tools as well as some of the symbols used in magic

The athame - The athame (pronounced ah-thah-may by most Witches) is a double-edged, black handled knife used to direct energy and is often employed when casting circle. The athame is the tool of the East and is associated with the element of Air. In some traditions it is the tool of Fire. However, this knife is not used to cut things in the physical world.

The Boline- a white handled knife, It is used for cutting herbs and cords and for carving symbols in candles and in wood.

The Cauldron- the cauldron is associated with the goddess Cerridwen. Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was useful to warring armies: dead warriors could be put into the cauldron and would be returned to life, save that they lacked the power of speech. It was suspected that they lacked souls. These warriors could go back into battle until they were killed againThe cauldron is an ancient tool of magick and ritual. It is normally a three-legged vessel, ideally made of iron and has the opening smaller that the body of the cauldron. They come in a variety of sizes. The cauldron is used for many different purposes. It is used for magickal brewing and cooking, and is used for scrying. It is used many different ways during ritual, especially the rituals of the Sabbats. The cauldron is the tool of the West and is associated with Water. The cauldron is feminine in nature and represents the Goddess, fertility and femininity.They can be used to ritually burn parchment paper or other magickal
Element: Water - once again, this tool is associated with the Goddess, mainly Cerridwen

Candles- Candles are used to represent the Goddess and the God on the altar. Element: Fire, of course!
Uses: Candles have an incredible number of uses, from simply creating the proper mood (and altered states of conciousness) to representing the Lord and Lady on our Altars. Candles are also used in doing magick (see Spellcraft for more information) for meditating, for scrying, and also just as lighting. Candles can be homemade with a minimum of skill and supplies, and there are plenty of books in the local library on how to do it. Add oils to your candles (sparingly), add perfumes, or roll them in oil and then in herbs. Decorate them in the colors and flowers of the Sabbat or season and use them on the altar or give them as gifts. Candles are a very versatile item, and I do definitely consider them a tool of the Craft

Censer- The censer is an incense burner. It can be an ornate brass burner that hangs from chains or something as simple as a small ceramic bowl. The censer is used to burn the incense that are often offered to the Deities, as well as being used to invoke the spirits of the Air, the Sylphs and Faery. The censer is a tool of the element Air.

Chalice- Water, The chalice is actually used more today than its direct descendent, the cauldron. The chalice has the same attributes and is used in many of the same ways as the cauldron (minus the cooking parts). This is again an example of Witches using what they had and what would not get them burned at the stake. During those dark years, everyone in had drinking vessels, but not everyone had cauldrons

Pentacle-Of all the symbols and tools used in Wicca and witchcraft, this is probably the most misunderstood. The pentacle is usually a flat piece of metal or wood inscribed with a pentagram, a five-pointed star. It can also been made of wax and then melted into candles. This was widely done during the Inquisition. The pentacle came from ceremonial magic and has been used in ritual and magick for thousands of years. It is used to represent feminine energy and to consecrate objects such as amulets and charms. The pentacle is also a traditional symbol of protection and is one of the official symbols of a Wicca. The pentacle is the tool of the North and is associated with Earth. The pentacle is feminine in nature and represents the Goddess.

Wand- one of the most renown of the tools and one of the most versatile. Traditionally, the wand is made from the wood of many different kinds of trees including willow, elder, oak, hazel, and fruit trees. The length of the wand varies from tradition to tradition, but it is safe to say that the wand should be fairly straight, comfortable in your hand and is not so long as to be unwieldy. When searching for wood for your wand, even wood from a building supply store will work. If you take your wood from a living tree, remember to ask the tree first, then thank it for its sacrifice. Wands can also be made of crystals and metal. Make the wand your own by carving or painting symbols on it, adorning it with ribbons, whatever makes the wand special to you. For thousands of years the wand has been used in both magick and rituals. The wand is used mostly to invoke the God and Goddess, direct energy, and to charge other objects. It is used to draw symbols on the ground and even to stir the cauldron. The wand is the tool of the South and is associated with Fire. In some traditions it is the tool of Air. The wand is phallic in nature, is a masculine tool and is sacred to the Gods.

The Broom- a tool of magick and ritual that is still used by Witches today. The traditional Witch's Broom is made of ash, birch and willow because of the attributes of those woods, but it can be made of just about any wood available. Although not employed for flying purposes, the broom does have many uses. It is used for protection. It is also and most commonly used for physically and magickally cleaning an area that will be used for sacred space. The broom does not have to touch the ground to sweep away the psychic clutter that often collects in well-used spaces. Brooms are also often used in handfasting rituals (broom leap). The broom is associated with Water and is sacred to both the God and Goddess.

