Main Ritual Tools

     When cutting open a circle or setting up an altar in your home, there are some basic ritual tools that you will need.  Below is a comprehensive list of the basic ritual tools you would need in order to properly cast a circle.  I have also listed some basic definitions for each tool as to what the tool is used for and what it represents symbolically.  An altar is a nice way of projecting outward your feelings toward our Mother and Father and also the different energies that make up life.  Having an altar also shows that you are self-confident in your beliefs, and not afraid of what others might think.  My altar sits outright in my living room right next to my television.  Some people who visit my home sometimes question what my altar is, and I am always very straight forward with them.  Remember many religions have altars, and they use ritual tools right along with them.

Athame / Sword - This is the witches knife.  This is one of the four most important tools that you will need on your altar.   It usually is double edged and is never used to cut anything except the air.  Most people use this tool to physically cut open their circle.  This tool is associated to Air and the direction of East.  Some associate the "wand" with Air, however I find that it is much easier to see the associations of the athame with the element of Air.  It should be placed in the eastern quarter of your altar or circle, and it should never be used to draw blood.  It represents the male phallus, and symbolically it represents change or the energy needed to create change.  It is used to direct the energy in your circle.

Chalice - The chalice is a basically a cup which should contain water.  However it is much more then that.  The chalice is the main tool that represents the element of Water and the direction of West.  It should be placed in the Western quarter of your circle, and should only ever contain water.  It represents the female womb, and symbolically is represents the realm of feeling.  It is associated to the Mother, and also the moon.  Placing your wand or athame inside your chalice represents the energy of creation.  It is the union of the male and female energies.

Pentacle or Patent - A pentacle is a circle with a five pointed star in the center pointed upwards.  It is usually made of silver, copper, bronze, or wood.  It is circular and flat and is usually from 5 to 9 inches wide.  This tool is associated to the element of Earth, and the direction of North.  It should be placed in the Northern part of your circle, and a patent with a pentacle, and/or other symbols should be placed in the center.  The five points of the pentacle symbolize the five points of fellowship, and also the five elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit or Ether).  The pentacle represents the body and the physical.  It represents strength, and is used to ward off negative energy.

Wand -   The wand is another tool that represents the male energy.  It is usually made of wood and sometimes contains crystals and/or symbolic markings.  If possible the wand should be made of the sacred trees.  The wand represents the element of Fire and the direction of South.  Sometimes it is used in place of an athame in order to direct energy within a circle.  The wand should be placed in the Southern part of your circle or altar.  It represents the energy of passion and desire, and also represents the motivation needed to make necessary changes.

     Listed above are the main tools that represent the four basic elemental energies. These tools are necessary in order to perform a basic Wiccan ritual.  There are also secondary tools that will be helpful with your rituals and sometimes they are just as necessary as the ones listed above.  For a brief explanation of what these tools are and what they are used for please click continue below.