The Tools
Ah yes, the "Tools". The Black Pointy Hat. The bubbling Cauldron. The Besom in the corner (that's a broomstick for any mere Mortals or Muggles who have happened here either by chance or by invite) for taking those midnight rides around the Full Moon. The Eye of Newt and Tongue of Toad lotions and potions lined up on dusty shelves. We've all seen these dark dungeons in the films of Hollywood Productions. Oh, and let us not forget the Black Cat, the "Familiar", the supernatural Spirit who assists in Magickal practices.
I have a cat. And, I've given her quite the Magickal name, "Ezzmyrrhelldah". However, it is I who runs to her every beckon call. "Food if you please"....yes ma'am..*poof*...a bowl of food for Her Majesty. "Water...I know you just filled my bowl only an hour ago but I would like some fresh water if you please"....yes ma'am..*poof*...fresh water. "Outdoors please", "Let me in please", "Out again please", "Hey, pay attention please...it's hot out here, let me in please". "Please don't move your feet while I'm sleeping on the bed". "Please".
I have a Black Pointy Hat. I've worn it to Halloween parties. I've never noticed any Magickal experiences. In fact, the only thing that I do remember is...it was a nuisance. I knocked a few prisms off of a chandelier and poked someone in the eye with it when I bent over to pick up the candy corn I dropped on the floor.
I do have a Cauldron, and a Besom, and a few lotions and potions sitting on my "not so dusty" shelf. None labeled Eye of Newt or Tongue of Toad. As I look at my shelf I do have one bottle with a label stating "Mugwort". Hmmm....ok, that does sound kind of wierd. Mugwort: an invasive weed that can be used in making tea or for medicinal purposes. Also, Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) like to feed on the flowers! **WARNING...NEVER EVER USE HERBS (or weeds) WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTOR OR HERBALIST**
I'm going to mix up the topic just a little...well, sort of anyway! I think it's important to mention our Altars here since this is where we put or use most of our "Tools". You can use a table, a mantle, a dresser, a counter, or whatever you want for an Altar. I've even set one up on a blanket on the ground!!
Pagans, Witches, Druids (and others), and yes, even more conventional Religions (Catholicism, Judaism, Muslim, ect) usually have and use Tools in their practice. The also have and use Altars. *See following pictures**
Candles, flowers, books, incense and more adorn our Altars. All different but with one purpose. To stand before and give thanks and praise to the Divine. To bow our heads in prayer and meditation. To "remind" us of the task at hand.
I change my Altar often it seems. Sometimes with the seasons and/or Holidays. Why not? It seems that most everyone likes to celebrate the seasons and the holidays. There is Valentines Day with hearts and cupids everywhere. Four leaf clovers and you'll get pinched if you don't wear green in March! In Spring the Easter Bunny lays different colored eggs and leaves baskets on our front porch filled with chocolates! Our Country's colors come out in July...Red, White, Blue. Proud, Brave, Courageous colors. It is so heartwarming to be an American. I love my Country. Fall is upon us in colors to warm us. A time to gather family. Thanksgiving and turkey with all the dressing. Aaaahh....October. Goblins come knocking at our doors begging for treats. The houses are decorated with Ghosts and Scarecrows and...yes...ugly 'ol Witches. That takes us to December. Christmas. Where trees are trimmed with lights and Santas in sleighs in yards and on rooftops. Oops...getting off topic, so....
The "Tools". Well, we have Candles, Incense, Water and Salt! Are these tools you ask?? I suppose not really unless you want them to be and then of course they are!! Some of us have Wands. Unlike Harry Potter's, ours do not shoot lightening bolts from the end elevating our archnemesis off the ground. Simply, they are for directing energy...a "point stick" if you will. There are knives which we call an Athame (possibly Old French meaning to cut or pierce) With that being said, we NEVER use our Athame's to actually "cut" or "pierce" anything...except maybe the air! The Athame, like the Wand, is used to direct energy (among other things but definitely NOT and NEVER to cut or pierce)! The Chalice...that's an easy one! A goblet to hold Wine or Apple Cider or whatever drink you would like. We use it to "toast" (for lack of better words), our Deity/s. An offering if you will. There are other "Tools" that some use, and some do not. We are not bound to specific rules, layouts and laws....oh dread...well, ok, if your path is that of "Traditional" then I suppose there are specific rules, layouts and laws you must follow. Not being "Trad" myself I really wouldn't know for sure because "they" ARE bound to certain Oaths and such as....and well...that's a whole other subject on which I will not even attempt to try to explain!! Moving on....
