The truth is, we don't absolutely need real fancy tools. Simplicity is the only way I can manage to get by. And my spells still work! I can't say they work as well as the big elaborate ones because I've never had the chance to do a spell or ritual like that before. All I can say is that the simple spells do work!
First off, I don't worry about herbs, oils, or crystals. I can't find them in the stores around my town and I couldn't afford them anyway, with my whole two cents! :) Even though they do help they are not necessary and you can get by just fine without them.
For an athame (or even sword if you're really imaginative) you can simply use a kitchen knife. It's preferred that it be double edged but it doesn't have to be.
For a wand, all you need is a branch from a tree. It's best if it has already fallen from the tree but if you can't find one you can take it from a tree, but be sure to thank it properly for its sacrifice. Some say the length needs to be from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow but it can really be any length you like and feel comfortable with.
For a chalice simply use a wine glass. It works great! Just be sure you don't break it!
For a pentacle altar tile you can just draw or carve a pentacle on a square piece of wood. Wood because it is natural and would work best and most naturally on your altar.
For a Book of Shadows you can use a spiral notebook or even a 3-ring binder. 3-ring binders are best as you can add things to it easily and put dividers in it.
For a censor (these things are very hard to find!) you can easily make one by filling a bowl or cup half way with either sand or salt. It works just as well.
To make things even more simple, you don't really need any tools at all except for maybe a few candles and your desire for the change. My very first spell involved only four candles to mark the boundary and directions of my circle, another one to stare into, and the desire and need for a change. It was very effective! The next day I got a phone call that confirmed my spell had worked. I had almost been afraid it wouldn't because I hardly used anything and I was so inexperienced. But my need for it was, I think, the real reason it even worked. I didn't need all that other stuff, just my heart.
I didn't even have an altar. In fact, I still don't! I simply pull a chair into the middle of where I plan to cast my circle or use a cardboard box lid. However, you don't need to be that simple. You can easily make an altar out of any table or flat surface you feel feel comfortable with. I've also heard that it's best to have an altar with some kind of a drawer or cupboard beneath it to store your tools in just in case your not quite out of the Broom Closet yet and need to hide from people.
These are just some ideas. You can really do pretty much whatever you want or feel comfortable with. That is one of the many great things about Paganism. It is open and free and the only real effective thing you need for a spell is yourself and a real desire and need for the change.
Pterota
I have a suggestion about candles. I love to use pillar candles, but they become more difficult to use when they are about half way used up. So I melt down the unused wax and make lots of smaller candles. I use small candle holders (for votives) and new wicks from the craft store. I also like to use stones from the craft store. I got a bag full of smooth river stones for under $2. I plan to use permanent marker or craft paint and glitter to decorate them with special messages for my purposes.
Submitted by: Lilye
When I started, all I had was little tea candles, a pocket knife, a bowl, and some stones that I got at a cavern. My altar was just an old shoebox that I could easily pack everything into when finished. I still don't have much but I have upgraded by altar to a slat roof shingle. It works quite nicely.
Submitted by: Solar Son
Small candles that are about 3 to 4 inches in length can be found even in grocery stores in some places or in stores that focus on nature or various religions, or "hippie" stores, or something, and usually run pretty cheap (around here you can get 5 for a dollar, even though they run for 25 cents each)...
Also for the pentacle, it doesn't HAVE to be a platform (but it's helpful). You could make one. I have a ceramic one. It's flat and round and meant to be for putting a hot teapot on or something and it has the pentacle painted on. You can find some shops where you pick a ceramic piece and paint the design on it. Or you can find a large flat round stone (say, an old stepping stone) or piece of wood rounded off into a circle, or an old ceramic teapot coaster that nobody uses that's plain on one side (or you could sand off the design) you could paint the pentagram on it.
As for people who can't burn candles on a regular basis for prayer or offerings (maybe short on cash and only have candles for special occasions, aka Sabbats or Esbats) picking flowers (of course thanking the plant for its sacrifice) and putting them on the altar on a regular basis works.
For scryers: some antique shops sometimes carry old fashioned GLASS floats (the kind that fishermen use to keep their nets afloat) that can be used for scrying, and though they may be pricey sometimes (I got mine for about 8 bucks while they were supposed to be selling for 15) its MUCH cheaper than the glass or crystal orbs you can buy for as expensive as $80 (the cheapest I've seen run for about $45) and work just as well. Or if you can't afford a glass at all, scrying also works with a small bowl of water, or a bowl of water with a mirror at the bottom in moonlight.
Another tool could be bird feathers. You can pick them up off the ground, take them home, and clean them (to get rid of diseases) so that if you can't burn incense for some reason when, say you want to call corners or something and you have salt for earth, candles for fire, and water for water, you can move a feather around to represent air. Feathers work great for me.
And as for crystals, in discovery stores and nature shops and even state history museum gift stores you can buy small bags of them or whatever for real cheap.
Submitted by: DaisyMoon
Yard Sales, Second Hand Stores, If one lives in an apartment building then take a look in trash room, one will be amazed at what is thrown out. I would also suggest that one use their imagination. It is amazing what the mind can come up with in making tools and altars. Craft stores are also a great place to browse. I made my first set of runes from small round wooden circles which I painted and then put on the rune symbols. Search the internet. There are many wonderful sites such as yours that give many helpful suggestions and ideas.
Submitted by: Talcha/kira_windsong
I want to personally thank these great people for submitting some of their ideas. They are always helpful and welcome. And they thought up some wonderful ideas that I never could. Thankyou!
If you have suggestions of your own, please free to send them to me!
