M A G I C A L T O O L S
"Every tool carries with it the spirit by which it has been created."
WERNER HEISENBURG
WERNER HEISENBURG
The purpose of ritual is to so condition the mind that ritual becomes unnecessary. Until that glorious day we have ritual. The tools you use are a vitally important elements of the process; they reflect your magical persona and form 'self-resonant loops' feeding information to you and from you. Take the example of a magical blade. Blunt, rusty, damaged/sharp, bright, well maintained: which message would you rather send and receive?
The opportunity implicit in magical working is to think more; and in greater depth. A keystone of magical training is to learn to sharpen the focus of those thoughts. Apply this process to your magical tools. There is a range of images on this site representing each of the four (major) magical tools which explore their obvious, and not so obvious, nature. By whatever means saturate your tools with meaning; it may help to think of them as the 'platonic ideal' of their kind. And whilst you are at it consider where the power of these tool is vested; design, materials, symbolism or usage.
The opportunity implicit in magical working is to think more; and in greater depth. A keystone of magical training is to learn to sharpen the focus of those thoughts. Apply this process to your magical tools. There is a range of images on this site representing each of the four (major) magical tools which explore their obvious, and not so obvious, nature. By whatever means saturate your tools with meaning; it may help to think of them as the 'platonic ideal' of their kind. And whilst you are at it consider where the power of these tool is vested; design, materials, symbolism or usage.
"A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it."
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
The blade is a navigation tool; use it for positioning, dividing and defining. I am not concerned here with the hilt or other fittings; a blade is still a blade however you dress it. I have strong feelings about blade material; to start with I loathe stainless steel with a passion. Additives (most common is molybdenum) render steel corrosion resistant but virtually impossible for a non-professional to resharpen (leading to the disposable kitchen knife).There are some superb stainless blades on the market, so good that they virtually never need sharpening; but nevertheless I still don't take to the stuff. It's like comparing Formica's simulated granite work surface with the real thing. No contest. Stainless has the virtue of being easy to take care of (actually it needs virtually no care). Carbon steel, on the other hand, is easily damaged and needs care to prevent corrosion. It's vulnerable. It needs you. You can develop an intimate, reciprocal relationship with a carbon blade. You serve it/it serves you.
There are two functions for a blade [1] to puncture and [2] to cut; this defines the shape of the blade. Of course it is possible to compromise and have both attributes in one blade, but I think that is missing the point (oops). A stiletto type blade defines a single point in space/time (let's not limit ourselves). A butchers type blade divides and separates. Different functions, different blade profiles. A rather chilling difference between the two blade forms are 18th century battlefield statistics; with a stabbing wound you had a 70% chance of dying, with a cutting wound you had a 70% chance surviving (just a thought). In witchcraft there is a tradition of having two blades; one of each type; the athame (black handled knife) to point with and the boline (white handled knife) to cut, symbolically or otherwise.
Free associate the word 'blade': metal, sharp, dangerous, bright, cold, precise, left brain, yang, mineral, iron, carbon, cool. A blade originates as a mineral of the deep earth and through our ingenuity and labour we have elevated it to the sky. Think about this: when the world goes to shit, and you are standing in the rubble of civilisation, your most prized possession won't be your Blackberry; it'll be your blade.
The blade is regarded as yang (hard) and is associated with the east; with the classical element of air; with the Archangel Raphael; with the colour yellow; with spring; with hot and wet conditions. Link to blade images.
There are two functions for a blade [1] to puncture and [2] to cut; this defines the shape of the blade. Of course it is possible to compromise and have both attributes in one blade, but I think that is missing the point (oops). A stiletto type blade defines a single point in space/time (let's not limit ourselves). A butchers type blade divides and separates. Different functions, different blade profiles. A rather chilling difference between the two blade forms are 18th century battlefield statistics; with a stabbing wound you had a 70% chance of dying, with a cutting wound you had a 70% chance surviving (just a thought). In witchcraft there is a tradition of having two blades; one of each type; the athame (black handled knife) to point with and the boline (white handled knife) to cut, symbolically or otherwise.
Free associate the word 'blade': metal, sharp, dangerous, bright, cold, precise, left brain, yang, mineral, iron, carbon, cool. A blade originates as a mineral of the deep earth and through our ingenuity and labour we have elevated it to the sky. Think about this: when the world goes to shit, and you are standing in the rubble of civilisation, your most prized possession won't be your Blackberry; it'll be your blade.
The blade is regarded as yang (hard) and is associated with the east; with the classical element of air; with the Archangel Raphael; with the colour yellow; with spring; with hot and wet conditions. Link to blade images.
