A question for Wiccans?

Question

I've just been reading Scott Cunningham's 'A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner' and I have a question. During the ceremonies and rituals, are the candles and incense and other tools a necessity to the rituals or are they aides to help your concentration? Can the rituals be performed with no or minimal tools?

Thanks to any Wiccans that reply. And I'm not interested in hearing how evil/deluded/stupid Wicca is from the rest of you.

Frater Pan - Thanks. Yes, it did make sense.

Answer 1

Of course, the tools aren't necessary and they are there to aid in your focus and concentration. You can do equally effective magick without the tools. However, the tools tend to work better if you treat them as something special. Saying that they are "just tools" or merely stage props is true in theory, but doesn't work as well in practice. They are "just tools," but within the context of the ritual, it's best that you forget that. You see, belief in the tool is a tool in and of itself. If you have sincere belief in the power of your wand or athame, it will behave differently in ritual than it would when you consciously see it as just being a stage prop. Don't get me wrong, it is just a stage prop. But, if you choose to use tools, allow yourself to forget that it's just a stage prop. Does that make sense?

Answer 2

Tools are great... but not a must. If you do not have the means of acquiring any tools, you can still perform a ritual and such. You might need to be a little creative (I once placed four stones in the cardinal directions around the perimeter of my circle in place of candles, which I did not have), but the real energy comes from yourself- and it's dead useful to be able to perform a ritual without the aid of tools.

Answer 3

Tools are just that: tools. People generally find some combination of them to be helpful, but they are not a requirement. Using a tool just for the sake of using it is like using a hammer when trying to repair China just because someone said you should.

Answer 4

Not Wiccan, but fairly knowledgeable about it.

Yes, all the things Mr. Cunningham reccomends having are actually aids to help you focus your will and intent .

In fact, you can even manage to do things without rituals - they are also an aid and focus.

A close friend of mine, when a child was very ill, used a styrofoam cup, plastic knife, tap water and a packet of salt, and a rock she picked up outside to help her focus.

I was taught differently, and so trying to put in all the parts of a ritual and all the accountrements just messes things up for me - shoots my focus right out the window.

So, basically, if you feel you can focus without them, then no need to spend the money on them.

Answer 5

Tools in rituals are like gravy on potatoes. It may be one way to eat potatoes, but it's far from the only way.

Rituals don't need tools at all, unless you consider your mind and your will to be tools.

Answer 6

Everything can be performed without tools. The only tool necessary is your mind. Adjust as you desire. Often, as a drummer, I pick up a drumstick for a wand, and use that when casting a circle. :)

Answer 7

They are only tools, not necessities. They help to focus concentration, and they are good symbolism, but completely unnecessary.

(And I almost never use most of my tools, they're decorational on my altar for the most part. But then, I'm not into High Ceremony.)

Answer 8

They are physical items to help with focus, but aren't "necessary". Rituals can absolutely be performed with minimal / no tools.

They're useful for many people because they're a physical representation and reminder to help keep them focused, and keep the intent firmly in mind.

Answer 9

All the candles and tools are are things that can help channel energy and provide focus. Though helpful at times, they are not a neccessity for rituals, ceremonies, spells, etc.

And lend me that book. :) I want to read it.

Answer 10

They're only tools! if interested check out my website at www.goodpsychicmedium.com