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Description of each tool.

Athame:
Pronounced A-tham-ay, black handled knife used in ritual, which can be made of iron, steel or brass, can be single or double-edged. Usually engraved with runes. The athame is the witch's personal knife. It is used to draw circles, and to draw invoking and dismissing pentagrams. The athame is never used to cut anything other than air.
Bolline/Burin:
White handled knife used for carving, engraving of wood and candles and also to cut herbs for ritual use. This knife is worn on the belt during rituals and has the owner's name and protective runes or symbols on it.
Witches Staff or Rune Wand (also called the Priapic Wand):
This staff has a phallic end and a forked top to represent the Horned One. It should be the height of its owner or at least shoulder height. Usually has owner's name and protective symbols on it. Some modern covens use a straight staff as the traditional one draws to much attention for the staff is used for out door rituals to draw the protective circle.
Sword:
The sword is not essential to the individual coven member, but covens usually have one which is used for initiations and is kept by the male guardian of the coven when not in use or placed under the altar. Its shape is chosen by each coven and it usually has a name and the covens name and other runes on it. This sword is dedicated to a specific God or Goddess. The sword is used much like the individual athames, but is generally restricted to outdoor use for practical reasons.
Wand:
Wands are usually home made from the wood of choice for specific ritual use; many Wiccans have several wands rather than one. The wand can also be bought at occult outlets. Wands can be decorated in many ways and even copper pipes are used as wands. Examples of decorations: wool, cotton thread, paint, carving, crystals or gemstones added, copper wire, shell or coral, feathers, leather, seeds, nuts, acorns, small cones and sun and moon symbols. Wands are used to direct power and energy.

These are some of the woods used to make wands and their magickal properties:

Apple: love and water spells.
Almond: air magic.
Ash: fire magic, prosperity and protection.
Avocado: all purpose magic.
Bay: psychic power, purification, strength and healing.
Bamboo: protection.
Blue Gum: moon magic and healing.
Cypress: healing.
Cherry: love magic.
Elder: exorcism and protection.
Hazel: all-purpose magic.
Liquorice: powerful rituals.
Mulberry: protection.
Pear: all-purpose magic.
Rowan: psychic power.
Willow: moon magic.
Oak: fire rituals.
Olive: peace and protection.
Orange: love, luck, money and fire rituals.
Peach: water spells.
Lemon: moon and water magic.
Pine: healing, protection, fertility, exorcism and money.

The Silver Bell:
Should have a high, clear note. It may be engraved on or have runes carved on the handle if wooden. The bell is used to summon and to dispel within the circle, and also to mark the beginning and end of different parts in a ritual.
The Pentacle:
This symbolizes the elements and man, and the universe surrounding us. The pentacle is used to hold offerings of food, or to charge herbs or crystals on for use in ritual.
Can be bought or home-made. It can be a flat piece of silver / brass or glass plate. Home-made ones include wax, wood or clay with a pentagram engraved or painted onto it.
The Cup orChalice:
Which symbolises the Goddess and fertility and water can be plain or fancy and of any material. This is used to hold the blessed water or drink for the cakes and ale ceremony, and for use in libations to the Lord and the Lady
The Cauldron:
Used in ritual for brewing, and or cooking herbal potions and medicines. It symbolises the Goddess and the element water. It usually has a handle, 3 legs and is made of iron. In spring it is filled with flowers and water. In the winter it is filled with coals from the Yule fire or snow. It can also hold soil, rose petals and candles, etc. If it is filled with water and a coin is placed in it, it can be used for scrying.
The Salt bowl:
Can be of any substance and should hold rough sea salt.A crystal may be placed on the salt.
The Censer:
Can be bought or it can be a shell, a bowl with sand or salt in or it may be fancy. Represents the element of air, and is used to burn incense during a rite or ritual.
Cord:
Usually placed on the altar to bind elements or to mark the circle. It is 9ft long.
Are used as belts and are of colours to distinguish rank in coven. Cords are also used in cord magic and to form the circle in solitary work. The witches garter is used for all of the above. It is one of the oldest forms of recognition and rank. It is always decorated with a buckle; both men and woman use the garter. In most covens only High priests and High Priestesses wear the garter, in others the Priest and Priestess also wear them. The colour is green though some covens use red.
The offering plate or cup:
This is used to place libations or offerings of blessed food in. It can be made from anything and may be decorated with symbols.
Broom or Besom:
Can be home-made using trees and plants. Broom plant, Rowan for stake, Willow for binding.
Or Birch twigs, Ash for stake, Willow for binding.
Or Oak twigs, Hazel for stake, Willow for binding.
Or Wild grass, Pine for stake, Willow for binding.
The bottom of the broom is in a phallic form which is covered by the twigs or grass. The broom is used to sweep clean the ritual area, to make sure there are no harmful or negative energies when the circle is cast.


Other symbols used include the following:

Butterfly symbol: The butterfly symbolizes the soul and rebirth.
Pyramids: Are used to amplify a Witch's power
Crystals and clusters: These are programmed to a specific purpose. They also amplify power.
Divination tools: Are used to divine possible futures, and are empowered by ritual
Scarabs: These are a symbol of rebirth
Obelisks: Form a physical doorway in the circle.
God and Goddess statues: Used as a visual focus point for energies


These tools are used during magick and ritual work to channel and direct the energies that Wicca work with.
The tools are not essential to spellwork, but most Witches find it easier to direct their energies through the use of some tool. It must be understood that the tools have no power except that which the Witch directs through it.
The tools themselves are not magickal, but can be used to store energy that the Witch has built up. Each tool is cleared of harmful energy, charged with the Witch's personal energy, and consecrated for a specific use in ritual or spellwork.