“The real magic wand is the child's own mind”
JOSE ORTEGA Y GASSET
JOSE ORTEGA Y GASSET
The wand is a projecting tool; use it to direct energy and focus attention. What do you call a boomerang that won't come back? Answer: a stick. Same goes for wands - they have to have a special quality or they're just chunks of wood. So let’s examine what makes a wand a wand and not a stick. Again let’s start with the material. Wood is an incredible organic material; it's strong, flexible, enduring; and each tree produces wood with different qualities both 'mundane' and 'esoteric'. In the same way that steel needs to be looked after so does wood. The major difference is that were most of us would have a problem with forging a blade any fool can saw a branch from a tree. (If you are considering this action check out the protocols; afterall you want a powerful, cooperative wand not a resentful stick.)
Think of what a wand/staff represents. Essentially it's a cudgel. In martial terms, compared to a blade, it is not a subtle weapon; however in the advent of plate armor penetrative weaponry became less effective and impact weapons came to the fore. Maces, war hammers and even the humble quarter staff. Simple, cheap, readily available and it doesn't take a genius to use them. In aikido weapons training you are taught to project ki through a bokken (wooden sword). Like squirting water through a fire hose. Without the ki the sword is easily knocked out of your hands. With the flow of ki the feeling is totally different and virtually impossible to dislodge. That's the function of a wand to project energy.
There are an infinite variety of wand styles; but they seem to fall into some distinct categories. Sharman style: natural 'unprocessed' finish all strapped up with bits of fur and feather by leather thronging with a crystal stuck on the end. Orgone channeler: copper tube, may be wrapped in thonging, or left 'bright', again a crystal stuffed in the end, and usually derives from a pseudo scientific theory. Crystal/chakra wand internet esoteria stores are stuffed with them. Golden Dawn style: elaborately carved and painted to look like something from a Pharos’s tomb. Harry Potter style: turned on a lathe from a semi exotic hardwood - more like a conductor's baton than a wand. The ubiquitous hazel twist you’ll find a basket full in your local witchy shop. Then there's the style I like; a simple length of wood, cut, sanded, tongue oiled, and friction polished to bring out the unique qualities of the grain.
The wand is regarded as yang (hard) and is associated with the classical element of fire: with the south; with the Archangel Michael; with the colour red; with summer; with hot and dry conditions. Link to wand images.
Think of what a wand/staff represents. Essentially it's a cudgel. In martial terms, compared to a blade, it is not a subtle weapon; however in the advent of plate armor penetrative weaponry became less effective and impact weapons came to the fore. Maces, war hammers and even the humble quarter staff. Simple, cheap, readily available and it doesn't take a genius to use them. In aikido weapons training you are taught to project ki through a bokken (wooden sword). Like squirting water through a fire hose. Without the ki the sword is easily knocked out of your hands. With the flow of ki the feeling is totally different and virtually impossible to dislodge. That's the function of a wand to project energy.
There are an infinite variety of wand styles; but they seem to fall into some distinct categories. Sharman style: natural 'unprocessed' finish all strapped up with bits of fur and feather by leather thronging with a crystal stuck on the end. Orgone channeler: copper tube, may be wrapped in thonging, or left 'bright', again a crystal stuffed in the end, and usually derives from a pseudo scientific theory. Crystal/chakra wand internet esoteria stores are stuffed with them. Golden Dawn style: elaborately carved and painted to look like something from a Pharos’s tomb. Harry Potter style: turned on a lathe from a semi exotic hardwood - more like a conductor's baton than a wand. The ubiquitous hazel twist you’ll find a basket full in your local witchy shop. Then there's the style I like; a simple length of wood, cut, sanded, tongue oiled, and friction polished to bring out the unique qualities of the grain.
The wand is regarded as yang (hard) and is associated with the classical element of fire: with the south; with the Archangel Michael; with the colour red; with summer; with hot and dry conditions. Link to wand images.
"I've got it! I've got it! The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true! Right?"
DANNY KAYE - The Court Jester 1956
DANNY KAYE - The Court Jester 1956
The chalice is a tool of containment; use it to gather and store power. The chalice is a essentially a container as such it can be made of any functional material; metal, glass, wood, stone (let's just avoid plastic). In this context the chalice has much in common with that other magical tool of containment the cauldron. Following with the martial attributes ascribed to the other tools it's not such a great a stretch of the imagination to think on a chalice as a helm (albeit inverted). As such it joins the pentacle in having protective qualities.
