As the secrets of magick and spellcasting (and the magickal tools involved) went from occult knowledge to easily attainable information in a plethora of books and websites readily available to the public, many potential practitioners have sought to understand what magick is and the right and wrong ways to do it.
Many magickal practitioners--Wiccans, Witches, Pagans, Magicians, Wizards; the labels are endless--have defined magick as "the manipulation of energy in conformity with will." In other words, using our personal energy--with focused intent--at the quantum level to affect other energies on the quantum level to manifest desired change that is real and visible on all levels.
However, nearly all forms of Witchcraft and magick make use of a variety of tools such as herbs, stones, oils, athames, wands, music, etc. If magick is just using your personal energy, why the use of such magickal tools?
This article delves into two main reasons behind the use of these tools and their benefits in spellcasting.
Studies of psychics and magick practitioners reveal one commonality: Real use of psychic and magickal ability involves a shift in consciousness. (Scientific studies observe this shift in the form of measurable brain waves.) Thus, anything that can help you create the necessary shift in consciousness is a huge advantage in speeding up and effectively casting spells and conducting rituals.
Magick requires a considerable amount of focus. If we can't concentrate on what we're doing, the energy won't flow properly. One familiar saying sums this up perfectly: "Energy flows where attention goes."
Techniques such as meditation and balancing energy such as through Chakras help to develop your ability to focus your mind and control energy, but it's through the use of magickal tools that your attention is held.
If you want your magick to be effective, you need to find magickal tools to help you concentrate and hold onto that state of consciousness most conducive to magickal practice. Certain tools and garb are great for affecting our moods and--with time and practice--helps us quickly shift our consciousness for effective spellcasting.
If for no other reason, we use these tools in magick for this much needed assistance in focusing to attain the proper shift in consciousness and maintain our focus throughout the magickal working.
Humans aren't the only ones composed of energy. Plants, animals, stones, and all matter are composed of energies of different vibrations and can be used as magickal tools.
Witches spend years learning and working with the different vibrations inherent within these items. Adding them to spells provides more focused energies that combine with our personal energy. We then use these combined energies for shifting the energies around us to reach a desired outcome.
An experienced magickal practitioner can use the energy found within such objects to manipulate the other energies in the same way they would use their own energy to do so.
This use has various benefits. Perhaps the most notable is that by utilizing the energy in other objects, we aren't limited by our own energy and reduce the risk of burn out from exhausting our energy in spellcasting. We can do more in less time.
Of course, this method comes with its fair share of ethical questions and concerns. Aside from the usual questions about harming others, denying free will, and the like, using energy from other sources is an ethical question all its own.
Is the use of animal energy a violation? Is there an animal rights issue involved? Are we depleting the energy of stones and herbs when using their powers?
The answers to questions like these may vary. The most important thing, however, is that you take the time to contemplate them so that you can craft your own ethical system of how to work with magickal tools respectfully.
Magick is more effective when we have working relationships with nature and all it's composed of. If you have a strong relationship with amethyst, for example, the use of the amethyst in your magick is likely ethical.
Although some may find it strange or even funny to do, asking the animal or object in question for permission to use them as a tool will fare far better than using them first and questioning later. The response may come in many ways, such as a cat purring and rubbing your leg or sensing a small "burst" of positive energy from a stone.
Alternatively, a magickal practitioner may choose to charge man-made objects--such as athames, wands, statues, etc.--with their own energies for later use.
Perhaps you want to have a separate wand for different intents, such as one for healing, one for money magick, and one for protection magick. You would focus your energy with a specific intent into the wand, charging it so that the next time you use it, there is already energy imbued in the magickal tool to draw from.
Are tools necessary for magick? No.
However, if you can make your magick more effective or even just find ways to conserve your personal energy to do more magick, why would you not?
An experienced and effective Witch has no need of tools. That said, an experienced and effective Witch will also have a working relationship with living creatures, plants, spirits, stones, and the like. They, in turn, will assist the Witch--as magickal tools--in whatever they need to do. For the newcomer, the use of tools is great to help build that ability to quickly shift consciousness.
Although no magickal practitioner--beginner or seasoned--should feel that any tool is absolutely required to be effective in magick, magickal tools are a great aid in tapping into our personal power.
© 2012-2020 by Evylyn Rose