Working tools do not have to be expensive or bought from specialist suppliers, you can select ordinary everyday objects for many of them, or make your own. It is, however, preferable if your working tools can be kept separate from other household items and their use reserved for Ritual and magic as, with use, they will build up their own reservoir of magical energy.
ALTAR
The Altar is simply the surface on which you place everything you will need to work with. If you are on your own and intend to work sitting on the floor, then it could be as simple as a small cloth placed in front of you, although do ensure that if you are using candles you can keep them safe. However, most Witches prefer to use some kind of table or other surface of adequate size at a convenient height. When working outside you may like to use a convenient rock or tree stump, or to take a box with you for the purpose.
The Altar can be placed in one of a number of parts of the Circle:
* The Centre, to allow you maximum use of the circumference. This is especially useful when working indoors with limited space and a large number of people. This is less convenient if you intend to Circle dance, or to have any other central feature such as a cauldron or fire.
* The East, which is the starting point of the Circle, as it represents Air and thought. This does mean that when it comes to actually Casting the Circle you will have to move around nearly the whole circle (as you always move Deosil in Circle) before commencing to actually Cast it at the North-East.
* The North-East, or point of entry. This is fine unless and until you wish to have someone come in at the point of entry, as in Initiations for example.
* The North, or point of power. This is where I prefer to have the Altar.
Whichever you choose, it is important that you and everyone else in the Circle know at which point the Altar is set. Generally speaking it is best to choose your Altar point and then keep that for all your Rituals in order to avoid subsequent confusion!
ALTAR CLOTH
It is usual to cover the Altar with some kind of cloth, kept especially for the purpose. This not only protects the surface from any spills but also helps to mark the change of use from daily to Ritual. An Altar cloth does not need to be particularly fancy, or bought from a specialist supplier, but it does need to be kept clean and unrumpled. You may choose to have different cloths for each of the Sabbats and others for different kinds of magical working, or you may simply have the one for all Craft purposes. Whichever you choose is up to you, there is no right or wrong choice.
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ELEMENTS
* Earth. Earth is usually represented by salt in a small container. Some consider that it should be rock salt rather than sea salt, but again it is what feels right to you that is most appropriate. However, you could also use soil, a small rock or pebble.
* Air. Air is generally represented by incense, which may be of a scent to complement your magic or the festival. Incense comes in sticks, cones and loose, but whichever you select you will need to ensure that you have a fireproof stand or container to place it in or on. Please ensure that this container does not itself become so hot that it could set fire to the underlying surface. If using loose incense you will also need ‘self-igniting charcoal’ on which to burn it, and probably some kind of tongs to hold that charcoal whilst setting it alight. Loose incense is usually burned in a container called a Thurible (see Appendix 2, Terms and Definitions). Please consider the effects of burning incense on any smoke detector you may have fitted! You will also need matches. If you cannot burn incense you could substitute essential oil in an oil burner, or even a feather to represent air.
* Fire. Fire is usually represented by a candle, in which case you will need a safe candleholder. You may also like to have a snuffer with which to extinguish the flame later on. If you cannot have a naked flame then a small faceted crystal is a good alternative.
* Water. Water is generally represented by a small bowl or dish of water. Some purists like to collect rainwater for this purpose, rather than using the chemically treated stuff that comes from the tap. As a substitute you can have a seashell or other object which represents water.
THE GODDESS AND THE GOD
It is usual to have something to represent the Goddess and the God, and hence the Spirit. This could be statues of your chosen Deities, candles – one for each or one for both, or other objects which you feel encapsulate their Spirit on the Altar.
ALTAR PENTACLE
There are many fine Pentacles available today, but you can just as easily create your own in salt (if you have a steady drawing hand) or paint one onto a flat stone or circular board. If you were to look closely at mine you might notice a distinct similarity to a circular breadboard! In addition to the Pentagram (see Terms and Definitions), other symbols of the Craft may also decorate the Pentacle.
ATHAME
This is the Witches’ blade. Strictly speaking, you do not need an Athame, as anything you cannot invoke with a finger you will not be able to invoke with the knife! Many consider that the Athame should be placed on the Altar, however these days many Witches will wear theirs in a special holder or scabbard which hangs from a cord at the waist. Certainly, if you are working in a group it is easier to have your Athame at your belt than it is to have 10 to 20 placed on the Altar.
WINE AND CAKES
Most, if not all, Rituals will contain the Rite of Wine and Cakes, so you will need a Chalice with wine in it (or fruit juice if you cannot or should not drink alcohol). If there are many of you, you may need to have the bottle on hand for topping up. Red wine is usual, although on some festivals and other occasions you might feel something else is more appropriate. Also, you should have a plate with enough biscuits for everyone in Circle plus one (for the offering). These can be specially made, or you can buy ordinary small biscuits. An alternative is pieces of fruit.
NOTES OR SCRIPT
This can be a short note to remind yourself of the purpose and steps of your Ritual, or it could be a whole ‘script’ in a special book, supported in a book holder, which everyone in Circle can access if the need arises. This latter option is more often used in complex Rituals which are performed infrequently, such as Handfasting.
AND ALSO
There are many other tools which can be placed on, or by, the Altar for specific purposes:
* Boline, the white-handled knife used for cutting and carving, etc.
* Sword, sometimes used for casting the Circle.
* Cauldron, for containing fire to burn things, or water for scrying.
* Besom, or broom for sweeping the Circle and for use in Handfasting.
* Wand, sometimes used for invoking Air and Water.
* Scourge, representing the sorrows of life and used in some Covens to maintain and enforce discipline.
* Cords, representing self-control and discipline and used in cord magics.
There are other objects, such as parchment, crystals, etc, into which the magic can be placed in specific spells, and these form charms, talismans, and so on. You may also wish to add to your Altar pictures of your ‘clients’, flowers to decorate, gifts for Coven members, and so on. There is more on these in Chapter 6, Magical Resources.
What you should not place on the Altar are things unconnected with the Craft and the Ritual: tea and coffee cups (although a glass of water might be placed there if you feel the need to sip during Ritual), ashtrays, cigarettes, and any other bits and pieces from daily life.
CREATING THE SACRED SPACE
Having tidied and cleaned your working space, set your Altar and checked that you have