Ritual Tools - Magic - http://www.chuckxc.com/gypsiefire/Ritual

CIRCLE

The circle lies in the astral world as the designated area protected for your ritual use. Perception to spirit realms is in a purer state within a consecrated circle. The circle is projected mentally from your right hand which is your side of projection. This can be done as simply as with an extended finger or as ornate as with an athame or sword. Draw the circle within the air in a sunwise direction. Visualize from your heart through your arm and extending through your finger/athame/sword, a flaming beam of light that extends to cast the circle. Never break the circle in a casual manner. The circle must be uncast in the reverse of the casting!

ALTAR

The altar represents the focal point of the magickal universe within your circle.The best altar is made of stone and large enough to accomodate your tools with a little extra room for sabbat celebration items.Wood altars are nice too, any made of natural materials works well. One nice thing about a wooden cabinet is that you can build a storage unit within to hold all your ritual tools. When space is needed within the circle the altar is usually put in the East.

LAMP

The flame is considered a spiritual focal point. It should remain lit during all rituals.
The lamp should either be in the center top of your altar or suspended in the air above the middle of your altar at level with your heart. A brass, or oil lamp, or candle flame is appropriate. The flame is a focal point for meditation, concentration and desire. Sometimes certain rituals require a flame to stay lit for a duration of time even after the circle is banished, for this a large oil lamp is nice. Some practitioners even have a lamp lit continually on there altar, but this should only be done using the utmost care. The flame should be lit within your mind as well as upon the altar, this is where the flame is the most potent!

PURIFICATIONS

With Fire; a match or a candle flame. With Earth; using salt. With Water; using water. With Air; feather, incence or even your own breath. The salt should be blessed before the circle is even cast, then either go around the perimeter of your circle (from within the circle) and cast a salt circle, or at all cardinal points toss a bit of salt at these points. The same is done with the water and circling the perimeter with the feather or insence adds to the protection and purification of your circle. The purifiaction is more complete the magician should be clean themselves, a ritual bath before the actual ritual will do this for the body and the spirit can be made purer through meditation. I have some examples of purification bath recipes for you to chose from. Keep your thoughts free from anything that can distract you from your purpose!

ELEMENTAL SYMBOLS

Symbolizing Fire is the rod which should be placed in the South on your altar. This is used for acts of will and resolving conflicts. Air is symbolized by a short dagger, placed in the East it embodies the quickness of spirit, and the ability to get deeply into a situation. Water is symbolized by a chalice or cup, the qualities are Goddess like and nurturing, bringing all into harmony.The cup is an emotional focal point in magickal undertakings. Place the cup in the West. Earth is represented by the Pentacle, made of wood, or clay (to be inscribed). This should be placed in the North. Make theses sybols truly your own with magickal inscriptions and decorations, the more you make them the more they are atuned to you, the magician!

PENTACLE AND WHAT IT MEANS
Top Point...element of Spirit; represents ethereal, everlasting and the immanence of the Goddess. Represents our souls and symbolizes spiritual love.
Top right point...Represents the element of Earth. It symbolizes security, growth, nourishment and the ability to explore the spirit.
Top left point...Represents the element Air; thought, intelligence and rationale.
Bottom right point...Represents the element Fire. It is symbolic of adrenaline, passion.
Bottom left point...Represents the element Water and the cycle of life.
The circle...Unites all aspects of man. Unites body with mind and spiritual with the profane.
Center...represents the central element, Akasha. It is to said combine all elements into one final divine element

LAMEN

The magickal symbol you wear around your neck. It ususally represents the path you follow. This symbol protects you and announces you to the spirit realm.

ROBE

Keep a special garment just for ritual work. Good colors for the robe are black (repels the negativity), purple (power color),or white (purity). Use as natural a material as you can. You may want to sew or design magickal symbols also, on your robe!

HEADPIECE/CIRCLET

The old school witches hat does have it's magickal principals, the cone shape (just like a pyramid) attracts power, power that will extend through your body. Others wear a band across the forhead with the symbols of the moon or triple Goddess.

WAND

It is the will of the magician, a part of his being. Your wand should be cut from a live tree (ask first!), at least a half an inch thick to be able to engrave with magickal symbols and so it doesn't break! Through use your wand will become more and more charged so this is a very personal tool, an extention of your being, so take care with it's creation and consecration.

The wand represents the air element and is one of the most important magickal tools you will need. On an altar, it should be placed at the east. It is used (for example) to call the Goddess and the God, for invocation rituals, for circle casting and sometimes used to direct energy. You can find a great wand by simply taking a walk in the woods and the wand can be any size or shape. Once you have found one, you can decorate it any way you like. If you pick from a tree, remember to thank the tree!!!

SWORD

The sword functions in a similar way to the wand, only in a more forcefull way. Also used for initiation and other sabbat rituals, this is a neccesary tool.Once again purification and consecration is essential with this tool.

ATHAME

The athame is an all purpose tool in a way. Used for making ritual items, casting the circle, and projection of power. It is a tool of the creation process.The best is to have two, a white hilt and a black hilt.

