What is it? A chalice is a goblet or stemmed cup. Often seen as 'a cauldron on a stem.'
What is made from? A chalice an be made from a great many materials but as with all wiccan tools it is advisable that it be made of natural materials. The most common materials are metal, wood, stone and crystal.
What is it used for? The chalice is primarily a ritual tools but can also be used in magic, often it is used in conjunction with the athame as part of the great rite. It may also be used to hold the ritual beveridge.
symbolism and associations: The chalice symlobises the goddess, the womb and fertility and is associated with the element of water.
Where to find them: Any goblet painted or marked with appropriate symbols may be used as a chalice, alternatively wiccan stores and websites have a beautiful and sometimes affordable solution.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ritual tools: Athame
What is it? An athame (knife or dagger) is a double edged, dull blade usually with a black or dark handle.
What is it made of? While the blade is almost always made of metal or wood, you can also get bone athames - although the use of these in wicca is quite controversial. The handle of the athame is usually made of metal or dark wood and can have symbols or patterns carved into it, or be wrapped in leather or dark cloth.
What is it used for? An athame is a purely ritual tools and is not to be used for cutting ( for cutting knifes see 'boline' section) nor for use outside the sacred circle, except in 'kitchen witch' tradition which encourages the regular usage of ritual tools to familiarise oneself with them. Generally the athame is used as an extension of the arm to aid in the raising and directing of energy when casting (or breaking) the sacred circle, or to represent the God during rituals. Sometimes energy raised may be channelled into the athame for later use, as the black or dark handle is said to attract and hold power. The athame may be substitued (or be a substitute for) the wand or sword in ritual or magic rites. According to the gardnerian traditoin the athame is the most important of the ritual tools.
Symbolism and Associations: The athame, being phallic in nature(just as the wand is also of phallic nature) is a symbol of the god, so it is often used in conjunction with the chalice or cauldron to symbolise procreation. The athame is also associated with the elements of fire and/or air.
Where to find them: Athames generally cannot be made at home due to thier components, although there is nothing stopping you making your own from a pointed stone by attaching a handle or wrapping one end in cloth or leather, alternatively you could buy one specifically made for ritual or just a regular dagger that has been dulled to prevent injury.
What is it made of? While the blade is almost always made of metal or wood, you can also get bone athames - although the use of these in wicca is quite controversial. The handle of the athame is usually made of metal or dark wood and can have symbols or patterns carved into it, or be wrapped in leather or dark cloth.
What is it used for? An athame is a purely ritual tools and is not to be used for cutting ( for cutting knifes see 'boline' section) nor for use outside the sacred circle, except in 'kitchen witch' tradition which encourages the regular usage of ritual tools to familiarise oneself with them. Generally the athame is used as an extension of the arm to aid in the raising and directing of energy when casting (or breaking) the sacred circle, or to represent the God during rituals. Sometimes energy raised may be channelled into the athame for later use, as the black or dark handle is said to attract and hold power. The athame may be substitued (or be a substitute for) the wand or sword in ritual or magic rites. According to the gardnerian traditoin the athame is the most important of the ritual tools.
Symbolism and Associations: The athame, being phallic in nature(just as the wand is also of phallic nature) is a symbol of the god, so it is often used in conjunction with the chalice or cauldron to symbolise procreation. The athame is also associated with the elements of fire and/or air.
Where to find them: Athames generally cannot be made at home due to thier components, although there is nothing stopping you making your own from a pointed stone by attaching a handle or wrapping one end in cloth or leather, alternatively you could buy one specifically made for ritual or just a regular dagger that has been dulled to prevent injury.
Ritual tools: Besom
What is it? The besom (or broom) Is a long straight stick or branch, with a bundle of twigs tied to one end, because of the way they are made besom 'heads' are round instead of today's more common flat variety.
What is it made from? Traditionally the wiccan besom is made with an Ash handle, Birch twig bristles and willow wood bindings but can be made from any number of plants or herbs.
What is it used for? The besom is used mainly for ritual and magic purposes. It is used to cleanse an area before the circle is cast, by sweeping lightly (barely, if at all, touching the floor) Around the room to rid the space of all negative or "dirty" energy. Besoms can also be hung in the home or placed across threshholds for protection and are often jumped at handfastings.
