Charging And Cleansing Your Tools

Once you have prepared your elemental substances, you can charge your tools ready for use. If they
have been bought, whether new or second-hand, you might also like to cleanse them first. You can also
cleanse them after a formal ritual or when their energies seem depleted.

If the ritual is important or arduous, you can recharge the tools before each use, but usually this is not
necessary, as the cleansing from a previous ritual will automatically restore the energies. However, as
you polish your candlesticks or athame before putting them on the altar, you may wish to focus on the
intention of the ceremony and visualise light entering the tools.

Charging With Power

You can charge your tools separately as you obtain them. Alternatively, group them together on a table
before their first use in ritual and create a circle of light around them with small purple candles at the
eight main compass points (North, North-east, etc.). Start at the North candle and end with the Northwest candle.

* First create a circle of salt round the tool(s), beginning in the North, to offer the tool(s) the protection
of the ancient Earth element, saying:

Mother Earth, charge with the power of the ancient stone circles and the wise ways of the ancestors
this – [name the tool(s)] of magick and healing, that my work may be rooted in what is possible and
help create abundance and prosperity for others and the land, as well as for my own needs.

* Next, draw a circle of smoke deosil in the air around them, using a frankincense or myrrh incense
stick, saying:

Father Sky, charge with the power of the mighty winds and the limitless potential of the cosmos this –
[name the tool(s)] of magick and healing, that my work may be focused, filled with energy and bring
positive change to ever-widening horizons.

* Now, using a golden or scarlet candle in a broad-based candle-holder, mark an inner circle of fire in
the air, around the artefact(s), saying:

Brother Fire, charge with the power of ancient ritual fires and the brilliance of the Sun, this (these)
tool(s) of magick and healing, that my work may be filled with light and inspiration and purged of all
self-seeking and negativity.

* finally, sprinkle sacred water or rainwater that has not touched the ground before collection on top of
the circle of salt saying:

Sister Water, charge with the power of mighty oceans, wide rushing rivers and deep still pools this
(these) tool(s) of magick and healing, that my work may release stagnation and bring fertility and
peace, not only to myself and my loved ones, but to people whose lives are blighted by polluted places
and, especially, water.

Cleansing Using The Forces Of Nature

Leave your artefact(s) on a piece of white silk in a sheltered, safe place out of doors or near an open
door where children, pets or the curious cannot reach them. Begin at dusk where they can absorb the
light of the Sun, the Moon and the stars, for 24 hours. This will be effective even if you cannot see any
of these heavenly bodies in the sky.

Charge at the time of the waxing moon to the full moon if possible; if not, let them stand for 48 hours.
If the Moon is waning and so not good for energising, create a circle of alternate moonstones and
crystal quartz for the powers of the Sun and Moon, and leave the tools within this circle for the full 48-
hour cycle.

Sprinkle the tools with nine drops of sacred water that was collected under the full moon or rainwater
that has not touched the ground, saying a variation of this old magical rhyme whose origins are
unknown:

One for joy, two for gladness,
Three and four to banish sadness,
Five and six do life renew,
Seven, eight, nine bring power anew.

Few of these old chants are great poetry, but that was not their purpose – they were created in the days
before widespread literacy as a way of remembering magical rituals. If you prefer, you can substitute
your own, composed by you or a coven member who may have a gift for such work. The rhymes
served like simple mantras to build up power – some people recite the chant several times, very fast,
while sprinkling the water slowly.

Cleansing Using A Crystal Pendulum

Hold a clear crystal pendulum over the tool(s) and make nine circles widdershins.

Plunge the pendulum in cold running water to cleanse it, shake it dry and circle it nine times deosil
over the tool(s) to restore energies. You may need to repeat this several times if a tool seems lifeless or
after you have been carrying out a banishing ritual.

— Practical Guide to Witchcraft and Magic Spells By Cassandra Eason

Consecration of Chalice, Athame or Other Tool

Before these assembled spirits I bring (name type of tool) to be dedicated to the service of the Lady and Lord.

(Pass tool three times through smoke of the incense.)

By the power of air, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of thought and to harmlessness that all intentions for which thou art used may harm none and be for the good of all.

(Pass tool three times through or over the flame of the fire candle.)

By the power of fire, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of desire and to harmlessness that all goals which thou doest help achieve may harm none and be for the good of all.

(Take a few drops of water and sprinkle or dab on instrument.)

