In the past few weeks, many have wrote in to me asking questions about certain tools that are used by witches, High Priestess', etc. and the role these tools play when doing rituals and prayers. So, let me touch on a bit of that. Below you will find a list of items and hopefully this will anwser some of those questions.
Tools of the Craft - Bell
The bell can be used to represent male and female. The Outer shell of the bell would represent the female while the hammer/clapper represents the male. Bells can be used to mark the time, to purify the air of unwanted influences, aid in the calling of spirits or help create an altered state of consciousness.
Bell Folklore
In Europe, the bell is used to announce a death and even as a means of protection.
In Italy, bells are often attached to livestock to help prevent them from getting the Evil Eye. They are also attached to household pets to protect them from baneful spirits. (Taken from Pagan Lore)
Don't have a bell, that's okay, a singing bowl can be used instead of a bell. This is a metal bowl that 'sings' when a wooden stick is drawn along the edge of the bowl. The sound and vibration is said to clear the air of any negativity before doing altar work or to draw spirits near when doing seance work.
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Tools of the Craft - Altar Pentacle
The pentagram has existed for thousands of years. For some people the word “pentagram” may associate with worshiping the devil, but the fact is that in the past, it was used as a protection sign from evil and was even used by the Catholic church. Today it is a Wiccan symbol of faith.
A pentagram is a five-pointed star. The pentagram is known as the endless knot because it’s possible to draw it with a continuous motion, without lifting your pencil or writing utensil.
A pentacle is a pentagram inside of a circle. It can be made of wood, stone, metal or clay. It is a very powerful protection symbol and Wiccans usually put it on an altar. Pentacles and pentagrams can take material form or be completely abstract-whatever your preference. If you should draw a pentagram in the air above a certain object, it will be just as protected as if you had put a material pentacle on it or next to it. Pentacles and pentagrams have always been associated with mystery, magic and protection from evil.
A little history: The pentagram became first associated with evil during the Inquisition in the form of Baphomet, a goat creature, which was considered a demon and a personification of the devil. It was believed that the pentagram represents the devil‘s goat head. If you should turn it upside down, that is the symbol that is used and most associated with devil worship.
The corners of a pentagram represent the Akasha (or Spirit Self) and the four elements, the substances which are responsible for all living things. Some pentagrams have colored corners, when each color is associated with a specific element (water – blue, fire – red, air – yellow, earth – green, spirit – white or purple). Some witches believe that the pentagram is a personification of the trinity of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone) and the dual-unity of the God (light and dark). Yet in some other traditions, the corners of the pentagram represent the four elements and the magical intention. Spirit is at the heart of the pentagram and is connected directly with each of the corners.
For more on the pentagram, see my other blog specifically about the pentagram by clicking here.
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Tools of the Craft - Boline
The boline is a white handled knife and usually has a curved blade, like that of a crescent moon. It is used for more practical uses than the athame. Examples of using the boline would be harvesting and cutting herbs, inscribing candles with symbols, sigils or even cutting ritual cords. Unlike the athame, the boline is used in the physical process of magical works (like ritual cutting as an example). The boline serves for the physical plane while the athame serves for work in the spiritual/astral plane.
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Tools of the Craft - Chalice
Ah, the chalice or otherwise known as the cup, is used on the altar to represent the Female principle of Water. Another chalice (or cauldron or bowl) is or can sometimes be placed in the West as well.
Chalices can be of any material. Many use silver or pewter. (WARNING-be careful with untreated metals especially when serving wine). Ceramic ones are now becoming quite popular and are very readily obtainable and available. Some Witches prefer to have many different kinds for using in the variety and many different types of rituals. Practitioners will tend to avoid real "lead" crystal because of the Saturn energy influence plus it's ill affects should you drink from it. So be sure to read and understand what your chalice is made up of and made out of by checking the label or box it comes in. And as with any tool used in ritual, always cleanse and bless it before using.
The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle in a coven so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are passed throughout the circle with the chalice. Libations of wine or water are often then poured outside to honor the Old Ones and "sabbat" cakes are also offered back to the Source in a similar manner. This pays honor/homage and respect to the Source.