Do any of these things, these "tools" really have any "Magickal" powers? No, not really. They are just...things. So why the tools then?? Why the rituals? For the same reason that many Churches, Temples and Mosques have them and do them. They are really and truly only there to remind us of the task at hand and to help keep us focused. They themselves have no magickal powers and they themselves can Do No Harm!! We do consider our tools Sacred as they are used in and for our Sacred practices, so they are handled with much care and respect. I saw a Cardinal kneel before the Pope and kiss his ring. Was he kissing the ring because he loved the "ring"?? No, I think not. I think he kisses the ring because of what it represents.
So there you have it. Broomsticks that aren't flown on. Knives that don't cut material things. Wands that don't shoot pretty sparkles from the ends, and Herbs with weird names that are used for healing and other medicinal purposes. These may not be the "tools" of the Christian Church, Jewish Temple, Muslin Mosque or other Religious sects, but these tools are my tools and to me they make perfect sense!
Oh...P.S....I wish I had a flying broomstick...how fun would that be???
I change my Altar often it seems. Sometimes with the seasons and/or Holidays. Why not? It seems that most everyone likes to celebrate the seasons and the holidays. There is Valentines Day with hearts and cupids everywhere. Four leaf clovers and you'll get pinched if you don't wear green in March! In Spring the Easter Bunny lays different colored eggs and leaves baskets on our front porch filled with chocolates! Our Country's colors come out in July...Red, White, Blue. Proud, Brave, Courageous colors. It is so heartwarming to be an American. I love my Country. Fall is upon us in colors to warm us. A time to gather family. Thanksgiving and turkey with all the dressing. Aaaahh....October. Goblins come knocking at our doors begging for treats. The houses are decorated with Ghosts and Scarecrows and...yes...ugly 'ol Witches. That takes us to December. Christmas. Where trees are trimmed with lights and Santas in sleighs in yards and on rooftops. Oops...getting off topic, so....
The "Tools". Well, we have Candles, Incense, Water and Salt! Are these tools you ask?? I suppose not really unless you want them to be and then of course they are!! Some of us have Wands. Unlike Harry Potter's, ours do not shoot lightening bolts from the end elevating our archnemesis off the ground. Simply, they are for directing energy...a "point stick" if you will. There are knives which we call an Athame (possibly Old French meaning to cut or pierce) With that being said, we NEVER use our Athame's to actually "cut" or "pierce" anything...except maybe the air! The Athame, like the Wand, is used to direct energy (among other things but definitely NOT and NEVER to cut or pierce)! The Chalice...that's an easy one! A goblet to hold Wine or Apple Cider or whatever drink you would like. We use it to "toast" (for lack of better words), our Deity/s. An offering if you will. There are other "Tools" that some use, and some do not. We are not bound to specific rules, layouts and laws....oh dread...well, ok, if your path is that of "Traditional" then I suppose there are specific rules, layouts and laws you must follow. Not being "Trad" myself I really wouldn't know for sure because "they" ARE bound to certain Oaths and such as....and well...that's a whole other subject on which I will not even attempt to try to explain!! Moving on....
Do any of these things, these "tools" really have any "Magickal" powers? No, not really. They are just...things. So why the tools then?? Why the rituals? For the same reason that many Churches, Temples and Mosques have them and do them. They are really and truly only there to remind us of the task at hand and to help keep us focused. They themselves have no magickal powers and they themselves can Do No Harm!! We do consider our tools Sacred as they are used in and for our Sacred practices, so they are handled with much care and respect. I saw a Cardinal kneel before the Pope and kiss his ring. Was he kissing the ring because he loved the "ring"?? No, I think not. I think he kisses the ring because of what it represents.
So there you have it. Broomsticks that aren't flown on. Knives that don't cut material things. Wands that don't shoot pretty sparkles from the ends, and Herbs with weird names that are used for healing and other medicinal purposes. These may not be the "tools" of the Christian Church, Jewish Temple, Muslin Mosque or other Religious sects, but these tools are my tools and to me they make perfect sense!
Oh...P.S....I wish I had a flying broomstick...how fun would that be???