Book Of Shadows- The Book of Shadows is a book that contains a witch's rituals, spells, runes, dreams, recipes, etc. Within covens, the initiates copy the original Book by hand. A solitary may also keep a Book, recording within spells, etc. The Book is normally a secret book. To make a Book of Shadows, any blank book will do. Most are hard bound, but that's not mandatory. The color of the book is optional, but black does seem to be traditional. Today, many witches are keeping their Books on their computers. Just keep in mind that if you keep your Book on computer to back up the data!

The Triple Moon- The triple moon is a Goddess symbol that represents the Maiden, Mother, and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon. It is also associated with feminine energy, mystery and psychic abilities. You often see this symbol on crowns or other head-pieces, particularly worn by High PriestessesThe Maiden represents enchantment, inception, expansion, the female principle, the promise of new beginnings, youth, excitement, and a carefree erotic aura. The Maiden in Greek Mythology is Persephone - purity - and a representation of new beginnings. Other maiden goddesses include: Brigid, Nimue, among others.
The Mother represents ripeness, fertility, fulfillment, stability, and power. The Mother Goddess in Greek mythology is Demeter, represtning wellspring of life, giving and compassionate. Other mother goddesses include: Aa, Ambika, Ceres, Astarte, Lakshmi.
The Crone represents wisdom, repose, and compassion. The Crone in Greek mythology is Hecate - wise, knowing, a culmination of a lifetime of experience. Crone goddesses include: Hel, Maman Brigitte, Oya, Sedna, Skuld, and others

Celtic Triple Spiral- The Celtic triple spiral or triskele symbol is sometimes called the spiral of life and was found in the Newgrange site from the Bronze Age in Ireland. The triple spiral is an ancient symbol of Celtic beliefs, and was used consistently in Celtic art for 3 millennia. The Celts believed that all life moved in eternal cycles, regenerating at each point. Celts also believed that all important things came in three phases; for example: birth, death and rebirth and mind, body and spirit.

The triple spiral later became the triskele used in Christian manuscripts. In neopagan religions, the triple spiral is also used to represent the triple goddess. According to Uriel's Machine by Knight and Lomas (2003) the triple spiral may represent the nine month period of human pregnancy, since the sun takes a fourth of a year to go from the celestial equator (an equinox) to extreme north or south declination (a solstice), and vice versa. During each three-month period, the sun's path appears to form a closely-wound quasi-helical shape, which can be likened to a spiral, so that three spirals could represent nine months, providing an explanation for a link between fertility and the triple-spiral symbol (thanks to Crystal Links for this and the info on the Triple Moon)

The inverted Pentagram-The inverted (or upside down) pentacle is a symbol of some reputation. It is typically associated with Satanism, though that is not a completely accurate description. The true emblem of the Church of Satan is the sigil of Baphomet, which is a symbol with a goat's head and an inverted pentacle. Within Wicca, the upside down pentacle stands for the 2nd degree in some traditions.

ankh-The short and traditional meaning for the ankh symbol is "everlasting life". This symbol is a hieroglyph seen in countless ancient Egyptian carvings, usually held in hand by Gods and pharaohs to show how they preside over life (in other words, are immortal). In these images, the ankh is held by the loop rather than the base. The ankh is a popular symbol among Pagans, likely due to the similarity to a Christian cross which makes the ankh much less shocking to others, as compared to a pentacle.

7 pointed star- The seven pointed star has a few names: septagram, septacle, Elven star or fairy star. The number seven corresponds to the spirit realm, which is why this symbol is associated with elves or fairies. There are no set representations for each of the points, but they are sometimes labeled: earth, air, fire, water, above, below and within. The septagram is also associated with astrology because the classical view of the sky contained seven planets

Eye of Horus- The Eye of Horus can be a bit of a confusing symbol. It is seen sometimes as the right or sometimes as the left eye. The left eye is Eye of Horus and is connected with the moon. When it's the right eye, it's the Eye of Ra, and associated with the sun. Though some sources say there is no distinction at all. The Eye represents the eye that was lost by Horus when he fought with Seth over the murder of his father, Osiris. The symbol is worn for protection and to ward off evil spirits.


I'm hoping to have more coming soon.