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.

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.