Importance of Tools

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Importance of Tools

One of the more common, and controversial questions asked by those just starting down the path of Magickal practice is the importance of tools. Every "How to" book I've ever seen on Magick sets forth conditions on which tools are to be used, and how. Adding to the confusion for the beginner, there will frequently be contradictions from one book to the next as to which tools are important, and how they are to be used. Even the Elemental associations are sometimes different for tools common to two or more books. If the reader is attempting to blend Ceremonial Magick practices with Neo-Pagan practices, the water gets even more muddy. So how does one determine which tools to use in what circumstance? Are tools even necessary at all?

First, the role of tools should be understood. In the most basic sense, a tool is just exactly what the name says it is....a tool, an aid. You can work without using tools, although some people find that whatever it is they've set out to do is easier to accomplish with them, provided that they are not more of a distraction than they are of help. The purpose of a tool in Magick is to provide a point of focus, as well as to be a symbol of certain properties. Properly used, it may become a short-cut, helping you to focus on the appropriate energies and attributes with a minimum of conscious effort beyond the application of Will, and gives you a physical point for its concentration. Improperly used, it may become a "crutch." The thing of key importance is to settle on the basic attributes of a tool, then stick with them. This does not mean that your associations with a given tool cannot, should not, or will not gain more depth and detail with time and use. It simply means that if, for example, you've settled on the common attribution of the Dagger as a tool of Air, you don't turn around and start using it as a tool of Fire simply because that's the attribution the author of book x has seen fit to give it. Either substitute with the tool you've attributed to Fire, or use a different Dagger for working within that system. The downside of using another Dagger is that you will almost certainly initially cause unnecessary confusion for your subconscious by using the same symbol. For this reason, it is very important that there be definite, clear distinctions between the two.

Frequently, one of the first things a beginner will concentrate on is the acquisition of all the "proper, authentic" tools. I personally disagree with this for several reasons. First and foremost, it makes it easy to get into the mentality that you must have your tools to be able to do any Magickal work at all. This simply is not the case, and developing that kind of dependence is counterproductive. Anything which can be done with tools may be done without. Perhaps not as easily within some systems, but it can be done. Obviously, if you're doing a working utilizing the Enochian system, things will be much easier with the proper tools due to the complexity of the system, and are recommended. However, the beginner is unlikely to be starting out with something as complex as the Enochian system, and has a great deal more flexibility accordingly. The more simple the system and the work being done, the less potential or perceived need for aids and shortcuts.

Secondly, how is a beginner going to know which tools are most suitable without understanding the uses and attributes of those tools? Granted, some tools such as the Dagger are fairly common, and typically at least somewhat consistent in their attribution as a tool of Air. What to use for a tool of Fire though? Will it be a wand? A sword? What, and at least as importantly, why? These are questions that the average beginner is not going to be prepared to answer without a good deal of study and contemplation. Consideration will need to be given to both the system being used as well as personal affinities.

Lastly, and related to the prior two reasons, I believe it to be necessary and beneficial to learn to improvise in the face of adversity. I believe this is best done by learning to work without formal tools in the beginning. Get a feel for working with energy without tools before concerning yourself with incorporating them into your work, if you incorporate them at all. This forces you to think about what you are doing, and why you're doing the things that you are. It also shows you first hand that you can work spontaneously when the need arises, and gets you comfortable doing so. Furthermore, it also drives home the point that while a tool can be as complex as the Sigillum Dei Aemeth (the Holy Pantacle of the Enochian system) it can also be as simple as your own index finger. Above all, however, the mind is by far the most important tool.

Taking all the above into consideration, are tools important? They can be an important part of Magickal practice, yes. They become as important as you make them. They should not, however, define and limit that practice. One should not be paralyzed into a complete inability to work Magick if for some reason tools are not available.

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All contents of this site are © 2000-2005 except where otherwise noted, such as in the case of graphics or other content not created by Smiling Panther. Original author/creator retains all rights in those instances. All rights reserved.


