Post by risingpanther on Jul 2, 2008 17:24:46 GMT 1
Merry meet from your friendly neighborhood Tarot Reader! XD
Anyhow, in the few forums I frequent I have noticed quite often the question of tools, and whether store-bought ones need to be altered in any way and cleansing rituals, etc...so I figured Id make a post about it and see what you all say. Dont shoot me!
It is my firm belief that whenever possible tools should be made by the owners, so that your own personal energy flows into them as much as possible. I know many traditional Witches share my view, and I also know that with some tools, such as the athame and bolline, this isnt always possible. In such, the tool should be altered somehow to ascribe your personal energies into it. But first, Ill adress the creation of wands, the most likely tool to be made by the Witch.
The first wand that the Witch makes should be from a tree that they are drawn to, which may take quite a bit of time, but it is worth it. Remember any ritual can be enacted without tools, the magick is in the Witch after all. But about the feeling, you will develop a fascination with a particular tree, or find a branch lying on the ground that you find an irresistable pull to pick up. DO IT! If it is a particular tree, than run your hands down the trunk and branches, and feel its energy. Thank it for its contact, then return home. Do as much research into the tree as you can, reading through what type of tree it is through what sort of energies the wood possesses. This is important! Research when the best pruning season is for that tree, and wait until then. You will be honoring and respecting said tree, and the wand will be better for it. When you cut the branch, explain to the tree why you are doing so and thank it for its sacrifice. If it was a branch, try to find the tree it came from, do the research. Either way, present an offering of dried herbs or bread, or even fresh, unchlorinated water as thanks.
Some Witches purchase wooden dowels, or make their wands of metal. These are sound practices, and whichever method you feel is right should be the one you use. Far be it from me to tell you you are wrong!
For the athame, bolline, and other likely store-bought tools, etching or some other form of alteration is needed to make it your own. Many Witches will carve their magickal name into the handle, or etch it onto the blade. With store-bought wands, if it is made of wook, carving your name in Ogham script is the easiest, though runes or any other magickal script is acceptable. In some way you must make it yours! It will work twice as effectively and provide a strong link to your sub and superconcious minds, because YOU did something to that tool.
For cleansing, especially with store-bought tools, let it sit for a full 3-9 hours in sunlight, and the same amount of time in full moonlight. For tools that may become easily damaged (such as tarot cards and rune stones) let them sit in a window with full access to the sun/moon. This establishes a connection with the God/dess and also cleanses the tools of excess energy theyre carrying around. Another way to cleanse is to pass it through blessed incense, over a candle flame, buried briefly or overnight in the earth, and then sprinkled with rain or holy water.
The ritual can be one of your devising, or one in a book. The one that I use can be found in To Ride A Silver Broomstick, by Silver RavenWolf. It is an excellant ritual for beginners, and includes a dedication of the tools and self to the Deities. If you write your own, it should include:
- A call to the elements to witness the dedication
- A call to the deities to witness
- A ritual cleansing (see above) of the tools and appropriate speech to accompany
- A statement of dedication and affirmation that the tools will be used only for positive working, not for intentional harm, in sight of the deities
- A meditation on what this truly means to you
- A rite of thanks
I hope you guys found this informative, and let me know if anything needs to be added. Remember, these are my views, and can be taken as you will, but I have found them to be quite useful guidelines. Blessed be! =^.^=
Anyhow, in the few forums I frequent I have noticed quite often the question of tools, and whether store-bought ones need to be altered in any way and cleansing rituals, etc...so I figured Id make a post about it and see what you all say. Dont shoot me!
It is my firm belief that whenever possible tools should be made by the owners, so that your own personal energy flows into them as much as possible. I know many traditional Witches share my view, and I also know that with some tools, such as the athame and bolline, this isnt always possible. In such, the tool should be altered somehow to ascribe your personal energies into it. But first, Ill adress the creation of wands, the most likely tool to be made by the Witch.
The first wand that the Witch makes should be from a tree that they are drawn to, which may take quite a bit of time, but it is worth it. Remember any ritual can be enacted without tools, the magick is in the Witch after all. But about the feeling, you will develop a fascination with a particular tree, or find a branch lying on the ground that you find an irresistable pull to pick up. DO IT! If it is a particular tree, than run your hands down the trunk and branches, and feel its energy. Thank it for its contact, then return home. Do as much research into the tree as you can, reading through what type of tree it is through what sort of energies the wood possesses. This is important! Research when the best pruning season is for that tree, and wait until then. You will be honoring and respecting said tree, and the wand will be better for it. When you cut the branch, explain to the tree why you are doing so and thank it for its sacrifice. If it was a branch, try to find the tree it came from, do the research. Either way, present an offering of dried herbs or bread, or even fresh, unchlorinated water as thanks.
Some Witches purchase wooden dowels, or make their wands of metal. These are sound practices, and whichever method you feel is right should be the one you use. Far be it from me to tell you you are wrong!
For the athame, bolline, and other likely store-bought tools, etching or some other form of alteration is needed to make it your own. Many Witches will carve their magickal name into the handle, or etch it onto the blade. With store-bought wands, if it is made of wook, carving your name in Ogham script is the easiest, though runes or any other magickal script is acceptable. In some way you must make it yours! It will work twice as effectively and provide a strong link to your sub and superconcious minds, because YOU did something to that tool.
For cleansing, especially with store-bought tools, let it sit for a full 3-9 hours in sunlight, and the same amount of time in full moonlight. For tools that may become easily damaged (such as tarot cards and rune stones) let them sit in a window with full access to the sun/moon. This establishes a connection with the God/dess and also cleanses the tools of excess energy theyre carrying around. Another way to cleanse is to pass it through blessed incense, over a candle flame, buried briefly or overnight in the earth, and then sprinkled with rain or holy water.
The ritual can be one of your devising, or one in a book. The one that I use can be found in To Ride A Silver Broomstick, by Silver RavenWolf. It is an excellant ritual for beginners, and includes a dedication of the tools and self to the Deities. If you write your own, it should include:
- A call to the elements to witness the dedication
- A call to the deities to witness
- A ritual cleansing (see above) of the tools and appropriate speech to accompany
- A statement of dedication and affirmation that the tools will be used only for positive working, not for intentional harm, in sight of the deities
- A meditation on what this truly means to you
- A rite of thanks
I hope you guys found this informative, and let me know if anything needs to be added. Remember, these are my views, and can be taken as you will, but I have found them to be quite useful guidelines. Blessed be! =^.^=
that means no smuge stick 
