~ THE PENTACLE ~
The Pentacle is the Sacred Symbol of The Witch. It symbolizes the 5 Elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit. The point faces directly up and the shape resembles and symbolizes an open-armed, non aggressive friendliness. A Pentacle symbol would be your first acquisition being worn at all times for protection. Although out of sight it would be easily produced to a sister witch, or brother wizard.

~ THE WiTCHes CLOAK ~
The Witches attire is borne from necessity. In days of Olde women would wear smock dresses. When meeting friends at night a dark cloak would be worn both to camouflage and to warm. The cloak would also contain secret pockets to carry necessary items.

~ THE ATHAME ~
This Tool is used for directing energy. Traditionally a Sword or Dagger made of iron, considered a substance from the Deity's because of its discovery and association with meteorites and rocks. The Athame is a Strong & Potent Symbol for Directing Energy & Protection, as well as serving the Witch in other practical ways.
These days to carry an Athame in a public place is a punishable offence and we believe, rightly So. It is OK to have a ceremonial Athame in your home and for use on your land or permissively elsewhere. The Witches of Ely however do not sell these potentially dangerous weapons. We prefer to use the Athame Wand which is detailed below.

~ THE WAND ~
This Tool is also used for Spirit Invokation & Directing Psychic Powers & Energy.
Traditionally a Magick Wand is made by choosing a suitable piece of wood. Go for a walk in a copse, wood, forest or anywhere there are trees and look around. Oak & Willow are popular although ultimately, the choice is yours. You may find a detached branch that is just right. Thank the Tree Spirit vowing your "just cause" and return to your workplace.
If you cut your Staff from the tree you must 1st seek permission from the tree's owners, and 2nd, from the Tree Spirit. You must explain your need truthfully and declare your "just cause". If the Tree is in agreement you will be allowed your "wood". Thank the Tree Spirit in a more personal way. Some leave silver or a crystal, some plant flowers or herbs around the tree, all pay due respect..!

~ THE ATHAME-WAND ~
Tool also used for invoking Spiritual Powers & Directing Psychic Energy. The Athame Wand is a cross between the Athame and the regular Wand but contains a Direction Crystal at it's tip, or hilt. It may have an iron or steel point for scribing & cutting and will have a protecting sheaf for when not in use. The Athame-Wand is the chosen Athame of The Ely Witches.

~ THE STAFF ~
Used to Aid Nature Walking. Also used as Tool for Clearing your path, Physically & Spiritually. As with the Wand, go for a walk in a copse, wood, forest or anywhere there is trees and observe. You may find a detached branch that is just right. Thank the Tree Spirit vowing your "just cause" and return to your workplace.
If you cut your Staff from the tree you must 1st seek permission from the tree's owners, and 2nd, from the Tree Spirit. You must explain your need truthfully and declare your "just cause". If the Tree is in agreement you will be allowed your "wood". Thank the Tree Spirit in a more personal way. Some leave silver or a crystal, some plant flowers or herbs around the tree, all pay due respect..!

~ THE MEDICiNE STAFF ~
The Medicine Staff begins as a regular Staff. As you collect various natural treasures on your Nature Walks you will attach them to your Staff. You also scribe your alchemist formulas & secrets in "Runic Code" on it shaft. As the Staff becomes less useable as a Staff it becomes your Power Staff and is used in its own Right to summon and direct Sacred Powers. Good things to watch out for are feathers, animal hair and remains, interesting stones & gems.

~ THE CRYSTALs ~
Crystals are a natural earth treasure and have always commanded awe and admiration from mortal minds with just reason. Cystals are made of violent earthly convulsions and extreme physical conditions. Crystals are the for-runner of coins and remain powerful, valuable icons and will serve an owner for the rest of their lives, or traded for mutual gain.
Crystal have many values and forms being used as Jewelry or for Healing, Dowsing & Scrying, Protection, Concentration, Power Directing & more.
All the uses have one thing in common in that they attempt to harness the undeniably awesome, natural power of Crystals.

