Rosewicket Wicca Coven

Sometimes we can't have the tool or standard element representation we need. This is fine, it should in no way make you put off any magical/spiritual workings, or delay setting up your space. As much as we would want to have the time, money, and sometimes permission to have whatever we want, sometimes we can't. This is especially true for teens, who may not be able to light candles or buy an athame.If you are in this situation, here are some ideas.

The Elements...

Fire: Crystals, especially amber, citrine, bloodstone, smoky crystals, ametrine, apache tear, apatite, Tigers eye, red tigers eye, or diamond. Candles also work well here. If you can't light real candles, you can visualize the flame or use the battery powered kind (no joke...I know someone in the Navy who uses these). Also you can use runes, charms, or even the word 'FIRE' written on something in a magical alphabet (runes, Theban, Greek, Gaelic, take your pick...). Objects of red or orange work best, as those are the colours of fire.

Air: Crystals such as clear quartz, turquoise, anglesite, aventurine, amethyst, and rhodochrosite work well for air. Incense is traditionally used. Again, if you can’t light the incense, you can visualize it burning and releasing smoke. If you can't other things such as fans (I use a Japanese fan on occasion), feathers, or even 'fake' feathers made of clay also work. As with fire, even the word written in a way that has meaning for you will work well. Also images or figures of birds or air deities are good to have. The colour for air is Yellow, so you can use objects of that colour if you so choose.

Water: well, a simple dish or vile of water works, but if you can't, don't worry. Crystals like rocks, moonstone, beryl, amazonite, and Blue agate work well. Pearls, river rocks, coral, and seashells are also great for those of us who can't always use water. Representation of marine life or mythological marine life work for water - anything from sea slugs to mermaids. The colour for water is blue, so you may use objects of that colour.

Earth: Salt, sand, dirt, pebbles, and so on. Herbs and plants also work here, but if possible make them fresh or still alive. Colours for earth are greens and browns. You can write the name or use symbols for earth in whatever way you choose. A few earth crystals are Smokey quartz, onyx, jade, amazonite, and fluorite. Salt is the most common method here. Most mammals are good representations of earth, but not all. Wolves, bears, and dear always seem to work well for people.

If none of these suit you, there is always this to keep in mind:

"Air My breath,

Earth my body,

Water my Blood,

and fire my spirit."

If you think about it, you have all the elements you need. For air you can use your own breath, for fire you can use your body heat. For water there is the circulatory system and for earth you can clench and relax your muscles.

The Tools...

Athame:

The athame is the most common tool for directing energy. Traditionally, it would be kept sharp, but never used to cut. It would have a straight blade with a black handle. Usually it represents, air, if not, then fire.

substitutions include pocket knives, letter openers, your own hand/index finger, a wand of any sort, a staff, or any of the items listed to substitute the Air element.

Wand: The wand typically represents fire, though it can be used for air. usually it is made of wood, and can be anywhere from a few inches long to a large staff.

If you can't use wood, you may make a wand using metals and crystals - these are said to be very powerful. Other substitutes include your dominant hand/index finger, or anything listed under substitutions for the fire element.

Chalice: One of the feminine tools. usually this would be a goblet, filled with ritual water, wine, or whatever your ritual calls for.

Substitutions include any sort of wine glass, informal glass, decorative dish of water, or any sort of container. Because it is for the water element, all substitutions for water also work here.

The Pentacle: The pentacle, the second feminine tool here stands for earth. Usually it is a slab of wood, stone, crystals, ect. with the pentagram/pentacle carved or drawn on it.

Substitutes include anything for the element of earth or any simple hand-made pentacle made of clay painted on wood, ect. You may also use another symbol for earth or of spiritual significance.

If you have any questions or need ideas to substitue other objects or ingredients, post here or PM me and I will answer them to the best of my ability.