	Smiling Panther's Den \| home Importance of Tools © by Smiling Panther, Oct. 6th, 2000 One of the more common, and controversial questions asked by those just starting down the path of Magickal practice is the importance of tools. Every "How to" book I've ever seen on Magick sets forth conditions on which tools are to be used, and how. Adding to the confusion for the beginner, there will frequently be contradictions from one book to the next as to which tools are important, and how they are to be used. Even the Elemental associations are sometimes different for tools common to two or more books. If the reader is attempting to blend Ceremonial Magick practices with Neo-Pagan practices, the water gets even more muddy. So how does one determine which tools to use in what circumstance? Are tools even necessary at all? First, the role of tools should be understood. In the most basic sense, a tool is just exactly what the name says it is....a tool, an aid. You can work without using tools, although some people find that whatever it is they've set out to do is easier to accomplish with them, provided that they are not more of a distraction than they are of help. The purpose of a tool in Magick is to provide a point of focus, as well as to be a symbol of certain properties. Properly used, it may become a short-cut, helping you to focus on the appropriate energies and attributes with a minimum of conscious effort beyond the application of Will, and gives you a physical point for its concentration. Improperly used, it may become a "crutch." The thing of key importance is to settle on the basic attributes of a tool, then stick with them. This does not mean that your associations with a given tool cannot, should not, or will not gain more depth and detail with time and use. It simply means that if, for example, you've settled on the common attribution of the Dagger as a tool of Air, you don't turn around and start using it as a tool of Fire simply because that's the attribution the author of book x has seen fit to give it. Either substitute with the tool you've attributed to Fire, or use a different Dagger for working within that system. The downside of using another Dagger is that you will almost certainly initially cause unnecessary confusion for your subconscious by using the same symbol. For this reason, it is very important that there be definite, clear distinctions between the two. Frequently, one of the first things a beginner will concentrate on is the acquisition of all the "proper, authentic" tools. I personally disagree with this for several reasons. First and foremost, it makes it easy to get into the mentality that you must have your tools to be able to do any Magickal work at all. This simply is not the case, and developing that kind of dependence is counterproductive. Anything which can be done with tools may be done without. Perhaps not as easily within some systems, but it can be done. Obviously, if you're doing a working utilizing the Enochian system, things will be much easier with the proper tools due to the complexity of the system, and are recommended. However, the beginner is unlikely to be starting out with something as complex as the Enochian system, and has a great deal more flexibility accordingly. The more simple the system and the work being done, the less potential or perceived need for aids and shortcuts. Secondly, how is a beginner going to know which tools are most suitable without understanding the uses and attributes of those tools? Granted, some tools such as the Dagger are fairly common, and typically at least somewhat consistent in their attribution as a tool of Air. What to use for a tool of Fire though? Will it be a wand? A sword? What, and at least as importantly, why? These are questions that the average beginner is not going to be prepared to answer without a good deal of study and contemplation. Consideration will need to be given to both the system being used as well as personal affinities. Lastly, and related to the prior two reasons, I believe it to be necessary and beneficial to learn to improvise in the face of adversity. I believe this is best done by learning to work without formal tools in the beginning. Get a feel for working with energy without tools before concerning yourself with incorporating them into your work, if you incorporate them at all. This forces you to think about what you are doing, and why you're doing the things that you are. It also shows you first hand that you can work spontaneously when the need arises, and gets you comfortable doing so. Furthermore, it also drives home the point that while a tool can be as complex as the Sigillum Dei Aemeth (the Holy Pantacle of the Enochian system) it can also be as simple as your own index finger. Above all, however, the mind is by far the most important tool. Taking all the above into consideration, are tools important? They can be an important part of Magickal practice, yes. They become as important as you make them. They should not, however, define and limit that practice. One should not be paralyzed into a complete inability to work Magick if for some reason tools are not available. Background for this page provided by: All contents of this site are © 2000-2005 except where otherwise noted, such as in the case of graphics or other content not created by Smiling Panther. Original author/creator retains all rights in those instances. All rights reserved.