While tools are not always necessary or even sometimes desirable they are fun, and making those tools that you can for your own use, and for others is even more fun. You tend to invest more of your energy and creative essence in any tool that you have taken the time and patience to create.
So with that in mind I am going to share with you how I made my Besom. Making a Besom or witch's broom is not difficult and there are many good ideas around to borrow from and improve on. In choosing the wood you want to use wood that has protective properties and most important what feels right to you.
Good choices for wood are Ash (protection, prosperity, health); Birch (protection, binding, purification) - the traditional broom of the Witches was made of birch twigs; Dogwood (wishes, protection); Elder(binding, protection, healing) - though this is more often used for wands; Oak (protection, health, money, healing) and a tree scared to the Druids; Pine (healing, protection, binding, money); or Rowan (psychic powers, healing, power, success, protection).
The wood of my Besom is unknown, I found it on our then new property an loved the shape and feel, it had been lying waiting for me to find it for years and looked akin to driftwood, which would also be a good wood to use.
After leaving it natural for a long time I decided to sand it, it turned outwith a dark, finely grained and satiny pattern. If you decide to finish your wood than strip it first and let it dry and then do any sanding necessary. After you find the wood that you want to use as the handle taking in account the size and length best suited to you, properly thanking the Goddess, cut very carefully, you don't want to kill the tree, only take what you need, (you might want to consider a tree limb that is bowed under as those are the most likely to fall and could hurt the tree or property) and use a saw as your boline will not work.
The next step is gathering the materials for the "broomstraws" the binding and any decorative touches. I suggest straw as it can be easily obtained and attracts fairies. Wheat can also be used, but might shed more than you wish. The traditional binding for a magical, or Witch's broom is a willow branch, it is very flexible and easy to work with. Straw can be dyed using herbal dyes, for black use alder, black walnut or yarrow. For blues, elder, indigo, woad, oregon grape. For brown use comfrey, fennel, hops, onion, pokeweed. For Golds use dock, goldenrod, safflower. For greens use barberry, bayberry, sage. Binding the straw: I use a double binding method for this. Before cutting the straw the length you wish add about two inches.
I have found that it is easier to work with the straw if it has been soaked and then just left damp. Gather the straw with the ends even and pointing towards the top of the handle and distributed around the handle, bind the added two inches with strong twine, fold the straw down pointing in the right direction and bind with the Willow branch.
Now come the most fun making your Besom uniquely your own. If using pine you can add small pine cones strung with twine and attached to the binding, if using oak do the same with acorns. Slip lavender under the binding or heather, add dried flowers...this is your besom to play with it. You can also decorate the handle anyway you wish, and if you can whittle or carve you can create a beautiful one of kind Besom. Creating your Besom for whatever purpose. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herb's is an excellent reference on Herb's and woods.
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Basic List
Altar - Usually wooden, it is a shelf, table, etc. that faces North or East and holds your tools. It should be big enough to allow you room to work. What you keep on it and how it is arranged is up to you, though specific traditions or covens may have a specific display.
Athame - A knife isn't one of the traditional witch's props you can get at the costume shop, but the athame is an important part of many rituals. The athame is a double-edged knife with a blade about 6 inches long. It is not terribly sharp -- it is used to mark the edges of the circle and to stir the salt and water that are used to consecrate (or make sacred) the circle. It is also used sometimes to carve symbols or words into candles. The athame's owner marks either the handle or the blade with his or her witchcraft name and stores it in a white container or cloth. The athame is also used in the Great Rite ritual (more on the Great Rite later) as a phallic symbol, representing one half of the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.
Bell - Some witches use a bell during rituals, but there is no official or required use of one. Some examples of when a bell might be rung is when the circle is opened or closed, to invoke the God or Goddess or simply to signify when certain phases of the ritual are ending or beginning.
Besom - Witches don't actually fly on brooms, although many do have them. They're used to purify an area of lingering energies before "casting a circle." Circles are cast before any ritual.
