Magical Supplies
and Tools
The tools used in witchcraft define us in more ways than one. No altar is the same as another. Each one expresses an individuality that is within each of us, hidden and only exposed to those we confide in and trust. We practice our faith distinctively from other witches, as witchcraft does not depict a strict curriculum that must be followed. Our practice honors the God and Goddess and the Sabbaths by respecting a faith that is as old as time.
When we talk about the tools of witchcraft, one of the first items that come to mind is the pentagram. Throughout history, this controversial five-pointed geometric star has had a symbolism to cultures around the world, and witchcraft is one of them. The pentagram has many functions, from banishing to evoking spirit to centering one’s intent.
Other tools include ritual and working knives, and cauldrons for cooking and making potions. Then there is the wand to channel energy; a chalice, representing the Water element, for offering; a broom to cleanse a sacred space; a feather to represent the element of Air; stones and crystals for Earth; and candles for Fire.
Apart from the tools, there are also the supplies of witchcraft such as herbs, flowers, ribbons, and much more. These supplies move or maintain spiritual energy for protection, love, health, wealth, and happiness and for what I call the “Witch’s Art of Placement.”
The Witch’s Art of Placement is when we place or carry a needed energy (supply) to cause an effect, such as having a bowl of oranges in a basket to keep the love flowing within your home, or displaying a bunch of flowers to beautify a space or thank spirit for watching over us. We can also carry a drawstring bag containing all those magical little spices or trinkets to bring a need or to keep the flow of positive energy around us.
Everything in our home has a magical potential, and as long as we are aware of that potential, we can keep the energy flowing by evoking intent. And that is why this book is not about spell casting but about keeping positive energy flowing. Our spiritual liveliness is vital to our existence and what makes us human. The energy that flows within each one of us, be it positive or negative, is what we build our homes on.
A good example of that intent is vacuuming. Most of us vacuum once a week. We try to avoid it like a bad spirit and it haunts us until we actually do it. Over the years, however, I have looked at vacuuming the house in a different light. I use vacuuming not only to pick up dirt but also to pick up what I call “negative dirt.”
Negative dirt is what we bring home from those we like and from those we do not. Every day, we tread where our nemesis treads. By accidentally, and without awareness, re-treading their steps, we bring their energies into our sacred space. Although this is the last thing we want to do, it is easily fixed: Sprinkle your floor or carpet lightly with salt, vacuum it, and as you do, visualize the negative dirt you wish to vanish. Let the vacuum cleaner suck up the negative dirt and then throw it in the trash never to be seen again. Your home will thank you for it and you will be better for it in the end.