Tools of the Craft
All religions have specific "tools" that are used within its rituals. Paganism is no different, though many of the tools used in our spiritual path are necessarily quite different from other non-nature oriented religions. Furthermore, several of the objects that we now use as ritual tools actually started out as true working tools. Knives, for example, were used to cut herbs for magickal and medicinal blends. And, much like other religions where similar objects used for different purposes are kept separate from each other, a knife used to cut herbs could not be the same knife used to draw blood in, for example, cutting meat.
What follows is not meant to be an all-inclusive listing of tools used in Pagan rituals. Each sect may add tools that are symbolic within the context of its historical culture. For example, the ankh is not a common object at most Circles. However, for those Pagans who incorporate Egyptian deities, rites, and/or customs within their rituals a full-sized ankh stands as Guardian of the Inner Circle, and is a proper and necessary tool.
The most important aspect to realize about tools, in my opinion, is to understand they are not absolutely necessary to anything you do within the Craft. The most important tool is the individual's heart and mind. A finger makes a great wand; an outstretched arm can cut as cleanly as a knife or sword in a ritual; cupped hands upraised for a chalice can add an element to a ritual that a metallic object often cannot. These tools which most Pagans feel they must have simply act to focus our energy and mindsets to the task at hand.
When gathering together your tools, don't feel hard-pressed to spend so much money you go broke. State your need and intention to the Universe; call your tools to you; then live in a state of constant awareness. The tool which chooses you may not be quite as you envisioned it, but it'll be all the more powerful for having identified itself as "yours."
What follows below is a list of tools and a brief explanation of each. All of these tools can be deemed "personal" tools for those practicing Solitaire. In groups, there would probably be a division between "personal" and "group" tools. Group tools are usually kept at the covenstead.
The Circle of Power you create is as much a tool as anything you'll buy from a vendor. One of our most important tools, it allows you to create sacred space separate and apart from the mundane world. In this "world between worlds" where time and space as we know it do not exist, Sabbats are celebrated and workings are conducted. This Circle doesn't have to be ceremonially laid out in an extravagant nature, nor does it actually have to be physically delineated. The most important tool a Pagan can cultivate is his mind and his creativity. Creating in the mind's eye a ritually consecrated circle at a moments notice can give one the freedom to deal with problems or stress at any point in the day.
Athame: One of the most pervasive of Pagan tools is the Athame, the black-handled knife. A personal tool, this was also known as the Magician's Knife and is masculine in nature. It is allied with Air and the associated aspects of mind, thought, and creativity. The Athame is used for cutting. As it can be used to draw blood, a butcher knife was often used as an athame during the Witchhunt periods.
In modern groups, the Athame is most often used to invoke the Watchtowers, cut the cakes in the Cakes and Wine ceremony, for bonding at coven initiations, and to represent the male in the symbolic Great Rite.
Boline: Another personal tool, the Boline is often referred to as the "white handled knife." This is the Healer's Knife, used for cutting herbs and preparing and stirring herbal potions and medicines. It is feminine in nature, and is allied with Earth. As with the athame, a regular kitchen knife, set aside so that it never touched blood, was often used as a Boline during the Burning Times.
I have never known any Pagan who had and used a "white-handled" knife in any way. Doesn't mean there aren't any; just means I haven't met them! Most herbalists I know who actually grow and/or scavenge their own herbs have used a knife specific to that purpose, though not necessarily white-handled. However, most herbalists I'm acquainted with today don't scour the countryside for their herbs; they buy them dried and ready to use.
Swords: Modern Pagans generally do not have to worry much about who sees their tools; we don't have to hide their real use today behind ordinary kitchen tools. As well, blood rituals are a rarity in the modern rite. In my opinion, these may be two of the reasons the boline fell from the tool lists of many pagans. Today, one can see the Athame being used to perform many of the functions once attributed to the boline; whereas a ceremonial sword is now being utilized to discharge the duties of the athame, such as calling Quarters and issuing the Challenge to Circle or Initiation. One should be cognizant, however, of the effect these seemingly minor changes have on the Elemental balance of the Circle. The Sword is counted as a personal tool, even when used to represent the group.
In these modern times, there are many variations in the colors of blade handles. Today's Pagans don't feel constrained to stay within the "black and white" color scheme. In actuality, I doubt the old ones of the Burning Times fretted much over the color of their hasps; they were more concerned with hiding the ritual use within the application of mundane usage. I honestly don't think this is a point over which to lose any sleep. The world around us isn't black and white; decisions we make are rarely so clear cut; and I can't abide the terms "black" and "white" magick, with all their negative social, cultural, and religious negativities.
I'd much rather see individuals find a hilt style and color that matches the type of ritual they perform, or are keyed to their own personal aspects. For example, the hilt of my athame is silver; I am an Aquarian, and when I call a Quarter it's most likely Air. Silver is related to Mercury, the ruler of Air, and associated, therefore, with Thought, Creativity, and Speed - all qualities of the Eastern Watchtower of Air.
