?‍♀️ Magic Tool Tutorial: Wiccan Altar Tools Explained (Traditional Craft)

The Baby Witches Toolkit: https://spells8.com/lessons/tools-altar-spellcasting/

The 8 Magic Tools of the Traditional Craft are: Athame, Bell, Boline, Cauldron, Chalice, Pentacle, Wand, and Book of Shadows. These are considered the basic tools of Wicca Magic, but you can cast spells, perform rituals, and work with much less than that.

This video goes over the traditional tools needed for Solitary Wicca practice and their meanings. If you are on a budget, read The Baby Witch’s Toolkit to learn what basic tools you really need to start working with Witchcraft right away and for cheap.

This video is part of the Wicca Self Initiation Course: https://spells8.com/courses/wicca-self-initiation/ Join and learn Wicca for beginners (free!)
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Video Transcription:

Athame

The athame is a small, double bladed knife. There are often magickal symbols carved into the hilt. The athame is used to direct magical power. It has many magickal uses including casting a circle, charging objects with energy, and as a symbol of the god during the Great Rite. The athame stands for the element of Fire. If an athame draws blood, it is to be destroyed or ritually cleansed as it is never to be used for violence. The athame is for cutting on the ethereal or spiritual plane.

Bell

A bell is a ritual tool used for invocation and banishment that represents the goddess. It is used to invoke the goddess as well as drive away negativity from a circle. It can be used to signal the beginning of a rite and/or to disperse the energy after the spell work is complete.

Boline

The boline is a white handled knife often having a curved blade. It is used in ritual for physically cutting objects in the earthly plane. It can be used for cutting ritual cords, cutting herbs, or inscribing candles. It is the practical, utilitarian knife used during a ritual.

Cauldron

A cauldron is a large metal pot often made of cast iron that has three legs. The three legs are symbolic of the three aspects of the goddess and the large bowl is symbolic of the womb. A cauldron has many uses in rituals including indoor or outdoor ceremonial fires, scrying, holding ingredients necessary for the ritual, or burning items during a ritual.

Chalice

A chalice is a cup that is intended to hold a drink for ritual purposes. It can be made out of any material and it often holds wine, water, or other libations preferred by the individual or coven. It is either set upon the alter or the ground. It is the symbolic representation of the womb as it holds and contains the life-giving force. Together with the athame, it is used to represent sexual union during the Great Rite.

Pentacle or Disc

The five-pointed star represents the element of earth. It is often made of copper but can be constructed from clay, metal, or paper. Some Wiccans cast the circle by rolling it around the edges of their sacred space. The pentacle is a tool that is used to summon certain energies or spirits. Normally it is the centerpiece of an altar where it holds various objects such as mooncakes, salt, amulets, or charms.

Wand

The wand is a thin, straight stick that is held in the hand. It is generally made from a scared wood such as willow, birch, hazel, oak, or elder. It is generally one to one and a half feet long. Oftentimes it is carved or decorated with personal items such as crystals and gems.

Book of Shadows

A Book of Shadows is a personal collection of your magickal experiences. It is much like a personal journal but focused only on religious practices. Wiccans will often collect a written account of rituals, spells, herbal remedies, or other information to put in their Book of Shadows. Some practitioners write down their own experiences while doing rituals or spell work. A Book of Shadows is a personal collection of your magickal life and it may or may not be shared with others. Some covens have a Book of Shadows that is used for the groups while each individual may have their own.

There are many other tools used in magickal workings that have specific purposes to the practitioner. Each follower of Wicca will utilize different tools based on their own personal path.