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The Art of Ritual

John Hunt Publishing Ltd.

Tools of the Trade

I just want to emphasise here ... you don't need any fancy tools to hold a ritual, in fact you don't need any tools at all. However, I will give a list of the items commonly used in case you want to try the ceremonial route, it is a very personal choice. Sometimes it is nice to go the whole hog and put on a big ceremony with all the bells and whistles, but it is also good to just have an impromptu ritual in the middle of a field with nothing but some pebbles and sticks. You are the power; the magic is within you so tools aren't necessary. Having said that tools can carry their own power; each tool has an element that it corresponds with and they can be consecrated and charged with energy as well and they can give us a focus to work with, it really is your call. If you haven't worked with tools before my suggestion would be experiment, see what works for you. I have often found that handmade tools work better than machine/mass-produced ones, especially if you make them yourself, because you add your own energy into them.

The power and energy you receive from a tool will also depend on what material it is made from along with any specific designs or symbols it has on it. A copper wand will react differently to one made from oak for instance, add a quartz crystal to the end and the energy will take on another dimension again.

Part of this journey when working with tools of any sort is to fathom out which ones work in harmony with each other and for what specific intent or magical purpose. Again, this is personal, what works for one person may not work well for another.

Altar

A lot of pagans will have an altar (or in my case and much to my husband's dismay, several altars) set up at home. If you hold your ritual in the room you have your usual altar set up in then you are part way there already.

Your altar is many things, not just a place to hold your magical tools, but also somewhere you can sit and meditate in front of, use as a focal point for spell work and also as a place to honour the seasons and deity. It is a mini sacred space and a place that over time will soak up the magical energies when you work with the tools on it and when you spellcast around it. It is a place for you to 'touch base' with deity, the divine and your inner magical self on a daily basis. For instance, I have a working altar, this one I decorate for the energies of each month, but I also have another altar dedicated to my matron and patron deities; then I have a kitchen altar, one in the garden for the Fae and also one in my office for things I am currently working with. Each one is different and has its own very individual style and energy.

When we hold our coven rituals we have a very practical altar; it has to be transported through the woods so it starts out in the car as a large plastic box which holds all the bits for the ritual. When we get to our grove of trees we empty it and turn it upside down, then it is covered with a pretty, silk altar cloth. Our portable altar is then ready to hold the items we need for the ritual, which usually consists of a cauldron for the incense, chalice for the drink, flower petals to cast the circle, our script books and occasionally a seasonal decoration. We are in the middle of a forest having had to walk some way from the cars carrying not only the altar, but also flasks of drink, cups, ritual items and of course plenty of cake boxes, so we keep the altar simple.

However, for a ritual altar at home it is much easier to add whatever items you want and as many as you want.

I do think it pertinent to mention here ... clean your altar regularly, it gathers dust very quickly and that can cause blockages in energy flow.

If you are not 'out of the broom closet' at home or sharing a house with others who wouldn't appreciate you setting up altars all over the house, it can be done in several ways. Keep all your altar items on a tray in a cupboard then just bring the tray out when you need to use it or have your altar inside a cupboard so you can close the doors to it when necessary or have your altar on a shelf. If you are really being a secret squirrel then just a shelf or windowsill with a candle and a vase of flowers works perfectly well as a basic altar, no one would ever know.

Traditionally (and by that I really mean more along the Wiccan lines) your altar will hold specific items; representations of the four elements, deity (the God, the Goddess, the divine); often it will hold a pentacle in some form and then items that you are working with.

Here are the main items, this list is not comprehensive nor do you need to rush out and purchase all of the items (your altar would be pretty crowded with every item on the list on it). In fact, some items you may never use, I boringly repeat ... it is personal, go with what works for you. When I first started on this pathway I made out a list of all the things I 'needed' and did a whole big shopping trip which, apart from being hugely out of pocket, resulted in me having items that I have never once used and a lot that now sit in the cupboard gathering dust. I have two beautiful athames, which I have not used, preferring to cast a circle with my finger. I have four gorgeous wooden wands, all made from sacred woods and hand carved which, while they often sit on my altar, I don't actually use. I have two chalices – one silver, one ornate with dragons – rarely used. I have a bell that was rung when I unboxed it and it has been silent ever since. I do, however, use my cauldron on a daily basis, but that is perhaps more to do with me having a liking for setting fire to things ...

There are some wonderful tools on the market so do have a look around, but a lot of items can be handmade; wands in particular can be created from a stick found in the woods and don't forget to check charity/thrift stores as they often have a whole host of ornate chalices in the form of odd glasses or cups and brilliantly cheap cauldrons in the shape of casserole dishes costing a lot less than shop-purchased items.

