Tools Of Modern Witchcraft
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
The Altar
is the focal point of modern witchcraft. It is a structure providing a surface
upon which the remaining tools abide. Symbolically the altar represents
the “All That Is,” the canvas upon which reality is painted.
It raises the sacred objects physically above the floor as a symbol of raising
the witch’s attention of these things. Edain McCoy
writes in Entering The Summerland (1996) “The
word altar comes from the Latin altare and means ‘a
high place’ (read ‘exalted’). When placed in a religious
setting, the altar becomes a focal point for the ritual and is a resting
place for the divine forces that are being called upon and/or worshipped.”
All the objects upon the altar are representations and also channels
for the larger ideas and concepts beyond the simple objects. Because of
the belief in immanence the altar objects become sacred. They are reflections
and manifestations of the greater Divine.
Candles are the predominant item associated with witchcraft. This is one
case where the general stereotype of the public is substantiated by actual
fact. Candle use and popularity is a result of their flexibility as representational
tools. Witches use the lighting of candles as an energetic marker denoting
the presence of non-visible energies such as the higher self, elementals,
or divinities.
The flame of
the candle is a focal point upon the larger focal point of the altar. The
consciousness is invited to be opened to the possibility that the lit candle
is in fact a channel for whatever specific thing the candle has been intended
to represent. Oftentimes the wick is lit as a witch verbalizes or intends
a particular desire, willingness, or command that the continued burning
of the candle symbolically extends energetically after the invocation. This
allows the witch the freedom to move forward in thought and deed while knowing
that the intended magic within the candle continues to vibrate with consistency.
An entire system of candle magic has been created to facilitate the simple
and effective use of these devices. Specific wax colorations are used to
stand for specific ideas. In A Wisewoman’s
Guide (1996), Elisabeth Brookeoffers
the following information:
White: peace, purifying
Yellow: money, health, attraction
Orange: happiness, health
Purple: concentration
Blue: cleansing
Green: health, purifying, happiness
Pink: love, sexual attraction
Red: courage, anger, passion
Brown: to dispel sorrow, for growing plants
Black: hexing, returning bad vibes
Silver: clairvoyance, astral traveling, spell-making
Scented oils are also imbued into some candles with similar representational
correspondences. Objects may be melted into the candle, carved upon them,
or printed onto the containers holding the candle, all to facilitate the
focusing effect of the candle.
Figurines are used on the altar to represent the specific greater aspect that the figurine resembles. Divinity forms are popular choices for altar figurines; oftentimes pre-modern artistic works are replicated. Witches also create their own reinterpretations of pagan iconography. New imagery is being created by current artists, and modern witches choose from all these sources the images that call to them and with which they feel affinity. In Sacred Art, Sacred Earth (1993), Heyoka Merrifield suggests, “Throughout our human family’s history, we have used symbols to describe the transcendent powers that are part of our lives…The statues were placed on the family’s altar and they were the center of attention for honoring the powers of creation.”
Feathers oftentimes appear in a witch’s regalia. Fans made of feathers are used to create air currents, useful when directing the smoke of incense. The wind created is also used to ritually purify the aural field of a recipient. The feathers found by the witch in daily life are considered gifts of the animals and concurrently gifts of the Spirit beyond and above the simple body of a specific bird. The feathers of some species are especially treasured by some magick-users such as Eagle, Hawk, Owl, Woodpecker, Raven, Crow, Blue Jay, Hummingbird, etc. A personal relationship or affinity can be felt by the association with a feather, the bird, the species or “all those with wings” as represented by the tool of the feather.
The Chalice is one of the greater tools of witchcraft. The feminine principles both earthly and divine are symbolized by the sanctified drinking vessel. A chalice is used ritualistically and functionally. In ritual it is the icon of the Goddess, and all the aspects of the life-giving element of Water. Actual drinking from the chalice by those present at a magickal working also takes place regularly; wine, beer, juice, water or any other liquid may be passed within the chalice.
Three separate blades are used as tools in The Craft; the athame, the sword and the white handled knife. An athame is a double-edged straight knife similar to a boot knife, with a handle and occasionally a hilt. Its uses include circle casting, and circle cutting, representing the divine masculine, and acting as a challenge to initiates during rituals. The athame is also symbolic of the element Air and the processes of the mind. An athame is consecrated to do no harm as a fighting weapon, it can however be used to draw blood during advanced rituals of initiation. Additionally it may be useful when creating other magickal tools in carving sigils or runes or other symbolic etchings, and during cord cutting rituals. Generally an athame is never used for mundane purposes such as food preparation. It is, however, extensively used in food blessings. The chosen color for the handle of an athame is often black, and the acquisition of this magick blade is rarely a frivolous matter.