The athame represents the fire element and is normaly placed on the south side of an altar. It is normaly double edged and most people prefer a small one. Mine is small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. The athame is never used for cutting, but is used for directing energy durring spells or rituals. A good example of its use is cutting an imaginary opening after or before a circle has been cast, either to leave the circle or to enter a circle. You can find athame’s at thrift shops or at your local hardware store. Letter openers also make a fine athame! I think mine cost around 7 dollars.

RING

Worn on the index finger of the right hand, it is kind of like a magnet for taking the power within and projecting the power without. A plain silver band can be used so you may inscribe it, or a ring with a magickal symbol akin to you and your chosen path are the typical rings used.Some practitioners use several rings all commited to different purposes.

SASH

The sash that circles your robe is an extention of the ritual circle. It should be long enough to be wound around your waist 3 times, forming a threefold circle of protection around you. Some tie the wand to the end of the sash for creation of the ritual circle.

CENSER

This is an incense burner and also represents the air element. This is also placed at the east on an altar. Incense burners can be purchased almost anywhere and are relatively cheap. If you dont have the money to buy one, you can always use a small bowl with sea salt or sand in it. This absorbes the heat and will keep the bowl from cracking. (sea salt can be purchased at your grocery store somewhere next to the regular salt. I got mine for around 50 cents!)

CAULDRON

This is a pot that should be made of cast iron. It represents the water element. Smaller cauldrons are normaly placed on the west side of an altar. You can fill it with water, flowers or any other item you wish to sacrafice to the God or Goddess. (notice I said “items”, NOT people or animals!! If that’s the sort of thing you’r looking to do, you are at the wrong website as this is NOT a Wiccan practice!) It is also used for mixing witches brews, scrying or even burning paper with spells written on it. My husband bought me a small one for around 20 dollars at a local magick shop.

CHALICE

This is a cup and also represents the water element. It is normaly placed on the west side of an altar. The chalice is simply a cauldron on a stem. It is used to hold water and even ritual beverages such as wine or even apple cidar. This is another easy item to obtain. It can be made of silver, brass, gold, earthenware, crystal or even glass. The best place to buy one if your on a budget is the Dollar Store. They normaly have a nice selection of glass wine goblets.

CONSECRATION and BASIC ALTAR SETUP

THE BASICS

Find a quiet space in your home where you can place your altar. If possible, have it face North or East (depending on hemisphere you live in).Trust yourself and use your intuition to find the 'right' place for it.
Cleanse and bless the space by sprinkling salt water, burning sage or ringing a clear bell.
Ask the spirits of the North, East, South and West to guard this sacred space.
Ask the Goddess and God to bless your altar space.
Place a low table or box in the spot. I use an old steamer trunk.
Cover the table with a special cloth. You get to decide what makes it special.
Place your pentacle, a stone or a bowl of salt on the northern side of your altar. This represents Earth energy.
Place an incense burner, a feather or your wand on the eastern side of your altar. This represents Air energy.
Place a candle or your athame at the southern side of your altar. This represents Fire energy.
Place your chalice, a seashell or a bowl of water on the western side of your altar. This represents Water energy.
If you have statues that represent the Goddess or God, place them on the altar. You can also use candles, stones or any other objects that feel right.
You have just created your altar. Enjoy it and use it well!

Tips

If you have any other object that you associate with your spiritual practice, find a place for it on your altar. You might add Tarot cards, Runes, your Book of Shadows or your journal.

Feel free to improvise with your altar. It is your personal expression of your relationship with the Divine. Keep it as ornate or as simple as you like.
Respect your altar as sacred space and ask others to do the same. Don't allow random objects to be placed on it.
If you live with people who are uncomfortable with paganism, you can make your altar inconspicuous by keeping it on top of your bureau. Or, make your entire room an altar!

Altar Space Blesing

Blessing

I will serve the Great Goddess

And give reverence to the Great God

I am a Pagan

A stone in the ancient circle

Standing firmly

Balanced on the earth

Yet open to the winds of heaven

And enduring through time

May the old gods witness my words

Blessed be.

BLESSING 2

Ask for their blessings and honor their assistance. Next, begin to set up the altar, placing each item you wish on the altar gently and reverently. Use the Consecration Ritual if you need to consecrate any magickal tools. You'll know what those items are as time passes. The altar will change its appearance as the seasons change. On your altar can be anything you wish, anything! Some altars are outside, some are inside. Some are clean and orderly, while others are cluddered with anything and everything around them. Yet, you must keep this place of sacredness, honorable to the God and Goddess.

You may wish to use two 7 day candles (buy at 99 cent store) to represent the ever presence of the God and Goddess in your life. Black for God, White for Goddess. Red of fire, incense for Air, small bowl of water for west, and something of the Earth for North. Once your altar is set up the way you want it, spend a few moments in quiet meditation thinking about what this altar means to you. Now, allow the altar to fill you with its magick and energy. Feel the magick around you. breathe in the Love and Light from the Lord and Lady. Visual yourself revitalized because of it's presence. See yourself becoming more healthy, whole, and wise. Now, visualize healing for someone else, maybe someone you do not even know. Send them Love and Light.

When you are ready to end your dedication and consecration ritual, sound the bell once again, thanking all elements for their presence and assistance. Send them back to their humble abode harming none on their way. Now, thank the Lord and Lady for their presence in your life. Take a deep breath of the fresh magick around you and repeat:

So mote it be!

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Page Updated Fri May 31, 2002 4:03pm EDT