By the power of water, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of emotion and to harmlessness that all that thou shalt be used in a spirit of harmony, harming none and for the good of all.

(Touch instrument to the stone or salt in north quarter)

By the power of earth, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to steadfastness and purity of purpose, that my will be achieved without wavering, with harm to none and for the good of all.

(If this is a chalice, present it first to the Lady, then to the Lord, if athame, reverse order. All other instruments use personal preference, but it is courtesy to present them to Her first.)

PRESENTATION FOR CHALICE:
Lady Freya, Keeper of Femininity, bless this chalice. Let it be as Thy cauldron, a vessel of productivity that it may be worthy to dispense Thy bounty. Let it be used in Thy service and in the service of humanity. Let it be so bound that no harm may come of it to any being, but let it rather be an instrument of goodwill and understanding; of loving harmony. To Thy sacred self I dedicate this vessel, (name of vessel), that it and I may long be of service to Thee.

Lord Thor, companion to the Lady, champion of the Gods, bless this chalice and keep watch over it. Guard the works which come forth from it, that they ever be in the service of Thee and Thy Lady, that they be of service to humankind, and that they abide by the laws of harmony. To Thee I vow I shall use it for Her sacred purposes, and for no other.
So mote it be.

PRESENTATION FOR ATHAME:
Lord Thor, thunderer & hammer wielder, bless this athame. Let it be as the spring rains which fall upon the Earth to cause Her to bring forth Her bounty.

Let it quicken my hopes and dreams, yet keep them from causing harm. Let it guide them in the harmony of the seasons, bringing forth only good for all. Lord Thor, bless this athame, (name of athame), that it be used ever in the worship and honor of the Gods.

Lady Freya, companion to the Thunderer, lover of the Gods, bless this athame that it shall bring forth joy, and shall cause no pain nor disharmony to any. I dedicate this athame (name athame), symbol of the Defender and Rain Maker, to Thy service. May it ever bring Thee joy and pride.

So mote it be.

(This ritual, with suitable changes, may be used to dedicate other tools as well as these.)

Tool Blessing Ritual

A purification of objects for ritual use and their transformation into magical items.

(The area is prepared by placing a quantity of each element in the proper quarter, as well as preparing the altar in the usual way. If available, a cauldron (empty) is placed in the center of the circle. Candles are placed at each of the four corners and lit, progressing deosil from the east. Salt and water are blessed, and the celebrants are purified with them. A magic circle is cast, and watchtowers summoned. The god is then drawn down as follows:
The priest stands before the alter in the Osiris position, arms crossed across chest and feet together. The Priestess kneels before him with face and arms upraised.)

(The Priest helps the Priestess to rise and she stands in the center of the circle in the god position, extending her arms outward and down, palms facing forward. The Priest kneels before her with head bowed.)

(The priestess extends her hands to the priest and helps him rise. The priest cups both hands and scoops from the cauldron, then offers to the priestess.)

(The priestess sips from the cupped hands, after which the priest drinks. The objects to be blessed are taken from the altar by the priest and moved widdershins to the west quarter, and immersed in the water there.)

(The objects are moved by the priestess to the south quarter and moved above the flames there.)

(The objects are moved to the east quarter by the priest and moved through the incense smoke.)

(The objects are moved to the altar by the priestess, and placed upon the pentacle.)

(The person consecrating the tools now offers an impromptu or prepared charge to the items, stating their purpose and mode of use. They are then taken up by the priestess and moved to the east quarter.)

(The tools are now taken up by the priest and moved to the south quarter.)

(The tools are now taken up by the priestess and moved to the west quarter.)

(The tools are now taken up by the priestess and moved to the altar.)

(The priest takes the tools from the altar and steps backwards. The priestess stands at the altar facing south towards the priest. The priest extends his right arm in parallel to the ground, between he and the priestess, with the tools in his hand.)

(The priestess extends her right arm in like fashion, and places her hand over that of the priest.)

(Both step towards each other and turn their hands and arms so the fingers point upwards with the palms facing their own chest, cupping the other’s palm between and holding the tools. They clasp each other with their left arms.)

(The priest and priestess kiss, then release grasps. If the number and size of the tools precludes them being held in one hand simultaneously, the latter charging section should be repeated for each. The tools are replaced on the altar. Cakes and wine are blessed and consumed and a period of relaxation and rest follows. The watchtowers are then dismissed and the circle opened.)

