The Tools, Are all of these props really required? Options

Okay, I'll be the fool for five.

In all of me 'extensive' research I'v come across several methods of evocation. The Golden Dawn seems to the the most popular.

My question is, whats with all the tools? I mean, sure I know they can help the summoner and all, but do you really need an elemental weapon for every direction as well as a sword and a dagger, in addition to a magick wand, a blasting rod, a rainbow wand, a banishing wand and well, the list goes on.

Maybe it's just me. I'm more of a simple is better kind of guy. I have one dagger. I have one bowel and a small scrying mirror. Not too big into tools, as useful as they can be. My great luxery is a sword (I love my sword! ^_^).

I have yet to do an evocation, I'm working my way up to it very slowly, but the huge amount of stuff that seems to be required (at least in popular use) is a little big baffling to me.

Are they really all required?

Sincerely, an eternal newbie.

Greetings Jabberwock!
You'll find dissenting arguments for and against throughout Ceremonial Magic. (Mostly for - elsewise why the 'Ceremony' part?) The tools , IMHO, can represent states of mind(and/or the universe) and how we manipulate the tools gives us greater insight as to the frames of reference needed to perform certain 'ceremonies'. Alot of the Sorcerous brethren disdain the use of tools and, for some, this is appropriate. If you take the time to study the tools used and their methods (and ceremonies) used to create them you will find that each tool represents a certain facet either within ourselves or in the macrocosm (the outer world). By creating the tool one gains a form of 'initiation' along the road of Ceremonial Magic. I would suggest that you should, at least, meditate fully on each tool before dismissing them out of hand as unnecessary. I hope that this will spark more interest on your journey. Good luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wizard.gif)

Yes the tools are very essential, but not necessarly the physical representations of them. Am I saying you can just use astral imaginary ones? No I am not. You do not need a golden dawn elemental earth disk to evoke, but I wouldn't do it without what the disk represents.

I also think that tools are effective. I consecrated a dagger last night using the method described in Suba's "High Magic the Elemental Adept" I physically saw the raw energy pouring through me and into the dagger. It was an amazing thing to behold.

Plus I think that tools give a solid malkuth presence to the tools of magic and help to solidify astral workings here. IMHO it is one less thing that below has to create from that which is above. Do you have to have them? No. Does an experienced wizard really need them? No.

A good analogy would be a rock climber. Expert rock climbers can ascend some routes up a rock face with no hands and some do for a challenge. Begginers must use their hands. Do the experts need to? No... however its alot easier when they do.

This post has been edited by Arcangle90: Apr 12 2006, 02:54 PM

It depends on which philosophy you're going by. I find all the complexities of the GD system to be a bit cumbersome and sluggish. It requires a lot of time and dedication to really be good at it. However aspects of it quite useful and applicable to chaos magick. Under this philosophy you may choose to use which ever tools you feel are nesseccary for directing will, control and energy over your microcosm. Really what I think matters is that you are able to focus direction over which ever energies you are using.

A friend of mine swears by anything pointy to direct and focus energy, be it a key, pocket knife, pen or bannanna. He believes as long as it holds significance to you and you are able to use it in focusing energy; then so be it.

Weeellll, I'm not so sure. The truth is, the tools are only essential because they help to direct our power. But, they're not the focus of the ritual. They're only representations of an element and or type of action. (sorry I'm trying to find the word but I'm a little lost at the moment.) What I'm trying to say is, the reason we are supposed to use tools is to help guide us into the visualization. A LOT of people become so wrapped up in the tools that they tend to over do it. Such as spending an incredible amount of money on a tool. I'm not saying this is bad, but I find that the tools can have a habit of distracting people. In the end the purpose is to be able to do the magick with out the use of tools. Having been trained to be able to only think a desired action to happen and allow it to occur. I've done the LBRP as well as other rituals with my pointer finger instead of an athame or wand. It's had the same desired effect as it would have been with any tool. I find that if believing only a certain outcome will happen if you have a certain type of tool could in the long run hinder you and make you dependent on them. *shrugs* but this is only my view on it, everyone has the freedom to practice as one wishes.