Boline - The boline is another knife used in Wiccan rites. In contrast to the athame, the boline is very sharp and is usually made of copper. Its sole use is to cut herbs.
Book of Shadows - The Book of Shadows is essentially the witch's guidebook. It contains all of a particular witch's (or coven's) ritual and spell information. It is the written record of everything the witches in that coven need to know, such as descriptions and explanations of all of the sabbats (more on sabbats later).
Candles - When a circle is cast for a ritual, there are four quadrants representing north, south, east and west. Quarter candles of specific colors are used: north is green (earth), south is red (fire), east is yellow (air) and west is blue (water). The candles are placed at the perimeter of the circle. There are also three candles used on the altar -- the color of these candles represents the ritual being performed.
Cauldron - Cauldrons with magical powers go back to the myth of the Celtic Goddess Cerridwen, whose cauldron represented the cycle of birth, renewal, rebirth and transformation. Witches today often burn small fires (balefires) or incense in their cauldrons. The cauldron can also represent the womb during the Great Rite ritual, which calls up the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.
Chalice - A chalice (cup) is used in ceremonies to represent the female principle of water. The chalice can also be used in place of the cauldron in performing the Great Rite, as well as in a "Cake and Ale" rite where a cup of wine is blessed by the High Priest and passed from member to member in the circle.
Clothing - Clothing is optional for most rituals, although most covens require that everyone is in agreement to going skyclad (naked) before anyone does. Otherwise, witches wear long, hooded robes of varying, usually dark colors.
Crystal ball - A crystal ball is made of quartz (you can tell if it is true quartz by its cold feel and the inclusion of irregularities). It is used for divination. Periodical exposure to moonlight will increase it's psychic power. It can be the center of Full Moon rituals.
Incense - Incense is a powerful asset to help you "set the mood." It was believed that the smoke would carry your wishes up to the gods. Incense can help you cleanse and purify your space. The right scent can help focus your thoughts and aid in your magick or ritual working.
Pentacle/Pentagram - The pentacle is a five-pointed star (a pentagram) enclosed within a circle. The "upright" pentacle or pentagram (one point up, two points down) is a widely recognized symbol of witchcraft. The points represent earth, fire, water, air and spirit. The circle represents the God and Goddess that allow the energy of the pentagram to be focused. It is symbolic of the idea of bringing together spirit and earth.
Sage - Before a ritual, the area must be purified. Sage is often used (as is a besom, above) to cleanse the area of unwanted energies. When burned, the sage creates a thick, grayish smoke.
Salt container - Another purifying agent is salt. The salt is usually in either a seashell or a glass dish. Salt is mixed with water to represent the elements of earth and water in order to consecrate the circle.
Staff - Witches can use a staff like they would a wand. The staff is usually shoulder height.
Sword - Some witches choose to use a sword rather than an athame to mark the boundaries of the circle.
Thurible - Incense represents the element of air. When burned, it also represents fire, both of which are used to purify the area or the tools being used. The thurible is often a small cauldron of metal or any other fire-resistant material.
Wand - Many witches use wands. Wands represent fire and the life force of the witch. It is a symbol of power, wisdom and healing. The wand, like the sword, staff and athame, can be used to cast the circle. It may also be used to direct energy during a spell.
Water container - The water container used in the consecration of the circle can be any type of container as long as it is large enough to hold three pinches of salt and be stirred with the athame. Water is another purification agent.
Athame - A knife isn't one of the traditional witch's props you can get at the costume shop, but the athame is an important part of many rituals. The athame is a double-edged knife with a blade about 6 inches long. It is not terribly sharp -- it is used to mark the edges of the circle and to stir the salt and water that are used to consecrate (or make sacred) the circle. It is also used sometimes to carve symbols or words into candles. The athame's owner marks either the handle or the blade with his or her witchcraft name and stores it in a white container or cloth. The athame is also used in the Great Rite ritual (more on the Great Rite later) as a phallic symbol, representing one half of the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.
