Altar — A special flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal workings or religious acknowledgement.
Asperger — A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object used to sprinkle water during or preceding ritual for purification purposes.
Athame — A cleansed and
consecrated ritual blade, usually double-edged and black-handled.
Symbolic of the element of Air, all things spiritual, and the Eastern
Quarter, it is never used to cut anything on the physical plane; rather,
it's used to direct and send magickal energy. Pronounced several ways:
Ah-THAM-ee, ATH-ah-may, ah-THAW-may.
Bells — Often used as
ritual tools, they can be used to invoke directional energies, to ring
in the sunrise on a Sabbat, or to frighten away faeries and baneful
spirits.
Besom — A witch's
broom. European folklore tells of witches riding their besoms through
the sky, which many feel is an uninformed explanation of astral
projection. As a magickal tool, the besom is used to sweep a sacred
area, ground a circle, or brush away negative influences.
Boline — A white-handled knife used in magick and ritual for purposes, such as cutting herbs or piercing a pomegranate.
Book of Shadows — A
witch's book of spells, rituals, magickal lore. Much akin to a magickal
cookbook. Also known as a BoS. There are many Books of Shadows; there is
no one correct Book of Shadows.
Candles — Used to
represent the God and Goddess on the altar. Use candles of the
appropriate color for the type of spellwork or ritual.
Cauldron — Linked to
witchcraft in the popular mind, this primal Goddess image is used like a
chalice or cup, and symbolizes the waters of rebirth. This was a common
magickal instrument in the Celtic traditions because it was a practical
object as well, which could be used for cooking or washing as well as
making brews and magick potions. In many of the mythological stories
from Ireland and Britain, the cauldron is symbolic of the womb of the
Mother Goddess in which all life begins, ends, and regenerates.
Censer — A heat-proof container in which incense is burned. It is associated with the element Air.
Chalice — A ritual tool
that represents that female principles of creation. Symbolic of the
element of Water, all things emotional, and the Western Quarter.
Dirk — Ritual knife of the Scottish tradition.
Essential Oils — Used for anointing candles and other ritual objects and tools. Use the oil apporopriate to the purpose desired.
Grimoire — A mgickal
workbook containing ritual information, formulae, magickal properties of
natural objects, and preparation of ritual equipment. Often used
interchangeably with Book of Shadows.
Incense — Incense appropriate to the season, or to the magickal goal, is burned to help attune the witch to the goal of the spell.
Pendulum — A divinatory
device consisting of a string attached to a heavy object, such as a
quartz crystal, root, or ring. The free end of the string is held in the
hand, the elbows steadied against a flat surface, and a question is
asked. The movement of the heavy object's swings determines the answer.
It is a tool which contacts the psychic mind.
Pentacle — A circle
surrounding a five-pointed, upright star (pentagram). Worn as a symbol
of a witch's beliefs. Many witches consider wearing it inverted to be
blasphemy of their faith and is commonly associated with Satanism.
Pentagram — The basic
interlaced five-pointed star, visualized with one point up. It is a
symbol of power and protection. Symbol of the element of Earth, all
things material, and the Northern Quarter, pentagrams are also symbolic
of the unity of the five elements Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Poppets — Anthropomorphic dolls used to represent certain human beings in magick spells.
Runes — A set of symbols used both in divination and magickal work. There are several types with different origins.
Shillelagh — Magickal tool corresponding to the staff in other traditions. Usually made from blackthorn wood.
Sigil — Magickally
oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working.
Ones you creatue yourself are the most effective. Sigils can also be
used on letters, packages, clothing, etc.
Staff — Ritual tool which corresponds to the wand or athame.
Stang — Ritual tool from Pagan Rome which resembles a two-pronged trident. Often used in place of the wand or circle.
Wand — Ritual tool
brought to the Craft from ritual magick. Symbolic of the element of
Fire, all things mental, and the Southern Quarter, wands are used to
direct and send magickal energy.
SOURCES: The Celtic Connection, The Wiccan Garden, and Wejee's Wiccan Correspondences