Altars for the Frugal
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Posted: February 2nd. 1997
Times Viewed: 12,477
Assuming you've read up on the meanings of the popular Wiccan tools (you can do this at this very WEB-Site, in fact), you will have, by now, learned the tool's basic meanings, counted up the change in your pocket, the sixty dollars in your piggy bank, and are trying to divine where on Earth you can get an Athame' Pentacle, Bolline, incense burners, God symbols, Goddess symbols, a Cauldron, a staff, and all those other nifty trinkets that seem to be for only a select group of people who have a rare species of moneyis, treeyus in their back yard. Yeah, I know: it's tough. After all, how much money do you actually bring in each week? Yeah - that might be enough by itself but do you plan on keeping up some sort of social life? Don't want to buy that car when you hit sixteen, or if you're already there, have enough money to pay for gas? Don't you want to buy new clothes? A new C.D.? Right - it seems sort of impossible, doesn't it? But don't fret! Instead, read on, for the answer to thine plight lies within.
The Big Uns'
I always define "The Big Uns'" as the prerequisites to Witchcraft. Do I mean to say that if one does not have these s/he cannot be Witch? No! Of course not! That would be arrogant and ignorant. Besides - while I have them, I very rarely use them. When I pray, I whip out a candle and focus on it. When I do a spell, I whip out a candle, make a poppet, and I chant. This is probably how it went in the old days, anyway. Witchcraft is something that is felt in the heart, and it cannot be expressed in a mere motion with a sword or a stick of incense. What I mean by this is that it is simply standard for a Witch to have these. Many don't, and that's fine. It's their choice. But this article is aimed at the mainstream. However, all Witches I have ever known have used candles, and all Witches I have ever known have had an altar of some sort. Every religion has its tools, and Wicca is, in every sense of the word, a religion.
Basically, the odds are that you're going to want these tools, so here they are, in no particular order. We will discus how to go about buying them or making them, and we will learn to put together a fully functional altar for less than $30.00.
Your Magical TOOLS
Altar (Free)
Your Altar is a very simple "tool" to acquire. It can even be temporary, if the need be. In general, your room, as a teen, has stuff in it. Allot of this stuff is in a flat surface. Clear one such surface, and put tools out on it in a way recommended by your favorite author, or in a way that suits you. This is what I did. It's quite easy, though after you have an altar set up you will possess a true sense of accomplishment. It will be well deserved, for it means that you are absolutely a Priest/ess - if this were feudal times, you would be looked up to in your village, and you would be almost as powerful as the town magistrate, if there was one. You would certainly be more respected! But, this altar is a reminder that your room is the temple, and you are truly the master there. It is yours
Athame' (With Buying Savvy, 5-10 Dollars)
The Goddess & God work through everything in the most wonderful ways. This is the tool that I thought about, at the beginning, believing that I'd never be able to afford one. A decent one, anyway. But, as it turned out, I didn't have to.
You can, most likely, get an old dagger from your local antique shop. If it is not black, don't worry: my first Athame' was neither black nor double sided. But it worked well, because of the intent of the ritual and how much I put into it. This is the stuff that makes ritual: all the rest of it is just ambiance.
Perhaps your parents or guardians are a bit distressed at the notion of you having a dagger in your room (or wherever you plan on having your Altar). Not to worry: there is always the kitchen-knife option. A big, black handled one will, of course, be preferable. But this really doesn't matter in the end.
I discovered back in April that a good friend of my mother's named Claudia (who happened to live a mere 150 miles away) was a Witch. I was a bit apprehensive about calling: after all - I didn't know what she'd think of having a young-un hounding her for information. However, by the time I got up the courage to write her, I found I didn't really have any questions. I didn't have anything to say, so I said nothing. Logical, huh? Well, Samhain rolled around. I sent her on up a card with a simple "Have a Happy and Sacred Samhain!" on it, and I awaited a reply. About two weeks later, while I was hounding the WLPA WEB-Site (http://www.celticcrow.com - it was way different back then), my mom walked into the computer room, laughing. She was on the phone, and I turned and faced her. She finally said "Okay, Claudia, I'm putting him on!"
So, Claudia and I talked for a while. We began talking frequently, and, eventually, we met. That was at the beginning of December, 1996. When she came to visit us with her fiancé, she brought with her first Athame', Cauldron, Chalice, and a bunch of incense (Nag Champa - to smell it is to love it). That was my first (and only) "proper" Athame.
Bolline (With Kitchen Tool, Free)
The Bolline is a very important tool to me. It is a reminder of the earthy quality a Witch is to posses. Far from the ceremonial Magick many Witches now delve into, it reminds me of the simpler days of folk Magick and the vast power that lies in simple deeds of good will.
The Bolline is one of the simplest tools of all to find. Repeat the process that you went through with the Athame', only this time be more general. You are confined to nothing, save a sharp blade that feels right to you (though I'd recommend heavily against using things with nasty reputations. Like Nazi daggers, for instance.).
Censer (two dollars)
I have seven of these (eight if you count the cauldron, which I sometimes use for the same purpose): one that goes on the God-side of the altar (this is actually a stick-incense burner), one that goes on the Goddess-side of the altar, and one right smack in the middle. You only need one to start with, and that can go anywhere on the altar you wish.
You can buy these at many shops. Get one for whatever kind of incense you wish (though I say go for a wooden, stick-incense burner. There are a lot of blends, and this type of incense is easy to light), the differences being between the stick-kind and the granulated/cone kind. There are also cubed, but I've never used this before.
My seven were bought all at different times from different stores. All together, they've cost me $9.00 (some were bought for me). This is the easiest tool to get.