~ THE TAROT CARDs or LiFE BOOK ~
The Tarot is the Eternal Open Guidance Book. In the Tarot you is all the stories and songs ever written, and those yet to come. It contains within the story of us all, in whole and individually. The Tarot Deck contains 22 Major Arcana cards representing peoples & positions, values & visions. With the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana they complete the variables that go together to tell our life's story, past, present & future. The Tarot is the Book of the Lover & the Joker, the Captain & the King, the Man and the Woman. It is revered as the Pagan Bible.

~ THE RUNEs ~
The Runes are used as a Visual guide for making decisions and are the predecessor of today's letters & words. Initially Runes is a Germanic word describing recognizable symbols, letters and words used in the time before the Roman Invasion and domination of the known world. There are distinguishable Rune Sets but in days of olde, every tribe would re-invent their own Runic Codes to protect their Sacred Secrets. Runic Symbols were, and are used as an aid to predict future events being pulled or thrown to reveal randomly unique messages, an insight from the Unseen Powers. Rune Symbols are also inscribed on Sacred, Ceremonial & Ritual Instruments to aid invoking the Spirits.

~ THE BELL ~
The Bell is used to Ring out good cosmic vibrations. In Ritual work it is used to summon the Deity's, Spirits & Powers. The Bell is also used in the making of music or the musical backing of celebrational singing. Every body has their own resonating frequency and a Bell should be heard before acquiring.

~ THE WiNDCHiME ~
A windchime is also used to monitor cosmic vibrations and give out good ones. It is also an audible amplifier for prevailing wind conditions and a form of intruder alarm being hung from trees across walkways and entrances.

~ THE CHALiCE ~
The Chalice is for Ceremonial thanksgiving gestures and is Symbolic of the Female.
Your Chalice is more than your personal drinking cup. All Cups are treasured being kept clean as your health and that of you and your family & friends would depended on it, then, as now.
When you do Ritual Work use a special ceremonial Chalice. In days of yore this may have been wood, metal or glass, depending on your personal position & circumstance. A Chalice will be special to you and be a suitable item to "Toast the Deity's.

~ THE CENSER & OiL BURNER~
The Censer is a device used for burning types of incense material.
An Oil Burner is a receptacle suitable for heating an Oil and Water solution.
Incense is used in all religions and is a powerful enhancement to Rituals & Celebrations. Scents are chosen for their individual qualities and suitability to their intended use. Seasonal Scents will be used for yearly celebrations whilst others for reasons associated with your Ritual or purpose. Coming in all possible varieties these days, you are free to concoct a feast of aromas for your individual Celebration.
Today Incenses are obtainable in stick form which burns slowly and requires no more than a simple holder with suitable small hole which is easily made or found naturally in wood or stone.

~ THE CAULDRON ~
The Cauldron is for alchemy and when heated initiates magickal transformations.
The Witch of Olde would have a cauldron for cooking and in it would go the ingredients of the family meal of meat & vegetables. A Sacred Cauldron would have been used for herbal remedies & to give tokens of thanks in Celebrations & Rituals.
In both cases it is a Sacred & Valued item being well looked after.

~ THE WHiTE HAND KNiFE ~
The White Hand Knive is for use in the kitchen, and in the Circle. It is used for cutting of vegetable, plant and animal materials for cooking & alchemy. White is the traditional colour associated with the good Witch although a light colour wooden handle knife could be seen as a natural substitute.

~ THE PESTLE & MORTAR ~
The Pestle & Mortar is a small, strong bowl and similarly strong stick made of a hard wearing material suitable for grinding herbs, seeds, nuts, plants, leaves, minerals animal parts and anything else required in the Witches Kitchen or Circle. These days the finest Pestle & Mortars come in Stone, Ceramic, even Marble and are as useful now, as then.

~ THE SCOURGE ~
A Scourge is a whipping device smaller but similar to a cat'o'nine tails and was used for beating the dust from household linen, clothing and other materials. The Scourge was also used for administering punishments and some use it for Symbolic Ritual purpose's symbolizing pain and divine retribution. The Witches of Ely do not use or own this item.

~ THE BESOM BRUSH & BROOMSTiCK ~
The Besom Brush is used to sweep away any bad energy's from within the Magic Circle. It is also symbolic of tidiness & cleanliness and no worthy Witch would be without one. The Broom over the years has become symbolic of Speedy Travel because of it's use as an imaginary beast that is ridden like a hobbyhorse by children and at Happy Celebrations.