Oct. 19, 2007 at 2:32 AM by merrymeet05
posted to Pagan And Proud
Tools and Supplies: Basic List
The practice of Wicca is both a religion and a craft. Over time you will collect all kinds of tools and equipment to use as you make magickal herbal items, amulets, charge candles for magickal purposes and much more. Here is a listing of the basics that you will want to have on hand to always be ready to practice your Craft!
HERBS:
You’ll want to have at least one herb or resin for each planetary energy so that you are prepared to create any incense, herbal amulet or poppet whenever the need arises. I recommend Frankincense resin for the SUN (success, personal power), Myrrh resin for the MOON (psychic ability, subconscious, dreams), Red Sandalwood for MARS (energy, courage, protection), Cinnamon for MERCURY (memory, mental sharpness), Cedar for JUPITER (abundance, growth), Rose for VENUS (love, beauty, art), Patchouli for SATURN (grounding, protection), White Willow for NEPTUNE (inspiration), Nutmeg for URANUS (change, health, visions) and Poppy seeds for PLUTO (inner knowledge, karma).
Be sure that you have a MORTAR and PESTLE to crush and mix your herbs.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
Have one bottle of each of the following oils to be able to create ritual oil blends, bath-salts and to add to your ritual incenses. Frankincense oil for the SUN, White Sandalwood oil for the MOON, Honeysuckle oil for MARS, Lavender oil for MERCURY, Magnolia oil for JUPITER, Rose oil for VENUS, Patchouli oil for Saturn, Wisteria oil for NEPTUNE, Allspice oil for URANUS and Musk oil for PLUTO.
You’ll also want to have lots of jars, vials and small containers in which to store your herbal creations. Baby food jars are perfect for most incenses. Keep your herbs and herbal mixtures in a cool, dark, dry place and they’ll last much longer.
CANDLES:
Keep on hand these colors – white (purification), black (blocking), green (prosperity, health), blue (peace, tranquility), orange (energy, vitality), pink (love, beauty) and purple (spiritual evolution, meditation). You will be purchasing other colors as you develop rituals you want to do, but these colors will cover just about anything you may run up against at the last minute.
You will also need a
CANDLE SNUFFER.They come in many styles
MATCHES. The strike anywhere ones are the easiest to use.
CANDLE HOLDERS. You may not always need six holders for each ritual, but you’ll want to be prepared in case.
INCENSE:
In a small box keep your CHARCOAL, MATCHES/LIGHTER and SAND OR KITTY LITTER (to set your hot charcoal down on) and INCENSE BURNER. At times you may choose to burn just Frankincense resin or just Myrrh resin for purification purposes. It’s a good idea to have an INCENSE SPOON to dish out a small amount of your incenses so you don’t get incense stuck under your finger nails! You’ll also want a few small containers to place your incense in on your altar at each ritual.
You may end up with more than one ALTAR CLOTH (you may want to color-coordinate your altar cloths with the type of energy you’re invoking at various rituals), but you need at least one black altar cloth around 3 feet square for general purposes.
Keep on hand SEA SALT and SPRING WATER for cleansing the energy of objects and casting your Circle. You’ll need a small container to place your salt in for use on your altar. Generally speaking you’ll be using your CHALICE on your altar to contain your water for cleansing.
You’ll need PARCHMENT and PEN for drawing talismans and writing spells. Some people like to use FEATHER QUILLS and MAGICKAL INKS for this type of work but you can also use a good quality pen or sharpies in different colors, too.
Try the following CRYSTALS and STONES for general spellwork: Jade or green Aventurine for prosperity; Hematite or Onyx for protection and grounding; Carnelian or Gold Tiger’s Eye for healing; Amethyst or Moonstone for meditation or spiritual work.
Get some CORD or RIBBON (non-synthetic) in various colors for tying up herbal amulet bags or cord magick.
