The lunar cycle is 28 days long.  It begins with at the new moon, which is when we see no moon in the sky.  The day before the new moon is generally recognised as the dark moon.

The new moon

The new moon is a very powerful time for cleansing and new beginnings.  It is also a great time to set your intentions for the coming weeks and start manifesting your desired outcomes through ritual and spellwork.

The waxing moon phase

The moon grows during the waxing phase all the way up to the full moon approximately two weeks after the new moon.  The waxing moon phase is the time to start exploring your dreams or what you intend to manifest. It’s important to stay focused and committed during this phase.

The full moon

The full moon is a very powerful time.  Many witches choose to undertake ritual on the full moon and this is the time when what you are manifesting may very well appear.  The full moon is also a great night to recharge your crystals under the moonlight and create some moon water for use in future rituals.

The waning moon phase

As the moon diminishes in size back toward the dark and new moon phases it is an ideal time to rest, recuperate, assess your achievements and express gratitude for what you have manifested. 

For a more detailed understanding of the moon and how use it in your practice join the Moon Magic mini course or purchase the full moon and new moon ritual guides.

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The basics of spell casting are:

• Casting a circle
• Calling in the quarters
• Undertaking the ritual or specific spell
• Thank the god and goddess (or the universe if you don’t prescribe to deities)
• Close the circle.
• Provide an offering and sometimes partake in a cakes and ale ceremony.

Some solitary practitioners use a physical representation of the circle casting and some use visualisation techniques.  Things that you will use for the spell or ritual need to be on the altar or inside the circle – once you cast the circle, leaving it to grab another item breaks it. 

If you would like to learn more about how to cast spells you can join our Spell Casting mini course or check out the spells published on the blog.

I believe the most powerful spells are those we write ourselves. We put our thoughts and energy into words as we write. The intent is reinforced when the spell is cast. If you aren’t confident writing spells yet, that’s ok too. Just find some that you feel comfortable with and build up to writing your own.

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The sabbat dates differ in the northern and southern hemispheres.  Which makes sense when you think about our seasonal differences.  In December it’s summer in the southern hemisphere but it’s winter in the northern hemisphere.

Yule occurs on approx. December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and 21 June in the Southern Hemisphere.

Imbolc occurs on 2 February in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 August in the Southern Hemisphere

Ostara occurs on March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and 21 September in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beltane occurs on 1 May in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 November in the Southern Hemisphere.

Litha occurs on 21 June in the Northern Hemisphere and 21 December in the southern hemisphere.

Lughnasadh occurs on 1 August in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 February in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mabon occurs on September 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Samhain occurs on 31 October / 1 November in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 May in the Southern Hemisphere.

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It is not a vital piece of equipment but it is quite handy. It’s quite common to carve candles during rituals or spells. It can also be used for specific ceremonial cutting, such as cord cutting spells. It has been adopted by many of the Wiccan chapters for use both during ritual and for mundane use. Some Wiccan paths do encourage the use of one knife (the athame) for both purposes – cutting physical things and directing energy or opening circles etc.

As mentioned above they traditionally have a white handle and a curved blade. But as with all of your magical tools you can choose to work with whatever feels right to you. What I would recommend is personalising your knife with an inscription or symbol of importance to you. The specific shape and form of the tool doesn’t really matter – it’s about the intend and your connection to the tool.

Boline knifes can be purchased from many places online – here is one available from Amazon*.

Even though it is used for cutting and inscribing you should still bless and consecrate your Boline Knife before use as it is still a sacred tool. If you’d like to know more about witchcraft tools read this post.

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*I do receive a small commission via affiliate links from Amazon. It doesn’t affect the price you pay but it does help me to cover the running costs of this website.

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Pentacles have a place on a witch’s altar but they are also used for many other things. They are commonly inscribed on items to seal in intent for spells or protection.

The Pentagram featured on a pentacle is commonly misrepresented as a sign of evil. A Pentagram is a five pointed star, four of the points representing the elements and the fifth point representing spirit. The pentagram is also often drawn with an athame when opening circle and conducting ritual. When a circle is drawn around the pentagram it is known as a pentacle.

The Pentacle is often worn by those who are Pagan, Wiccan or practice Witchcraft. It can be worn as a piece of jewellery or as a tattoo. I have pentacles throughout my home and I carry some with me when I leave the house.  I draw them on crystals and inside clothing and shoes. They are drawn on my house protection bottles and I also have several decorative versions around my home.

