Staple supplies

I see a lot of people asking for "staple supplies" needed to practice either Wicca or Witchcraft. They have to realize that there are no "staple" supplies or mandatory supplies one needs to practice.

I think the most important thing a person should do when becoming one of either, is to learn how to use themselves first as the tool, THEN gather supplies. That way you find out which tools you feel would be better suited to your practice, rather than gathering all kinds of different tools you'll never use.

I, myself have fallen into that oh, most common mistake anyone entering into Witchcraft and Wicca make. Gathering all the tools you **think** you need, then not using anything. I have two wands I never use. They're nice, and made by my own hands, but I never use them. I also have hundreds of candles I never use. My husband has respiratory problems so lighting candles in the house can't happen too often (most times i just use battery operated candles, unless I intend to burn something, then I do that outdoors).

People tend to get all caught up in the SUGGESTIONS made by authors, when conducting rituals or performing spells. Things CAN be substituted, and spells can be cast using more than just frankincense  myrrh and dragon's blood. You don't always need an athame to cast a circle (heck, you don't even really need a wand either). This is why I say that one should learn to use their self as the tool before gathering anything, then they realize that all this stuff they sell, are mere wants for profit, and are not needed for the practice of either. The body contains all elements. To consecrate a tool I owned, I used nothing more than myself as a representation of all elements: I blessed it with water (saliva), blessed it with earth (my hands), and I blessed it with fire and air (my breath, and the heat coming from it). I then stated some appropriate words (generally I make things up as I go along), and was done. Not one item did I use that was purchased. A tool or other important item can become more personal and have more meaning to you, if you use yourself to bless, consecrate, empower it, whatever.

I'm not saying, by any means, that tools are a waste of money, and that no one should use them. That would make me a hypocrite, because I use tools all the time. It's just that things can have special meaning for me if I used my self than tools.

There are times and places for tools, and yes, sometimes tools are important, especially if they're symbolically linked to a ritual. Take for example, the Wiccan ritual of The Great Rite. If you're a solitary, you can't exactly physically enact The Great Rite by yourself, therefore you would use tools to represent the masculine and feminine aspects needed. By this, you would use your athame (symbolizing the phallic symbol of the male), and the chalice (symbolizing the womb or female genitalia). While I'm sure a finger and a cupped hand might do just as well, it might look a little more vulgar, and take something away from a symbolic act (typically for the fact that such a gesture is used in a vulgar manner, and often is considered rude). For this purpose, tools are needed. However if you're not going to participate in The Great Rite, then it might not necessarily be important for you to own an athame or a chalice, unless you plan to particpate in other rituals or ceremonies involving such tools, and even then they would be optional, as there are many other options out there for use.

Many other acts, particularly in Wicca don't need a lot of tools or other items. Prayers, for example, need nothing more than yourself, and perhaps a representation of the deity(ies). Some people enjoy using prayer beads to say their prayers; some people merely sit and meditate in front of a lit candle. My prayers (though I'm not Wiccan, I DO pray to a Goddess) begin with an invocation to the Goddess, lighting of the candle (battery operated one, I'm not picky and am mindful of my husband's health), blessing myself with blessed (holy) water, communion with the Goddess (my thanks, troubles I'm facing, stresses, worries, future plans), then await any sort of response (this could be anything from a sudden idea, voice, movement within the room, anything), then end with prayers, and a thanks for attendance, and dismissal. The only thing on my altar is my black statuette of my Goddess representation, offering dish (should I place an offering), small bottle of blessed water, and my candle. Nothing else dons my altar.

People need to understand that tools are not necessary. You don't NEED them. They're not mandatory. There are no Pagan police out there who are going to hunt you down if you cast a circle with your finger. To place all emphasis on obtaining and using tools takes away from the real meaning behind what you are doing, and places all focus on the tools being used. If you learn to use yourself first, then you will understand the importance behind the act, then using tools will be less of a focus and become second nature.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE TOOLS :)





Ma’iingan