Altar Cloth

This is useful in that it can add a bit of colour magic and also be tied in with the seasons. Altar cloths are sold with specific colours and patterns, but also have a look in charity/thrift stores for ladies' head scarves which work well or in fabric shops for offcuts and fat quarters of material. You don't need to have a cloth, but it does also serve a practical use in catching stray candle wax or spills.

Asperger

This is a weird name for a dish and a sprinkly thing. The dish holds water and the sprinkly thing ... well sprinkles water over you or the space to cleanse and purify. It could be a feather or a brush or even a pine cone.

Athame

A ceremonial knife/dagger, double-edged, but not sharp (it is not usually used to physically cut anything). This is used in ritual to cast the circle, cut a doorway if necessary and to represent the male energy and the God, placed into the chalice to represent the ritual union.

Bell

A bell is sometimes used in ritual to welcome in the quarters or the deities or it can be used to help raise energy.

Besom

Besom is a gorgeous sounding word for a witch's broom, which is traditionally made from ash or birch and willow. What does a broom do? It cleans and that is exactly what a besom does, it is for cleansing the circle before ritual by sweeping. It is also used in hand fasting rituals for the happy couple to jump, symbolizing the end of their old life and the beginning of their new one ... with a bit of fertility magic thrown in for good measure. If you have a lot of witches in ritual all with besoms they can also be placed end to end to create a circle ... think about the scene from the movie Practical Magic ...

Boline

Another knife, but unlike the athame this one is actually for cutting things – particularly herbs and plants for medicinal or magical use. Some of them are shaped as a crescent and often have a white handle. The Kitchen Witch in me suggests just using a vegetable knife ...

Candles

What would a witch be without candles? Stuck really ... candles are used a lot in magic not only for spell work, but also as representations of the deities, often a black candle for the God and a white candle for the Goddess, or for the element of fire. They are used to set light to petitions or just because let's face it a whole heap of candles looks pretty witchy.

Cauldron

One of my favourite tools and probably the one I use the most (back to the pyromaniac in me). The cauldron represents feminine energy and the womb, but it can also be used as a symbol for spirit or water and as a focus for the centre of your altar. It is also very sensible when you want to burn things whether it is candles, offerings or incense. A cauldron also holds liquids such as sacred water, potions or earth. If you have a traditional cast iron cauldron the three legs also symbolize the Goddess in her triple aspect and if it has two handles then that represents the God. As a substitute to a cast iron cauldron an old casserole dish or soup pot work very well.

Censer

I had never heard this word before I ventured into the realms of the Craft until I realized it is the brass thing on a chain that you see Roman Catholic Priests swinging about wafting smoke from. So that's what it is, a metal incense burner on a chain usually with sand in the bottom to absorb the heat. The censer is associated with the element of air.

Chalice

A vessel used to hold the ritual wine or mead and also representative of the feminine. It is used in Wiccan rituals in combination with the athame to symbolize the ritual union. You can get some very pretty and ornate chalices, but also take a look in charity/thrift stores for suitable alternatives.

Cords

Cords are used in initiations, knot magic and occasionally to mark the boundary of the circle.

Crystals

Perhaps a more modern tool used by witches but useful for all sorts of things, each crystal having its own magical and healing properties. They can also be used to represent the elements – each specific crystal aligning with one of the elements – but pebbles from the ocean or river can be also be used.

Crystal Ball

Often found on a witch's altar, it is used for divination obviously, but can also represent the Goddess. You can get the familiar larger crystal balls ala Gypsy Rose Lee, but you can also get smaller different coloured crystal balls. I have a green one and a hankering for a red one ...

Deity Symbols

An altar usually has representations of the God and Goddess, the male and female energy. You can use candles, you can use beautiful statues, and you can also use crystals. I even have two pebbles from the beach on one of my altars that I painted symbols on to represent the God and the Goddess. You could even use a twig for the God and a pretty pebble for the Goddess, the options are limitless.

Drum

One of my favourite ways to raise energy or to meditate to, the drum beat is an amazing sound and feeling especially when you have a group of people all drumming in ritual. Inexpensive bodhran drums can be found as well as more expensive animal skin shamanic drums; African djembes, bongos or even a biscuit tin can also be used effectively. If you ever get the opportunity to birth your own drum I would highly recommend doing so. I spent a day birthing a stag skin drum and it was the most amazing, emotional and spiritual experience; and at the end of it I have a drum that is very personal to me, not only because I created it with my own hands, but also because we meditated beforehand to discover our drum spirit animal as well.

Horn

Very manly and Viking ... ritual horns are usually made from stag antlers or bull horns. The latter are often used for the ritual drink filled with mead.