Bell - Some witches use a bell during rituals, but there is no official or required use of one. Some examples of when a bell might be rung is when the circle is opened or closed, to invoke the God or Goddess or simply to signify when certain phases of the ritual are ending or beginning.
Besom - Witches don't actually fly on brooms, although many do have them. They're used to purify an area of lingering energies before "casting a circle." Circles are cast before any ritual.
Boline - The boline is another knife used in Wiccan rites. In contrast to the athame, the boline is very sharp and is usually made of copper. Its sole use is to cut herbs.
Book of Shadows - The Book of Shadows is essentially the witch's guidebook. It contains all of a particular witch's (or coven's) ritual and spell information. It is the written record of everything the witches in that coven need to know, such as descriptions and explanations of all of the sabbats (more on sabbats later).
Candles - When a circle is cast for a ritual, there are four quadrants representing north, south, east and west. Quarter candles of specific colors are used: north is green (earth), south is red (fire), east is yellow (air) and west is blue (water). The candles are placed at the perimeter of the circle. There are also three candles used on the altar -- the color of these candles represents the ritual being performed.
Cauldron - Cauldrons with magical powers go back to the myth of the Celtic Goddess Cerridwen, whose cauldron represented the cycle of birth, renewal, rebirth and transformation. Witches today often burn small fires (balefires) or incense in their cauldrons. The cauldron can also represent the womb during the Great Rite ritual, which calls up the union of the God and Goddess from which new life comes.
Chalice - A chalice (cup) is used in ceremonies to represent the female principle of water. The chalice can also be used in place of the cauldron in performing the Great Rite, as well as in a "Cake and Ale" rite where a cup of wine is blessed by the High Priest and passed from member to member in the circle.
Clothing - Clothing is optional for most rituals, although most covens require that everyone is in agreement to going skyclad (naked) before anyone does. Otherwise, witches wear long, hooded robes of varying, usually dark colors.
Crystal ball - A crystal ball is made of quartz (you can tell if it is true quartz by its cold feel and the inclusion of irregularities). It is used for divination. Periodical exposure to moonlight will increase it's psychic power. It can be the center of Full Moon rituals.
Incense - Incense is a powerful asset to help you "set the mood." It was believed that the smoke would carry your wishes up to the gods. Incense can help you cleanse and purify your space. The right scent can help focus your thoughts and aid in your magick or ritual working.
Pentacle/Pentagram - The pentacle is a five-pointed star (a pentagram) enclosed within a circle. The "upright" pentacle or pentagram (one point up, two points down) is a widely recognized symbol of witchcraft. The points represent earth, fire, water, air and spirit. The circle represents the God and Goddess that allow the energy of the pentagram to be focused. It is symbolic of the idea of bringing together spirit and earth.
Sage - Before a ritual, the area must be purified. Sage is often used (as is a besom, above) to cleanse the area of unwanted energies. When burned, the sage creates a thick, grayish smoke.
Salt container - Another purifying agent is salt. The salt is usually in either a seashell or a glass dish. Salt is mixed with water to represent the elements of earth and water in order to consecrate the circle.
Staff - Witches can use a staff like they would a wand. The staff is usually shoulder height.
Sword - Some witches choose to use a sword rather than an athame to mark the boundaries of the circle.
Thurible - Incense represents the element of air. When burned, it also represents fire, both of which are used to purify the area or the tools being used. The thurible is often a small cauldron of metal or any other fire-resistant material.
Wand - Many witches use wands. Wands represent fire and the life force of the witch. It is a symbol of power, wisdom and healing. The wand, like the sword, staff and athame, can be used to cast the circle. It may also be used to direct energy during a spell.
Water container - The water container used in the consecration of the circle can be any type of container as long as it is large enough to hold three pinches of salt and be stirred with the athame. Water is another purification agent.
