Tools Of A Witch Part 2

The first part of this series can be found Part 1
A witch usually has an alter, there are tools that are almost always on the alter.

Altar

In religious ceremonies the altar is the most sacred spot. Tools displayed on the altar depending on the witch’s tradition. Tools the witch will need for that particular ritual are on altar. Seasonal objects can decorate the altar along with images of totem animals, familiars and deities. A goblet, sword or knife, a bowl of salt and another with water, candles and figures of the God and Goddess.

Altar Candles
Some solitaries have one candle their altar candle. Most covens have two candles: God and Goddess candles. Usually altar candles are white but can be other colors according to season or type of magic being worked.

Altar Cloth
A cloth to cover the altar laid before the tools. Most cloths are white. Some witches have a lot of cloths, of various colors according to the season. Not all witches use an altar cloth.

Athamé
A double edged blade used to cut strings or other tools. Also used to carve symbols into candles during candle magic. Not used for cutting physical objects. Used for casing circles and “cutting.” Can be used in place of sword or wand.

Bell
The ringing of bells was thought to send away evil spirits. Has been used for thousands of years. Bells are hung around the neck of cattle and other domestic animals for this purpose. Bells were also hung from clothing for this same reason. A bell on a shop door isn’t to notify the shopkeeper of a costumer but to keep evil out of the shop.

Censer Thurible
Holds incense and dispenses smoke.

Chalice
Another name for the ritual goblet.

Types of Witchcraft

The Witching Hour

When I say witchcraft what do you think? Do you see an image of an old woman standing in front of a large pot stirring in frog legs and eyes of newt?

Don’t worry that’s what most people see.

What if I told you that was only a small part of a witches’ craft. Most don’t use eyes of newt or frog legs either. I could make a joke here and say they are too hard to find now, but I won’t.

So what do witches do? You ask me…

Well, Witchcraft is so much more that one blog post could ever do justice to. It’s so much more than I could ever do justice to. I’ll try to give you a small peak into witchcraft though.

We already touched on Black and White magic, there is also a line in the middle, Gray magic. It can be seen as bad, good and in between. Of course you all have heard about Voodoo and Hoodoo magic.

There are many forms of crafting.

A lot of modern witches use candles. Some use herbs, some use images, cords or threads.

Burning candles of various types and kinds for various purposes is used for Candle magic.
Cords and threads are knotted while saying spells.
Herbs are used for spells and potions.
Images are used while chanting spells.

There is something called Ceremonial magic, it’s much like a religious mass. A lot of people gather together to perform Ceremonial magic.

Magicians are said to use magic, but their magic is a very different from a witches magic. ~ This will have to be a post for a different day.~

That’s all the sneak peak I’m allowed to give for today.