Where the blade is a very obvious phallic object the chalice represents the womb and feminine energies. Combining the the blade and the chalice within the context of a rite evokes the act of procreation and symbolises universal creativity. Representing the element of water the association can be extended to include the sea, the origin of all life. The chalice has long been a staple of many religious practices; and it's a tool that pagans have in common with Christianity performing a similar sacramental role. Use it to consecrate water and offerings of wine and as a feature of a rite the chalice can be ritualistically passed around the circle from which the assembled share an offering of wine.
Different chalices have gone down in history (or myth) as priceless holy objects, such as the Holy Grail, or the Great Chalice of Antioch. The type of chalice that you choose for your rituals should be in accordance with the objectives of the rite. You could, for instance, decide that a copper chalice fits with the planetary correspondences.
The chalice is regarded as yin (yielding) and is associated with the classical element of water; with the west; with the Archangel Gabriel; with the colour blue; with autumn; with cold and wet conditions. Link to chalice images.
Where the blade is a very obvious phallic object the chalice represents the womb and feminine energies. Combining the the blade and the chalice within the context of a rite evokes the act of procreation and symbolises universal creativity. Representing the element of water the association can be extended to include the sea, the origin of all life. The chalice has long been a staple of many religious practices; and it's a tool that pagans have in common with Christianity performing a similar sacramental role. Use it to consecrate water and offerings of wine and as a feature of a rite the chalice can be ritualistically passed around the circle from which the assembled share an offering of wine.
Different chalices have gone down in history (or myth) as priceless holy objects, such as the Holy Grail, or the Great Chalice of Antioch. The type of chalice that you choose for your rituals should be in accordance with the objectives of the rite. You could, for instance, decide that a copper chalice fits with the planetary correspondences.
The chalice is regarded as yin (yielding) and is associated with the classical element of water; with the west; with the Archangel Gabriel; with the colour blue; with autumn; with cold and wet conditions. Link to chalice images.
“For an impenetrable shield, stand inside yourself”
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
The pentacle is a is a tool of protection and display; use it as a shield. The knight of disks in the Crowley/Harris Thoth tarot deck makes my central point very eloquently; the pentacle is essentially a shield. A Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy (c. 1565) attributed to Agrippa gives detailed instructions as to how pentacles should be formulated:
"But we now come to speak of the holy and sacred Pentacles and Sigils. Now these pentacles, are as it were certain holy signes preserving us from evil chances and events, and helping and assisting us to binde, exterminate, and drive away evil spirits, and alluring the good spirits, and reconciling them unto us. And these pentacles do consist either of Characters of the good spirits of the superiour order, or of sacred pictures of holy letters or revelations, with apt and fit versicles, which are composed either of Geometrical figures and holy names of God, according to the course and maner of many of them; or they are compounded of all of them, or very many of them mixt."
The word pentacle is a little misleading. The words pentacle and pentagram (a five-point unicursal star) are essentially synonymous, according to the Online Oxford English Dictionary, which traces the etymology through both French and Italian back to Latin, but notes that in Middle French the word 'pentacle' was used to refer to any talisman. In an extended use, many magical authors treat them as distinct. In many tarot decks and in some forms of modern witchcraft, pentacles often prominently incorporate a pentagram in their design.
The pentacle is regarded as yin (yealding) and is associated with the classical element earth; with the north; with the Archangel Auriel; with the colours green and brown; with winter; with cold and dry conditions. Link to pentacle explanation.
"But we now come to speak of the holy and sacred Pentacles and Sigils. Now these pentacles, are as it were certain holy signes preserving us from evil chances and events, and helping and assisting us to binde, exterminate, and drive away evil spirits, and alluring the good spirits, and reconciling them unto us. And these pentacles do consist either of Characters of the good spirits of the superiour order, or of sacred pictures of holy letters or revelations, with apt and fit versicles, which are composed either of Geometrical figures and holy names of God, according to the course and maner of many of them; or they are compounded of all of them, or very many of them mixt."
The word pentacle is a little misleading. The words pentacle and pentagram (a five-point unicursal star) are essentially synonymous, according to the Online Oxford English Dictionary, which traces the etymology through both French and Italian back to Latin, but notes that in Middle French the word 'pentacle' was used to refer to any talisman. In an extended use, many magical authors treat them as distinct. In many tarot decks and in some forms of modern witchcraft, pentacles often prominently incorporate a pentagram in their design.
The pentacle is regarded as yin (yealding) and is associated with the classical element earth; with the north; with the Archangel Auriel; with the colours green and brown; with winter; with cold and dry conditions. Link to pentacle explanation.