You’ll want at least one DIVINATION DEVICE so you can get information about various things – information about what is going on in your life or to help you decide the best approach for a ritual. Most commonly used divination tools are TAROT DECKS, PENDULUMS, CRYSTAL BALLS or RUNE STONES.
You’ll need a nice RITUAL ROBE or TABARD. Ritual robes can be hooded or not as you prefer and tend to slip over the head. Tabards are robes which are open in the front.
You can never have enough small STORAGE BOXES for candles, incenses, stones and all of the other accoutrements you will collect over time.
I like to have a TAPE or CD player for background music to cover up outside noises of sirens, barking dogs, etc while you are in Circle.
Of course, you’ll also have your Elemental Tools in your Witch’s Cabinet: Athame (ritual knife), Wand, Chalice (keep two – one for strictly ceremonial use and the other to mix potions in or scry with) and Pentacle. You’ll need a blank BOOK OF SHADOWS to record your workings and spells. I’d recommend another blank book as well for your ongoing thoughts and projects. Once you have something worked out on paper, you can transfer the information neatly to your permanent Book of Shadows.
Initially, due to space limitations or budget, you may just store your tools and accoutrements in a cardboard or plastic storage container that you can obtain at your local hardware store. Once you have gotten out all of the things you need for a particular working, you can cover this storage box with your altar cloth and use it as your altar as well. Eventually you will need an actual cabinet (it’s amazing how much stuff a Witch can collect!) and you may want to check out garage sales or flea markets for a China Cabinet to use as permanent storage.
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November ~ Snow Moon: Plan for a ritual to work on ridding yourself of negative thoughts and vibrations.
December ~ Oak Moon: Plan for a ritual to help you remain steadfast in your convictions.
January ~ Wolf Moon: Plan a ritual of protection around your home and family.
February ~ Storm Moon: Plan a ritual to ask the Old Ones for help in planning your future.
March ~ Chaste Moon: Plan a ritual to help fulfill your wishes is appropriate.
April ~ Seed Moon: Plan a ritual to physically plant your seeds of desire in Mother Earth.
May ~ Hare Moon: Plan a ritual to reaffirm your goals.
June ~ Dyad Moon: Plan a ritual to balance your spiritual and physical desires.
July ~ Mead Moon: Plan a ritual to decide what you will do once your goals have been met.
August ~ Wort Moon: Plan a ritual to preserve what you already have.
September ~ Barley Moon: Plan a ritual of Thanksgiving for all the Old Ones have given you.
October ~ Blood Moon: Plan a ritual to remember those who have passed from this world, and be sure to make an offering to them.
If you want to gain something (friendship, money, job, intelligence) do your magick during the WAXING MOON (when the moon is getting full)
If you want to lose something (bad habits, negative energy) do your magick during the WANING MOON (when the moon is getting small)
The FULL MOON is a good time for magick of all kinds, for the full moon brings great power to all magick.
The NEW MOON is useful for starting new ventures.
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The accumulation and direction of the subtle forces of the moon, is one of the arts of Witchcraft. Moon magic is a personal art, even though there are basic guidelines. In ancient times, witches held the position of the Moon priestesses/priests. In coastal regions, and upon islands, witches were also Sea Priestesses/Priests. The use of water from the sea was an important aspect in Moon Magic (salt being a crystal form). The "charging" of water, and the release of the "charge" through evaporation, was an important aspect. So too was the soaking of woods and herbs in sea water, which were later dried, and burned as incenses and offerings.
The use of Portals to gain access to the Lunar Realms, and the building of magical images there, is a very important aspect of Moon Magic. The actual "essence" of the power used in Moon Magic, originates out among the stars. The Sun draws in the stellar influences and transmits them into our Solar System. The Planets within our System absorb this energy which then merges with their own vibrations or energies. The Planets, in turn, then emanate a composite energy within our Solar System. Each Planet's energy or vibratory pattern is unique, and influences other planetary bodies and forces, within each planet's sphere of influence. This is the basis of Astrology and Planetary correspondences in Magic (this is how and why it works). The Moon is the focal point of power upon the Earth. The Moon absorbs, condenses, and channels all of these forces, which are then carried to our Planet, upon the Lunar Light Spectrum.