Chalice (Free)
Hmm... now, the majority of you are coming from Christianity, or a similar religion, where you are used to seeing grand, gold chalices that could, if sold, feed a 3rd World country for a month. While this would, certainly, be a great thing to have, do you think that Deity could care what metal/mineral you're using? No! That's an interest limited to humans. Find a cup or glass that feels right to you, cleanse and consecrate it, and use it. Easy Peasy Japanese.
My current one, also, was a present from Claudia. My Chalice, before then, was a wine glass taken from my mother's cabinet - with permission, of course.
Candle Holders & Candles (Free. Buying: roughly $5.00)
This is simple. Your parents/guardians probably have candle holders, and the two candles you need for Ritual are only about $1.50 each. However, you may have to buy your own, in which case this could cost you from $5.00 to $100.00 dollars, depending on your wallet and you flair for the extravagant. Right now I use the small "Eye Of the Day" candles most of the time. Other than that, I use tapers, which last me a while. Eye Of the Day candles, which cost me $.25 each, come in many colors and are very easy to get. The holders are $2.00 each. Buy two holders, two candles, add tax and you got your five dollar expense - no great loss.
If you want to do a very simple, meaningful Ritual, however, please, don't spend any of your money that you don't have to. Get a candle, get a couple flower blossoms, put them all on a table and pray. I've seen and experienced powerful Magick worked this way, and don't put it beyond yourself that you could, too.
As the Pastor of a nearby parish said once in a service; "All things good and wonderful spring from the heart, or delight in its joy after conception." If you mean it, and you will it, and want it with all your heart, and you truly have the Love in you for the Lord and Lady, you will succeed.
My current pieces were either found at a yard-sale or purchased quite inexpensively from my nearest New Age shop.
Cauldron (Free)
You can use a ceramic bowl (or a wooden one) for this. At this level you really don't need to cook in it. You just need to get some grass and flowers, put them in there, and give them to the Lord and Lady.
My present one was a gift from Claudia, as was the Athame'. My original one I got from my fundamentalist Christian art teacher's assistant, who is of equal fundie-ship. I asked her how much I could buy it for. She gave it to me for free. If she only knew...
Pentacle AKA Payton (Free-Forty)
Hmm... this is simple, really, though I don't see it as being a necessary tool in the same way, say, the Athame' is. It doesn't really do anything but sit there. You can buy ornate metal ones, over-priced wooden ones, or tiles, but, if you really need a Pentacle, the smartest thing would probably be to make one yourself. Take some blank white paper, and draw your sigils on it. Simple!
However, the symbol that many Witches wear - the Pentagram - is always neat to have. It can be subtle, and unnoticeable, or it can be loud and gaudy. The choice is yours. However, for the teen, I would recommend that you don't go ever-board. A classy silver affair is always nice. I have several of these Pentagrams, plus one that was sold to me by a woman in a store in Salem, MA This piece was supposed to be 14 Kt gold. It turned out to be gold-painted, and it was bronze underneath. A note here - be wary when vendors rush you into a purchase - they may be out to pocket the extra cash you pay them.
Wand (5 dollars, with copper wire and $1 gems)
The Wand is one of the most difficult tools to buy/find. A nice three-inch wand will cost you from 30-50 dollars, and good wands that are larger than that will cost you 50-500 dollars.
However, many people like to make their own tools, and that's what I'd recommend here to the teenage Witch.
Buy some silver or copper wire. This is the first step. Now, find a piece of wood that is native to your area. Wrap the wire around it. Purchase two gems, knowing what their powers are and using them for that reason. Wrap the gems to each end of the Wand using the wire. Use a little Super Glue, or hot glue, if need be. Cleanse and consecrate inside the Circle, or by leaving them outside beneath the full moon all night. (Note: this is not an easy way out. The way to make this effective is to pray to the moon as long as you can before leaving the new tool out there) A cleansing ritual for in-circle is described at the end of the article.
I bought this tool back in 91, with no real reason why. I wanted it. I remember thinking disjointedly that I'd need it in the future. Go fig.
Self Dedication, Cleansing And Consecrating
You will need all of your un-consecrated tools sitting on your bed, or wherever you can be sure no one will disturb you. Be burning some incense, make sure there's some liquid in the chalice (milk, water, juice - your choice. Try to understand the symbolism behind whichever you're using, though), and have your candles lit. Turn down the lights, and think about being a Witch. Think about why you want to be one, and make sure there is no selfishness. Or, almost no selfishness - humans need some to survive.
Have a Craft name chosen, and a short prayer memorized. This prayer should basically be a request, directed to the Goddess and God, to make yourself a Witch and to make your tools holy. It need not be elaborate - in fact, try to keep it as simple as possible. Make it heartfelt, and maybe it should even be spontaneous. Memorized or spontaneous - your choice.
After a few minutes of reflection, imagine your entire room being filled with blue light. Do this for a while, until you can almost see it. This will create sacred space.
Now, ask the Goddess and God for Their presence, and recite the prayer, being sure to refer to yourself by your new Craft name. Imagine green light coming in and filling your body immediately afterward - imagine this being Witch-making energy. Then, with your writing hand, point at each of your tools, and imagine the green light coming out of your hand and going into them as well. When you feel you have done this enough, thank the Goddess and God, and with your chalice, toast with them to the future. Then, you may close the circle and adorn your altar with the tools. Perhaps you should have a new piece of jewelry, consecrated along with your tools, that you will wear from then on to identify yourself as Witch. Perhaps an Ankh or a Pentagram, or maybe even an Egyptian cartouche with your Craft name on it.
End Piece
These are some of the most important tools. Collect them in perfect love and perfect trust, and use them the same way.
But remember - no tool is better than the use it is put to. You are your own most important tool, so be sure to use it wisely, with love in your intentions and joy in your heart.
Blessed Be,
Roland WordStone
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