Witches Master Tool List

Equipment:

• a pentacle
• 6 candles; 1 for each direction, 2 for altar
• chalice of wine (hard apple cider on Samhain)
• wand
• scrounge of silken cords
• small bowl of water
• small bowl of salt
• 3 cords, one red, one white, one blue, 9′ long each
• white-handled knife
• individual athames
• incense burner and incense
• small hand bell
• dish of cakes
• sword
• chalk
• altar cloth of any color
• cauldron
• tape recorder and tapes of appropriate music
• veil for Great Rite of a Goddess color: Blue, green, silver or white

For New or Dark Moon Esbat:

• extra incense
• an apple and a pomegranate
• cauldron with a fire in it and/or a bonfire
• crystal ball or other scrying tools
• white tabard with hood for Priestess

For Winter Solstice (Yule):

• cauldron with candle or oak bonfire
• wreaths, 1 of holly and 1 of mistletoe
• crowns, 1 of oak and 1 of holly
• blindfold
• sistrum
• animal skull filled with salt

For Spring Equinox:

• cords as described in preparations
• hard-boiled eggs
• a bonfire ready to ignite or a taper
• flowers in the cauldron

For Beltane Sabbat:

• bonfire

For Initiations:

• anointing oil
• tub to bathe the candidate in
• towels
• salts, herbs and oils to add to the bath
• a blindfold
• a shirt or other clothing that can be cut
• a length of string to measure the person
• two lengths of cord to bind the hands and feet
• bonfire for warmth if needed

For Blessings:

• anointing oil
• wine

Charging Magickal Tools

It doesn’t matter whether you make your own tools or purchase them ready-made. What’s important is that you “charge” them before you use them for magickal work. Until you charge your chalice, it’s just a goblet. The practice of charging it imbues it with your own energy and consecrates it for magickal purposes.

A charging ritual may be very simple or very complex—it’s your choice. One easy and popular technique for charging your tools calls upon the four elements, again in symbolic form. First, wash the tool to cleanse it of any ambient vibrations. Next, hold your tool in front of you and visualize your energy flowing into it.

Sprinkle the tool with saltwater and say aloud: “I charge you with water and earth.” Then hold it for a few moments in the smoke of burning incense while saying “I charge you with fire and air.”

Some witches design rituals that involve the element to which the individual tool corresponds. You could charge your chalice by submerging it in a sacred pool of water for nine days. Similarly, you could bury a pentagram in the ground beneath a venerable tree or place your wand in the sunshine to let the sun’s rays charge it. If you wish, you can include music, crystals, or essential oils in the ritual. Be creative—engage your imagination and your emotions in the process.

Caring for Magickal Tools

Although some witches display their tools on their altars, most people recommend storing tools in a safe place, such as a trunk or chest, when you’re not using them. Wrap them in silk to protect them from dust, dirt, and ambient vibrations. If you drink wine or another beverage from your chalice during a ritual, of course you’ll want to wash it before putting it away. However, there’s no need to wash your other tools after using them—the more you handle them and do magick with them, the more you imprint them with your energy.

It’s usually not a good idea to allow anyone else to handle your magick tools. If you work regularly with a magickal partner, however, you might make an exception for that person.

It is important to remember do not use your magickal tools for mundane purposes. Use a regular kitchen knife, not your athame, for cutting food and herbs, drink everyday beverages from an ordinary glass, not your ritual chalice. Reserve these tools for spell working and ceremonial occasions.

–The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book: Rituals, spells, and sacred objects for everyday magick (Everything®)

Skye Alexander

The Witch’s Tool Kit

All fields of knowledge and all trades employ special tools. The tools of the Craft speak to the subconscious mind in forms that help support magickal work. A tool’s shape, material, and other features provide clues to its symbolism and thus its role in magick. Although some of the items in a witch’s tool kit may look familiar, their magickal purposes differ significantly from their roles in the mundane world. Some of the tools witches favor are used by magicians of other stripes as well.

The Role of Tools in Magick

Witches and Wiccans will tell you that tools are good helpmates to magick, but they are not necessary to the success of any spell or ritual. Even the most elegant tool is only a centering device, something to focus your mind on your magickal work. Without the witch’s will and directed energy, the potential in any tool will remain dormant. For example, a witch might talk about quartz crystals as having energy-enhancing power, but until a crystal is charged and activated, that ability “sleeps” within the stone. The magician is the enabler, the catalyst. A focused will is all that any effective witch needs to perform magick. Everything else just makes the job easier.

