pagan tools
flashcards
These flashcards were created to help you learn various tools used by Pagans of many paths in their magical workings. Read through them and then test yourself to see if you can remember the meanings. Come back often to keep this information fresh in your mind.
Numerology
Divination through the use of numbers and numerical values of letters.
Scrying
A form of divination in which one gazes into an object until visions appear.
Poppet
Anthropomorphic (human-like) dolls representing a particular person in magical workings.
Athame
A ritual blade, usually double edged with a black handle; it is never used to cut anything in the physical realm.
Cauldron
A pot often made of cast iron, used to cook potions, for scrying, as a censure, magical burning; symbolizes rebirth and the Goddess.
Pendulum
A small object that can swing from a string or chain, used in divination.
Quarters
The four corners and/or watchtowers in a magical circle.
Incantation
Words used during a ritual or spell that are chanted or sung.
Amulet
A magically charged object that deflects specific energies, usually negative, to protect the bearer.
Talisman
An object charged to attract a specific energy or outcome; providing protection against ill will, or the supernatural, or giving wearer a boon of good luck, good health, or power(s). Not to be confused with an amulet.
Hag Stone
Stones containing a naturally occurring hole; believed to provide protection against diseases and evil.
Boline
A white handled knife used for practical purposes such as cutting herbs or inscribing candles.
Dagger
A ritual knife used to sever psychic bonds, cursing, initiating, and exorcising.
Projective Hand
Generally your dominant hand; hand from which personal power is sent from the body; the hand in which tools such as a wand or athame is held.
Invocation/Invoke
Summoning of a deity or supernatural force, usually in ritual form; to call energies into one's self.
Meditation
Contemplation for heightened spiritual awareness. Also, clearing the mind, important in achieving the focus needed in spellwork and inner/outer travels.
Mantra
Sounds used for as an associational device or to induce trance.
Blood of the Moon
A woman's menstrual cycle which is also her most powerful time, especially if it occurs on or around the full moon or new moon.
Earthing
Connecting with the Earth's natural energy, usually through the feet. Also a type of grounding.
Ouija Board
A board containing letters, numbers, and the words yes and no which is used for divination and speaking with supernatural beings.
Cone of Power
Psychic energy raised and focused by an individual or group mind to perform a specific task or to achieve a purpose.
Sigil
A seal, sign, or glyph used in magical workings. Generally created using consonants of words relating to the subject then morphed into a design.
Magic(k)
The projection of energies to bring about a change using focused will and emotion.
Ritual
An ordered sequence of events, actions. and directed thoughts designed to produce an altered state of consciousness or bring about a desired change.
Wand
A ritual tool used for directing energy; representative of fire in some traditions.
Trance
An altered state of consciousness, usually undertaken to connect with the astral or spiritual plane.
Circle
Cast to create sacred, protected space for ritual or magical workings.
Air (as a tool)
Items correspondingn with the element, such as a wand or athame, incense, bell. Associations: East, intuition, learning, thought, and knowledge.
Earth (as a tool)
Items correspondingn with the element such as a Pentacle or bowl of salt. Associations: North, stability, wisdom, knowledge, strength, growth, prosperity.
X
A place holder; a magical symbol used in place of an unknown or secretive object.
Runes
Letters of a runic alphabet typically carved into stone or wood and used in divination and magical workings.
Grimoire
A compilation of spells, ritual information, formulae, correspondences, history, and all other magical information. More structured and less personal than BOS.
Tarot Cards
A set of 78 cards, typically based on the Smith-Waite dack of 1909. which feature pictures and symbols used for divination.
Grounding
The process of centering one's self with the Earth before and after magical workings, rituals, or astral experiences.
Besom
Witch's broom often used to sweep away negative energies from a space, as a protection symbol, or as a guard to doors cut in a magical circle.
Dowsing
A technique of using a rod or pendulum to find underground water, minerals, or anything invisible; can be used to magically find a person, place, thing of element.
Pentagram
A five-point star representing the or five elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit or Aether); used in magical workings for a variety of purposes.
Altar
A flat surface used for religious, spiritual, and magical rituals, preferably of natural material.
Spell
A magical formula intended to trigger an effect on a person or objects.
Charm
An object that has been charged with power for a specific task by saying an incantation over it.
Fire (as a tool)
Items correspondingn with the element, such as wand or athame, candle. Associations: South, creativity, destruction, power.
Crystal
Stones associated with various properties used to enhance magical workings.
Water (as a tool)
Items correspondingn with the element, such as chalice, cauldron, water, seashells. Associations: West, purification, intuition, compassion, emotions.
Sword
A symbol of the element Air; used for directing energies and for severing psychic bonds or links.
Divination
The magical art of using tools and symbols to find hidden information about the past, present, or future; often uses psychic talents.
Chalice
A cup used in rituals to represent water and the feminine principles of creation.
Widdershins
Counter-clockwise, anti-clockwise motion; used for negative magical purposes such as dispersing negative energies or banishing.
Censor
A heat-proof container used to burn incense; associated with element Air.
Book of Shadows (BOS)
A book of magical journal which sometimes includes spells, rituals, Magical lore, and personal notations, outlines of magical workings, etc.
Incense
Burning of herbs or oil during magical workings or rituals to better help the witch(es) attune with the goal of the working.
Oracle Cards
Cards used as a tool of self-reflection or for divination. Though similar to tarot cards, there is not set structure or number of cards per deck.
Deosil
Clockwise, sunwise, or sunward motion; symbolic of life and positive energy and magic. Pronunciations: jostle, deo-sil, jeh-shil, jay-o-sil.
Bell
Used to invoke directional energies, ring in the sunrise on a sabbat, stir up energies, or frighten away faeries and harmful spirits.
Pentacle
A pentagram (5-point star) surrounded by a circle.
Staff
A ritual tool generally made of wood corresponding to the wand or athame, but is much longer. Generally the length of a walking stick.
Smudging
A method of burning herbs to produce smoke uses to cleanse and purify prior to a ritual or healing. Also used to cleanse area of negative energies.
Receptive Hand
The hand through which energy is received into the body; usually the opposite of dominant hand.
Evocation
To call something out from within.
Visualization
The process of forming mental images; used in the craft to increase personal power, direct energy, and set a goal for a spell or ritual.
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