What other tools/stuff do people need for studying Wicca other than?

Question

books, stones & herbs? I received a "portable" witch kit for x mas. It has an athame, a silver pentacle, a chakra wand, incense with some weird metal thing to burn it with, 2 white candles & candlesticks.

I've heard good things about Scott Cunninghams books. I also have a book called "The Craft" by Dorothy Morrison not be confused with the movie lol. Any other suggestions for items (not too expensive) I may need?

*Please DO NOT answer unless you know something about this. No bible beaters telling me to "Come back to Jesus".

The top of the kit also doubles as an altar which is real neat.

OOPS it has a silver cup too. Is that like a chalice?

Answer 1

If you are just starting out,that kit is more than enough. As you progress you may desire to start using herbs and stones. Yes,, Scott Cuningham is good.
Blessed Be! )O(

Answer 2

To perform magic/celebratory rituals, you don't really need anything other than something you point with (a finger). A ceremonial blade does comes in handy, if you ever need to carve candles, or maybe cut rope/cords etc. I know someone who finds an asparagus knife suits her technique perfectly

The "props" you describe can certainly help (especially at the beginning), or when working with others, as it helps create an ambiance, and helps give everyone something to do, and helps a lot with the flow/timings

Can't think of anything else you actually need. If you come across a ritual which requires something you haven't (yet!) got, with a little bit of thought you'll often be able to find a solution that doesn't cost much. With a little looking you may even find you need to spend anything other than a little time/effort looking.

A thing that I have a big "beef" with is, maybe substitute some soft of light coloured sand if doing rituals outside as you really shouldn't use salt outside, it prevents plants from growing/damages grass. You could just pick up some dried leaves and crumble them, as a substitute.

If you're burning anything, some way of putting fires out, is a wise precaution! Be very careful if using essential oils to help "burn" things as part of "natural" incense. If planned for, and the risks considered, Hazel nuts are great "pyrotechnics" as they have a tendency to explode and shoot off with a trailing flame.

---
IMHO you can never have too many books. They could be considered a kind of tool.

Scott Cunningham is Good. I also recommend books by Doreen Valiente, and the Farrar's
see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doreen_Valiente
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Farrar

Many people have issues with Isaac Bonewits (http://www.neopagan.net/IB_Books.html) , and Silver Ravenwolf. Personally I think they both (have?) have some fairly sound ideas.

I'm biased (the Author's an associate of mine) but the following covers a huge range of techniques/rituals which are useful in the practice of any form of magic.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Magick-John-Tindsley/dp/0954222407/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199067543&sr=8-1

---
The metal thing you burn stuff in might be a thurible

Answer 3

Tools are just ways of focussing your concentration and attention -- in the final analysis, they're not necessary at all, although beginners usually find them essential while they're learning how to visualize and direct energy.

If you have an athame, you'll probably also want a chalice (the athame is the God symbol, the chalice the Goddess symbol, for fairly obvious reasons). Other than that it sounds like your "witch kit" has covered most of the basics.

Scott Cunningham is a decent starting point, in particular "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner", which will give you the information you need to practice the religion on a daily basis.

Please stay FAR away from anything by Silver Ravenwolf; the woman is a hack.

http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml

In fact, you'll find that entire site very useful:

http://wicca.timerift.net

Best of luck to you on your path.

EDITED TO ADD: Yes, the silver cup is the chalice. :-) It is used to hold wine or juice for consecration.

Answer 4

To be honest you don't even need those things, although the kit does sound very nice. You just need books or a good coven to join. Barring that, just read online.

Wicca isn't about "things" per se. It's about getting to know God/dess and working your will in the craft. Tools are useful for learning but not absolutely necessary.

I would recommend Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner", yes, but I would also recommend the following:
"The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk
"The Witches' Bible Compleat" by Janet and Stewart Farrar
"Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler

I'm not familiar with the book by Dorothy Morrison.

You might be interested in www.witchvox.com as well.

Answer 5

Cool gift. And it sounds like with that you already have everything you need for a beginner (which you obviously are.)

