1) What ritual tools do Witches use?
Again, this depends on the individual Witch. For the most part, it’s not that much different from a Wiccan Witch. They too use, Athame (for directing energy), Wands (again for directing energy), cauldrons, candles, herbs, stones, various colored items, divination tools (such as the pendulum, black mirror, tarot, runes, etc…), just to name a few.
2) What is a grimoire? How do I get one?
A Grimoire, is a Witches workbook. A better analogy would be a cookbook of sorts…containing everything the individual Witch deems important, and needs for practice, including spells, rituals, correspondence, astrological information, divination forms, visualization and meditation techniques.
A Witch obtains a Grimoire when one is ready. The Grimoire is handwritten by the individual witch (that is to say that they write it out. If one chooses to type it on the computer, this is fine too). The Grimoire can be made of anything one wants/can afford. A Grimoire can be written in a notebook, stored in a binder, or even placed in an elaborate book. It’s up to the individual Witch as to what they want to use to store their Grimoire in.
3) What kind of pen do you write with when you’re writing in a Book of Shadows?
That is up to the person writing. Many will say that you need a specific pen to write in your Book as it keeps it consistent, however, I have used many pens in my book, as when I needed to write something down in my book, I had to use whatever pen was around. Now, if you wish to stick to just one specific pen, the best thing to do would be to tie your pen to your book, that way you would always have the same pen around.
The type of pen, again, is up to the user. Some like to use a calligraphy pen, others a regular ball point pen, and still others would use pencil. It’s entirely up to you.
4) What is Dragon's/Bat's/Dove's Blood?
Contrary to what many would believe…Dragon’s blood, Dove’s blood, Bat’s blood has no real blood in it. It is made from a resin from a plant from Japan (I do believe). It is added to ink to tint it blood color and allows the user to write in blood-colored ink for spells. I’m not sure at this time what the plant is called, unfortunately.
5) Where can I buy an altar?
Again, contrary to what people believe, an altar need not be bought. An altar can be set up on nothing more than the floor. However, if you really wish to have a table-top altar, a nightstand would work wonderfully. Any table you can spare for a bit would work, your dresser top, or even a window sill.
6) Does the altar have to be set up at all times?
No. Sometimes our lives will not accommodate the ability to leave our altars up. Some of us live with those who do not understand our ways and we therefore have to have temporary altars in which are set up ONLY when we practice. Others are lucky enough to live with others who are understanding or even practice with them. These have permanent altars
7) Is there a way to get stuff for free? I don't get much money and its hard to buy stuff
Absolutely. You can make your own tools. It’s really not as hard as you would think. A wand can be made from a branch found on the ground, same with an athame…you just carve it into the shape you want (be careful). Paint a pentacle/gram on a piece of cardboard for your altar pentacle (please do not put anything hot on it); use a tin can for a censer; use an old bowl or pot for a cauldron…you need not buy elaborate materials to practice, you can use what you have around your home. Remember, it’s not the tools that make the witch, it’s the desire inside.
8) Aside from the obvious, what other items could I use to represent the Elements?
Earth: Pentacle, bowl of salt, stones, plants, flowers, green candle
Air: Incense, feather, yellow candle
Fire: Lava rock, red candle, any candles
Water: blue candle, bowl of water, seashell
Also any stone or crystal may be used that represents such elements
9) Why are witches always pictured on brooms?
Long ago, Witches, when performing rituals, would sit on brooms and gallop around fields during Sabbats to ensure a prosperous and plentiful harvest. Those who didn’t understand what they were doing, saw this and thought they were odd and created stories to explain what they were doing. Eventually these stories became exaggerated and the Witches were then said to have been flying in the air on the brooms. None of this is true.
