Introduction :

Finding or creating your own tools, objects and toys for use in magic can be both fun and interesting. You can work magic with anything, just by understanding the object( a leaf, a stone, a feather etc.), and what you want to invest it in. Take your time to acquire tools, it's much better if the tools find you, because this gives more meaning to their specific use. Set aside a special place in your home/living space and create an altar, you can start by setting up candles and incense. The candles should be lit when you read, and the incense when you meditate. For a more picturesque method of learning the craft, get a deck of Tarot cards, because in their non-verbal form they seem to teach a person more about the craft than any book. Though one should not discard reading books at all, as these can prove useful in getting a good knowledge of the in-depth workings of Wicca. You can find more info at the bottom of this page.

Before I mention the tools and their uses, I want you to read the following, and keep it in mind when you prepare your own tools. First and foremost, a witch needs nature, beautiful places, the sea, birds, the sky, stars that shine, night and day, the sun and moon, light and darkness. To capture the scent of the trees and flowers, to see colors changing, to sit on a mound and see the way in which a sunset changes the colors of the sky and the clouds, to see the birds flying into the fog. Everything that can be felt, sensed and lived allows powers to sink into the depths of you, and paint your soul with vivid pictures that can always be recalled. For these very reasons, Mother Earth is a witches most important tool.

And that brings me to the following...A witches tools and animals are surrounded by mystery and myths, in the olden days a witches only tool was a fire and her own special powers, but since then as time has evolved so have witches and their use of and need for tools. There are still many people who do not know about the strong Magick behind the tools, and the inner symbolism that is connected to them. To practice Wiccan Magick, you will have to acquire some of the tools mentioned below. It is a good idea to look at antique shops, second hand shops and even flea-markets. These tools are not essential in Wiccan practice, but they do enrich the rituals and are symbolic of the complex energies involved in ritual work. The tools themselves have no power, except for that which we put into them. Now, enough said, lets move onto the names and uses of the tools, in no particular order:

Names and Uses :

1. The Witches Broom: The broom is used for the magical cleansing of rooms, to remove sickness, and as general protection. It can also be used for dancing, and the cleansing of ritual places. In olden days the broom was a symbol of the union between the goddess and god. It is used in rituals to cleanse the area where the altar will be placed. Since the broom is connected with cleansing, it is represented by the element water, and is used thusly in the working of Magick, especially love Magick and divination.
2. The Wand: This is one of the most important magical tools. It has been used for centuries in Magick and religious ceremonies and rituals. The goddess and god can be invoked with a chant and a raised wand, to come and watch over a ritual. The wand is also used to project the witches energies, to draw magical symbols in the earth, or even to stir the witches cauldron. For some Wiccans, the wand symbolizes the element of air, but to others the element of fire, which is a symbol of the strength, will and magical power of the witch who possesses it.
3. The Athame: The Magick knife, spirit-blade or athame, has a long history. In Wicca it is not used as a cutting tool, but to project the witches energies, much like the wand. It is hardly ever used to invoke the goddess and god, since its main purpose is the manipulation of energy. The athame is usually blunt, and has a black handle. This is because black absorbs energy, which can be channeled at a later stage for other ritual work. Some Wiccans carve symbols into the handle of their athame's. Because the athame causes change, it is associated with the element of fire. It is used to in the casting of circles, the consecration of water and salt, and also to banish used and unwanted energies.
4. The Chalice: The chalice is like a cauldron on a foot, but is also known as a sacred cup or a goblet, it is symbolic of the goddess and fertility, and is represented by the element of water. It is often used to store water, or the ritual "wine" that is drunk after a ritual. It can be made of just about anything: silver, brass, gold, clay, crystal. The chalice is also used in the symbolic ritual of the Great Rite. Once the waters of life have been blessed during ritual, the chalice is often passed around the circle so that all may share in it.
5. The Pentacle: The pentacle is a flat disc, made of wood, metal, or even clay, which bears the witch's star or pentagram. It is used in magical ceremonies and also in spell casting. The pentagram is a five-pointed star which represents the five elements, earth, air, fire, water and spirit. It is also seen as a symbol of the perfect human being, which sees the four elements of material creation being surmounted by the fifth element of spirit which links us to the divine. Many people feel that the pentacle represents the four elements, with the practitioner, the divine, 'spirit', ether, or akasha residing above the rest as represented by the top point. This demonstrates how the Witch, or the divine within the practitioner, guides the elements or forces.
6. The Censer: The censer is used for burning incense, and essential oils/scented oils, and represents the element of air. The incense is burned during ritual as an offering to the goddess and god, and to invoke sylphs, which are the spirits of air. It is also used to create a comfortable atmosphere that has a mystical feel to it for spell casting, and for other invocations. The censer is also known as the thurbil. Just like herbs, scented oils each have their specific purpose. Oils can be used in the preparation of business letters, love letters, applications etc. Oils should be used with caution, as they may cause allergic reactions, and can thus cause a negative effect on the person at which it is aimed if he/she can't read your letter because of sneezing or watery eyes.
7. Candles: These provide atmosphere for ritual work, and represent the element fire, where different colors have different meanings. They can be used to represent the goddess and god on your altar, but can also be used in candle-magick. Candles are also used when meditating. Beeswax candles can provide one with inner peace, purity and harmony. They are used in prayers and in blessings. This type of candle can also cleanses a room and create a feeling of spirituality and a sense of religion. They are symbolic of the creative energies within us, and at the same time they deliver us from darkness by providing us with light.
8. The Altar: An altar is a place of peace. It can be a cupboard, a chest, a favorite mat or a special corner in you home. Basically, it must be a place where you can sit in peace and think, a place where you can put your candles, herbs, amulets, shells, incense, stones and sweet memories. You can decorate it with the colors of the seasons. The altar is a place of devotion, where you can put pictures of your favorite Goddess/God, or just pictures of someone you love (your boyfriend, husband, children, or even your dog). Most importantly, the altar should not be trod on, and the things that you put there are things that have a special meaning/importance in your life.
9. Salt: Salt is symbolic of Mother Earth, the physical, health, strength, happiness and living. Salt can be used for the cleansing of rooms, and in the bath.
10. The Magical Grimoire: This is also known as the book of shadows, and is essentially a notebook of sorts. It is a book where one will record recipes, personal chants, spells, ritual work, etc. The entries in the book which would normally have been written by hand, are now written on computer, and even photocopied. Some Wiccans even keep a copy of their book on their hard drive. You can use any kind of book for a B.O.S., but always remember that what you might read in somebody else's B.O.S. might not suit you as everybody has their own ideas of how magick and ritual should be performed. You should take the time to write and create your own Book of Shadows, which will contain rituals and spells that you have created, that way it will be completely yours.
11. The Cauldron: The most important tool of all, the cauldron can be any small pot, made of cast-iron, copper or bronze. It is representative of the womb Of the Mother Goddess, and is used for many different things, like the brewing of potions, holding coal or herbs, and also the burning of used amulets. The cauldron symbolizes the element water, and is also symbolic of reincarnation, immortality and inspiration. It is common to use the cauldron as a magic-mirror on the night of Samhain, after it is filled with water.
12. The Sword: Representing the element of fire and symbolizing a witches strength, the sword is often used in place of the athame when casting and uncasting a magic circle. And like the athame it can also be used to banish the elemental spirits. For orders sake it can be said that the sword is a coven tool, since it more ordinary for witches to use athame's on a regular basis.
13. The Bolline: This is also known as the white handled knife. Generally use for harvesting herbs, or other plants, but also for inscribing candles. It is also used for carving numbers, runes and other magical or astrological symbols into ones tool.
14. Robes: These can be in any shape, way or form. They can be elaborate or simple, in natural fibers or ordinary fabric of your choice. It is generally preferred to have black robes as these will absorb energy, and make the working of magic better.
15. Bowls:Bowls are representative of the element of earth, and are used to hold salt and water. They are generally used for purification purposes, and when consecrating tools.
16. The Bell: The bell is often used to signal the start and the end of a ritual or Sabbat. It can also be used to summon a specific deity or spirit, and also to awaken coven members from meditation. It symbolizes the feminine aspect of Wicca.
17. The Chord: The chord is worn around the waist of the witch, to indicate that he/she is bound to the Goddess and God. It can be used in binding and releasing magic. In some traditions the chords color indicates the level of the witch wearing it.