A
sword used in ritual is a dramatic, effective tool for affecting consciousness.
A sword being walked around the perimeter of a circle, some witches claim,
is an unsurpassed vehicle for setting a mood conducive to magickal working.
Some swords are also used in ritual battle reenactments such as the biannual
mythological meeting of the Oak and Holly Kings.
A smaller blade with utilitarian duties for witchcraft is the so-called
white handled blade. A single edged straight knife or folding knife generally
fulfills this need. While not as popular as an athame in use on an altar,
this second blade will undoubtedly find itself wielded for any number of
tasks. The handle color is arbitrary but having contrast to the athame handle
is desirable for at least simple identification purposes. Some witches will
prefer to use this blade instead of the athame for carving on other tools.
A staff lies within the working tool collection for The Craft. Generally of wood construction and a height beyond that of a simple walking stick, the staff is distinguishable from other sticks, wands, or canes. Occasionally in a purely natural state, but often decorated with iconography, its length allows a tableau for personalization. The type of wood and circumstances of acquisition are often considerations in the choosing of a staff for a witch.
In use, a staff is an energy directing and storing tool. Some uses overlap with the athame such as circle casting, allowing for variation within the structure of a pagan ritual. The staff also symbolizes Fire and willpower.
A wand is certainly an image that is synonymous with witches. The wand, like the staff, is an energy projection tool. The force of intention strengthened by the power of Will is channeled through the wand where it may be focused and amplified by the purported innate qualities of the tool. Design and material are used to manipulate the specific character of each wand. The Will and the element of Fire are symbolized by wands even more popularly than staffs.
ncense, or any material that gives off scented smoke, may be used as a tool in magick. The transformation of a solid into a vapor is considered to be a fundamental mystery, and as such is within the realm of a mystery tradition such as witchcraft. Incense symbolizes the Air element and the breath as visible prayers or spells. The smoke is used to purify people, objects and places by creating a smoke bath. It is commonly referred to as smudging.
This is a pan global practice, but modern witchcraft has doubtlessly been influenced by Native North American custom. Smudging has become beyond commonplace as a prerequisite for most magick work. There are currently scores of scented incense from around the world used by witches. Some few however are more common such as sage, dragon’s blood, and copal.
The quarter and measure are good examples of witches gaining multiple magickal uses from a simple device. Cords may be of any rope-like design: string, ribbon, and braided material are often used. The magick uses of the cord reflect similar mundane processes such as binding, cutting, and knot tying. Instilling the ritualistic and increased vibrational intention into acts such as tying knots into a sanctified cord, or cutting through it, a witch is able to effect change with a minimum of regalia. Binding and protection spells utilize cords as a physical symbol of a restraining energy, as displayed by the rope. A cord is also one focal point of a hand-fasting ceremony, with the obvious symbology of an interlacing of lives ritually demonstrated.
A measure is a special personal cord, cut and tied in relation to specific body proportions. It is often used as part of initiation into a group of witches, or coven. The measure symbolizes the person for whom it is created, and is regarded as an object to be held in the strictest of trust, either by the initiate or within the coven. As a tool it may be used while creating sacred space, casting protection or worn as an insignia.
Some of the lesser tools often found on an altar and within the practice of The Craft include the pentacle, crystals, amulets, and the chosen form of dress. The pentacle is currently a symbol of the Earth element; it consists of a five-pointed star within a circle. This design is fashioned of stone, clay, or wood and is a fraction of modern witchcraft that can be traced into antiquity. Generally associated with protection and sacred space, some believe it symbolizes the five elements in totality.
Crystals are a welcome presence in most witchy settings. Often believed to store, convey and focus energy, these minerals are used in numerous ways as facilitators of change. The New Age movement overlaps witchcraft in several ways and the modern use of crystals by magick-users is undoubtedly influenced by this.
Amulets, often incorporating crystals, are handmade objects created with intention. The force of the intention is directed into the amulet with the goal of creating a time-release energy matrix that diffuses the imbued intention gradually. This tactic allows passive involvement in an energy-working, while freeing up the caster to go about life.
The choice of dress and or costuming is also a tool of witchcraft. The influence of dress affects the subconscious into a more pliable than normal state and most pagans wear various jewelry styles for similar effect. Choice of dress is open in some traditions, prescribed in others, while some traditions of the craft choose to go without clothing at all. Rarely will one find magick-working people who do not consider this aspect to some degree important or enjoyable.
There are many a tool used in witchcraft. An excellent beginner witchcraft tool is a guide to witch craft. Most online encyclopedia provides free modern wizardry spells. Wicca has been an evolutionary belief of magic for a very long time. You will not find any information on wicca at most school.