De los delitos relativos al mercado y a los consumidores

The diagram of the ritual altar shows several different tools placed in each of the four directions. Again, use whatever tools you feel are necessary for your own practice and place them wherever you need. Review the previous information about the four direc- tions and their correspondences to get a feel as to where your own tools should go.

The athame is a small knife or sword used in ritual work. Most suggest that it be a double-edged blade and that it not be used to cut any material. It is used to cut or mark magickal space such as the circle around your altar. Because it is used to cut through the air to create a sacred space, the athame is usually considered a tool of the element of Air and it is placed in the East. Some traditions (including the one in which I began my training) put the athame in the South

because swords are forged in fire and so represent that element. Other tools that can be placed in the East are ceremonial bells and the candle snuffer.

The working candle is placed in the South. The flame of the candle represents the element of Fire and the active principle. Fire is the element of energy, and lighting the working candle is a part of the ritual in which you make clear your intention. In a practical sense, if the working candle is to be the first one lit and the last candle extin- guished, then it is good to have that candle near to you as you work. Another common tool of Fire is the wand. Because it is often wielded in the air similar to the athame, some place the wand in the East. The wand is an instrument of directed energy. When you have the need to direct your energy toward an object or toward a location, the wand can be a helpful tool to use. For me, because it is an instrument used to direct energy, the wand is a tool of the element of Fire—the symbol of active energy.

The use of the chalice in the West was discussed on page 50. Because a cup is an instrument for holding liquid, it makes sense to have the chalice in the direction of the element of Water. A vial of water that you may have blessed is also often placed in the West. Some also add a cauldron or small pot in the West, which can be used for burning objects or for mixing liquids and herbs.

North is the direction for the element of Earth. So, it makes sense to put herbs or stones in this location. Some use salt as a purifying agent in their work. Although it is very traditional to do so, I use salt very rarely. The reason being that throwing salt around inside can damage floors and carpets and using salt outside can be detrimental to some plants. I use what I call a dipping stone, which is a long shaped stone or crystal (usually green to represent Earth) that is dipped into the chalice of water. Depending on where you are working, splashing water around may not be beneficial to the furni- ture, but I have found it to be less damaging and easier to clean up than salt or herbs.

I also place my incense burner (disk) and incense in the North. The traditional placement of the incense is in the East because the smoke of the incense represents the element of Air. However, my incense burners are usually in the shape of a small disk, which is the symbol for the element of Earth, and because the incense I burn is made from plants and minerals of the earth, I prefer to place my

incense in the North. Practically speaking, I also prefer my incense to be on the far side of my altar so that I do not become overwhelmed by the smoke. Remember, practicality is an equally important factor to any ritual work.

Finally, a tool or object that represents Spirit should be placed in the center. Many use a pentagram to represent the five elements and the Craft itself. I use a pyramid, which, to me, represents the five elements (the pyramid has five sides if you include the base). The rising of four sides into one point represents the single source of the four elements.

As you can see, not all traditions or practitioners agree on the use, selection, or placement of tools for the altar. Decisions about these items must be based on thought, feeling, and also practicality. Item 27 provides is a listing of tools and placements discussed here.

Item 27. Ritual Tools

Item 27. Ritual Tools

Item 27. Ritual Tools

Item 27. Ritual Tools

Item 27. Ritual Tools

Purpose: An example of traditional Wiccan tools and their uses.

North (Earth)

Mineral or Herb

Description: Purifying mineral or herb such as salt. Use: Purification and blessing.

Censer and Incense

Description: Flat object used to hold and burn incense. Use: Purification and creating ritual space.

Dipping Stone

Description: A white or green pointed stone.

Use: To dip into the chalice water and spread around in a sacred circle for purification.

East (Air)

Athame

Description: Double-edged ceremonial knife.

Bell

Description: Ringing bell.

Use: Purification, consecration, confirmation of events. Snuffer

Description: Small cup-shaped object with handle. Use: Snuff out candles.

South (Fire)

Wand

Description: Straight object with crystal at top. Use: Directing energy, consecration, grounding. Working Candle

Description: Small candle.

Use: For stating and consecrating intention, to light space for working.

West (Water)

Chalice

Description: Cup or bowl.

Use: Holding blessed water or wine for purification and consecration.

Blessed Water

Description: Consecrated water.

Use: To be poured into the chalice or sprinkled during purification.

Cauldron

Description: Large open container.

Use: For burning objects, collecting ashes and items to throw away, mixing things.

Center (Spirit)

Pentagram

Description: Five-pointed star in circle.

Use: Marking center, grounding all other objects, focus of concentration.

Pyramid

Description: A four-sided object with a base at the bottom and point at the top.

Use: To symbolize the joining of the four elements.