Book of Shadows

According to Wikipedia:
"The Book of Shadows is a collection of magical and religious texts of Wicca and other Neopagan witchcraft traditions, containing the core rituals, magical practices, ethics and philosophy of a Wiccan or other tradition. In Wicca, it is normally copied by hand from the book of one's initiating High Priestess or Priest, who copied theirs from their initiator. In modern Eclectic Wiccan terminology, however, a Book of Shadows is a personal magical journal rather than a traditional text.

"Within traditional lineaged forms of Wicca there are a number of versions of the Book of Shadows, their contents varying to a greater or lesser degree from the early versions belonging to Gerald Gardner, who first popularised Wicca. While Gardner seems to have originally treated the book as a personal journal, it has come to be considered a religious text in most traditions."

In personal experience, I find it best that Sabbat rituals and coven spells to be kept in a coven Book of Shadows while individual coveners may keep their own Book of Shadows with personal spells and other magicks that they excell at.

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Athame

The athame (ah-tha-may) is a ceremonial black-handled knife, one of several magical tools used in Wicca; other forms of modern witchcraft have since adopted the term for various ritual knives. A black-handled knife called an athame appears in certain versions of the Key of Solomon, a grimoire originating in the Middle Ages.

An athame can take many forms. It frequently has a double-edged blade with a sharp point, and a handle which is often black. The handle may be inscribed with particular symbols dictated by the tradition.

The athame's primary use is for ritual and magical purposes only, to direct energy.

You should never touch a witch's athame without their concent.

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Chalice

In Wicca a chalice, as a feminine principle, is often used in combination with the Athame, as male principle. Combining the two evokes the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity. This is a symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals.

Some forms of Neo-Paganism make use of chalices in their rituals as well. A chalice may be placed on an altar or on the ground. The chalice may contain wine, whiskey, water, or other liquids.

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Incense

A typical censer is a small metal or stone dish used for burning incense, often on small legs. In many cultures, burning incense has spiritual and religious connotations, and this influences the design and decoration of the censer. Designs vary from simple, earthenware bowls to intricately carved silver or gold vessels.

Different scents are for different things. Most smoke from incense is used to carry the spell/prayer upwards to the gods.

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Bell

Vibrations echo through all of us. A bell can be used in many different ways, from sounding the beginning of a ceremony to harmonizing those present to one tone or vibration.

When chosing a bell, take your time. Listen to each bell to find the tone that rings true for you. Cheaply made bells may have harsh sounds that leave you feeling out of harmony.

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Statues/Plaques

Some choose to have figures, some do not. Either is entirely acceptable. You may have a specific diety in mind or, like me, you may chose nameless figures that seem welcoming.

Some also place a pentacle/pentegram plaque on their alter as a symbol of the five points (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) and as a symbold of protection. Again, this is optional.

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Candles

Detrimental to the Wiccan practice are candles. The warm glow of the frame brings the element of fire to us. The colors focus us for spells. The light surrounds and protects us.

See spells for more detailed candle work.

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Jewelery/Clothing

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Cauldren

A cauldron or caldron (from Latin caldarium, hot bath) is a large metal pot (kettle) for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth and frequently with an arc-shaped hanger.

In the Wiccan religion, a cauldron is often placed at the centre of a sacred circle and used to contain items that will be set alight during a ritual. It is a symbol of abundance and prosperity and is said to represent the womb and is sacred to the Goddess. Water can be placed into a cauldron for scrying (a method of divining the future) or it can hold the ingredients necessary for a spell or incantation.

In some forms of Wicca which incorporate aspects of Celtic mythology, the cauldron is associated with the goddess Cerridwen. Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was useful to warring armies: dead warriors could be put into the cauldron and would be returned to life, save that they lacked the power of speech. It was suspected that they lacked souls, like golem. These warriors could go back into battle until they were killed again.

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Divination

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