Hex Your Ex: And 100+ Other Spells to Right Wrongs and Banish Bad Luck for Good - Adams Media 2019

Tools to Make the Magick Happen

It should be no surprise that witches use special tools in their spellwork. Magick wands, anyone? But you may be less familiar with the other tools witches often use. Often, the tool’s symbolism is what’s really important for deciding when and how it will be most effective. The four primary magick tools (the wand, pentagram, athame, and chalice) symbolize the four elements (fire, earth, air, and water, respectively). If you want to stabilize your finances, you might use the pentagram (symbol of earth) in your spellworking. If you want to fan the flames in a romantic relationship, the wand (symbol of fire) could have a role in your ritual. Of course, you don’t really need tools to perform magick—it’s all about willpower and energy—but they can be a useful way to strengthen your skills, improve your focus, and help your spells be even more successful.

THE MAGICK WAND

A wand’s main purpose is to direct energy. If you want to send energy to a person, place, or thing, just aim your magick wand in that direction and presto—there it goes! You can also attract energy with a wand—point it at the sky to draw down power from the heavens, or at the ground to draw up the energy of Mother Earth. Witches often cast protective circles (see Chapter 1) around a designated space by using a wand to direct energy.

According to tradition, a wand should be at least 6 inches long, but only as big as is comfortable to handle. Early wands were wooden, cut from the branch of a tree the witch considered sacred (yew, rowan, and willow were favorites). Today, however, you can find wands made of metal, glass, and other materials. The wand corresponds to the element of fire.

THE PENTAGRAM

A pentagram is a five-pointed star with a circle around it. The correct way to display it is with one point upright, two points down, and two out to the sides to represent the human body. Witches use the pentagram for protection. You can inscribe pentagrams on candles, paint them on stones, embroider them on mojo pouches and clothing—just about any place. The pentagram corresponds to the element of earth.

THE ATHAME

This ritual dagger is never used for practical purposes (such as chopping vegetables) and certainly not to harm someone. Rather, a witch symbolically slices away negative energy or cuts through obstacles with this magick tool.

An athame is usually a double-sided knife about 4—6 inches long. It doesn’t have to be sharp, however, because you won’t cut anything physical with it. Remember, that your athame is a weapon of the “spiritual warrior” and tradition says you shouldn’t work with a knife that has drawn blood. The athame corresponds to the element of air.

THE CHALICE

The most famous chalice of all is the legendary Holy Grail. As you might suspect, a chalice is used for drinking beverages—but not your everyday kind. Your chalice should only hold ritual brews and magick potions. In some rituals, a ceremonial drink is passed among participants, which is why chalices often have long stems that are easy to grasp. A chalice may be made of any material: silver, gold, copper, crystal, glass, ceramic, even wood. The chalice corresponds to the element of water.

OTHER MAGICK TOOLS (OPTIONAL)

You might eventually decide to add more magickal implements to your collection. Some of the spells in the following chapters utilize various tools for special purposes. Brooms are used to sweep unwanted energies from a ritual space. Bells, gongs, drums, and rattles raise positive energy and disperse bad vibes. Swords banish harmful forces and slice through obstacles. Staffs (or staves) direct energy.

Although it’s often connected with witches, the cauldron is a handy tool for any practitioner. If you don’t have a fireplace, balefire pit, or barbecue grill, you can build a small ritual fire in a cauldron. You can also concoct magick brews or cook ceremonial meals in it. The traditional cauldron is made of iron, but yours might be fashioned from ceramic, copper, stainless steel, stone, or another fireproof material.

Many witches use divination devices to see beyond the manifest world. Pendulums and crystal balls provide glimpses into the unknown. Tarot cards are popular tools for reading the future. Runes, too, can guide your path; they also play roles in spells.

CLEANING AND CHARGING YOUR MAGICK TOOLS

Before you use a tool for magickal purposes, it’s a good idea to clean it. Cleaning removes unwanted energies, as well as dust and dirt. In most cases the easiest way to do this is to wash the item with mild soap and water. If you prefer, you can “smudge” your tools by holding them in the smoke from burning sage or incense for a few moments.

The next step is called “charging.” A magick ritual in itself, charging consecrates your tools for magickal purposes and imprints them with your intentions. One popular method for doing this involves the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Mix a little sea salt in water and sprinkle it on the tool as you say to it: “With earth and water I charge you to do my will.” Then, light incense and hold the tool in the smoke for a few moments while you say: “With fire and air I charge you to do my will.” (Make sure to dry metal tools after sprinkling them with salt water so they don’t tarnish or corrode.)

Another technique calls for anointing your tools with essential oils. Rub a little essential oil on the implement while you say: “With this oil I charge you to do my will.”

These suggestions are just that: suggestions. Feel free to design a more elaborate or personal ritual for charging your magick tools. The purpose is to make these tools yours, so the more personal the ritual the better.

CARING FOR YOUR MAGICK TOOLS

Many magicians prefer to store their tools safely out of sight, partly to prevent other people from handling them and partly to avoid uncomfortable questions. It’s traditional to wrap your magick tools in silk. You might choose instead to put them in velvet pouches, wooden boxes, or other containers and stash them in a drawer, trunk, or cabinet. When caring for your tools, here are a few precautions and protocols to remember:

Don’t let anyone else use your tools or handle them, except perhaps a magickal partner with whom you work regularly.

If someone else does touch a tool, smudge or wash it to remove that person’s energy.

Clean and smudge all tools before you begin using them to perform magick. After that, you needn’t cleanse them unless someone else touches them. (Of course, if you drink or eat from a chalice or cauldron you’ll want to wash it before storing it.)

SETTING UP AN ALTAR

If you plan on doing magick frequently—and why wouldn’t you?—you might like to erect a permanent altar in your home. An altar can be a simple table draped with a beautiful cloth, an ornate antique cabinet with lots of drawers, or anything in between. Many people use their altars to hold their magickal implements. You might also like to display candles, crystals, statues of favorite deities, flowers, and other meaningful objects there. Some of the spells in the following chapters recommend leaving spell components on your altar for a period of time.

However, an altar is more than a piece of furniture for storing your treasures. It establishes a sanctuary in your home. You go there to temporarily leave the ordinary, everyday world behind and enter a magickal space.