Recommended Reading :

On this page I have compiled a list of the books that I own, and the ones marked with a star are the ones that I believe should be recommended to everyone. I will list them categorically:

Wicca & Witchcraft:	Magic & Gardening:
The Truimph of the Moon - Ronald Hutton *	Wicca Garden - Gerina Dunwich
Scottish Witchcraft - Raymond Buckland	Bud, Blossom & Leaf - Dorothy Morrison
In the Shadow of the Shaman - Amber Wolfe	Elemental Power - Amber Wolfe
The Silver Wheel - Marguerite Elsbeth & Kenneth Johnson	Ariadne's Thread - Shekhinah Mountainwater
Origins of Modern Witchcraft - Ann Moura *	To Light a Sacred Flame - Silver Ravenwolf
Wild Witchcraft - Marian Green *	Magick in Theory & Practise - Aleister Crowley
Natural Witchcraft - Marian Green *	Wicca Craft - Gerina Dunwich
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft - Raymond Buckland	Magick Potions - Gerina Dunwich
To Ride a Silver Broomstick - Silver Ravenwolf	Wicca Candle Magick - Gerina Dunwich
Wicca - Vivianne Crowley *	Making Magick - Edain McCoy *
The Witches Craft - Raven Grimassi *
Living Wicca - Scott Cunningham *	Divination etc:
The Earth Path - Starhawk *	Tarot - Evelyne and Terry Donaldson
Paganism - Vivianne Crowley *	The Book of Chakra Healing - Liz Simpson
The Practise of Witchcraft Today - Robin Skelton	A Wiccan's Guide to Prophecy & Divination - Gerina Dunwich
Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham *	Meditation - Christina Feldman
Wicca Unveiled - J. Philip Rhodes

Some General topic links :

• Morgana's Observatory
• Aeclectic Net
• Wicca at start4all.com

Pagan/Wicca links :

• Darkfaerie's Coven
• Witchcraft & Magic

Traditions :

• The Faery Tradition
• The Correllian Nativist Tradition

Associations :

Here is a collection of pagan associations that I proudly support. They are associations which I have found extremely helpful in my studies of Wicca since I started out in 1996.