Ritual Tools are items such as a wand, pentacle, Broom, Altar, Bell, Sword, Knife that are used in Witchcraft. The tools are used to channel energy, dispel negativity, represent the Deity, Cleanse and perform functions during the ritual.   While having spiffy looking ritual tools can help put you in the right mood for ritual work, they are not all necessary, and common everyday items can be substituted for some of the more fancy things. This page will give a rundown on the common ritual tools and how they are used.

This is usually made from wood.  It may have a crystal on the tip, or be carved into a phallic shape on the top, and may have runes carved into it.  The length is usually the distance between the elbow and the tip of the middle finger. The wand is used when casting the circle to direct the energy into the circle.  It is also used to invoke the Goddess and God.  It can also be used to direct energy into an object to empower it.  Some traditions have the Wand as Air, and some have it as Fire.  I personally see it as Air becuase I think of the stereotypical fairy tale wands with sparks shooting out of it, and I think of Air.  During the burning times the Wand was sometimes substituted for the handle of the Besom, or a wooden spoon or other "normal" kitchen tool.

They can me as simple as a plain stick, or you could purchase one at a 'new age' shop.  You could even use a "fairy" wand with glitter and ribbons if that is your thing.  I have a friend who uses an old wooden spoon.  She cut the spoon end off, and says the she used the spoon to make magick in the kitchen (eg delicious meals), so it made sense to use it to make ritual Magick.  It is most important to find one that you like and that draws you.  My wand was made from a branch of a tree that was growing in the front yard - I didn't cut the branch off though, it was a fallen one.  It is not straight, and that is why I liked it.  I have an Amethyst crystal on the end and I have decorated around the crystal with gum nuts and feathers.  That is an example of a wand. 
 

This is a knife, dagger, small sword, letter opener, or other such item.  It's use is the same as the wand, to direct energy.  It may also be used to scribe runes or writing onto candles, and it is dipped into the chalice to symbolise the union of the Goddess and God.  The Athame ("A-th-a-may", "Ath-ame", or "A-th-a-me") can be anything from a kitchen vegetable knife (unused or used - depending on your beliefs) to an elaborate dagger.  They are traditionally a dagger, and traditionally black handled, but can be any shape or colour.  They can even be made from wood.  The Athame symbolises Fire in some traditions, and Air in others.  My Athame symbolises Fire to me.  During the burning times the Athame would be most likely hidden among the other household knifes, or actually just a household knife itself.

Cauldron

This may be anything from a simple bowl, to a huge cast iron pot.  It is often used to hold water or Fire (or candle) and occasionally flowers or other objects.  When filled with water it may be used for scrying.  The cauldron is traditionally shaped to have a smaller opening at the top than it's widest point, although if you can't find one that shape, an ordinary bowl or pot will do.  Depending on what your cauldron will be used for, it can be made from any material that is suitable.  This tool is not absolutely necessary and you can do rituals without it.  During the burning times the family cooking pot was the cauldron, and was used for cleaning, magick and cooking.

I have several cauldrons.  One is an antique tiny cast iron "glue pot"  which is the perfect size to fit on my altar as a decorative item.  Another is a large brass pot plant holder, with dragons and other swirly patterns etched into it and sits on three small legs.  This one is too big to fit on my altar, but sits beside it.  It holds a small ritual fire perfectly, and I have made a wooden square for it to stand on so that I can have a fire inside without worrying about melting the carpet :)  I did let a fire get a bit out of control one day outdoors (ok, I forgot about it!), and the solder holding the legs on melted, so they fell off, so she's a bit worse for wear now.  I also have a brass pot somewhere between the sizes of the other 2.

Besom

This is a broom.  It is used to "sweep" away negative energy.  I say "sweep" because you do not actually touch the floor while you sweep, it is sweeping away negativity, not dust.  The besom is also used as a symbol of fertility, as the broomstick is the male part and the brush part is the female.  It is jumped over during handfasting ceremonies, as a symbol of fertility.  During the burning times the Besom would have been the normal sweeping broom, so if you must use an ordinary broom it is ok to do so, but you may wish to cleanse it before each use.  The besom is traditionally round, not rectangular like modern brooms.

My besom is made from a fallen branch and lavender stalks as the brush part - so it's too delicate to actually sweep with, but the lavender adds to the purifying nature of the besom.