Working Tools
I am a firm believer that you do not have to have all of the props in order to practice witchcraft - but here is a basic list. This post is stemming from the fact that I just set up a new family alter with areas for everyone in the house - and my section is the least "cluttered" - most of my tools stay put away until needed.
Everyone loves toys and Witches are no exception. We have a wide variety of tools we use to aid us in our workings. None of these are mandatory. You do not need tools to be Wiccan or to perform Witchcraft. Tools have no energy, save the power we give them. You will need to decide for yourself what you want to work with. Before using any tool, especial if it is old, it needs to be cleansed and consecrated. And remember, never touch another Witch's tools without express consent.
Everyone loves toys and Witches are no exception. We have a wide variety of tools we use to aid us in our workings. None of these are mandatory. You do not need tools to be Wiccan or to perform Witchcraft. Tools have no energy, save the power we give them. You will need to decide for yourself what you want to work with. Before using any tool, especial if it is old, it needs to be cleansed and consecrated. And remember, never touch another Witch's tools without express consent.
Setting up the Alter
1. The altar cloth- is not in the picture above. It is usually a specific color that relates to the purpose of the altar. It covers the table before anything else goes upon it.
2. The working cloth- This is a cloth that goes over the altar cloth. It is a cloth that is safe to drip things on, like wax or oil. This is to protect the usually more expensive altar cloth.
3. The quarter candles- These are four candles in colors that are appropriate to the element and quarter they represent. Yellow or White= Air and East; Red or Burgandy= Fire and South; Blue= Water and West; Green or Brown= North and Earth. Quarter candles are not always on the altar. Many circles will put free standing pillars or stands to place these candles upon on the out side edge of the sacred circle for ritual. This is one of those areas where a ritual altar may differ from the home altar used daily.
4. Earth bowl filled with Soil- is optional. We put it there because we like to have something that represents each element on the appropriate side of the altar.
5. Wine Chalice- this is a wine glass or some other container used for drinking sacred wine that has been consecrated for magickal use. This is also the Chalice that symbolizes the Goddess.
6. The Goddess candle- is a silver or white candle (provided that the East candle is yellow and not white) that represents the Goddess.
7. The God and Goddess figures- These are usually statues that represent the God and Goddess. We have a beautiful statue of a man and woman embracing. We have seen stag horns around a Goddess statue here. We have also used a female dragon statue to represent the Goddess with the stag horns around it for the God. You can use anything that represents Deity in what ever form.
8. Incense- This is a container that holds the powdered incense that is burned over charcoal in the cauldron in ritual. In some cases, especially in the home altar, we will light a stick or a cone form of incense and place it here.
9. Illumination candles- are there to provide light. Often, we are working in a very dimly lit room, if there is any other light at all. These are important to see what you are doing. They are optional, it depends on how much other light is available.
10. The non-wine chalice- is there for those who are in our group that do not drink an alcoholic beverage. An alternative beverage such as sparkling juice is used here. If everyone in your group is okay with regular wine, you do not have to use the non-wine chalice.
11. The Cauldron- is used for so many things in the Craft that there isn’t enough space here to discuss all of them. On the altar, it is usually used to hold a piece of self-lighting charcoal for which to burn incense.
12. The lighter- can be on the altar or not. We usually have one there as a matter of convenience. As with everything else on the altar, we chose one that is ornate and beautiful. You want everything you choose for your altar to be special and beautiful.
13. Holy Water- is consecrated water that has a special recipe. This is used for a variety of things. Again, we will place this on the West side to represent the element of Water.
14. Earth bowl filled with Holy Water- This bowl is used to combine Earth and Water symbolically. There are several significances in magick for this.
15. Consecrated Oil- is on the altar for a number of things, the most important being the anointing and blessing of tools and circle members or the solitary practitioner.
15. Consecrated Oil- is on the altar for a number of things, the most important being the anointing and blessing of tools and circle members or the solitary practitioner.
