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The Tools and Ingredients of Wicca

A Short Guide on Wicca’s Tools and Ingredients

 

Wicca is no different from any religion which uses sacred tools and objects for religious practices. In fact, many of Wiccan tools exist in other religions as well, just for a different usage. 

Unlike other religions, Wicca does not require its members to utilize tools for their practices. It is in the wiccan’s choice whether they should use tools or not; given that the wiccan’s will is the main ingredient in rituals and not sacred objects. However, some wiccans do believe that the tools are essential in performing successful magick. Just like how other elemental, and personal energies contribute to the strength of their spell work, so does the tools’ energy. 

Each tool has its own usage, while some have more than one; they range from protection to even healing physically and spiritually. Wiccans cleanse and consecrate their tools in order to free them from all the different energies they contain and might have picked up before they got them. Keep in mind that Wiccan tools are not necessarily bought from shops; in fact, some wiccans prefer to create their own to match their preferences. 

Here is a short guide on Wicca’s Tools and Ingredients:

Athame

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/pagantama/2016/09/14/the-athame-debates/

The Athame is a double-edged ritual knife that often comes with a black handle. It represents both masculine energy and the element of fire. Wiccans may purchase their ritual sword or create their own and are not necessarily required to be metal; stones and wood work just fine. The athame is purely for magickal work such as cutting air or spiritual energies, and never physical objects. In such cases where violence and physical harm is the purpose for using the athame, cleansing or destroying the ritual sword is a must.

The Athame is mainly used in casting circles to purify the place and release it back. Thus, its use is mainly associated with protection and pushing negative entities away.

Chalice

https://goddesshasyourback.com/2012/09/09/tools-continued-the-chalice/

Traditionally, the chalice comes in silver. It symbolizes the mother goddess and is to hold liquid for rituals and spellcasting. Often used for altars and rituals, the chalice holds the ceremonial drink, water, and is also used for libation.

The Witch’s Broom 

http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1119153

The usage of the witch’s broom, also known as the Besom, happens during the first few steps of casting a circle. The Witch’s Broom sweeps away negative energies in order to form protection in a chosen area. Besoms are solely used for its intended magical or sacred purpose as the broom’s energy has a chance of getting contaminated should Wiccans use it for other daily tasks.

Wand

https://exemplore.com/wicca-witchcraft/How-To-Make-A-Wiccan-Wand-and-The-History-Of-The-Wand

The wand represents the element of air and directs energy. Wands can be of different materials- wood, metal, plastic, stone, or bone depending on the owner’s preference. Wiccans may buy their wands from shops or create their own to personalize them; whichever suits them and where they feel more inclined to. 

The wand is also the substitute in the absence of the athame.

Candles

https://wiccanspells.info/wiccan-pagan-articles/candle-magick-which-colours/

A representation of the element of fire, candles symbolize different qualities such as balance, love, death, wealth, and etc. The use of the candles and their corresponding colors are dependent on the intention and the kind of spell a Wiccan will do. 

Candles are also used for altars in order to hold the power of the four cardinal points- North, East, South, and West. They also represent the deities; for example, the pillar candles placed in the center of the altar are to represent the God and Goddess.

Pentacle

http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/04/pentacles-wiccans-and-masonry.html

The pentacle represents the element of earth. It is a round object engraved with Wicca’s sacred symbol- the five-pointed star. The disk is usually placed at the center of the altar to provide protection as it cleanses what surrounds it, including you and the altar. 

In addition, the pentacle is also used for consecrating tools and blessing offerings.

Bell

http://wiccanmoonsong.blogspot.com/2013/02/wiccan-altar-bell.html

The bell is a representation of the element of air. It is compared to the voice of the goddess, and is believed to bring the divine’s attention to you (and yours to the divine) as you ring it. In addition, aside from attracting the attention and the focus of a ritual’s participants, the bell also clears and disperses unwanted energy. 

The bell is not for symbolic practices only as there are instances wherein it is used solely for its sounds. 

Cauldron

 

https://www.controverscial.com/Cauldron%20Magick.htm

The cauldron represents the element of water and is one of the most common tools in a Wiccan’s altar; this is mainly due to its important part in burning incense and creating fire. Cauldrons are bowls typically made of cast iron, a perfect material for carrying and withstanding high heat. Cauldrons are also used for witches’ brew as a cook pot for concoctions.

Herbs

                  

    https://goop.com/wellness/food-planet/the-ultimate-spring-project-an-easy-herb-garden/

Herbal Magic is a traditional way of healing; it is believed to play a big part in benefitting both the physical and spiritual being. In this generation, turning herbs into tea is a simple way to get the physical and spiritual benefits of its magickal attribute. 

There is a long list of herbs with its different uses and attributes; for example, caraway is a culinary herb that contains the magickal attribute of attraction while angelica is used for exorcism and protection.

Essential Oils

https://blog.bulletproof.com/essential-oils-actually-work/

Extracted from herbs and resins, essential oils are for spiritual and aromatic purposes. It is one of the primary components in Wiccan practice as it is used for anointing Wicca tools and Wiccans. Essential oils are also used to enhance any kind of magick – physical or spiritual- through the use of a single scent or a blend. 

Crystal

 

https://justwicca.com/wiccans-use-of-crystals/

In Wicca, there are numerous uses of crystals, but the most common ones are for decorating, for marking your circle, and for honoring the gods and goddesses. There are specific stones for certain deities, and Wiccans use these in order to honor and show respects to them. 

However, divination and imparting healing energy to living things are only few of what people believe it can do as well. Wiccans can charge crystals a specific energy depending on what they want and can use them for strengthening Magick or spell work; for example, amethysts power boost spells whilst Quartz promotes healing and spiritual development. 

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