Pentacle

This is a five pointed star that has been drawn, painted or carved on to a round disc.  It is usually wooden or metal, but it can be made from any material.  This is the symbol of Earth.  The pentacle is used for protection, and many items are place upon it to purify and protect them.  Many Witches wear a pentacle or a pentagram of some sort at all times for protection against evil, this can substitute for the pentacle in ritual if you have nothing else.  The pentacle is often used to hold items for purification.  During a consecration items are placed on the Pentacle which is then passed through incense to purify it.  (for more detail on consecrating please see the rituals page)

Censer

The censer is the symbol for Air as it is an incense holder.  It can be ornate, or it may be plain.  The censer is typically a bowl or similar object in which a charcoal block is placed and then powdered incense is then burned.  The censer can however be any sort of incense holder, ever those 'boat' shaped incense holders for stick incense.  If using powdered incense on charcoal blocks, it is wise to have a censer big enough to contain any spitting incense.

Chalice

This is a cup, or goblet which holds water.  There is usually 1 on an altar, but I use 2 as I like things to look symetrical.  When I use 2, I have one to hold the liquid for the feast, the other holds the ritual water that is used as a symbol of water.  The chalice may even be a bowl for the Water Element.  If you use only one, it generally remains empty until the simple feast when it is filled with wine (etc.) that you will drink.  You can also start the ritual off with the wine in the Chalice - but a word of caution........ Lead Pewter goblets will put lead into the wine if you use wine (as it is acidic)... so if you have a pewter Chalice (modern "pewter" is lead-free), fill it at the last possible moment, and drink it quickly to avoid drinking too much lead.
 

The Staff is a larger version of the wand.  It can be a straight piece of wood, or it may be a branch.  It is used much the same way as the wand.  Most people don't use a Staff as they are large, harder to use (due to size) and perform the same function as a Wand.  I have a Staff, but only becuase I found a stick the same type of wood as my Wand, and the right length (Up to my shoulder).. it was lying on the ground by the side of the road, already cut the right height for me!

Bolline

This is traditionally the white handled knife used to cut herbs, and any other use for magic but not for ceremonial use.  It is the working knife and the Athame is the special knife.  This knife should be sharp as it will cut things (Unlike the Athame which can be blunt as it is not intended to cut anything).  My Bolline actually has a black handle, and my Athame has a light one.  My Bolline is a hunting knife that called to me (I liked the shape of the blade), with a compass in the end of the handle and a  secret compartment in the handle that I have filled with protection herbs.  So I quite like my Bolline.

Sword

This is a larger version of the Athame.  It is harder to use (and not often used) due to it's size (as is the staff) and the use is the same as the Athame.  I do not have a sword ... yet.

Everyday Items

Wand - Any stick, pencil or texta (you could use Yellow or white for Air, or Orange or Red for Fire), biro (I have consecrated a biro for someone to take home and use to cast a circle and consecrate other items with - because they forgot to bring their Wand to ritual :)), Wooden spoon, bamboo skewer, Pick-up-stick etc.

Athame - Letter opener, Kitchen knife, Nail file (the metal kind with a pointy end and plastic handle), Toy sword etc.

Pentacle - A Pentagram necklace, star necklace, Star or pentagram drawn on a piece of paper or card, a stone (Scott Cunningham mentions the use of a stone instead of a pentacle), a circle of plastic coated paper which you can draw a pentacle on with whiteboard marker (or any texta that will rub off again) which allows you to remove the pentacle design after use.  Anything with a 5 pointed star on it

Chalice - A coffee mug, wine glass, polystyrene cup etc.  They make plastic wine glasses for use in parties that look ok for a chalice.  

Censer - Anything that will hold a stick of incense...even "blu-tak".  If you cannot burn incense either leave it unlit, or try using an essential oil or fragrant oil on a cotton ball instead.

Elemental God/Goddess Candles - use coloured votive, tea-light or birthday candles, or if you aren't allowed to burn candles either leave them unlit or have a symbol of them instead.  You could make an Elemental bottle (see below)

Cauldron - Any bowl or pot would do

Besom - The normal broom or a small one made from a twig and lengths of lavender stalks or dried grass.  You can buy little craft brooms (from shops that sell craft supplies) that people decorate - these are not the traditional round shape, but will work nicely.  A Dust pan brush (without the pan bit), a wooden scrubbing brush with a piece of wood/stick glued onto it to make a handle

Altar cloth - A decorative (or plain coloured) tea-towel or hand towel, a sarong or scarf.

