| Since this article is written by a shop owner | | | | about the power you can channel through a |
| who earns her living (at least in part) | | | | really nice knife. Call me materialistic, but |
| selling you ritual tools, you might expect | | | | there it is.What about those cool offering |
| the answer to be "of course! And you should | | | | bowls? Yeah, they are nice ritual tools |
| buy the most expensive ritual tools that you | | | | aren't they? Do you HAVE to use them? Course |
| can possibly afford. They will make your | | | | not. You can use paper cups, household bowls, |
| magick more powerful." But guess what? Kestra | | | | anything else you desire to hold your salt |
| tries very hard to give you the honest truth | | | | and water (sea salt is best, but table salt |
| about her views about Wicca, Wiccan practices | | | | will do if you have to). Do you need a bell? |
| and ritual tools.So, do you really need to | | | | Well, you can try a water glass and a fork. |
| buy ritual tools? "Need" is a very strong | | | | That makes a nice "ding" if you can't afford |
| word. Of course you don't "need" to buy | | | | a bell. Candles? You can always make your |
| ritual tools. You can make just about | | | | own. If you aren't that handy, however, |
| anything you would ever need. For that which | | | | votives are inexpensive. So are "chime |
| you can't make, you can compromise, for | | | | candles." However, a really beautiful |
| example using your finger as a wand or | | | | pentacle pillar or a Triple Goddess pillar |
| athame. Now if only we could use our finger | | | | can certainly set the mood, and bring your |
| to light candles like in Charmed :-).So why | | | | head into the appropriate ritual space. And, |
| DO people purchase ritual tools and ritual | | | | of course, there are the color |
| supplies? A ritual tool is used to help you | | | | correspondences that help your mind focus on |
| to focus your energies. It is used as an | | | | the working ahead.Now...do you really need to |
| extension of your body, to channel your | | | | buy a cauldron as a ritual tool? If you're |
| energy into a specific task, or to "save" | | | | going to be burning incense on charcoal, you |
| energies for use later. Examples are using | | | | most definitely need an appropriate vessel |
| your energy projected down a wand for | | | | for that. It would also be a very good idea |
| consecrating an object, storing energies into | | | | if that vessel were FIREPROOF. Things that |
| a crystal, or drawing down energy from Deity | | | | ignite, or ooze plastic goo all over your |
| into a statue.Do you need to buy a wand? Not | | | | altar are not good choices, and I would |
| especially. You can find a stick in the woods | | | | imagine that your focus would be rather |
| and use it. However, if you want to "tune" | | | | scattered as evil smells permeated your |
| your energies for a specific purpose, or use | | | | ritual area. Might be useful for a ritual |
| that extra "boost" of using a specific type | | | | celebrating the wonders of swamp gas, but |
| of wood that corresponds to a particular | | | | likely not anywhere else. So if you decide to |
| Deity or a particular intention, either | | | | use a substitute for the good ole stoneware |
| search for that wood on your walks through | | | | or cast iron cauldron, please ensure it will |
| the forest, or purchase a wand of the | | | | do the job.So, if you don't want to buy your |
| appropriate type.But what about an athame? | | | | ritual tools and supplies, you CAN, with a |
| Don't you HAVE to have that special Klingon | | | | bit of creativity and thought, make/find/use |
| dagger athame with the spines on the side as | | | | substitutes. Will your focus be as strong? |
| your ritual tool in order to make the most | | | | That varies from individual to individual, as |
| powerful circle? Well, uh..... NO. If you | | | | well as with the situation. If you find that |
| feel better with that kind of a tool, and it | | | | a ritual tool makes a big difference, perhaps |
| helps you project your energies best, then by | | | | you should use it. Just please be certain |
| all means, buy one, or even two. That way | | | | that you choose the RIGHT kind of substitute |
| you'll have one for each hand. Can you use | | | | to avoid unintended consequences, and |
| your wand in place of an athame? Sure you | | | | uninvited ritual guests who arrive in a large |
| can. Can you use a dinner knife as a ritual | | | | red truck and wear strange robes with funny |
| tool? Of course. But there's something about | | | | black helmets. Their favorite ritual tool is |
| beautiful athames that evokes something in | | | | often called a "firehose."Kestra is a Wiccan |
| the brain. Holding it gives you a special | | | | Priestess, Master Herbalist, and Reiki |
| feeling of power that comes only with that | | | | Master, offering the best in practical |
| particular tool. If that is the case with you | | | | information, unique and useful altar tools |
| as well, that is the athame you must have. | | | | and ritual supplies. Please check out her |
| You can always make your own, or use what you | | | | offerings at Guaranteed to not be your |
| can, but there is just something special | | | | "same ole" Wiccan shop. |