What about Tools?
Various kinds of tools are used within any craft tradition and solitary practitioners.
*Wand
The wand is used to cast certain circles and one does not need to cut a gate to enter or leave the circle. At the end of ritual, a wand circle will dissolve on its own. The wand represents fire.
*Sword
The sword is used to cast certain circles and a gate must be cut when leaving or entering the circle. At the end of ritual, a sword circle will need its corners cut so all may go freely and the circle is broken. The Sword represents Air and lays at the foot of the altar in the North.
*Athame
The athame is used to call the quarters in circle and draw the corresponding directional pentagrams as well as, close the quarters and drawing the corresponding closing directional pentagrams. Some witches when they are without an athame, will use their middle and forefinger together on their projection hand (whichever hand they write with). Athames are never used to cut anything. They are symbolic in nature. The Athame represents Fire.
*Chalice
The chalice is the vessel that holds the wine or juice in circle. It is passed around to each coven member to drink from. It should never go empty. The chalice represents water and sits in the West.
*Incense
Incense is burned during circle for different ritual purposes. Its pleasant aroma also acts as an offering to the Gods. Incense represents Air and sits in the East.
*Power Candle
The power candle contains the focus and intention of the ritual and puts it out into the universe. It represents Fire and sits in the South.
*Pentacle
The pentacle is used to bless all tools and anything that is placed on the altar. It represents Earth and sits in the North.
These are the basic tools that will be on an altar at all times. There are other tools like the bolline, salt, bell, crystals, cauldron, runes, herbs, oils, etc.
*Wand
The wand is used to cast certain circles and one does not need to cut a gate to enter or leave the circle. At the end of ritual, a wand circle will dissolve on its own. The wand represents fire.
*Sword
The sword is used to cast certain circles and a gate must be cut when leaving or entering the circle. At the end of ritual, a sword circle will need its corners cut so all may go freely and the circle is broken. The Sword represents Air and lays at the foot of the altar in the North.
*Athame
The athame is used to call the quarters in circle and draw the corresponding directional pentagrams as well as, close the quarters and drawing the corresponding closing directional pentagrams. Some witches when they are without an athame, will use their middle and forefinger together on their projection hand (whichever hand they write with). Athames are never used to cut anything. They are symbolic in nature. The Athame represents Fire.
*Chalice
The chalice is the vessel that holds the wine or juice in circle. It is passed around to each coven member to drink from. It should never go empty. The chalice represents water and sits in the West.
*Incense
Incense is burned during circle for different ritual purposes. Its pleasant aroma also acts as an offering to the Gods. Incense represents Air and sits in the East.
*Power Candle
The power candle contains the focus and intention of the ritual and puts it out into the universe. It represents Fire and sits in the South.
*Pentacle
The pentacle is used to bless all tools and anything that is placed on the altar. It represents Earth and sits in the North.
These are the basic tools that will be on an altar at all times. There are other tools like the bolline, salt, bell, crystals, cauldron, runes, herbs, oils, etc.