TOOLS and Their Terms!

Pentacle The pentacle is probably the most important symbol in witchcraft. It is a five pointed star with a single point facing upright. A written or drawn pentacle is a pentagram. In rituals and magic the pentacle is a round disk of earthenware, wax, silver, or clay A disk or platter, symbolic of the solidity and endurance of earth. Many pagans and witches use a wooden platter as the pentacle, emphasizing its use as the sustaining principle to hold food, usually bread, cakes or fruit. Used to ground energy and sometimes

In rituals, and when working magic, Witches use various kinds of tools from beautiful, elaborate equipment,to 1 of a kind handmade tools. All the elements are usually represented on the alter along with the Goddess and God. Witches use an alter that may be quite large and elaborate or some just may prefer a simple cloth laid on the ground or a convenient flat stone in a sacred place. It is nice to decorate your Alter with flowers or herbs based on each Sabbat or Ritual. The Pentacle on the center of the Alter is a necessary item for most Witches. I must have mine always there. if inside or under a perfect tree I hang my pendulum over the pentacle. I have a beautiful all wood alter. It also has a stand to carry it around. Inside it has a specific areas for my oils etc. I prefer when I’m outside though to use the alter my daughter Tranquil Moon Dancer has set up. It is larger plus it is that I’m prejudice and love her so much that I just have to use it since she prepared it. Call me sentimental if you will. I unfortunately don’t have much room between me and my neighbors but I still go out there. You should see them looking out the window when we go out there in our black robes and start our rituals. I just laugh and hope they enjoy gossiping in their little sewing circle. I do have a fence but neighborhood rules are it can’t be higher than 4 foot. So this year we are going to put up folding up lock in place walls. This way it is a 4 foot fence anytime but during the rituals I can have it 6 feet tall. I guess what I’m getting at is do whatever you have to be happy in your place of peace for your rituals.

Earth~~~Is usually represented by a Pentacle - (a disk with magical symbols) Pentacles are usually made of wood, brass or slate. The pentacle is sometimes used to distribute ritual cakes. A dish of salt or earth can also be used to represent the element of Earth. Air~~~Is represented by the smoke from a censer or a burning incense. Feathers or a bell are also used to represent Air. Fire~~~ A candle or lantern on the alter will represent the element. It is also good to have a log when circumstances permit. Water~~~A bowl or cauldron of fresh water represents this element.

Athame

The ATHAME represents the power of the mind.A black handled knife double sided blade. They are not for use for cutting as it is never used to cut anything on the physical plane therefore the blade is usually dull.!The knife also represents the God and male energy.Ah-THAM-ee ATH-ah-may ah-THAW-may.

Automatic Writing

Form of divination where the channeler uses a pen, paper and an altered state of consciousness to receive messages.

Bells

Often used as ritual tools. They can be used to invoke directional energies, to ring in the sunrise on a Sabbat, or to frighten away faeries and baneful spirits. Can also represents the Vault of other realms, and the chime suggests purity.

Besom

A bundle of twigs attached to a handle used to cleanse and purify sacred space. Essentially a witch's broomstick. The besom is used to sweep the circle, to keep places clean. Also a symbol of the union of the Goddess and God as the Her yoni (the brush) and his Lingam (the rod). Represents spirit flight. Traditionally was placed over threshold or across a window to ward of mischievous spirits.

Book of Shadows

A term coined by Aleister Crowley for a book of rituals, recipes, journal entries, laws/rules, and other documents important to a witch or coven. Each Book of Shadows is different as the individual decides what is necessary for their book. Also known as a BoS.

Bolline

A white handled knife, used in magick and ritual for purposes such as cutting herbs or piercing fruit.

Cauldron

- Linked to witchcraft in the popular mind, it is feminine symbol of the goddess, as well as life, death, and rebirth.As a combination of all the elements, the cauldron also represents spirit, as the place from which the elements are formed and to which they eventually return. It is the source of wisdom. Usually made of black cast iron. Can be used for herbs, cooking, holding the candle as to represent fire in center of circle or square. Candles do melt in them and I have found hurt the cast iron.

Censer

A heatproof container in which incense is burned. It is associated with the element air. Often a censer is used during ritual to "cleanse" an area, generally by moving the censer around the area and especially around the circle as a means of purification.

Chalice/Horn

A ritual tool. A feminine symbol of the element water. This is used during ritual to be passed around, so that everyone in the coven may bring the Goddess "into" himself or herself.Holds the wine, water or appropriate sacrament. Symbolic of the womb of the mother, and of the receptive principal. May also be used for scrying in.

Chaplet

A crown for the head usually made of flowers and worn at Beltane.

Charms

Either an amulet or talisman that has been charmed by saying an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a specific task.

Incense

Ritual burning of herbs, oils, or other aromatic items to scent the air during acts of magick and ritual and to better help the witch attune to the goal of the working. Many use incenses according to the magick they would like to perform. Such as a Green incense like Pine , as green represents money.

Pendulum

A divinatory device consisting of a string attached to a heavy object, such as a quartz crystal, root, or ring. The free end of the string is held in the hand, the elbows steadied against a flat surface, and a question is asked. The movement of the heavy object's swings determines the answer. It is a tool that contacts the psychic mind.

Pentacle

A circle surrounding a five pointed, upright star (pentagram). Worn as a symbol of a Witch's beliefs.

Pentagram

The basic interlaces five pointed star, often with one point up. It represents the five elements - Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. It is a symbol of power and protection. The point of spirit is placed above others to symbolize that the spirit resides above the body. Many traditions hold that the inverted pentagram, the physical above the spiritual, symbolizes the second degree of learning

Poppets

Anthropomorphic dolls used to represent certain human beings in magick spells.

Runes

A set of symbols used both in divination and magickal work. There are several types with different origins- Scandinavian, Norse, Germanic, Wiccan. All are a form of alphabet.

Scrying

A method of divination. To gaze at or into an object (a quartz crystal sphere, a pool of water, reflections, a candle flame) to still the conscious mind in order to contact the psychic mind. Scrying allows the scryer to become aware of events prior to their actual occurrence, as well as to perceive past or present events through other than the normal five senses.

Sword

Associated with the element fire, it is sometime used for casting the circle.

Staff

Ritual tool that corresponds to the wand or athame.

Talisman

A magickally charged object used to attract or repel a specific type of energy or thing.

Tarot Cards

Set of cards (usually 78) which feature pictures and symbols used to connect the diviner with the collective unconscious. Comes in many sizes and styles.

Wand

A tool in magick that resembles a rod and is used to direct energy towards a goal,was brought to the craft from the workings of ritual magick. Wands of various woods have different magical qualities

Main source of Definitions on Definitions page and tools page is from The Occult Glossary, and my own knowledge.

Divination Tools