16. The Altar Bell- is used in many places in magick and spiritual work.
17. The Wand- is used for channeling energy to a specific direction.
18. The Athame- is used as a blade on planes other than the physical one. The Athame can be used to cut the circle or the door in the circle.
19. The Candle Snuffer- is used to put out candles at the appropriate time. There are many viewpoints on weather of not this should be used in place of simply blowing them out or snuffing a candle with wet finger tips. On this, we feel there is no right or wrong way. We often use the snuffer because we feel it is cleaner and safer. If you have a candle that has been burning long enough for a lot of liquid wax to be present, blowing it out can also get hot wax in your eyes or on the other altar things near by. Snuffing candles with your fingers, even if they are wet, can cause injury as well.
20. The Penticle- represents Earth and is used as a grounding tool. When we do magickal things on the altar, they are often done over the penticle to ground the energy. When the altar is not in use, we usually will place the penticle on the North side of the altar.
*Note- There are many other items that can be used. There are a number of items here that you may not wish to use. A friend of mine is very good at placing pretty things like flowers, crystals, or plant branches to beautify the altar. Be creative and make your altar special.
What is the Alter?
What Is Your Altar. . .
If you don't have one yet, you don't know what you're missing! Try it! An altar is a source of joy and a font of peace. A Wiccan altar is a powerful magickal tool.
If you've never had one before, you might think of an altar as Wiccan decoration . . . Just something to put up, and then leave it sit there. But eventually you will discover that the state of your altar mirrors the state of your life. Okay, on some levels this is common sense. An inch of dust on your altar shows undeniably that your spiritual life is not your highest priority. But the magick of a Wiccan altar is that the energy goes both ways.
****An Altar Takes Wicca Magick To A New Level****
When your life (or mind) is clear and uncluttered, your altar will reflect that.
And when your Wiccan altar is fresh, energized, and harmonious, it will send healing, harmonizing energy out into every aspect of your life.
And it's not just about cleanliness. It's about the energy - the attention - you give your altar.
This will be exactly the energy it gives back to you. Not only in terms of your ability to work successful spells and magick, but in every area of your life . . .
******Where Will You See Your Altar Energy Manifest?******
- Your health
- Your work life
- Your ability to achieve your desires
- All your relationships
- Your level of happiness
- Your get-up-and-go . . .
When the energy of your altar is sluggish, it's like dragging a millstone around with you, in every aspect of your life. You'll be swimming against the flow, and you'll feel it. You'll notice that you have to work harder than seems necessary, and for smaller gains. This goes for any Wiccan magick that you work, limiting its effectiveness. But surprisingly, it affects every aspect of your mundane life too. Your work life, your love life, your emotional well-being, even your physical health become clogged and unpleasant when your altar energy is sluggish. But when a Wiccan altar is freshly charged up, it's like tying on a booster rocket!
******How Can A Wiccan Altar Improve Your Life?******
No one can say exactly how it works. But it's easy enough to verify that it does. Try it yourself. But personally I believe it's because when your Wiccan altar is fresh and alive, your magickal connection with the Divine is much clearer. Higher energies then work through you, and your life falls into place. Effortless then becomes an experience rather than a neat idea.Once your spirit is connected with its Source and your soul is nurtured, things naturally smooth out. When you are working with your own evolution, life doesn't need to keep spurring you on through trials and suffering.
*****Etiquette******
A Wiccan altar is sacred space, and ritual tools are highly attuned to the person using them. So there are some basic guidelines for good conduct that you need to be aware of.
You don't need to let anyone touch your sacred items. If you trust them, and if you are confident that they have positive energy and won't put yucky things into your rituals tools, you may let them if you wish.
Just because you've said yes once, doesn't apply to any other time or place. You are under no obligation to let them handle it again.
Never touch someone's altar or ritual items. If you are close to them, or you Circle together, it's okay to ask if you can hold it.
Interpret any hesitation as a "no."
