Last time we talked about tools, specifically making tools, using the wand as an example. Today we'll talk a little more about tools and how to consecrate them. Altar tools are exactly that: tools. They do not increase your knowledge, prevent you from harming yourself or others, or gain you entrance into some exclusive club. For ritual you truly only need yourself. However, many find that tools help focus themselves and their energies. (For descriptions of altar tools and their purposes, please refer to Lesson 2. Instructions for getting past lessons is at the beginning of this document.) Some like to name their tools. The idea being that knowing the name of something (or someone) gives you power over it. For some, the tool itself gives its name.
Whether or not you name some or all of your tools is a personal choice. Only one of my tools has told me that it has a name. The others seem content to remain nameless. A note on tool etiquette: A person's altar tools are very personal things. Touching someone's tools without their permission is VERY bad form. A person spends a long time with their tools, getting used to their energy flow, infusing them with their own personal energy, and disrupting that with your own energy is disrespectful. Whether or not you subscribe to this notion, you should always ask permission before handling someone's altar tools.
Here is a simple tool consecration procedure:
1. Cast Circle
2. Hold the tool above your head and present it to the Goddess and
the God. Say something appropriate such as:
"Lord. Lady. I, ________, present this tool to you to be used in
your name."
3. Consecrate the tools using the four elements:
Dip the tool in your basin of salt or earth or sprinkle it with salt or earth, visualizing the element cleansing the tool. You can say something similar to: "By the power of Earth, I consecrate thee." Repeat for Air (incense), Fire (candle flame) and water. Take care with items that are flammable or would be damaged by heat.
4. Again, hold the tool above your head and ask the Goddess and God to bless the tool. You might say something like: "Bright Lord, bright Lady. I present this tool (named ______) to you, for use in your rituals. Please bless it and he that uses it. So Mote it Be."
In order to finalize the consecration, you should use the tool as soon as possible. (If it's an athame, cast a Circle, etc.) There are probably as many methods of consecrating a tool as there are Wiccans. If you have an effective method, please share it with us.
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