Symbolism and Associations: Sacred to both the god and goddess, it is a symbol of fertility and unity, with the handle (or 'shaft') representing the male aspect and the bristles, the female. It is also seen as a symbol of purification and cleansing, often associated with water.
Where to find them: Besoms can be made at home, from garden or wild materials, or alternatively they can be purchased from specialty pagan stores or websites.
What is it made from? Traditionally the wiccan besom is made with an Ash handle, Birch twig bristles and willow wood bindings but can be made from any number of plants or herbs.
What is it used for? The besom is used mainly for ritual and magic purposes. It is used to cleanse an area before the circle is cast, by sweeping lightly (barely, if at all, touching the floor) Around the room to rid the space of all negative or "dirty" energy. Besoms can also be hung in the home or placed across threshholds for protection and are often jumped at handfastings.
Symbolism and Associations: Sacred to both the god and goddess, it is a symbol of fertility and unity, with the handle (or 'shaft') representing the male aspect and the bristles, the female. It is also seen as a symbol of purification and cleansing, often associated with water.
Where to find them: Besoms can be made at home, from garden or wild materials, or alternatively they can be purchased from specialty pagan stores or websites.
Ritual tools: Wand
This is the first of the ritual tools info pieces, as always with my work, your quite welcome to ask questions or add any extra information you deem worthy of noting. I hope eventually to also have sections on creating your own tools.
What is it? A wand is a hand held rod, usually straight and measuring from the crook of the owner's arm to the tip of thier middle finger (or around 30cm).
What is it used for? Wiccan wands are most commonly used to aid in the channeling of energy during rituals and magic rites, but can also be used as an extension of the arm when casting the circle.
Symbolism and Associations: Being phallic in nature, it is usually asociated with the gods. It is also usually linked with the element of air. Wands are also asociated with the tarot and are a suit of the minor arcana,which links it with the element air and the direction of south. The materials from which a wand are made, however, have great effect on it's symbolism and can connect it with different elements and gods/goddesses, and even determine which ritual it is best suited to.
Where to find them: Often wands are cut from trees by thier owners, however, if this does not seem suitable for you, or if you are looking for something of the crystal or metal variety then shopping around through pagan stores and/or websites is a convenient and often affordable solution.
What is it? A wand is a hand held rod, usually straight and measuring from the crook of the owner's arm to the tip of thier middle finger (or around 30cm).
What is it made of? Usually made of wood, metal or crystal, they have also been known to in varieties of ivory and bone. In addition many wands are decorated with symbols or patterns, or decorated with items such as feathers, leather, gems, rocks, or paint.
What is it used for? Wiccan wands are most commonly used to aid in the channeling of energy during rituals and magic rites, but can also be used as an extension of the arm when casting the circle.
Symbolism and Associations: Being phallic in nature, it is usually asociated with the gods. It is also usually linked with the element of air. Wands are also asociated with the tarot and are a suit of the minor arcana,which links it with the element air and the direction of south. The materials from which a wand are made, however, have great effect on it's symbolism and can connect it with different elements and gods/goddesses, and even determine which ritual it is best suited to.
Where to find them: Often wands are cut from trees by thier owners, however, if this does not seem suitable for you, or if you are looking for something of the crystal or metal variety then shopping around through pagan stores and/or websites is a convenient and often affordable solution.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Whispers In The Night blog,
This is not a 'Book of Shadows', it will not contain spells or rituals, but a collection of information regarding the general religion of wicca (and a little divination thrown in for good measure, I know it's not a part of wicca, but it is a common interest among a lot of wiccans and a topic that I myself are quite interested in learning more about). Topics I intend to cover at first include ritual tools and divination methods and tools, If that's not what you want to see, let me know what is, I might be able to help you out :)
Blessed be.
Belladonna Whisper.
This is not a 'Book of Shadows', it will not contain spells or rituals, but a collection of information regarding the general religion of wicca (and a little divination thrown in for good measure, I know it's not a part of wicca, but it is a common interest among a lot of wiccans and a topic that I myself are quite interested in learning more about). Topics I intend to cover at first include ritual tools and divination methods and tools, If that's not what you want to see, let me know what is, I might be able to help you out :)
Blessed be.
Belladonna Whisper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