Mini Altar Items
(for making an Altar that will fit into a shoebox (or smaller box) which can then be the Altar)

Wand - Match stick or other small twig, even something like the lead piping from the Cleudo game!

Athame - Pin or sewing needle, toy knife (such as dollhouse cuttlery), sword jewellery (I have a sword  necklace.. I cut the loop off the top and it makes a perfect tiny Athame), The dagger from the Cleudo game.

Pentacle - A Pentacle necklace, a pentacle drawn into Fimo/Sculpty or other "bake in the oven" modelling clay, a pentacle drawn on a piece of paper or card, a stone.

Chalice - A small glass like the ones used for brandy or port (often found in op shops), a thimble etc.  Preferably big enough to drink from though, but if you are going very small (like dollhouse size) then a dollhouse/toy glass would work.

Censer - A small ceramic tile on which you can burn an incense cone, or leave it unlit or use an Oil if you cannot burn incense

Elemental Candles - Use coloured Votive, tea-light or birthday candles - even if you have them unlit.  Or use a symbol for them (see below)

Cauldron - A small finger bowl (can be found in Chinese grocery stores) or other tiny bowl, a thimble, a drink bottle lid

Besom - A small broom made from a twig and dried grass, or a dollhouse broom

Altar Cloth - A small square of pretty material, a plain coloured handkerchief.

For information on consecrating ritual tools please see the ritual page

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Elemental bottles are a variation of a Witches Bottle.  They are a bottle of Elemental (And Deity if you wish) representations.  You can use Bottles instead of candles for the Elements in Ritual - which is particularly useful if working outside in the wind/rain or on days when you are not allowed to light anything outside ("Total Fire Ban" days) or use inside if you are not allowed to burn candles in the house. They can also be a decorative item to use as a subtle symbol of your religion.  

These are my bottles above.  I bought coloured glass bottles, and they are filled with dirt, feathers, matches and fine shells/coarse sand.  I use my Elemental bottles in the points around the outside of my house to protect it while I am on holidays, and to mark the Quarters in Ritual.

Take 4 glass bottles, one for each element.  It is best if you can get some already coloured, but that isn't essential.  To colour a clear bottle you could paint the inside with a light coating of paint (though this may scratch eventually) or cut a piece of coloured cellophane to line the inside.  Then fill them with things representing the element, such as:
 

Earth
Green or brown
Stones/rocks, soil, salt, dried leaves, dried flowers
Herbs - Cypress, Honeysuckle, Vervain, Sage, Magnolia, Mugwort, Patchouli
Crystals - Moss agate, Emerald, Jet, Salt, Black tourmaline, Agate, Malachite, Obsidian

Air
Yellow or white
Feathers, little toy birds, Toy butterflies, toy fairies
Herbs - Bergamot, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mint, Pine,
Crystals - Imperial Topaz, Citrine, Mica, Pumice, Aventurine, Clear Quartz, Lepidolite

Fire
Red or Orange
Ash from a fire, matches, small candles (birthday candles or a tealight)
Herbs - Basil, Carnation, Cedarwood, Juniper, Calendula, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Ginger,
Crystals - Amber, Obsidian, Rhodocrisite, Ruby, Larva rock,Garnet, Jasper, Pipestone, Citrine, Beryl, Hematite

Water
Blue or green
water (add salt so it doesn't go stagnant), Shells, Sand, toy fish, mermaid dolls
Herbs - Lemonbalm, Gardenia, Jasmine
Crystals - Aquamarine, chalecdony, jade, pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, sugilite, Amethyst, Chrysocolla, Rose Quartz, coral.

You could even make Goddess and God bottles.
 

Goddess
Silver, White, Green, Cream, Pink
Moons, name of Goddess on paper, small picture or figurine, )o( symbol
Herbs - Camelia, Magnolia, Olive, Lily, Lilac
Stones - Emerald, Silver, Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Blue Quartz, Aquamarine, Beryl, Kunzite, Turquoise (all pink & Blue stones)

(basically anything  ruled by Earth, Water, the Moon & Venus)

God
Red, Yellow, Gold, Orange
Suns, Name of God on paper, small pic. or figurine, the god symbol
Herbs - Basil, Chrysanthemum, Clover, Lavender, Pine, Juniper,
Stones - Gold, Brass, Diamond, Carnelian, Ruby, Garnet, Orange Calcite,Tiger eye, Topaz, Sunstone, Bloodstone, Red Tourmaline, (all red & Orange stones)

(Basically anything ruled by Air, Fire, Mars & the Sun.