Magickal fellows: What tools, or sacramentals do you use to keep your intent directed?

Question

I use incense sometimes, but it causes me to sneeze.
LBRP.
Sigils.
Music?>?
Ritual tools: (wand, chalice)
Statues.
Drink or food

Answer 1

I have a very ornate wood, square 30" table in the living room. On it I have a large water fountain, small cauldron filled with sand to hold incense, stone oil lamp, two dragon candle holders with red candles, athame (a viking sword), bundle of sage I got from the reservation in South Dakota, a wooden bowl and pitcher, and a set of runes. I sit several times a week, meditate, and do a rune reading for myself once a month. I listen to Native American flute music or classical music such as the Planets by Holst.

Answer 2

One does not need tools to keep one's intent direct. The ritual tools that are used in circle are used for very specific reasons that are integral to the ritual.

The mind is what is needed to maintain the intention of any spells that you work.

Focus of the mind and while some tools may help with the visualizations and symbolic acts of the ritual to accomplishment of your intended purpose, they are not what is needed to focus your intent.

The athame, candles, incense and other ritual tools are just that: tools.

They are just tools in the same way that an architect uses a pencil, t-square, triangles and drawing table to design his vision of a building that is going to be built. He has the intended design and the tools help him to make the design real.

Your intent and focus, like the architect, are on the visualization of your intent in your mind. The tools are used make your intention reality.

Answer 3

A drinking horn, blessing bowl, a handmade brass hammer, knife - those are usually the bare basics.

I have a harrow (altar) made from a wooden ammo case on which I have my box of runes (handmade), hammer, knife, blessing bowl, oath ring, and an incense holder.

Inside are tools and various things I've gathered over the years: stones, other sets of runes, incense, etc.

Above the harrow is a painting of Freya and a sword.

Answer 4

I use incense, candles, my athame, and usually something that represents what I am ritualing about. If I am doing a prosperity spell, I have some coins on the altar. That sort of thing.

Answer 5

I rarely use any tools. There are occassions though that I will. Mostly I'd say I use candles when I do.

Answer 6

I try to minimize as much as possible.
My drum and candle light are my favourite ways to keep me focused.