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Magical and Ceremonial Items October 11, 2005 @ 5:37 p.m.
Notes on ceremonial and magical items, to be expanded as I learn more.
Pentacles - A pentacle is a disk of wood or metal which is inscribed with a pentagram: a five pointed star, also called the Star of Soloman. It is used to collect, shield or ground energy, and is associated with the philosophical element of Earth. It may also feature other magical names and symbols conducive to its purpose.
Daggers - There are several different types of daggers used in magic.
*An Air Dagger represents the philosophical element of air.
*An Athame is a ritual dagger used in witchcraft.
*A banishing dagger is used ceremonial magic rituals to draw pentagrams and hexagrams, among other things.
*There is a special knife used by witches for cutting herbs - I will see if I can find out more about it.
Swords are sometimes considered synonomous with daggers in ritual, but many credit them with distinct properties that set them apart. Magical swords can be used for protection against non-physical entities and are sometimes used to draw magic circles. Extended, they can also form a safe conduit for the mage to project power outside of the circle or into the triangle while remaining protected. Swords are associated with both the elements of fire and air, and "pierce to the heart, that the thoughts of the many may be revealed."
Chalices & Grails are aligned with the element of water. In Jewish tradition, the cup of Eliyahu is set aside at passover as a memorial to the Navi's life and as an invitation to the coming of the meshiach. Chalices are used to give communion in Christian sacraments, and the legend of the Holy Grail that caught Christ's blood and grants eternal life is well known. Sacred grails granting similar blessings are found in many cultures.
Wands are associated with Fire, and represent the focused Will of a magician. Wands come in many different shapes and sizes - their properties vary according to both the materials used in their construction and the purpose to which they are dedicated.
A Fire Wand is specifically dedicated to representing elemental fire in ceremony.
A Rainbow Wand contains the Quintessential Element Spirit, and features markings for each of the twelve archetypal signs of the Zodiac.
A Lotus Wand was in use among the Order of the Golden Dawn - I don't know much about it.
Cauldrons represent the womb of a Mother Goddess, and are a well known feature in witchcraft rituals. They can be used for offerings, preparing magical brews, or simply for good cooking. The dutch oven is actually a relative of the cauldron. Cauldrons are associated with elemental water.
The Tablet of Union is a rectangular plaque which contains the God names of the 5 elements in the Enochian magic system of John Dee and Edward Kelly. It is placed at the center of the circle, and is considered essential for work in Enochiana.
The Sigillum Dei Emeth is the 'Sigil of God and Truth' inscribed upon wax or metal and worn for protection and power during ritual work.
Elemental banners containing the signs and colors of the four philosphical elements are sometimes placed at the four cardinal directions in a temple or ritual space.
A Lamen is a piece of wood, metal or wax engraved or inscribed with characters that reaffirm the magician's status, empowering him and protecting him against malevolent forces in his work.
A Magic circle of some kind is now considered essential to every type of magical work. The concept of a magic circle goes all the way back to Mesopotamian civilization and possibly further. Circles represent cycles, wholeness, and the Universe. Standing within and at the center of a circle, a magician's assumes the character of God. Magic circles can be energetically created on the astral plane or physically constructed using chalk, rope, candles, stones and many other means. They are inscibed with energy, protective sigils such as the pentagram, and Divine names. They establish authority and protection.
Robes put a magician in the proper state of mind for ritual, and represent cleanliness, purity, holiness, and authority.
A cap is worn by some magicians which, as well as being another symbol of authority, can also symbolize the focusing and concentration of power, in a cone or other shape.
A Magic Ring can be consecrated as a charm for specific benefits, or serve as a general vehicle of power and authority. King Shlomo was said to have been given a ring by the arch-messenger Michael that gave him power over daemons. He was said to have employed the daemons in constructing the Temple in Yerushalaim, after which he sealed them up in a great jar and threw them into the sea. The 72 spirits of the Goetia are said to have been the same daemons. John Dee believed that Michael had also given him his magic ring, which featured the name of the messenger Pele.
"Details in the Fabric" - May 31, 2009
Not So Quick Questions - April 6, 2009
The Morning Stars - Lords of the 15 - April 9, 2009
Sincerity and Faith in Magic - April 10, 2009
Not So Quick Questions (2) - April 14, 2009
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