving sigils into candles and other items used in ritual. It too is generally used within circle
The Wand
The wand is a very personal tool and is generally handmade however there are quite a number of wands now available for purchase. The handmade wand can be a branch from a tree or even a dowel from the hardware shop. The length is generally from elbow to fingertips and can be decorated with crystals, feathers copper wire or anything else that you feel makes it.
The Wand is used to direct energy and is associated with the element of Air.
The Censer
The Censer is used to burn incense during ritual. It can be any heatproof container. There are many varieties some brass with handles or chains or even a bowl filled with sand. Incense is used to cleanse the ritual area, tools and even people. It is also used to invite deity. Incense can be in the form of loose herbs, cones or sticks.
The Censer is associated with the element of Air.
The Pentagram
The pentagram is a five pointed star which symbolizes the 5 elements, Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Spirit. It is often worn as a symbol of protection. The Pentacle is a pentagram with a circle around it. It sits on the altar
The pentagram is associated with the Element of Earth
Ritual Tools will be continued in the next edition. For Further Reading we recommend the following books and websites used as a resource for this article.
Wicca – A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Solitary Witch by Silver Ravenwolf
Ozwicca (Enchanted Earth website)
Shadows Of Oz (Website of Lunar Storm)
Recommended Reading:
To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf
Living Wicca – A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
If you would like to purchase the books please contact Nina and they can be ordered in for you.
Blessed Be