And gracefully accept a "no." It may not be anything personal. Some things are simply too private to share.
Ask before placing things on a group altar. Usually for group work, you will know ahead of time the kinds of things that might be appropriate. But sometimes very specific energy is being raised, and other items may not serve the ritual.
Avoid talking about your sacred items and spiritual practices with "outsiders." People who don't use them don't understand, and it dilutes your Power to share sacred things with them. Especially if they turn out to be judgemental about it.
Keep your alter clean.
*A focal point and container for magickal energies.
*A reminder of your ideals.
*An echo of your beliefs and wishes.
*A Home for the Divine.
*And, perhaps most importantly, a Wiccan altar is a magickal "spell" for your success and well-being.
If you don't have one yet, you don't know what you're missing! Try it! An altar is a source of joy and a font of peace. A Wiccan altar is a powerful magickal tool.
If you've never had one before, you might think of an altar as Wiccan decoration . . . Just something to put up, and then leave it sit there. But eventually you will discover that the state of your altar mirrors the state of your life. Okay, on some levels this is common sense. An inch of dust on your altar shows undeniably that your spiritual life is not your highest priority. But the magick of a Wiccan altar is that the energy goes both ways.
****An Altar Takes Wicca Magick To A New Level****
When your life (or mind) is clear and uncluttered, your altar will reflect that.
And when your Wiccan altar is fresh, energized, and harmonious, it will send healing, harmonizing energy out into every aspect of your life.
And it's not just about cleanliness. It's about the energy - the attention - you give your altar.
This will be exactly the energy it gives back to you. Not only in terms of your ability to work successful spells and magick, but in every area of your life . . .
******Where Will You See Your Altar Energy Manifest?******
- Your health
- Your work life
- Your ability to achieve your desires
- All your relationships
- Your level of happiness
- Your get-up-and-go . . .
When the energy of your altar is sluggish, it's like dragging a millstone around with you, in every aspect of your life. You'll be swimming against the flow, and you'll feel it. You'll notice that you have to work harder than seems necessary, and for smaller gains. This goes for any Wiccan magick that you work, limiting its effectiveness. But surprisingly, it affects every aspect of your mundane life too. Your work life, your love life, your emotional well-being, even your physical health become clogged and unpleasant when your altar energy is sluggish. But when a Wiccan altar is freshly charged up, it's like tying on a booster rocket!
******How Can A Wiccan Altar Improve Your Life?******
No one can say exactly how it works. But it's easy enough to verify that it does. Try it yourself. But personally I believe it's because when your Wiccan altar is fresh and alive, your magickal connection with the Divine is much clearer. Higher energies then work through you, and your life falls into place. Effortless then becomes an experience rather than a neat idea.Once your spirit is connected with its Source and your soul is nurtured, things naturally smooth out. When you are working with your own evolution, life doesn't need to keep spurring you on through trials and suffering.
*****Etiquette******
A Wiccan altar is sacred space, and ritual tools are highly attuned to the person using them. So there are some basic guidelines for good conduct that you need to be aware of.
You don't need to let anyone touch your sacred items. If you trust them, and if you are confident that they have positive energy and won't put yucky things into your rituals tools, you may let them if you wish.
Just because you've said yes once, doesn't apply to any other time or place. You are under no obligation to let them handle it again.
Never touch someone's altar or ritual items. If you are close to them, or you Circle together, it's okay to ask if you can hold it.
Interpret any hesitation as a "no."
And gracefully accept a "no." It may not be anything personal. Some things are simply too private to share.
Ask before placing things on a group altar. Usually for group work, you will know ahead of time the kinds of things that might be appropriate. But sometimes very specific energy is being raised, and other items may not serve the ritual.
Avoid talking about your sacred items and spiritual practices with "outsiders." People who don't use them don't understand, and it dilutes your Power to share sacred things with them. Especially if they turn out to be judgemental about it.
Keep your alter clean.
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