Agrippa, a 15th Century magician, understood these principles when he wrote "...but the Moon, the nearest to the heavenly influences, by the swiftness of her course, is joined to the sun, and the other planets and stars, as a conception, bringing them forth to the inferior world, as being next to itself, for all the stars have influence on it, being the last receiver, which afterwards communicates the influence of all superiors to these inferiors, and pours them forth upon the Earth..."
Aradia, the Holy Strega, told her followers to seek the Moon above all others, for the purposes of Magic. In the closing prayer of the Full Moon Ritual, we find these words which Aradia's followers were later to have written:
" O' Goddess of the Moon...teach us your ancient mysteries... that the Holy Strega spoke of, for I believe the Strega's story, when she told us to entreat Thee, told us when we seek for Knowledge, to seek and find Thee above all others".
Agrippa understood this also, when he wrote, "Therefore. her (the moon) motion is to be observed before the others, as the parent of all conception......hence it is, that without the Moon intermediating, we cannot at any time attract the power of the superiors..." What Agrippa spoke of, is what witches have known for Ages: The Moon is the focal point of power upon the Earth. Without the Moon we cannot make use of the Universal Forces beyond her.
In Moon Magic, the ritual altar is the focal point for the Lunar forces which are drawn upon. Women are the vessels for Lunar Energy, receiving and directing the magical force. Men can also become lunar vessels, but women are much better suited (as their biology is more attuned to the Moon's Cycles, than are men's biology).
The Moon altar is placed facing the West Quarter. The altar itself should be round, but a square or a rectangle is OK. In the center of the altar, place a bowl of saltwater. A white sea shell is then set into the center of the bowl. As this is done, whisper the name of the Goddess who rules the current phase of the Moon, under which you are working. The new moon belongs to Diana (De-ah-nah), the Full Moon to Jana (Jah-nah) and the waning Moon to Umbrea.
Around the bottom of the bowl. set nine white shells, forming a crescent (horns upward, as in a smile). If the magic is for the gain of something, place the shells from right to left. If the magic is for the removal, or loss of something, then place the shells from left to right.
As each shell is placed, chant the name of the Goddess who presides over the goal of the magical influence you desire. Matters concerning "beginnings" are under Diana. Matters involving "forces", energies, or powers are under the influence of Jana. Matters of Death, decline, and stagnation are ruled by Umbrea.
Censers of Moon Incense are placed around the bowl, upon the altar, forming a triangle (so you have 3 incense containers forming a triangle, with the Moon Bowl in its center). A reversed triangle (V) is formed for manifestations desired upon the physical plane. Upright triangles (A) are formed for manifestation upon the astral plane.
During the magical work, the energy is focused into the altar bowl (or moon bowl, as it is often called). The solitary method is to "enchant" the water. Begin by passing your right hand, palm down, over the bowl in a clockwise manner. Perform nine passes, then do the same with your left hand. You will need to create a Chant which will serve to describe your intent. It can be a simple rhyme, or whatever you want. As you chant, blow gently upon the water slightly disturbing the surface. Formulate the incantation to be as descriptive as you can, about what you desire.
Once you have spoken the incantation into the bowl, it is time to release the "charge". One technique for this is to boil the water, and observe the steam as it evaporates. Boil it until all of the water is gone. As the steam rises up, repeat your incantation, and watch the steam as it moves upward. It is carrying off your magic, so that it may take effect. Think this as you watch it (thoughts ARE things).
Another very old method is to pour out the contents of the bowl into a stream, or river. As you do this, you recite a simple rhyme spell, such as :
" Water to water witch's spell.
I give this stream to speed it well"
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Sango
Quoting PantherStorms:
I have information on many different Gods and Goddesses with Greek and Roman and Egyptian naming if that information would be helpful. I use it in my practice, but am not sure if anyone else here does... let me know and I will post it.
