Wiccan and Pagan Supplies for Magick Spells and Rituals: Use Your Instincts

Posted by Joanne E. Brannan Jun 6, 2009

Whether you are a newcomer to Wicca/Paganism, or have been a magical practitioner for a number of years, no doubt you’ll be aware of the wide range of witch supplies that are available both online and in high street stores.

When I first discovered Wicca I read a very prescriptive book (I don’t remember the title!) that listed all the tools that you must buy before even considering performing magick spells. And the exotic rituals that you had to perform, including burying your ritual knife, the athame, at a crossroads at full moon (as I recall…) Frankly, this put me right off, I gave the book away, and I forgot about Wicca for a number of years. Perhaps I lacked the self discipline, or motivation? But I felt there was more to it than this. Surely Paganism and Wicca draw on the natural world, and on our own intuitions, more that on formulaic rituals and a bottomless wallet?

Over the years, I found myself attracted to many beautiful, mystical sites in the UK and continental Europe. Some highlights include the extraordinary stone circle at Avebury, the mysterious Isle of Avalon (modern day Glastonbury), and the enchanting Foret de Broceliande in Brittany France.

Each of these places of power has street of stores selling Wiccan and Pagan supplies. Somehow, in this context, I could make more sense of the purpose of these tools. Wiccan and Pagan stores are, in general, run by sincere people who I am sure could make far more money in other walks of life. I would overhear heated discussions on the relative merits of one athame over another, and excited reports on the local Pagan gatherings.

I was drawn to certain crystals, and began to read about their powers. More importantly I began to sense that they had properties that cannot be explained by conventional science. Now I’m a straight down the line science graduate, and I had been working as an engineer for many years. For a long time I described myself as an “interested skeptic”. But, over the years, the interest waxed and the skepticism waned. In my next articles and blog posts I’ll explore how to get started with Wicca and Paganism, my views on how to deepen your practice, and how to trust your instincts on what tools to make, or buy, to perform effective rituals.

As time went on, other magickal tools began to make sense. A Wiccan Chalice for drinking milk at Imbolc, cider at Midsummer, an incense burner and charcoal disks, a selection of beautiful candles and candle holders. A Wiccan Pentacle to lend focus and grounding to my spells. And, in parallel, I gained the confidence to adapt spells and rituals so that I felt more comfortable. My ceremonies became far simpler, more heartfelt and by turns, spontaneous.