Making the Tools of the Magical Trade Part II

Swords and Knives

Swords were used before gunpowder as the weapon of choice for warriors. The concept of a sword to us is that it is wielded within the spirit world to keep bad energy and negativity at bay. With sword in hand, you are the master or mistress of your domain, and you rule your circle of magic with your spiritual weapon. You can make your own sword, or athame. Purchase the metalwork from a New Age store or from a sword specialist. Find crystals that represent what you want your sword to do and affix them to the sword. If your athame already has crystals on it, you can charge them with your energy.

Cauldrons

Iron kettles typically serve as cauldrons. You can make your own symbolic cauldron out of any bowl-shaped object, including large stones or crystal geodes.

Magic Cord

A magic cord is a rope that binds you to magic. Ideally, your nine-foot-long magic cord should be made from strands of red (the color of life) wool, or ribbon, braided and tied into a loop at one end to signify feminine energy, and left loose at the other end to represent male energy. If you are braiding your own magic cord, start your braid with three strands that are fourteen feet long to achieve the nine-foot-long cord. To compound the magical quality of your cord, weave crystal beads into the strands. I recommend using clear quartz crystal beads because they are energy amplifiers. Other meaningful crystals you might want to include are citrine for grounding, amethyst for improved intuition and psychic ability, blue lapis for creativity, rose quartz for love, and jade for prosperity and success in work.

Magic Bottles

Spell bottles, or magic bottles, have been around since the 1600s and were often filled with hair, nails, urine, or blood. Now, they are used to empower us and they also serve a more decorative purpose. Though their popularity has waned since the Elizabethan age when they were known as “witch bottles,” they are still used for a variety of intentions. You can customize your own spell bottle with crystal stoppers. Put one in the garden to help keep your plants healthy. A spell bottle on the mantel will protect your home. One next to your bed will bring love and happiness. A bottle in the kitchen will guard good health. Spell bottles are used for protection primarily, but you can also put symbols of your dreams and desires in them: cinnamon for the spirit of life, a rose petal for peace, or rosemary for remembrance. Make your own magic bottle by filling it with symbolic objects and inscribing the sigil of your choice into the lid or cork top.

For a peaceful and secure home, gather a teaspoon of soil from outside of your house and put it in a bottle with some smoky topaz or brown jasper. Put the bottle into a potted plant near the entrance of your home, and think about the sanctity of your home every time you water the plant. As your plant grows, so will the tranquility of your residence.

A bottle with a rosebud or rose petal, rose essential oil, and rose quartz next to your bedside will help with love. For six days, take oil from the bottle and burn it in a pink candle. On the seventh day your romantic prospects will brighten.

For luck with money, place three pennies and some pyrite or jade in a bottle and put it near your workplace. Whenever you think about your finances, shake the magic bottle and your fortune should improve in three days.

Purification Broom

A purification broom can be used to purify any space, usually a home space. You can use a home purification broom to clear away bad energy after a fight with a loved one, or if you are feeling blue and want to sweep away the sad feelings. Rid negative energy from your personal space with your broom. You can even sweep the “blahs” out every morning to freshen your surroundings. This makes room for good energy you want to bring into your life. You don’t need to clean intensely—just symbolically sweep to maintain your home as a personal sanctuary.

You can make your own purification broom. A broom purchased from a craft fair or broom-maker will serve you fine, as long as you add energy to it. Or, you can bind straw to a fallen tree branch and create your own. Use copper wire to attach the straw to the stick. Copper is associated with Venus, and this will lend an aura of beauty as you brush away negativity. Attach crystals to the handle or to the wire for further energy.