WITCHCRAFT TOOLS AND THEIR HISTORY: Exploring Their Origins and Magick

 

John William Waterhouse, 1902, The Crystal Ball

There’s something deeply enchanting about holding a witch’s tool in your hands—a wand carved from a fallen branch, a chalice brimming with moonlit water, or a scrying bowl or crystal ball. These tools imbued with history and magick, connect us to centuries of practice and the collective energy of those who have come before us. As a modern-day practitioner and artist inspired by the mystical, I’m constantly drawn to the stories these tools carry and the way they weave us into the fabric of ancient traditions.

The Wand: A Channel for Energy

The wand—a quintessential symbol of witchcraft. But it’s not just a prop from fairy tales or a tool for Hollywood witches. Historically, wands have been used in ceremonial magick to direct energy, drawing upon the unique properties of the wood or material from which they’re crafted. Hazel, for example, is a traditional wood for divination, while oak represents strength and wisdom.

For me, crafting or finding a wand feels like discovering a part of nature that was meant to walk beside you on your magickal journey, and I'm constantly gathering fallen branches and twigs in our backyard which is like our own little park with very old maples, oaks and evergreens.

The Chalice: A Vessel of Mystery

The chalice, a symbol of water and the divine feminine has roots in ancient pagan and religious practices. From the Holy Grail to Wiccan rituals, it represents the sacred womb, a source of creation and intuition.

When I use a chalice in my own rituals, it feels like I’m holding a tangible link to the divine—a sacred reminder of the ebb and flow of life’s mysteries. And I can't help but feel a little bit like I'm connecting to the Arthurian times! My chalice is a small handmade ceramic goblet. Nothing fancy and intricate, just enough for me to hold with ease and drink from!

The Athame: The Double-Edged Blade of Power

The athame is a ceremonial knife, often associated with the element of air or fire, depending on the tradition. Its double-edged blade isn’t for cutting physical objects but for directing intent, energy, and protection.

Historically, knives and blades have held symbolic power across cultures—from the bronze-age daggers used in ancient rituals to the swords of medieval knights. 

For a couple of years, I searched for an athame at yard sales. I didn't find one, but the treasure trolling was so much fun!

I still to this day haven't found an athame that speaks to me, so, crazy enough, I use a steel letter opener! That's what I love about practicing earth spirituality - it doesn't have to be perfect or overwhelming. I always try to think of our ancestors. Many, if not all, just used what was readily available and most often were items of daily use.

So, there was a hair in the photo I took of my 'athame', and being too lazy to retake the photo, I removed the background, thinking it'd only remove the hair? And this is what happened! Why do I feel the need to explain myself?! Probably because this is driving me nuts, but the show must go on!            ~ Tracey

The Pentacle: A Sacred Symbol

The pentacle, a five-pointed star within a circle, represents the balance of the elements—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. It’s one of the oldest symbols in human history, seen in ancient Mesopotamian art and later adopted by various spiritual paths, including witchcraft.

When I include pentacles in my art, I love emphasizing their grounding energy. To me, the pentacle is like a compass, always pointing toward harmony and balance in my magickal and mundane life. I have worn a pentacle around my neck since my early 20s. It helps to keep me aligned and gives me a feeling of empowerment. I alternate between wearing my pentacle under my top so I can feel it against my chest, to wearing it over my clothes for others to see. I guess it just depends on how I'm feeling and what energy I want to draw from it.

The Scrying Bowl: A Portal to Hidden Truths

This is hands-down my favourite form of questing. There’s something undeniably mystical about gazing into a still bowl of water, waiting for the ripples to settle and the images to appear. The scrying bowl, often filled with water or other reflective surfaces, has been a beloved tool for divination across cultures and centuries. From the oracles of ancient Greece to the cunning folk of medieval Europe, the act of scrying connects us to the unseen, offering glimpses into the past, present, and future.

Water is the essence of emotion and intuition, making it a powerful medium for divination. The bowl itself is sacred too. I’ve used everything from a vintage ceramic bowl with intricate designs to a simple black glass vessel, but around 8 years ago, I made it a point to find a special bowl just for my scrying practice and that I would be the first and only owner. It took me a while to find one that resonated with me and what I wanted, what I had imagined I wanted my bowl to look like, then, I found it! A locally handmade ceramic bowl...

Scrying has a fascinating history, with roots in ancient Mesopotamia, where polished obsidian mirrors were used for gazing, and in Celtic traditions, where druids peered into natural pools. Medieval European witches used bowls of water, oil, or ink to glimpse the otherworld, a practice that later inspired the "magic mirrors" popular in the Victorian era.

I’m captivated by the idea that so many cultures, separated by time and space, turned to reflective surfaces to seek answers. 

For me, using a scrying bowl is as much about the ritual as it is about the visions. I never do my scrying indoors. I much prefer being outside in my backyard at night. The best visions come of course when the moon is clear and full, however, I have had success on darker nights, and I just have to focus longer. I'm not traditional in the way that I collect rainwater or make a trip to a creek for a natural water source. I simply run water into my bowl from the kitchen sink tap. It's my clearing intentions that I use to render the water worthy of energy work that counts the most in preparation.

Gazing into the water requires patience and a quiet mind—a lesson in itself. Sometimes, vivid images or symbols appear; other times, it’s the emotions stirred within me that hold the answers I seek. Like any other form of using magickal tools, it takes time to create that connection and relationship to harness the trust in the power of Self.

Tools as Extensions of Our Magick

While these tools have rich histories, their magick truly comes alive in the hands of the witch who wields them. Over the years, I’ve learned that the tools we choose—or the ones that choose us—become deeply personal. A wand you find on a forest walk, a chalice passed down through your family, or even a handmade pentacle drawn during a quiet moment of reflection all carry your unique energy.

As I look at the tools on my own altar, I’m reminded of how connected they make me feel—to nature, to history, and to the magick within myself. Every scratch, and imperfection tells a story, just like the art I create.

What about you? Do you have a favourite witchcraft tool that feels like an extension of your soul? Perhaps you’ve found a wand on a magickal day, or your chalice holds special memories. Share your stories and favourite tools in the comments below—I’d love to hear how they inspire your practice and your life. Let’s weave a little more magick together!

~ Tracey