Symbolism and Significances

As you’ve already seen, witches often use symbols to embody ideas. The primary tools witches employ in rituals—the wand, chalice, athame, and pentagram—symbolize the four elements. The wand represents the element of fire, the chalice signifies the water element, the athame symbolizes air, and the pentagram represents earth.

Notice that the shapes of these tools correspond to the human body. The wand and the athame, which symbolize masculine power, look distinctly phallic. The chalice (and cauldron) depict feminine energy and the womb. The five points of the pentagram stand for the five “points” of the body: head, arms, and legs.

You can see the four main tools illustrated in the tarot, too. Each suit in the deck is named for one of these tools: wands (sometimes called rods or staves), swords (or daggers, meaning athames), cups (or chalices), and pentacles (or pentagrams, sometimes called coins or disks). As such, they describe fundamental life energies and ways of interacting with the world.

—The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book: Rituals, spells, and sacred objects for everyday magick (Everything®)

Skye Alexander

BESOM

(BROOM)

Hardly anything symbolizes Witchcraft more than the besom (pronounced BEH-sum). The idea of Witches flying on brooms is as old as the Craft itself. We may never find out just where or when this phenomenon began, but it lends certain magick to the tales of old.

The significance of the besom (broom) rests with its ability to sweep, and therefore clean an area of unwanted dirt. European folklore is full of stories about using brooms along with certain incantations while sweeping out the house, the purpose being to sweep out the evil influences along with the dirt. The broom has also been used to form common law marriages. Both parties jump over the broomstick to signify they are joined in a union. Today, many Wiccans and Pagans still jump over the broom at the end of the marriage ceremonies to seal their union.

An authentic besom or Witches broom has seven distinct parts.

1. The Staff Butt: Usually solid, but may also be hollow and plugged with a wood cork.

2. The Staff: The long shaft of the broom, sometimes referred to as the wand, will vary in length, thickness, and texture. Its carvings and decorations also vary.

3. The Choke Ring: This binds the upper part of bristles to the staff and is usually made of metal, silver being the best as it represents the moon and goddess. Sometimes there may be several of these used. When more than one is used the first is silver, the second is gold, and the third is copper.

4. The Stalks (bristles): These are grouped evenly around the opposite end of the staff. The stalks should be about half the finished length of the broom.

5. The Stalk Tips: The thick ends are held by the choke ring, with the thin ends extending. All of the stalks should be bending in the same direction.

6. The Splay Ring: There is only one of these and it keeps the stalks evenly placed about the stalk. This ring is usually made of a very strong pliable cording, as it takes up the strain and pressure of the use that is exerted when sweeping.

7. The Stalk Butts: These are the thick ends of the bristles and are bound by the choke ring.

Besom Blessing

Items needed:

a small bowl of salt and one of water

a white candle

a small bunch of fresh rosemary

a censer

a small block of church charcoal

your besom.

Perform this simple ceremony to bless and consecrate your broom. This will remove all of the negative thoughts and vibrations that may be attached to the broom making it ready for magickal works.

Place the candle, the bowl of salt, and the one of water, along with the censer and rosemary on a small table. Light the charcoal, and the white candle. Sprinkle some salt over the broom and then some water as you say:

Water and Earth Wash thee clean,

Of all that was And is unclean.

Place some of the rosemary on the hot coal in the censer. Pick up the broom and pass it through the smoke of the burning herb, and then through the candle flame as you say:

Essence of Air Flame of Fire,

Cleanse thee of all But what I desire.

The broom is now ready to use for both mundane and magickal works. Use your broom to purge your house of negative thoughts and vibrations as well as unwanted guests.

Athame

The athame is a double-edged knife used to inscribe, or cast, the circle of power onto the earth or floor. It is associated with the element of fire, and it represents strength, power, and the masculine force of nature. Since the athame is a weapon, it also has the power to subdue and banish rebellious entities or spirits.

In magick, the athame is used for directing personal power and to focus energy in a desired direction. The athame also regulates, as well as conducts, the flow of internal expression toward the desired destination during magickal operations.

CONSECRATION OF THE ATHAME

Items needed:

Athame

small bowl of water with three pinches of salt added

one white candle

one black candle

sandalwood incense.