Incense

Incense comes in various forms; cones, sticks or loose. When at home I often use incense sticks, but in ritual we tend to use loose incense sprinkled on a charcoal disc. I love to create loose incense blends to tie in with the theme of the ritual or intent of magical work. You can use all sorts of ingredients just from your garden or kitchen cupboard, it doesn't have to be fancy schmancy expensive herbs from the other side of the globe. Incense is used in ritual to cleanse the sacred space, the circle or the people in the ritual; it is also a representation of the element of air.

Libation Bowl

Fancy word for offering bowl, kept on the altar to pop in water, wine, mead, herbs or whatever offering you feel is needed by deity (chocolate buttons if necessary, I know Ganesha is partial to sweeties). After the ritual the bowl is taken outside and poured onto the earth.

Lighter/Matches

Some traditions prefer to work with matches rather than lighters or vice versa. Matches are often used as they are more 'natural', but then lighters are sometimes preferred as they are sulphur free. I go with a lighter because it is more practical – anyone who has stood on top of a hill in a gale will know how difficult it is to light a charcoal disc with a lighter, let alone trying to light one with a match fighting against the wind.

Masks

Masks are sometimes worn in ritual by the High Priest/ess and in initiations or rites of passage. A green man mask is often worn for some sabbat rituals.

Mirrors

Dark mirrors are used for scrying, but can also act as portals. A dark mirror has a black surface, the expensive ones are made from ground obsidian, but you can easily make a very serviceable one by painting the back of the glass in a picture frame with a couple of coats of black paint. A mirror can also be used to direct sunlight or moonlight from outside onto any tools that need charging with their energy. The mirror is a symbol of the Goddess and also the element of water.

Mortar and Pestle

I always think this sounds like the name of a comedy duo ... a mortar and pestle are incredibly useful if you are going to be making any incense blends or magical powders. One made from stone or wood is best, but failing that the end of a rolling pin and a small sturdy bowl work very well. If you are using non-edible or poisonous ingredients such as mistletoe berries please keep a separate magical pestle and mortar purely for that use. Don't grind up poisonous berries and then use it to make the spice rub for your chicken dinner ...

Oils

An essential oil blend is sometimes used in ritual to anoint those in the circle, the High Priest/ess or those undertaking initiation. It can also be used to consecrate ritual tools.

Peyton (Altar Pentacle)

Never heard of the word? Nope neither had I. I believe it is a Wiccan/Gardnerian term for the altar pentacle. Sometimes in the form of a tile laid flat on the altar with a pentacle image on or a pentacle that is free-standing, it usually sits in the centre or towards the back of the altar. In ritual, it can be used to bless other tools or offerings. It represents the element of earth or spirit.

Rattle

A rattle can be used in ritual to clear away negative energy either from the ritual space or from people within the circle.

Salt

A bowl of salt is often kept on the altar to represent the element of earth or mixed with water for cleansing and purification. Sea salt is the variety of choice because it is natural and has not been processed, but table salt will do.

Scourge

Sounds medieval? Well it is really. The scourge is basically a ritual whip, although not often used now literally (as in taking skin from your back and drawing blood), it is used symbolically in some initiation rituals.

Sickle

Got a picture of Getafix the cartoon druidic Gaul in your mind? Well the crescent moon-shaped knife he had tucked into his belt that he used to harvest mistletoe was a sickle. It is worn by druids and represents the Moon.

Staff

Perhaps used more by druids than witches (although I have several), it can be used to cast the circle, direct energy or leant on during ritual if you get tired. We use a staff to pass around the circle in ritual as a talking stick. It can be as simple as a large stick found in the forest or a beautiful carved and inscribed staff or anything in between. I have one with a carved sea horse top, one with oak leaves carved all the way up and just a simple stang. A stang is a staff with a fork at the top (not a knife and fork ... a V sign). The staff is a symbol of male energy and the God.

Sword

A sword can be used to cast the circle and used in initiation ceremonies – not for chopping off heads or anything sinister, but the seeker may be asked questions at sword point. The sword can be aligned with the element of fire or air.

Talking Stick

This does what it says on the tin. It is a stick that you pass around the circle and when you are holding it you can speak and everyone else has to listen.

Wand

Can be made from wood, crystal or metal and is used to cast the circle, invoking, banishing and directing energy. However, if you don't have a wand your pointy finger works as well. Different types of wood can be used for different magical workings and crystal wands are often used specifically for healing. The wand can be aligned with the element of fire or air.

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Excerpted from The Art of Ritual by Rachel Patterson. Copyright © 2015 Rachel Patterson. Excerpted by permission of John Hunt Publishing Ltd..
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