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Angel~Cat2006 Vice Captain
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 Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:40 pm
Pagan / Wiccan
Altar Tool Basics Outfitting your altar with magickal tools is usually the first step before casting circles and doing rituals. There are so many tools and items, it can be a bit overwhelming to know which is which and what you need. First and foremost, you do not need any of these things. Magick comes from within and the tools only accentuate your own power. Tools can be purchased or made, whichever works better for you. You also don't need to get all of your tools at a specialty Wiccan store. I've gotten some wonderful items from garage sales and Goodwill. What are the tools you need, and how to use them:: Athame
It's pronounced a-THAW-may or ATH-amay, not A-THAME. The athame is a ritual knife or dagger, usually double-edged with a black handle. The knife represents Fire, but is never used to cut anything physical. An athame is often used to cast a circle. It's symbolic only and many suggest you dull the blade to prevent any accidents.
Chalice
Your chalice (or cup) represents Water. Altar chalices are typically a stemmed goblet style, but any cup, glass or mug will do. Your cup is used to hold the water or wine for drinking at the end of a ritual or circle.
Wand
Most people think of wands as long wooden branches with a big stone on the end. Your wand can be any material you feel drawn to (wood, metal, bone). Your wand is the tool of Air, and is used to direct energy during ritual. Wands tend to be the one tool that most Wiccans are likely to make themselves.
Pentacle
Your altar pentacle can be anything from a simple pendant, to a large table-top platen. The pentacle represents Earth, and you use it to cleanse or consecrate other items on your altar. Typical pentacles are metal, ceramic or carved from wood.
Cauldron
The cauldron represents Water, like the chalice. Most Wiccans don't actively use cauldrons but keep one for the symbolism and the sheer 'witchy-ness' of it. Cauldrons are cast iron pots, usually pot-bellied in style. If you cannot find a true cauldron, other bowls or pots may be used. Though it represents Water, many rituals also call for small fires to be burned in the cauldron. If you plan on doing this, make sure to have a cauldron that can take the heat.
Bowl of Salt
You can use a bowl of salt to represent the Earth, rather than an altar pentacle. Salt is used to cleanse other tools, crystals, jewelry or any item that may pick up negative energy. A small bowl of salt (coarse sea salt is best) is simply kept on the altar.
Other Items
Candles - Represent Fire, and some people keep a special pair of candles to represent the God and Goddess
Bells - Used to mark points during a ritual
Censer - For burning incense (Air)
Sword - Just a longer version of the athame. Not very practical for the solitary Wiccan
Boline - Curved knife for harvesting herbs, not really necessary for most peopleYou may never use all of these tools on a regular basis, but you may come across a spell or a ritual that you want to do that requires one. If you don't have a tool, you can always improvise, or keep your eyes open for your next magickal item.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:44 pm
Knot Magick
Knot magick (also called cord magick) is a form of spellwork that is less well-known than some others, but is no less powerful.
The only material you need to perform a knot spell is a cord of some kind. Anything will do, but make sure it is long enough to hold all your knots and the material of the cord should be natural. Craft shops are great sources for lengths of cord made from silk, cotton, hemp, leather, wool or even ribbon. Choose a colour to match the intention of the spell.
You can use your cord as-is, but to add more of your personal energy to the spell, you can also braid it before working the knots. Obviously, the material needs to be fairly thin or the resulting cord will be too thick to hold the knots. You can combine colours too, to more finely tune the colour energy to your needs.
Make sure you have a sufficient length of material, as it will shorten up considerably when braided. Focus on your purpose as you braid your cord.
Once you have your cord ready, it's time to make the spell. Any purpose can be used with cord magick, but spells that involve binding are more appropriate. I don't mean binding of another person necessarily, but any kind of 'tying up' or 'holding fast'. Some examples might be: spells to eliminate bad habits, to help keep emotions in check, to bind up an illness, or to secure a new job.
A typical or traditional knot spell has nine knots, and the words spoken are shown below. You concentrate and focus your energy on your purpose, and repeat each line as you tie each knot. But you could also choose a number of knots to match your purpose (numerologically speaking), and you can recite your own words as well.
Your magick will continue to work as long as the knots are tied. Once your goal has manifested itself, you should dispose of the cord without untying the knots. Burning or burying it are two options, so long as your cord is made from natural materials. You could also just keep the knotted cord tucked safely away.
Traditional Nine Knot Spell
By knot of one, the spell's begun
By knot of two, I make it true
By knot of three, so mote it be
By knot of four, the open door
By knot of five, the spell's alive
By the spell of six, the spell is fixed
By the spell of seven, the earth and heaven
By the spell of eight, the stroke of fate
By the spell of nine, the thing is mine
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Angel~Cat2006 Vice Captain
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Angel~Cat2006 Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:59 pm
String Love Spell
To Attract Love
On a friday night of the waning moon, cut two red or pink strings of
equal length. Before going to sleep, place these two strings on your
altar to form a heart. Upon waking the next morning, take the two
strings, line them up and tie nine knots in them, together, saying with
each knot:
"Love is bound to come to me."
Of course, don't think of any specific person while doing this. Feel
love flowing through you, namely your gut area.
Keep this talisman with you until love has found its way to you, then
place the bound strings in a safe place.
You can embellish this spell further by soaking the strings in rose oil,
placing rose or carnations upon your altar, etc.
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