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Earlier, I briefly mentioned an altar. This is
simply something that you chose to use like a table for the things you
will need to work your spell or ritual. You should always have
something to represent each of the four elements.
Altar Candles - These are generally three
candles placed on the altar: a white Goddess candle, a red God candle
and an altar candle representative of the ritual or rite being
performed.
Altar Cloth - The altar cloth is usually draped
over the top and front of the altar. The altar cloth is not to be
used for any other purpose, it should be folded and put away when not
in use.
Athame - The athame is generally a double -
edged, dark - handled knife with a blade of about five to six inches
in length. This is a tool used in many rites and rituals, and is not
usually considered to be a weapon. It can be used to carve words and
symbols into candles for use in candle magick. It can represent two
things, air and the God.
Besom - The Besom is a sacred broom used to
sweep away any lingering energies around the area in which a circle is
to be cast.
Boline - The Boline, or herb - harvesting knife,
is a small and very sharp, white - handled knife with
a curved blade, resembling a small sickle. It is used to cut herbs
and for nothing else.
Cauldron - A cauldron can have many uses, from
holding a small balefire on Beltain to functioning as the female
counterpatr to the male athame in a symbolic ritual. It can also be
used to represent water.
Chalice - The chalice is a glass or metal
drinking goblet and can be used in place of the cauldron for some
rites and rituals.
Incense and Holder - The burning of incense
represents the elements of both air and fire in the circle.
Pentagram Symbol - The pentagram symbol is a
basic symbol of witchcraft. It is the focal point for spell work and
is generally placed on or right in front of the altar. The five
points of the pentagram represent the elements of spirit, earth, air,
fire, and water.
Purifying Sage - Sage gives off a considerable
amount of grey - white smoke that is a purification agent used to
remove any negative or other unwanted energies from the area in which
a circle is to be cast. Sage should be used the first time a circle
is cast in a new area and anytime thereafter when the participants
feel it is necessary.
Quarter Candles - There are four quarters used
in casting a circle, sometimes called Guardians or Watch Towers, which
each represented by an individually colored candle. This I gave you
earlier.
Salt Container - Salt is one of the purification
agents used in casting an cicle and is usually held in either a glass
dish or a seashell.
Sword and Wand - These are optional items. The
athame works just as well in place of one or both.
Water Container - Water is another of the circle
purification agents. The water container should be any vessel capable
of holding water without lwaking and of sufficient size to allow you
to add three pinches of salt and stir with your athame.
Book of Shadows - This is simply your spell
book. This way, you can use it to look at the spell or ritual when
you need to. Sometimes it is easier to have some kind of reference to
go by then to try to do it all from memory.
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