Basic Information
A ritual tool is an instrument used in ceremonial or ritual magic. Which tools are used and for what purpose, and the significance attached to them varies from tradition to tradition. In general these will be found more in real-life occult practice than "fantasy magic" and only in those practices that place a significant value on ritual - meditative or shamanistic practices will likely ignore them altogether.
Where used, they are divided into the cardinal (or primary) tools (those regarded as basic and more or less indespensible) and lesser (or secondary) tools.
The cardinal tools are as follows:
- Athame - aligned with the element of fire and used to draw wards and direct and compell some spirits.
- Chalice - aligned with the element of water, used to hold ritual liquids including drinks and libations or substances to be enchanted.
- Pentacle - aligned with the element of earth Normally engraved onto a metal disc or a piece of parchment and worn around the neck or wielded in the left hand. Normally carries a variety of wards and serves a generally protective function.
- Wand - aligned with the element of air and used to channel and direct spirits and ritual energies. Sometimes seen as a less aggressive counterpart to the athame.
Secondary tools vary immensely, depending on the tradition, and may not play a significant part. An indicative list of secondary tools would include:
- Brazier.
- Candle
- Cauldron - in some traditions an aspect of the chalice.
- Censer
- Sacrificial dagger - used to bleed and/or kill sacrifices in those traditions that hold with such things.
- Magic circle - may be a larger aspect of the pentacle.
- Mask - used a lot in spirit mediated magic.
- Rod - depending on tradition, sometimes a smaller staff or a larger wand.
- Anything used as a speculum for scrying … which may include cauldrons and chalices.
- Staff - in some traditions an aspect of the wand … only bigger.
- Sickle
- Sword - used in some traditions as an aspect of the athame.
(note that, as above, the athame, chalice, pentacle and wand may "scale up" to the sword, cauldron, circle and staff for larger, group workings … or not depending on your tradition)
Other things, often used in occult rituals but not directly part of the rite may also be termed ritual tools. These might include:
- Amulet
- Charm
- Dowsing Rod
- Ouija board - a tool used by amateurs to aid communications with spirits.
- Poppet
- Pointing Bone - not so much a tool as a weapon, or the point/goal of a ritual
- On the Alchemy page we list some laboratory trappings and similar items that straddle the line between chemistry and magic.
Sources
Game and Story Use
- Can be used to add flavour if you are designing a system of ritual magic or need to describe a ceremony.
- Materials of construction may or may not matter, depending on the rules system … alternatively it may depend on what magical tradition you follow, or even what you think works.
- Not the unofficial name the apprentices/neophytes use for the Master of Ceremonies.