A variety of Wicca supplies are used in The Craft. Such tools are used in spells or for making charms and in performing rituals. Today many online and other stores sell a variety of supplies than can be used for this purpose. However, Wicca supplies do not have to be expensive and may rely on the use of simples candles and incense, for example. In fact, many Wiccas believe that such objects should be found rather than bought.
The purpose of Wicca supplies is purely to make focusing on the task at hand easier. This means that with the help of tools it is easier for the Wicca to focus his or her energy on what is being attempted. It does not matter whether you buy, find or receive your Wicca supplies as gifts, the most important thing to do is to make sure that they are ritually cleansed and blessed.
So which Wicca supplies are used by modern day Wiccas? Here are some examples of commonly used Wicca tools and objects:
Wicca Supplies Used in the Craft:
* An Athame (pronounced a-tha-MAY or ATH-a-may) is a symbol of the element of air. This black (or dark) handled magical knife is used to direct energy. Wicca supplies are never used to hurt the Wicca or any other person or to perform a sacrifice as is sometimes thought. There are Wiccas who feel that the athame should not be used for cooking or cutting herbs. Others believe that every day tasks are made sacred this way.
* By contrast white handled knives or bolines are the working knives of a witch. These Wicca supplies are used to carve candles for example and are by tradition only used within the circle.
* Wands or staffs are Wicca supplies that symbolize the element of fire. Wands are used to invoke the God and Goddess or to draw magical symbols on the ground or direct energy. Wands can be embellished by painting them, adding feathers and beads or left plain.
* Chalices are Wicca supplies that are used to symbolize the element of water. The chalice is used for salt water cleansings or left on an altar as a representation of the water element. It may be filled with wine or juice and shared within the circle during a ritual.
* Pentacles are Wicca supplies that represent the earth element. A pentacle is a five pointed star. It is often inscribed on a round, flat piece of clay, metal or wood. During a ritual, items that are to be blessed are often placed on the pentacle.
* Cauldrons are Wicca supplies that represent the center and transformation. It is also seen as the symbol of the Crone. The cauldron is often used to mix herbs and potions for spells.
* The Book of Shadows is a collection of spells and rituals kept by a witch or coven. It is basically a record of magical workings. These books can be created in a hard-bound blank book or it can be a notepad, folder of loose papers, a computer file or even a website. Some Wiccas feel that such Wicca supplies should be kept secret and only shared with the initiated coven members.
* Brooms are Wicca supplies that are used for psychic as well as physical cleansing and purification (not flying!). A broom can be laid across the threshold in order to protect the home. Married couples also jump over a broom for good luck and fertility.