| There are different types of magick used in | | | | An athame is a small ritual knife that some people |
| witchcraft and the occult but the ritual tools | | | | prefer to call a sword. In some traditions, it is |
| involved are the same. All practitioners must have | | | | associated with the element of air but others |
| a suitable place to perform ritual work preferably | | | | associate it with fire. It often has a black handle |
| with an altar and a magic circle in place. Some | | | | and it is used to cast a circle and control spirits. |
| ritual tools are considered more important than | | | | There are two types of athame. The traditional |
| others. These are known as primary ritual tools | | | | version is constructed of steel although a wood |
| and this article will cover those in detail. | | | | version also exists. This is equally as popular |
| Of all the ritual tools used in witchcraft and the | | | | because it cannot be confused with weaponry. |
| occult, the pentacle is instantly recognisable. A | | | | The chalice is a ceremonial cup and is symbolic for |
| pentacle is an object or item which has the | | | | the element of water. Some people refer to it as |
| famous pentagram symbol painted, carved or | | | | a goblet or alter cup. Some traditions consider it a |
| engraved on it. This is symbolic of the element of | | | | symbol rather than a ritual tool. In particular, it |
| earth. A pentacle can be in the form of a wooden | | | | symbolises the womb of the goddess. A chalice |
| plate sometimes referred to as an altar plate. This | | | | can be made from numerous materials including |
| can be used to consecrate the circle and hold | | | | silver, brass, pewter, wood or even cast from |
| food during a ritual such as a piece of bread. It | | | | resin. |
| can also be made of metal such as brass, silver | | | | There are a number of additional tools which |
| or pewter. There are many accessories which are | | | | come in handy when performing a certain type of |
| made in the form of the pentacle. | | | | ritual. These include the censer or incense burner |
| The wand is a very powerful tool and is | | | | which is used to burn or dispense incense, the |
| sometimes called a magick wand. It symbolises | | | | boline which is a white handled knife used for any |
| fire or in some traditions air. Experienced witches | | | | task in which it would not be appropriate to use |
| and occultists will own numerous wands. They will | | | | an athame, and the besom commonly known as |
| use each one for a particular type of spell or | | | | the witches broom. This is used to sweep a circle |
| ritual. Wands can be made from wood or metals | | | | to banish any negative energy. |
| such as pewter. They can be decorated with | | | | You should now have a better understanding of |
| copper or silver wire and some have a crystal | | | | the ritual tools used in witchcraft and the occult. |
| inserted into the tip. Some people believe certain | | | | There are others such as the cauldron, stang, |
| spirits do not like the steel construction of the | | | | spear, cingulum and scourge. However, these are |
| athame or metal wands. In this scenario, a wand | | | | not as commonly used in comparison to the |
| made from wood should be used instead. | | | | aforementioned primary ritual tools. |