Artifacts of Wicca
Items regularly used by Wiccans Here are some items used by Wiccans:
Athame: A ritual knife called the athame in Wiccan circles. You should be able to hold the athame easily in your hand. The athame is a very special ritual item and should be kept with care. You could symbolize your athame with a symbol of your own. Most Wiccans prefer that the athame should only be used at rituals or for rituals and some Wiccans only want their athames being touched by themselves.
Besom: The besom or in other words a broom is used for tidying your ritual area(s). They are made from items all from Mother Nature. The brooms are also used for sweeping away negativity or to keep your home safe and protected.
Cauldron: The cauldron is a basic item of witchcraft. The cauldron can be used to show water or to be used for seeing the past, present or future in other words scrying. A fire can be lit inside the cauldron to cook or to burn. There are many sizes for cauldrons either for your space size or what you are going to do with your cauldron.
Bell: For years the people have thought that the bell may have spiritual and magical ability. The bell is unknown to be used in rituals but after a while it may just be great to use. There are many ways you can use your bell although you don’t really need it to be a Wiccan. You could show the opening or the ending of the ritual or try to summon the Goddess. Just try new things!
Incense: Incense is often used to cleanse the air of your ritual area or just your home. To some Wiccas incense symbolizes the earth element Air. Incense may come in different bodies such as granulated or just as stick. Granulated incense is burned on charcoal plates while stick incense is burned from one end and continued until it burns out. The smell of incense is often used for getting rid of negative activity in your space as well.
Wand: The wand is also a basic item of witchcraft. You can buy one or make one from a tree. If you want to make your own wand from a tree ask the tree first and use the athame to carve the wand to your liking. Wands are used for direct magic or to use magic in a group in a ritual. Usually the wand is made out of wood but they can also be made out of other metals. Some wands may be blessed and have wonderful stands so your wand won’t go roll away.
Chalice: The chalice is often used to represent the element water. The chalice is filled with water or wine and is handed to everyone around the circle in a ritual. As they sip they chant these words, “May you never thirst.” That is a way to connect with each other in the ritual. Even sometimes little cakes will be passed around.
Bolline: The bolline is now called the White-Handled knife, is the main knife that you would use in Wiccan exercises. Before it was used to cut herbs and plants and had a blade like a moon. Now, it is used for carving and cutting. It has a white handle (that is why it’s called the White-Handled knife) to make it different from the Athame. Unlike the bolline the athame is only used for magical purposes.
Pentacle: The pentacle is a star that is placed within a circle. It is usually placed or carved on to a plate or disk so it can stand up. It is placed on your altar so you can use it as a place for concentration for magic. The Pentacle works with the Female North and the element of Earth. Before altar use the pentacle was used as a sign of protection, or to call the spirits. The pentacle shows the element of Earth and is a sometimes used to place amulets or other tools to be given some more magic within them. The pentacle is also used to summon the Gods and Goddesses. Pentacles can be placed on doors and windows to act as guards, or are usually placed to bring wealth.
