Mirror

Mirrors are associated with magic through many myths, stories and legends.

It was believed that the reflection in the mirror (or any other reflective surface) was a vital part of one’s soul. (sound familiar??? What about a vampire’s reflection???)

Mirrors were thought of as “soul catchers.”

Draping black cloths over mirrors in the sick room of a dying person was to prevent the soul from being taken.

In witchcraft mirrors are used as divination tools, like a crystal ball. The witch sees images in the mirror and interprets them.

Tools Of A Witch Part 4

You can find part 3 to this series Here

This series is in no way a full list of a witch’s tools. Each and every witch uses what she feels is necessary for the spell or ritual she or he is preforming at that moment. Some witches don’t use any tools, other use a large array of tools. My lists during these past few months are the most commonly used tools.

Potion

Any Medicinal drink can be referred to as a potion. The wise ones knew how to brew herbs to heal, although potion is most often thought of as a poison. Or to be used in love magic.

Staff
Scotttish Witches use a staff much like other witches use a wand, sword, or asthme, to cast a circle and direct energy. A staff is a symbol of authority.

Crystals and Stones
They’re belived to have energies that aid in magic, and healings.

Swords
A coven tool the HP or HPs walks around the circle allowing the tip of the sword to mark the circle’s line. Can also be used instead of a wand without a coven.

Card from a Tarot deck.

Scourge
The witches’ tools differ from tradition to tradition. Whether the witch is a solitary or part of a coven is also important when looking at tools.

Pentacle and/ or Pentagram
Used in divination. Usually on the altar as a protection symbol.

Tarot
Cards used to tell the future. The Roma or Gypsies brought the cards with them to Europe. The earliest known deck of tarot cards from the fourteenth century. There are 78 cards in total. Twenty-two are figure cards. There are 4 suits usually Wands, Pentacles, Swords and Cups. These cords run from Ace to 10. There are also 4 face cards: King, Queen, Knight, and Page.

White Handle Knife
Used in rituals. Used only to engrave other tools with symbols or names.

Tools Of A Witch Part 3

The second part of this series can be found Part 2

There are still more tools that witches can use.

Boleen
In Wicca the boleen is a small knife with a curved blade. Its sole purpose is to cut herbs.

Book Of Shadows

Book to keep all witch info in also called a Grimoire. Although there are some differences in the two books. Some use a Book of Shadows as a spell book other as a journal of their magic. A Grimiore is also a spellbook, sometimes refered to as a cookbook as it usually only holds spells and their recipes.

Burin
A sharp tool used to carve symbols into other tools.

Candles
Candles are used to represent light, the God and Goddess. They are the number one tool for candle magic.

Cord
Used in knot magic. Can be used to measure the “circle.” There are Usually 3 cords used in most traditions.

Goblet
Is the sacred cup used by witches in rituals. It holds consecrated wine.

Herbs

Used for incense, medicinal syrups, teas, salves, ointments and poultices.

Incense

Perfumed fumigation used in witchcraft and religious rituals. Burning herbs, flowers, barks, roots, dried seeds, gums, and resins. Incenses have been used for thousands of years.

Oil
Used to anoint.

Pins
Used often in Black Magic- often with candles and poppet also used for sewing charm bags. For white purposes in healing.

Poppet
Doll made of wax or cloth sometimes of straw. Thought of most often in Voodoo Dolls. Used in White magic. Image Magic to heal.

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.

Tools Of A Witch Part 1

There are a few objects or tools that are as stereotypical as the flying witch.

Brooms

How could a witch fly if she doesn’t have broom? True witches don’t fly but they do love their brooms. The broom is used to clean. Sweeping the physical dirt from a witches’ work space. It’s also used to sweep any negative energy from a witch’s space.

Cauldron
“Double double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
A witch or witches standing around a large boiling cauldron tossing in eyes of newt and all sorts of strange named ingredients is partially true. Witches use cauldrons at times to create brews and potions. Other times to burn spells. Most of the time a cauldron is used to burn incense during rituals.

Wand
Pieces of wood usually a tree branch used for directing power. May be decorated with symbols, crystals, and or ribbons. Usually every witch has one.

Salt
Always on the altar. It represents life and one or both elements of earth and or water. Also used to mark circle.

Water
Always on the Altar. It represents spirit and the element of water. Used in consecration process.