You can purchase a ready-made pentacle or fashion your own. 

As with all your magical tools if you intend to use it for spells you should bless and consecrate it first.

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Whilst very cliché they are useful to have for ritual and spells.  I have two, a small witchcraft cauldron and a large one. I use the small one for burning small pieces of paper or burning incense. The large one is used for ceremonial purposes for lunar rituals and to burn things for banishing spells. The large one also looks great when placed with other Wiccan objects around the house. On occasion I put it at the front door on Halloween with treats for the neighborhood children!

Cauldrons are quite heavy so purchasing a large one online may be cost prohibitive if you are chasing a big one. Here is a small cauldron that would be perfect for incense or banishing spells. I bought my large cauldron from Aldi – labelled as a camp cooking oven or Potje cooker.  As always your magical tools should be blessed and consecrated before use.

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If you don’t have a silver one you can also use a wine glass made from other materials. These material include things such as ceramic, wood or stone.

You also use your Wiccan chalice as a cauldron if you don’t have one. They are handy to mix potions and and you can use it to create moon water for future use. To create moon water fill your chalice with water and leave it out during the full moon to absorb the energy.

You can purchase a goblet from anywhere – this is a lovely and inexpensive option.

As with all of your magic tools, if you intend to use it for spells you should bless and consecrate it first.

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I have groupings of sacred and magical items throughout my home.  I don’t have just one Wiccan altar as I’ve integrated my practice into my day to day life.  Other witches I know keep their sacred items and magical tools in one location that only they access within their home. I say do whatever works best for you!

Most Wiccan Altars will contain the following

• A representation of the four elements: Earth, Fire, Air and Water.  This can be as simple as coloured candles, or including your magical tools that represent the various elements.
• A bowl of salt and a cup (chalice) of water or wine.
• A representation of the duality of divine energy. The masculine and the feminine.  Some people choose to represent this with deities from their particular faith. Some choose to represent this by including a silver item for the feminine and a gold item for the masculine.
• An incense burner or oil diffuser. Oil diffusers are becoming more common due to ease of use and ease of access to quality essential oils.
• A pentacle. Sometimes this is also the representation for the element of earth.
• A candle.  Again this can also serve a dual purpose by representing the element of fire.
• Something to cast your circle, like an athame or this can also be done in your mind using visualisation.
• If you are casting a spell, undertaking rituals or divination you will also place the items you intend to work with on the altar before you start.

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In pagan rituals the besom is seen to balance masculine (the phallic handle) and feminine energy (the bristles). In some cultures, the rite of jumping the broom is considered an important part of a marriage ceremony. Many pagan traditions have the bridal couple, jump across a broom as a symbol of fertility and to symbolise their new union. Prior to childbirth it is traditional for women to use a besom to sweep the threshold of the home. This serves a dual purpose – protection and cleansing of the home and preparing for the arrival of the new spirit.

Most witches make their own besoms by gathering their supplies in nature.  A large stick, smaller twigs and some twine.  You can also adorn your besom with other magical items like crystals, pentagrams or anything else that you feel particularly drawn to.

I like to use my besom after doing my weekend housework on a Sunday.  After I’ve vacuumed and mopped the floors I sweep the negative energy out of each room starting in the back left corner of the house and working my way to the front door where I sweep it out the front door.   

As with all your magical tools, remember to consecrate your besom before use.

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Witchcraft wands have been used for thousands of years in rituals and spell casting.  It is an extension of a pointed finger and it amplifies intend to the object identified.  Which is why there is a cultural fear associated with pointing fingers or ‘pointing the bone’ at someone.  

In magical practice it’s used as an amplifier for your energy and intent.  To use a wand hold it in your power hand and focus your energy through it.  Visualise your energy leaving the tip of the wand as a bright beam of light.

Wands are traditionally made of wood, however you can make them out of other materials including metal and deer antlers (ones that have been voluntarily dropped by the deer not one that have been taken forcefully!).  

Wants are a great tool to make yourself as it connects you to the tool on a deeper level and they are relatively simple to make.  Keep an eye out for a stick that suits your purpose and adorn it with magical items like crystals, feathers and symbols. 

As with any magical tool be sure to bless and consecrate your wand before use.

I have two wands.  One made of wood and one made of deer antler. Both are adorned with crystals and I use them both, selecting whichever one suits my purpose at the time.

You can find out more about witchcraft tools in this post.

Blessed Be

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