The Chalice is symbolic of the Goddess, being feminine of nature and associated with Water. Along with the Athame, it is used in the Cakes and Wine ceremony, and is the feminine half of the Symbolic Great Rite. When a group does not have a cauldron, the Chalice represents the Cauldron of Cerridwin, the Cauldron of Rebirth. As such, this tool is most often thought of as a coven tool, rather than a personal tool unless you're working Solitaire.
The Cauldron, being one of those "nice to have" group tools, isn't absolutely necessary. Most of us wish for the large, cast iron cauldrons that are totally price-prohibitive. There are other more affordable materials, however, such as brass, silver, and clay. We have a brass "cauldron" that was actually being sold as a planter. It sits on a silver tripod base and does the job quite well for less than a pittance of the price of cast iron. The trick here is to be aware of what the need is and be able to look creatively at all options. You might be surprised at what you can find!
We use the Cauldron extensively in water spells, as well as for work that involves blending the masculine and feminine traits (lit candle in water), and in some rituals throughout the Wheel of the Year. Some groups also use it to mingle the tribute of cakes and ale before making their fairy offering.
The Wand, aligned with the feminine Earth energy, is a personal tool that is used to direct focused energy. It can also be used to call Quarters, and for a multitude of other purposes for which energy is channeled. Some pagans have two wands; one for Circle ritual work and another for spell work. One of these will most likely be charged to the type of work being performed, while the other is a "power wand." The Power Wand is usually handmade (or at least, finished) by the individual.
Candles are representative of the Male Fire energy. Not only are they used most generally to mark the Quarter Watchtowers, but they also become the primary focus in Fire Festivals for today's Pagan. Not many of us can celebrate with the bonfires of old anymore. Candles are also used in various forms of Candle magick, for scrying, for consecration, and to give light to unmemorized ritual pages!
The Book of Shadows, rather than being a grimoire, is more like your own personal magickal diary. It holds not only spells, but can also include Sabbat rituals, elemental/astrological/deity correspondences, as well as any of your writings of magickal work, especially the results and consequences (both good and bad!). Though written by hand in days of old, the traditional black leather-bound book of Shadows is quickly giving way to Electronic versions. As with everything, there is good and bad in this. Just remember to have a hard copy close at hand so you don't lose everything when your hard drive crashes!
The Cingulum is a length of cord, cut to your exact height during a coven initiation. This is called your "measure." In days of old, the cingulum was kept by the High Priestess in order to assure everyone's secrecy regarding the group. If a member of the group betrayed the group, the cingulum could be used to bind to silence the offending member. When a member petitioned the High Priestess to leave the group for whatever reason, the cingulum was burned once she gave recognition and blessing to the change.
Since we no longer live with such dire need of secrecy today, some modern groups give the cingulum back to the initiate as a symbol of love and trust. Some of these pagans then add a knot to the cingulum for each year a day they've been with the group, and wear this as a belt during Circle rites.
The mode of dress for most groups is generally Robes, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Some groups wear a mix of robes and clothing from the medieval or renaissance period. Some groups hold fast to the custom of being skyclad in their rites. Whatever is worn (or not worn), it should be clothing that has been "set apart" from the Mundane world and used only in ritual. It should be loose enough that movement is not impeded, but not so flowing as to be a danger around the cauldron and/or candles. Ritual jewelry is not necessary, but many have specific pieces they wear only at ritual. In addition, it is not unusual for the High Priestess to wear a circlet, tiara, or garter in symbolism of her position as representative of the Goddess during Circle.
Other ritual tools include the Altar, which can be a table of any size, of any material, as appropriate to the size, space, and limitations of the individual's situation. It should be large enough to hold at least the symbols of the four elements, a goddess candle, the chalice of wine, and the plate of cakes. There may be variations between a Sabbat altar and an altar set up as a devotional, or for a specific working.
Many groups and individuals will also have a large group pentacle, the symbol of protection that also delineates our growth along this path. Other tools will include various forms of incense, oils, crystals, gems, and herbs blended specifically for the particular working or ritual use.
One last "tool" that many may not see as such is the name an individual takes upon initiating into the Craft. Due care should be taken when choosing a name, so that it reflects that which you are or strive to be at your innermost core. This can be accomplished in many ways, the best being during a dream walk where the name is given to you by the Ancients, your totem, or familiar. If meditation, reflection, and dreams do not lead you to a name, one can be chosen numerologically by assessing missing numbers in your name and creating a name made of them, in order to bring their influence into your life. You may desire to bring a particular and specific influence into your life; numerology again will help you to choose your name and spelling.
A name can also be created by combining names or syllables of a name of someone whose attributes you wish to emulate with a name or syllable symbolic of your present state. For example, "Shyra" was my Craft name when I first began walking this path 20 years ago. I chose it to bring the assertive power of "Ra," the Egyptian sungod, into my life in order to counteract the "Shy" side of my personality. Having done its job, I've long since taken a new Inner circle name; but out of respect for those early efforts, I keep "Shyra" as my outer circle name even today.
I would caution against taking a deity name in whole as a Craft name, especially as one just steps onto this path. To do so often assures the individual of being presented with situations and people that will bring about experiences and attributes of that deity. This can often be too overwhelming for the neophyte, who then turns away from the path in search of something easier; never realizing that he brought the burden down upon himself.