This issue regarding the usefulness of tools seems to me to be similar to the issue regarding the usefulness of rituals – because I have noticed that people who prefer not to work magick using formal rituals also prefer not to work magick using formal tools.

I also have noticed that those who prefer not to work magick using formal tools tend, in effect – and one way or another – to warn others away from using them, instead of simply stating that they (those who prefer not to work magick using formal tools) do not find them useful.

The way I've come to regard this subject now, is much like a martial art philosophy.

There was a kendo master who started out with a 3 foot long sword. As time progressed and he improved, he used a 2 foor sword, then one and a half feet, then one, then a half, until he did not need a sword any more. Not saying that the ritual tools will one day be obsolete. It's more like, a complete understanding on multiple levels for each tool, and an integration with them, so the physical tools are not really needed.

Now, with that out of the way, I also believe it beneficial to use the tools in rituals, especially formal ones, becasue they represent universal principles.

Anyway, I'm all for ritual use of the tools--the more you use them and contemplate them, the more you will understand them. The better you understand the more Powerful (?) your magick. Then you will not need them, but will understand the value of using them.

Hope that makes sense!


PAX

That does make sense to me, Jabberwock.


The essential concern I have regarding this is in light of a fad that flared up about fifteen years ago - when some people who never so much as did a basic breathing exercise jumped up onto nearby tall pieces of furniture, bared and beat their chests, threw their hands up into the air, and loudly proclaimed how they did not need tools because tools eventually could cease being necessary.

They twisted the reasoning for why some tools eventually could cease to be necessary, to proclamations that tools never are necessary. A kind of ego game started being played based upon that twisted reason - where those who revealed that they used tools were deamed somehow less spiritually accomplished, advanced, evolved, etc... compared to those who advertised that they did not need to use tools. The emphasis on whether one does, or does not, need to use tools then became associated with the analogy of whether one does, or does not, need "crutches" - which further fueled that ego game.


Note - I am not saying here that you are supporting that twisted logic with what you wrote, Jabberwock.


I am pointing out here that, given where this has gone before in the past, taking care with such reasoning is wise.

In the end, I suspect that one of the best things that could be done would be encouragement for practitioners to be clear about the purpose for tools, what they respectively represent, and how they can be useful - instead of focussing on the issue of need, which seems to invite premature proclamations of needlessness at the expense of growth.

I just thought I'd say, I've found this thread really helpful. I'm joining a pottery class at the local art center so that I can learn to make my own cup and pentacle. I want to make all my tools, but I will probably not be able to do so for the daggers and swords.

Praxis--you make a very good point. I tend to take things slowly to give myself time to find a connection with what I'm doing. Unfortunately this means my magickal studies are so slow it makes me ache at times, but on the other hand I understand a lot more (or I think I do!) and even if I don't fully understand something I have a feeling for it or a reason behind it. It is the same with the tools.

Jon Strange--I wanted to make my own tools as well! even the sword and the dagger. Unfortunately I didn't take the Wood and Metal course at my university and dont have access to the metal or wood labs. I guess I could take it over the summer or something. In the end I settled for calling a few object to myself (kinda like putting in a mystical WANTED add I guess (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)).

In the end I make my own want and my own robes! The wand is great but the robes constantly fall apart, due to my bad stitching and lack of skill in the realm of sewing.

This summer I'm taking a book making course, so I'll be able to make my own journals and books. I look forward to that.

Anyway, Strange, good luck with the cup and pentacle!



PAX

I've been having a vision of sorts. Not really a vision but an idea. Create a place where interested people can go and create their own magical tools of this sort. Provide knowledgable people and tools to help a student of the occult forge the sword and invest it with power. Carve or create the wand and invest it with power. Forge the dagger, inscribe it, consecrate it, then when the student has finished the construction of his or her tools he goes back out in the world to do magick.