I think you are confusing "study" with "practice" though. You can study all you want without "tools" - read everything you can - not just Wiccan books, but related subjects too...mythology, divination, herbal...etc.

And technically, you don't even *need* tools to practice. They are simply used to help focus our energies and intent when performing rituals and spells.

If you like to use such tools, consider making some yourself. You can make your own wand, for instance, with a stick you find outside and decorate it to your liking. You could buy a plain glass, like a wine glass, and decorate it with paint, glitter, etc to make your own chalice. Tools that you make yourself are more infused with your personal energy.

My High Priestess ran a class once called "Wicca on a budget". Suggestions and ideas for making our own ritual tools, and things like hitting the dollar store or discount stores for things like candles and incense, etc. The possibilities are endless - use your imagination.

Scott Cunningham books are good. I love the poetic prose in Dorothy Morrison's, "The Craft" - I often turn to it more for ideas in writing my own rituals and spells. I like Christopher Penczak books also (a little biased there though as he was one of my teachers.) Starhawk is another respected author. I'd avoid Silver Ravenwolf's books. If you don't have the money for the books you'd like, start by reading online - The Witche's Voice is a great site found at http://www.witchvox.com

The bottom line is that Wicca is a spiritual path that believes in a kinship with and reverence Nature, a relationship with God and Goddess, and the Wiccan Rede as a basis for a code of ethics. It's not all about spells and rituals.

Blessings. Enjoy walking the path!

Answer 6

Wow that's an awesome X-mas gift! I envy you.

You don't really need tools to practice Wicca; they're more so props to help you focus.

The kit has the gist of it; it's missing a chalice/goblet though. The weird metal thing is the censer. If you get really serious into Wicca after a while, you might even want to consider a small cauldron.

Scott Cunningham is a great author for beginners. Raymond Buckland is also pretty well-respected. Stay away from Raven Silverwolf though.

Good luck :-)

EDIT: Yea, that'd be the chalice.

Answer 7

To be honest, I really hate prepackaged kits. have you ever heard of a Christianity kit? I didn't think so. Those kits reinforce the notion that this is about trinkets and tools and rocks and herbs. The fact is if you don't know about them they're useless, and many of us use only a small collection of those items anyway. As you become more involved, I would strongly suggest procuring your own personal tools - whichever ones you find are useful by then.

You need knowledge. Stuff, at best, is only useful.

I strongly recommend the Cunningham books for beginners. Other reviews are here:
http://wicca.timerift.net/books.shtml

Answer 8

It's really down to personal taste.

I knew someone who had an athane that was a carving knife used by 4 generations of women in the family. Personally I felt the idea was marvelous - but others thougth differently (& that is the strength of all pagan faiths)

I had most of my stuff "confistated" by a harassing cop. So for many years I tend to visualise what I needed when I needed it.

Having said that I've recently had a few "clue stick" moments where I've had something suitable become available. I've had others talk about similar insidents. Some use the phrase they had been "called" to the item.

.

Answer 9

You will want to set up an altar, and get yourself some statues of your Goddess and God. You can find some good ones at either http://www.sacredsource.com/ or http://www.azuregreen.com/ Also, books, books, books, and more books. Read as much as you can about Wicca, other Pagan traditions, Neopagan history, and ancient mythology. It's not really about the stuff, it's about your relationship with the Gods, and so practice, meditation, and ritual are very important.

Answer 10

You are already doing well, reading what you can. Also make sure to hit up the internet, has lots of good sources on it.
Look up the tools of Wicca and buy them, most are hard to get, and yes, some are expensive. Some you can make yourself.

Good luck.

Answer 11

A brain? no no no I'm not trying to insult, you really do need a bit of common sense, got that in your little list.

maybe something of your own choosing that represents the god and goddess.

I've practiced with less, hell I remember being poor and in a scrunch for time that I used a plastic knife and a cigarette, because I didn't want to forget the ritual.

You don't necessarily have to have these things, the gods understand if you simply just don't have them. It's like going into computer class with you spare mouse and pocket protector. It's not a requirement to craft something.