Magical Tools

Making magical tools, ritual items and various related items has long been a passion of mine. In fact, it may very well be one of the most fun aspects of the Craft for me. In my early days, there wasn't much available to purchase, so one had to be resourceful. Yard sales and thrift shops are a good source, and I have found many an item there over the years. I also recall buying several brass items at Pier One Imports as a baby Pagan.

To my mind, though, nothing beats a handmade ritual tool. Today, there are many, many skilled artisans who make sell stock items and take custom orders (myself included). We have Pagan and metaphysical shops in most larger towns and cities, many of whom carry both handmade and mass produced items. What a thing! In my lifetime, we've gone from nothing to mass production. I didn't see that one coming!

We also have historical re-enactment groups from whom to purchase items. Some of these will be specifically Pagan-related, some are just overlapping interests. For example, artisans in the Society for Creative Anachronism make mead horns, which they wear to be historically accurate when portraying northern european personas. But a heathen may use one for ritual purposes. Know your local Renaissance faire and re-enactment group, is what I'm saying. There's a lot of overlap in the community members too, but that's another post.

That's all fantastic, but if you have some gumption, you can make your own magical tools. From many years of experience, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Start small. Try an easy project like a simple altar cloth before busting into a full-scale pair of beaded moccasins, for example.
2. Know and cater to your strengths. Are you great a knitting? Knit yourself a capelet to wear to rituals! Great with computers? Make your designs online, print them out and transfer them to the object in question. Good at woodworking, but not painting? Make that altar and have a friend paint it for you.
3. Make it to fit YOU. Symbolism works best when it resonates for you - that is far more important than any rule or book. Consult your guides, ask the Divine, meditate, use divination - do whatever works for you to access your internal wisdom. (Protip: when using symbolism from a book or other source, be SURE you know what it means)
4. Sharpies are good for marking and embellishing a variety of surfaces, and they take less skill than a paintbrush.
5. Go out in Nature to find inspiration and materials. Always ask permission to take something and leave an offering in return.
6. Above all, just get started. Make a realistic goal, and start experimenting. Making anything takes practice, and you'll never get anywhere if you don't try!

Lately I have been on a roll with making magical tools. Here are a few examples of my recent work. Have questions? I'd be happy to answer them and help out!

Elkhide frame drum & mountain laurel beater

Holly wood runes

Hawk & deer archery armguard

Travel egg rattle