TOOLS OF THE CRAFT

Which tradition you follow or coven you belong to will generally dictate what tools are used. This part is aimed generally at the Solitary Practitioner.

The Wand

This is an easy item to make, nothing's simpler really even if you've never worked with wood before. Go out and find yourself a nice branch of willow, ash, birch or apple. This piece of wood should balance well in your hand and should be roughly 9 inches in length...longer or shorter is fine. Be sure and ask the tree if it's OK to take the branch. If you get the feeling that it's not OK then move on to another tree. Do not forget to leave an offering to the Earth and the tree after taking the branch...a silver coin, shiny rock, offering of water and to actually say "Thank you" to the tree. Preferably this should be done during the Waxing moon and consecration of all tools should take place only on the Waxing moon.

Strip the bark from the wood completely using a small paring knife. Allow the wand to dry overnight. Once dry you may decorate it in whatever manner you see fit. Add stones and crystals, paint it, etch it, put symbols on it. It's really all up to you. However I recommend that you put a piece of clear crystal on the top of the wand this can be secured with a leather strap or epoxy if you wish. To make a wand with element of air use a piece of lilac. For fire use cherry. For water use driftwood. For earth use dogwood or oak.

The Staff

This is made in the exact same way as the wand but the staff should be of the height of the user. It should be fairly straight and made of a strong hard wood. It may be decorated in any manner that you see fit.
Again, preferably, one should affix a crystal to the upright end. The crystal may be any of your choosing.

The Athame

If you're not good at knife making and let's face it not many of us are you can look around and find a knife that 'calls' to you. This knife will be used only for ritual purposes. The same goes for the Sword. It's best to look around you first, your surroundings, house, friends houses to see what's available..no don't steal from a friend but if you see a knife or sword they have that you like ask where they found it. The best
places I've found to obtain swords and athames is actually flea markets and garage sales. Just be on the look out wherever you go.

The Censer

This can be any object that is heat resistant. Earthenware, brass or other metal. My censer is an small earthenware pot that was once used for small plants. It has three holes in the sides and works well for me. If you're ceramically talented you can make your own. Or you can purchase one.

The Cauldron

People often think that this will be one of thee hardest tools to find. But the truth is they're very readily available. These can be found at any place that sells Cast Iron Cookware. Look at your local Lechter's, Wal-Mart or whatever.

The Chalice

This is also referred to as the Ritual Cup. Again this can be any glass or cup that you find around your house and which may hold special meaning for you or you can go and buy a special one if you so desire. Decorate it any way you choose by etching the glass. Some people etch the )O( symbol into it.

The Broom

Personally I ordered mine from Romanian but you don't have to go that far. This can be made from an ash staff with birch twigs bound with willow binding. It's especially good if you can use the Broom plant, regular Broom, Spanish Broom and/or Scottish Broom will be wonderful as the bristles and then bind with, either, a hardy piece of the Broom plant, or a good sprig of Willow Tree. It is used to cleanse the sacred
space before holding a ritual. It is also "jumped over" in some Pagan Rituals of Union or Handfasting.

The Book of Shadows

This is your personal diary and history of your life in the Craft. It should be strictly personal unto you. It can be done in a plain note book, a three ring binder, a store bought journal or you can be a
techno-pagan and store it on your computer. It's all up to you.

The Robe

this is easy even if you can sew worth a lick! Just buy fabric that is twice your height, it can be of any color that you like but black is the main color used. Measure the fabric from end to end and mark the middle, this is where your head will go. Cut a hole large enough for your head to fit through comfortably. Pin the sides together, tapering as you go up if you wish and then sew. This may then be decorated with cloth symbols or glitter, a colored cord may be added if you wish. This is your robe, your garment that you will wear when you worship...don't let anyone tell you that it MUST be this or it MUST be that. The only thing is MUST be is right for you. If you do not feel comfortable in your robe it will greatly effect any magickal workings you attempt. Also, I have run into many people who will insist that there must be different robes for different magickal workings and that those robes must be different colors even shapes! Hogwash! The only thing color has to do with it is that color helps the practioner associated his/her magick with one thing or another better. You do not need color to do this, you can do it just fine one your own. That goes for different colored candles as well...a plain white candle will work just as well for a love spell as a red one...a green one will work just as fine for a protection spell as a white one will and so on. It's all in your perception.