The athame is the traditional ritual dagger of the witch. The athame's handle is usually carved with the witch's name and other meaningful symbols.
The athame is used to cut through the ether, to create portals and opening, for example, when calling in the quarters during circle casting. It is also used as an important channelling and focusing tool when casting circle and empowering objects, you channel energy through it.
Cup / Chalice
In the symbolic enactment of the great rite, the chalice represents the female element
The wand is used for conjuring (ie. attracting spirits and presences), as well as channelling and focusing energy.
Some witch's use a wand to cast circle and don't actuallly have an athame, other witch's use both.
Bowl of water
Aligned with water
A few pinches of salt added to the bowl of water make it a purifier, plunge the athame in this before you cast circle, charging it with your energy.
You can also sprinkle the charged water around the perimeter of the circle to consecrate it.
Wand
Incence
Aligned with air
Incense is used to enhance a magical atmosphere, cleaning exess energy, pass an object through the smoke. It is also used to purify the space
Your altar is a personal place for ritual and meditation. It is a place where the Divine and the spiritual can be experianced at home. At your altar you can express to the Lord and Lady how you feel and just talk to them. Your altar does not have to be elaborate. You can use a small table, shelf, your nightstand. I use the top of my dresser, it works well enough. Use what you can.You can even have your altar outside in a field or in a garden. Decorate your altar with stones, talismans, herbs, flowers, feathers, etc. You can use images to represent the God and Goddess. Remember, Wiccans don't worship the images, they are there to represent what power is available to us. The altar reflects your personality, happy decorating:)
The Altar
While tools are not absolutely necessary to the practice of the craft, some tools are nice to have if only to focus our will and concentration. The basic tools to start with are the elemental tools or those tools which represent the four elements of life: The Pentacle for Earth, The Wand for Air, The Athame for Fire, and The Chalice for Water
Bowl of salt
Aligned with earth
Pour a little salt in water for purification, you can also sprinkle salt around the edge of the circle to reresent earth when you are casting.
Candle
Aligned with fire
Candles are often used in spells, they represent the element of fire on your altar