On the night of the full moon, place the above items on your altar or small table. Light both of the candles and the incense. Relax and focus on the athame. Pass the athame blade and handle through the flame of the black candle as you say:

All negative thoughts be banished,

all unwanted vibrations be gone.

Now pass the athame blade and handle through the flame of the white candle as you say:

Let only the forces and powers

I wish be within from this moment on.

Pass the athame through the smoke of the incense, through the white candle flame, and then sprinkle with salt water as you say:

Elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.

To this tool of the magick now give birth.

Blessed and consecrated in this hour

Be thou athame of strength and power.

Wrap the athame in a red silk cloth, and keep in a safe place. Only use the athame for magickal rites and spellcrafting.

Let’s Talk Witch – Salt’s Usages & Superstitions

Since time immemorial, amazing properties and superstitions have been attributed to salt. Salt is a crystalline substance that is produced as if by magic in water… and disappears in water. Salt is a pure product – that is, it does not contain any additional substances – that is white in color, and for this reason is considered to be “sacred.” We must remember that in days of yore, salt was extremely valuable, expensive, and indispensable to human life. Salt was so expensive that in many countries, gathering and mining salt was the monopoly of the king or ruler. Salt has good and bad properties.

The first superstition states that salt protects the person against the devil. This is why, when salt is spilled, it is a sign that the devil is in the vicinity, and the person’s guardian angel caused him to spill the salt. Since the guardian angel is stationed behind the person’s right shoulder, and the devil is behind his left shoulder, he must immediately take a pinch of the salt and throw it over his left shoulder in order to blind the devil! However, spilled salt also foretells an imminent quarrel between the members of a couple, perhaps as a result of the fact that in the past, salt was very expensive. “A quarrel with a husband always starts with spilled salt!”

Spilled salt is not only the sign of a quarrel, but also foretells days of sadness. In North America, it is believed that salt predicts sadness… since many tears are needed to “rinse out” the salt. For this reason, it is customary to pour salt onto fire, or onto a range – in order to “dry up” the tears of sadness. Obviously, the fact that tears are salty is connected to this superstition.

When salt is sprinkled on the threshold of the home, the devil and his henchmen cannot get in. (In fact, when salt or ash is sprinkled on the floor, the devil won’t come because he is afraid of leaving tracks.)

In order to greet an important or beloved guest, he is received with a gift in the form of bread and salt, or by placing a pinch of salt in his right hand.

If a pinch of salt is placed on a baby’s tongue, he will have a long, happy, and healthy life.

Incidentally, salt was used as currency in the past, both in trade, and especially as soldiers’ salaries. In fact, the word “salary” comes from “sal”, the Latin word for “salt.” This in fact means that “he is worth his salt.” There is a belief that salt provides immunity against poisons. This belief stems from the custom of former rulers, who would take a pinch of poison with their food in order to fortify their immunity against genuine poisoning. They mixed the poison with salt. This is the origin of the expression, “A pinch of salt a day prevents a change of ruler.”

The expression, “salt of the earth,” describes the cream of humanity. A Muslim proverb states that “salt was spilled between us,” meaning that a covenant was sworn between people. In the East, salt is still a purifying and sanctifying substance. Salt is sprinkled in the Sumo wrestling ring before every match in order to purify it of the evil eye.

Day-by-Day Wicca: A complete guide to Wicca from Beliefs and Rituals to Magic and Witchcraft
Tabatha Jennings

“Cauldron and Chalice – My Cup Runneth Over”

Many of the tools that Witches use are said to represent either the masculine (the god) or the feminine (the goddess). Two of the most common “female” tools are the cauldron and the chalice. Because of their cupped shape, they symbolize the womb of the goddess.

Who isn’t familiar with the image of the Witch stirring up some magickal potion in her cauldron? (Okay, I think most of the time it was probably just her dinner, but who are we to argue with centuries of fairy tales?) These days, Witches are more likely to use the cauldron-usually an iron pot with three legs-to hold a fire during ritual or just for decoration. The Celtic goddess Cerridwen was famous for her cauldron, in which she brewed the mead of wisdom and inspiration. (Don’t you wish you had that recipe?)

The chalice is used to hold the wine or water for use during ritual, and it represents the feminine forces of intuition, understanding, and receptivity. They are often made of silver, glass, pewter, or pottery. I think it is important to choose a chalice that you truly love the look and feel of, and set it aside for use during rituals only. Somehow using that Batman juice glass doesn’t seem to cut it.

Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful  World of Witchcraft

Deborah Blake