The sacred tools of the Witch have been around for thousands of years and we present the basics here. There are many books that go into further detail and always remember that Witchcraft is truly a Life's Quest.

As we all know there are numerous tools that are used world over by Witches on a daily basis. Some of these tools are a considered essential to certain individuals/or traditions and others may consider these same tools a hindrance or unnecessary.

The following is just a brief introduction to the most basic tools of Witchcraft. This is not meant to be an iron clad end all and be all of what a person has to have or should have, nor does it mean that if a person or tradition uses items other than those mentioned here that what they are doing is incorrect. Other traditions or persons may use the same tools to represent the elements differently from what I have here. In fact I have seen some excellent rituals done without the use of any tools what so ever. As I stated before this is just a simple list and explanation of the most basic, common tools of the Craft.

I hope that what follows gives each individual a basic understanding of what I consider to be the basic tools of the Craft.

ROBES: Most people do not consider our robes when discussing the tools of the Craft, I however do feel that they are of importance. The robe is usually very basic in style, and designed for comfort to the wearer, but also enables us to do our work more easily. Robes come in all colors but mostly we use black.

The primary reason that we use black is that when all colors are mixed together they become black. Black also is a great conductor of energy, an example would be to think of how hot a black item becomes in the sun due to the absorption of the suns light rays versus a white item that reflects the light rays away. In our magic it is very important for us to be able to feel and absorb the energies around us so that we may focus that energy in a constructive and correct way in order to perform our magic. The color black helps us to absorb the energies that are around us as black is an excellent conductor of energy via the absorption of light rays which carry an abundance of information. Just take a moment to stop and think that light travels at 186,282.396 miles per second and consequently how much information is absorbed by that energy as it travels through the universe.

In the old days (and unfortunately still at times today) the traditional black robe and cape served an additional purpose. When a Witch or group of Witches worked outside at night, especially during the days of the burning times, should someone come along that would threaten your safety it enabled the Witch to fade away into the darkness so as not to be seen by blending with the surrounding terrain.

In addition to all of this, being human as we are the other thing that it helps us with is that when we look at each other we began to realize that we are all equal in the eyes of the Goddess as we are all attired the same so there are no differences.

ATHAME: The next tool I would like to discuss briefly is the athame. The athame is usually a black handle, double edge knife and is strictly a ritual tool. It is a symbolic representative of the element of fire. It can be used as a tool for laying down a circle and also as a symbol representing the male aspect. Athames can be used to invoke the quarters, release the quarters, and are customarily used to assist with blessing the waters of life inside of the chalice, this blessing being symbolic of the Great Rite.

The athame should not be used in any case to cut anything except in certain situations such as cutting a door way in the circle to allow others to pass through, cutting a cord in the event of a release or a passing over ritual, also the blessing of the bread during ritual of the great rite, and of course a handfasting cake.

SWORD: The sword is another ritual tool that can be used as a tool for sovereignty and authority. It is like the athame a symbolic representative of the element of fire. It is considered a representation of the male aspect and can be used in the same manner as the athame.

CHALICE/CUP: The chalice or cup is representative of the female aspect. The cup is the symbolic representative of water. It is used to hold the waters of life, and is used again in the symbolic ritual of the Great Rite. Once the waters of life have been blessed during ritual, the chalice is often passed around the circle so that all may share in it by symbolically ingesting the Goddess and the bringing of the Goddess within.

CAULDRON: The cauldron represents the gift of birth, death and rebirth, also knowledge and inspiration. The cauldron is a female aspect and is a symbolic representative of water, and it may also be used as a representation of fire. It is often referred to in connection with Cerridwen.

PEYTON: The peyton is a circular disk with a pentacle or sacred symbol inscribed on the face of it. The peyton can be made out of many different materials, in the olden days it was made of beeswax so that in the event that someone came around that may be a threat, it could be broken and tossed into the fire and melted down quickly. It is placed at the center piece of the altar, where all consecrations of salt and water occur, and other objects as well. It is also the focal point of the altar. The peyton is the symbolic representative of earth and because of that it is of the female aspect. If you have second peyton available then this may be used as another tool for invoking the quarters, and releasing the quarters.

WAND: The wand has been known as a tool that is gentle in nature and has the male aspect, it is the symbolic representative of air. It is another tool that can be used for casting circle, invoking and releasing the quarters, and casting of spells, and some have used this in place of the athame or sword in the performance of the symbolic ritual of the Great Rite.

BROOM: The Witches broom is used for sweeping any harmful energies from the area that the broom is cleansing I.E.. house, room, circle, sacred space etc. Of course on the practical side you can use it too to sweep your floors.

BOLEEN: Usually a white handled knife, used in rituals for carving and cutting I.E.. magical symbols we may want to engrave on a wand, staff, candles, etc., so as not to harm the energy within the athame.

STAFF: Usually a wooden pole often of shoulder height, used basically in the same manner as the wand. Like the wand the staff may be decorated with crystals, symbols, feathers, or just about anything that makes it your own.

THURIBLE: (incense burner) A heat resistant, or preferably fire proof container used to contain a hot coal for burning incense. The incense is symbolic of air, while the coal is symbolic of fire. It is used to cleanse and purify the air within the sacred space, or used in cleansing of a home.


Of course all tools are not complete without the individual's own charge and energy to make it whole. All tools are an extension of oneself to direct and focus ones energies and power on the purpose of spell or magic intended. Most people purchase their tools as they progress and find tools that are comfortable for themselves, however, if you are talented and skilled enough to make your own this is even better