Chapter 9: Basic Tools

As in many spiritual paths there are certain tools that are used in ceremonies or rituals. These tools are to be used by you and only you. Depending on your tradition and personal desires you will either use them in everyday life or keep them for special occasions only. Kitchen Witches believe in using their tools in their everyday basic life but the other traditions feel that they are to be used only when practicing a ritual.

It is not mandatory that you have tools but they do add an air of ceremony to your rituals. Tools can be obtained in many ways and you do not have to have the most expensive items in the metaphysical supply store. In fact you will have better success with much of you workings if you make as many of your tools as possible. Of course some, the cauldron for instance is hard for you to make. Raymond Buckland gives instructions for making an Athame. Now, I am a creative person with lots of crafty talent, but melting metal is not one of them. However, it is easy to make a wand or a besom. I have found that many of my tools have come to me over the years in different ways. My bell for instance was a gift from my son for Christmas when he was little. He found it at a neighbor’s garage sale and thought I needed it. For me this was a perfect bell, it was given out of pure love. My wand was a gift from my husband, before he was my husband as a birthday present.

One important thing to remember about your tools is they are a very personal item to you. They are not something you want the kids or friends playing with. Anyone who touches your tools will leave their energy on them. If your girlfriend argued with her family before visiting you that negative energy will still be with her and then transferred to your tools. This is something you do not want to add to your tools. In all reality it could cause a ritual to go bad if there is unknown energy attached to your tools. So it is best that you keep them somewhere away from wandering hands. If you have a permanent altar just explain to those visiting that you would prefer they not touch it. Most people will understand and if they don’t just move the items until they leave.