Working tools are dictated by the tradition to which you belong. In Gardnerian for example there are 8 working tools which include Athame, Sword, Wand, Scourge, Cords, White handled knife and Pentacle. In the Saxon tradition there are fewer: Seax [knife] Sword and spear. In Witta the following are considered tools: Black handled knife [Athame] is used in mixed covens but not womanÕs covens. The sword is not used at all. Wand, Cup or Cauldron, Salt or stone, Candles, Besom and Pentacle. Those who are solitary or covens that follow Scott Cunningham use these: Wand, Censer, Cauldron, Cord, Athame, Bolline, Crystal sphere, Cup, Pentacle, Salt and Bell. Doreen Valiente gives the following tools used in witchcraft: Athame, Wand, Cup, Disc or Pentacle, Witches garter, Staff, [Bune wand] Besom, and Cauldron. Raymond Buckland gives as follows: Athame, Coven sword, Wand, Staff, Bell, White handled knife, [Burin.] and Cords.

ATHAME:

Pronounced A-tham-ay, black handled knife used in ritual, which can be made of iron, steel or brass, can be single or double-edged. Usually engraved with runes.

White handled knife used for carving, engraving of wood and candles and also to pick herbs for ritual use. This knife is worn on the belt during rituals and has the owner's name and protective runes or symbols on it.

This staff has a phallic end and a forked top to represent the Horned One. It should be the height of its owner or at least shoulder height. Usually has owner's name and protective symbols on it. Some modern covens use a straight staff as the traditional one draws to much attention for the staff is used for out door rituals to form the protective circle.

The sword is not essential to the individual coven member, but covens usually have one which is used for initiations and is worn by the male guardian when not in use or placed under the altar. Its shape is chosen by each coven and it usually has a name and the covens name and other runes on it. This sword is dedicated to a specific God or Goddess.

Wands are usually home made from the wood of choice for specific ritual use; many Wiccans have several wands rather than one. The wand can also be bought at occult outlets. Wands can be decorated in many ways and even copper pipes are used as wands. Examples of decorations: wool, cotton thread, paint, carving, crystals or gemstones added, copper wire, shell or coral, feathers, leather, seeds, nuts, acorns, small cones and sun and moon symbols.

WANDS, TYPE OF WOOD and THEIR USES

APPLE: love and water spells.
ALMOND: air magic.
ASH: fire magic, prosperity and protection.
AVOCADO: all purpose magic.
BAY: psychic power, purification, strength and healing.
BAMBOO: protection.
BLUE GUM: moon magic and healing.
CYPRESS: healing.
CHERRY: love magic.
ELDER: exorcism and protection.
HAZEL: all-purpose magic.
LIQUORICE: powerful rituals.
MULBERRY: protection.
PEAR: all-purpose magic.
ROWAN: psychic power.
WILLOW: moon magic.
YEW: raising the dead.
OAK: fire rituals.
OLIVE: peace and protection.
ORANGE: love, luck, money and fire rituals.
PEACH: water spells.
LEMON: moon and water magic.
PINE: healing, protection, fertility, exorcism and money.

Wands are also engraved on. An old tradition says that a wand should be 21 inches long, cut from a virgin hazel tree (one that has not born fruit) in the hour of Mercury, on the day of Mercury (Wednesday) etc. But wands should suit the person and should be from elbow to fingertips.

Should have a high, clear note. It may be engraved on or have runes carved on the handle if wooden. (West)

Can be bought or home-made. It can be a flat piece of silver / brass or glass plate. Home-made ones include wax, wood or clay with "Pentacle" engraved on it or painted. (North or middle)

Which symbolises the Goddess and fertility and water can be plain or fancy and of any material. (West)

Used in ritual for cooking and brewing. It symbolises the Goddess and the element water. It usually has a handle, 3 legs and is made of iron. In spring it is filled with flowers and water. In the winter it is filled with coals from the Yule fire or snow. It can also hold soil, rose petals and candles, etc. If it is filled with water and a coin is placed in it, it can be used for scrying. (Middle or west)

Can be of any substance and should hold rough sea salt. Crystal may be placed on the salt. (North).

Can be bought or it can be a shell, a bowl with sand or salt in or it may be fancy. Incense can be home-made or bought, cones or sticks. (East)

Colour to suit rite or spell.

Is usually round but can be any shape. It can be made of wood or stone. It should be waist high. The cloth is usually covered in symbols and runes and the appropriate colour for the festival or rite. The altar is placed in the middle or slightly to the north or east.

Usually placed on altar to bind elements or to mark the circle. It is 9ft long.

Can be anything and may be decorated with symbols.

Can be placed on altar. (God-south; Goddess-north)

FLOWERS:

Are usually placed on the altar in a vase, or in the cauldron and around it. Some Wiccans prefer using a pot of live flowers on the altar instead of cut dying flowers.

HERBS:

Are always used in rites for their special energies, they are used fresh or dried according to spell work.

GREENERY:

A term used for tree branches, herbs and flowers used in Wiccan rites. Usually placed around the base of the altar.

Butterfly symbol. [Rebirth] Pyramids [Amplify power] Crystals and clusters, [Can be programmed to suit rite and then amplify power.] Divination tools, [are empowered by ritual.] Scarabs, [rebirth symbol.] Obelisks, [Form physical doorway in circle.] God and Goddess statues, [Visual focus point]

CORDS:

Are used as belts and are of colours to distinguish rank in coven. Cords are also used in cord magic and to form the circle in solitary work.

The witches garter is used for all of the above. It is one of the oldest forms of recognition and rank. It is always decorated with a buckle; both men and woman use the garter. In most covens only High priests and High Priestesses wear the garter, in others the Priest and Priestess also wear them. The colour is green though some covens use red.

HEADBANDS:

Are of your karmic path colour and are used to amplify it.

CAPES:

Usually have a hood and are used in winter and outdoor rites, colour black.

Can be home-made using the trees and plants.

Broom plant, Rowan for stake, Willow for binding. Or Birch twigs, Ash for stake, Willow for binding. Or Oak twigs, Hazel for stake, Willow for binding. Or Wild grass, Pine for stake, Willow for binding. The bottom of the broom is in a phallic form which is covered by the twigs or grass.

All tools should be cleaned after each rite and packed away.