Create a place where interested people can go and create their own magical tools of this sort.

That's a wonderful idea, as long as the tool creation was still a reasonably personal work. Unfortunately, I don't think there'd be enough of a market in any one place to support that sort of business. People would have to make journeys from all over to make their tools at that place. I would love to do it, though.

This post has been edited by Jon Strange: May 4 2006, 09:17 PM

I've been having a vision of sorts. Not really a vision but an idea. Create a place where interested people can go and create their own magical tools of this sort. Provide knowledgable people and tools to help a student of the occult forge the sword and invest it with power. Carve or create the wand and invest it with power. Forge the dagger, inscribe it, consecrate it, then when the student has finished the construction of his or her tools he goes back out in the world to do magick.

Great, go create such a place and if it's nearby i promise to drop by! (where "nearby" meaning sweden (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif))

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wandwizard.gif)

Well.. I already have much of the knowledge to create magical tools. I'm thinking more along the lines of a retreat not a business. I wouldn't want to put the time in that it would take to make money off of something like that. When I make money I want to MAKE MONEY not just squeak out a living. Call me greedy if you want but I'll take the road of Bill Gates any day by making great money so that I can do great things.

Sure, sign me up for a long weekend of creating as long as its not in some weird country (like usa (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif))

We'll have to set another one up in Eastern Europe as well.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/witch.gif)

Most of the people here are into Ceremonial magic or something of the sort in which tools are more important. I can't say much about that, but am interested in listening. From the witchcraft standpoint, tools aren't that important. You can work without tools easily enough. But they do normally use them. It makes it easier to do work, at least sometimes. Mostly if Im doing any piece of work I put in a request and do it with the coven, using the coven tools. I have athame, staff, candles, pentacle, cauldron, sword and the major tools I prefer using my staff for most things. I also use runes and a few minor tools. I feel more comfortable with runes than tarot cards or scrying. We were taught that we just need one reliable method of divination. I'm probably missing a few tools, but am adding things every so often. I'm not in a hurry. I'm the only one in the coven who doesn't have ten lbs of jewlery to wear to ritual, but then I'm also the only staright male in the group. lol.
Sure, ideally it would be best to make your own tools. But few of us have metal working skills. I'm pretty good working with wood as many of us are, but for metal.... well, just can't do it. Setting up a place specifically to lend people expertise to make their own tools is good. I was thinking about pioneer villages where they have trained blacksmiths for the tourists. Another possibility for finding someone with the neccessary skills is the SAC, the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Thats true. The SAC would probably be a good place to find someone with the metal working skills. I've found much of the material online and some more in the university library.

I've been thinking about the necesity of tools a little more lately. I'm doing a paper on setting and drama as they relate to mystical expiriences. I would compare a ritual without tools to a play without costumes. Will you understand the play? yes. However you will have a deeper experience and thereby be effected by the performance more if the actors have costumes. Getting into a robe and using your own tools adds to the experience of the event.

TOOLS--- for the ceremonialist are important... because they draw power from the teachings of the elder mages...because magic is called THe Great Art..and art is beautifull, is the malkuth in the ritual,and withouth malkuth(kingdom) there is no Kingdom to conquer,no sanctum regnum...they are keepers of energy and sacrality...if you are tired and a demon attacks you the Sword of Solomon is a tool that will function without your concentration...
The real mage will always make from his ritual an art,will make beautifull(tiphareth) tools and he shal not fail...the beauty of his ritual will show to the greater powers(spirits) the glory,spledour (hod) of the mage...and the fact that he has the tools it means that he conquered malkuth(he has material possibilities and potences) so only then the road to yesod is oppened...
the ones who disregards the importance of the tools will never grow too far...because they do not have the base of malkuth unto wich they may modelate the cubic stone of yesod...[b][i]
I think I was clear as hell... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush2.gif)

This post has been edited by Eroscupidonamor: Aug 11 2006, 07:48 AM