The chalice is symbolic of the womb of the Goddess and is associated with fertility. It is used for drinking and for the offering of libations to the gods. It is believed that to drink from the cup is to drink of life.
Tools of the Craft - Bell
The bell can be used to represent male and female. The Outer shell of the bell would represent the female while the hammer/clapper represents the male. Bells can be used to mark the time, to purify the air of unwanted influences, aid in the calling of spirits or help create an altered state of consciousness.
Bell Folklore
In Europe, the bell is used to announce a death and even as a means of protection.
In Italy, bells are often attached to livestock to help prevent them from getting the Evil Eye. They are also attached to household pets to protect them from baneful spirits. (Taken from Pagan Lore)
Don't have a bell, that's okay, a singing bowl can be used instead of a bell. This is a metal bowl that 'sings' when a wooden stick is drawn along the edge of the bowl. The sound and vibration is said to clear the air of any negativity before doing altar work or to draw spirits near when doing seance work.
____________________________________________________________________________
Tools of the Craft - Altar Pentacle
The pentagram has existed for thousands of years. For some people the word “pentagram” may associate with worshiping the devil, but the fact is that in the past, it was used as a protection sign from evil and was even used by the Catholic church. Today it is a Wiccan symbol of faith.
A pentagram is a five-pointed star. The pentagram is known as the endless knot because it’s possible to draw it with a continuous motion, without lifting your pencil or writing utensil.
A pentacle is a pentagram inside of a circle. It can be made of wood, stone, metal or clay. It is a very powerful protection symbol and Wiccans usually put it on an altar. Pentacles and pentagrams can take material form or be completely abstract-whatever your preference. If you should draw a pentagram in the air above a certain object, it will be just as protected as if you had put a material pentacle on it or next to it. Pentacles and pentagrams have always been associated with mystery, magic and protection from evil.
A little history: The pentagram became first associated with evil during the Inquisition in the form of Baphomet, a goat creature, which was considered a demon and a personification of the devil. It was believed that the pentagram represents the devil‘s goat head. If you should turn it upside down, that is the symbol that is used and most associated with devil worship.
The corners of a pentagram represent the Akasha (or Spirit Self) and the four elements, the substances which are responsible for all living things. Some pentagrams have colored corners, when each color is associated with a specific element (water – blue, fire – red, air – yellow, earth – green, spirit – white or purple). Some witches believe that the pentagram is a personification of the trinity of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone) and the dual-unity of the God (light and dark). Yet in some other traditions, the corners of the pentagram represent the four elements and the magical intention. Spirit is at the heart of the pentagram and is connected directly with each of the corners.
For more on the pentagram, see my other blog specifically about the pentagram by clicking here.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Tools of the Craft - Boline
The boline is a white handled knife and usually has a curved blade, like that of a crescent moon. It is used for more practical uses than the athame. Examples of using the boline would be harvesting and cutting herbs, inscribing candles with symbols, sigils or even cutting ritual cords. Unlike the athame, the boline is used in the physical process of magical works (like ritual cutting as an example). The boline serves for the physical plane while the athame serves for work in the spiritual/astral plane.
____________________________________________________________________________
Tools of the Craft - Chalice
Ah, the chalice or otherwise known as the cup, is used on the altar to represent the Female principle of Water. Another chalice (or cauldron or bowl) is or can sometimes be placed in the West as well.
Chalices can be of any material. Many use silver or pewter. (WARNING-be careful with untreated metals especially when serving wine). Ceramic ones are now becoming quite popular and are very readily obtainable and available. Some Witches prefer to have many different kinds for using in the variety and many different types of rituals. Practitioners will tend to avoid real "lead" crystal because of the Saturn energy influence plus it's ill affects should you drink from it. So be sure to read and understand what your chalice is made up of and made out of by checking the label or box it comes in. And as with any tool used in ritual, always cleanse and bless it before using.
The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle in a coven so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are passed throughout the circle with the chalice. Libations of wine or water are often then poured outside to honor the Old Ones and "sabbat" cakes are also offered back to the Source in a similar manner. This pays honor/homage and respect to the Source.
The chalice is symbolic of the womb of the Goddess and is associated with fertility. It is used for drinking and for the offering of libations to the gods. It is believed that to drink from the cup is to drink of life.
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