Ritual Tools
Magicke, which may be to some an important role in the Pagan path is not necessary. What is important is our relationship with the Godhead, Goddess, Mother Earth, or each other. What Magicke should be is a tool we use to express and fulfill those relationships. We should use Magicke to help us in healing others, and to accomplish those things the Gods guide us to do. Always remembering "An it harm No one". Many things may be called upon or incorporated into a spell, feathers, flowers, herbs, bells, fetishes, holy water,etc. The follwing list of items are your basic start. Please read Casting a Circle for a description of our physical Altar.
Altar
The center of the circle, the place that the celebration revolves around. Many people like to keep an Altar set up at all times in the corner of a room, this is fine. During Ritual/ Spell casting you will erect a physical Altar within your circle of protection until you have mastered this level of incantation. In the beginning all tools will be present on the Altar before the circle is cast. Many Pagan Traditions tell you to place your altar so that you face North, Eastern Mysticism suggests the East. Eventually you will move to a "visualized Altar", and finally graduate to the "invisible" Altar. What must be realized is that the "Altar" and magickal circle DO NOT really exist in this reality. The Sacred Space exists out of "Time" and "Space". A Witch never knows when they may be called upon to perform an incantation. One can't possibly carry a table with them everywhere they go, or the physical tools of the trade.
Anthame
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The Anthame is a Ceremonial knife sharpened on both sides. Many Witches use this knife to cast and uncast their circles, many use a wand or even their hand. After consecrating the circle with salt many Witches go back over it with a magickal tool envisioning blue flames or pure white light. This is done to keep any nasties out of the circle which may want to interfere with your proceedings. Remember to always cast your circle in a clockwise direction, this promotes positive energy. The Anthame should never be used to "cut". If anything will need to be cut within the circle ....ie: cord, poppets then a ceremonial sword should be used. |
Candle
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Candles are essential to the ritual. The starting color is white. The number suggested varies greatly, some say one, others five and some even suggest up to thirteen. There should also be a colored candle, the color corresponding to the particular ritual you are about to perform. Candle Colors
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Chalice
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Many rituals call for drinking wine in honor of the Gods'/Goddesses. Since there should be water on the Altar for representation purposes why not raise a glass in honor. What could be better then the liquid of the Gods. If you prefer to use wine or even juice by all means feel free. |
Crystals
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Just like candles, Stones/Crystals are essential to the ritual. Your personal stones should be present as well as the appropriate stone to the Ritual. For example if you were performing a Healing Ritual you would place Amethyst on the Altar. Crystals
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Salt
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After consecrating the circle with seasalt place the container on the Altar. This is done for a few reasons. You never want to break the circle by leaving it after it is cast. The salt is a symbol of Earth, and there may be tools within the circle which you wish to cleanse and consecrate. |
Incense
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Pentacle
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A five pointed star surrounded by a circle. This is the symbol of the earths elements- fire,water,air and earth including the Spirit. When the single point is facing up it is a symbol of humanity's spiritual quest. In the upright position it is a symbol of feminine-Venus -the Goddess. In the Inverse a symbol of The Horned God- Male. Satanists also use the symbol inverse. |
Book of Shadows
(BOS)
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Many witches use a Book of Spells or Grimoire. If your using a written record of your spells then you will want to have it on the Altar before casting the circle.
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I once stated on this page that I did
not have nor use a BOS or Grimoire. Well it was pointed out to me that the
entire site "CrystalWell" is in fact a Grimoire. Until recently
Crystalwell Covenstead did not write its own rituals, to be honest poetry
is not my forte. Thank the Goddess for Spydr and Cerridwyn whose work is featured
here. It is not necessary to write your own rituals. All that matters is you
speak from the heart and She will listen. Please feel free to use any of the
rituals supplied here, they have been performed by our covenstead and
were found to be quite effective.
Blessed Be!
Sheer