I would love to see that because I am leaning more towards the Egyptian side of things. I think it would be very informative.
Quoting EmmieJJ1191:I agree! Please post it!Quoting PantherStorms:
I have information on many different Gods and Goddesses with Greek and Roman and Egyptian naming if that information would be helpful. I use it in my practice, but am not sure if anyone else here does... let me know and I will post it.
I would love to see that because I am leaning more towards the Egyptian side of things. I think it would be very informative.
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The following set of thirteen principles was
adopted by the Council of American Witches, in April, 1974.
1: We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
2: We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3: We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called supernatural, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
4: We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity ~as masculine and feminine~ and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to each other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
5: We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. ~and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6: We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7: We see religion, magick, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it ~a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft~ The Wiccan Way.
8: Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch, but neither does heredity itself, not the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
9: We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10: Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way", and have sought to deny freedom to others and to surpress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11: As American {Or World-Wide!} Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12: We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13: We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
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Now listen to the words of the Great Mother,
who was of old also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride, and by many other names. At her altars, the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice.
Whenever ye have need of any thing,
once in the month,
and better it be when the moon is full,
then shall ye assemble in some secret place, and adore the spirit of me,
who am Queen of all witches.
There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery,
yet have not won its deepest secrets;
to these will I teach things that are as yet unknown.
And ye shall be free from slavery;
and as a sign that ye be really free,
ye shall be naked in your rites;
and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise.
For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit,
and mine also is joy on earth;
for my law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideal;
strive ever towards it, let naught stop you or turn you aside;
for mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth,
and mine is the cup of wine of life,
and the cauldron of Cerridwen,
which is the Holy Grail of immortality.
I am the gracious Goddess,
who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.
Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal;
and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom,
and reunion with those who have gone before.
Nor do I demand sacrifice;
for behold, I am the Mother of all living,
and my love is poured out upon the earth.
Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess;
she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven,
whose body encircles the universe.
I who am the beauty
of the green earth and the white moon upon
the mysteries of the waters,
I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me.
For I am the soul of nature
that gives life to the universe.
From me all things proceed and unto me
they must return.
Let My worship be in the
heart that rejoices, for behold,
all acts of love and pleasure
are My rituals.
Let there be beauty and strength,
power and compassion,
honor and humility,
mirth and reverence within you.
And you who seek to know me,
know that the seeking and yearning
will avail you not,
unless you know the Mystery:
for if that which you seek,
you find not within yourself,
you will never find it without.
For behold,
I have been with you from the beginning,
and I am that which is attained
at the end of desire.
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Listen to the words of the Horned God,
The Guardian of all things wild and free, and Keeper of the Gates of Death, whose Call all must answer:
I am the fire within your heart... The yearning of your Soul. I am the Hunter of Knowledge and the Seeker of the Holy Quest; I who stand in the darkness of light; I am He whom you have called Death. I am the Consort and Mate of Her we adore, call forth to me.
Heed my call beloved ones, come unto me and learn the secrets of death and peace. I am the corn at harvest and the fruit on the trees. I am He who leads you home. Scourge and Flame, Blade and Blood these are mine and gifts to thee.
Call unto me in the forest wild and on hilltop bare and seek me in the Darkness Bright. I who have been called; Pan, Herne, Osiris , and Hades, speak to thee in thy search. Come dance and sing; come live and smile, for behold: this is my worship.
You are my children and I am thy Father. On swift night wings it is I who lay you at the Mother's feet to be reborn and to return again.
Thou who thinks to seek me, know that I am the untamed wind, the fury of storm and passion in your Soul. Seek me with pride and humility, but seek me best with love and strength.
For this is my path, and I love not the weak and fearful. Hear my call on long Winter nights and we shall stand together guarding Her Earth as She sleeps.
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Sacred Circle Necklace
- skylanightshade
on Oct. 20, 2007 at 2:57 AM