Elemental Magic: Tools of Spirit

In today's post, I will discuss some of the few tools associated with Spirit and how you can use them in your practice. Many of these tools were hinted at or discussed when I introduced you to some of the folklore surrounding Spirit. However, this post is more of a correspondences type list that you can use to quickly plan spells. There are not types of Spirit in this post, as I didn't want to discuss actual spirits themselves as that is not what this element is about. For your pleasure, I have also included a free 3-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Enjoy!

Besom: The besom or broom is the quintessential symbol of the witch, especially the hedgewitch, as witches were said to fly by night to the Sabbath. The besom can be used during hedge riding and astral projection, for protection, or to symbolize hearth and home.

Circle: Circles are amongst many of the symbols of Spirits. Use circles in your spells and rituals for protection, raising energy, trapping energy, or encompassing a spell. Circles can also be used to symbolize beginning at the end or what goes around comes around.

Clear Quartz: Clear quartz is an amplifier of magic and can replace just about any crystal in a spell or ritual. Use quartz to strengthen the components of a spell, connect to the spirit world, or amplify your energy during spell work. Clear quartz can also be charged for protection and worn or carried on your person.

Cord: Cords are used to tie or link things together. They are perfect for creating Witch's ladders, love spells, and even binding spells. Often times during a handfasting, individuals have their hands tied together to symbolize their union aka tieing the knot. Cords, both physically and astrally, can be cut to sever the bond between two things, especially between people. 

Familiar: The familiar is a spirit that can take the form of an animal to aid a witch in their magical workings. The vast majority of pets are not familiars (I hate to burst you bubble!). Instead, you are more likely to find familiars in the Otherworld nowadays, much like an animal guide. Familiars can help you cast spells, sever cords, perform shadow work, soul search, mend past traumas, keep an eye on loved ones and enemies, and even aid in cursing and hexing. 

Infinity Symbol: Spirit is infinite, a part of the neverending cycle of birth and rebirth. Use the infinity sign in your magic to have a spell never end. To break the spell, simply break the infinite sign.

Helix: The helix, especially the double helix, represents the instructions for life. All living things contain genetic material in the form of DNA and RNA. Both of these nucleic acids have a helical shape, thus represent the fundamental piece of life itself. Use images of the helix in your magical workings to represent perseverance, change, and everlasting life as our DNA is passed down to our children and grandchildren, ensuring we "live" forever.

Major Arcana in Tarot: Each of the major arcana in tarot is associated with the element Spirit. However, each card represents something different and therefore has different magical associations. For example, Justice can be used in spells to bring about justice and fairness while the Tower can be used to bring about sudden change, upheaval, spiritual awakenings, personal transformation, or general chaos. 

Meteorite: A meteorite is a fragment of rock that originated in space before falling to Earth. As such, they have the capability to channel the energy of the Universe into your magical workings. Use meteorites to clarify your purpose, divine the future, seek inner visions, awaken your Spirit, and even communicate with beings beyond our realm.

Rainbows: Rainbows should up in an earlier elemental post as well, but Spirit is often defined as a rainbow of color, so I felt the need to include rainbows here as well. Rainbows are formed by light passing through a prism, usually water droplets when found naturally. Rainbows have an array of magical symbolism, including hope and joy, and are thought to act as a bridge between our world and that of the Otherworld. Use rainbows to connect with the Otherworld, communicate with the dead, inspire hope, and bring about joy. To read more about rainbow magic, check out A Witch's Guide to Rainbow Magick and Working With Rainbows by Autumn Zenith at Witchcrafed Life.

Spiral: The spiral is the eternal sign of creativity and organization within the universe. The spiral is the symbol of spiritual development, being deeply associated with shamanism, mysticism, magic, and ritual art and dance. The spiral represents the progression to a higher level of consciousness, transcendence if you will. Use the spiral in your magical workings to represent this path of transcendence, rebirth, growth, evolution, release, creativity, or the cosmic dance.

Stang: The stang is a pronged wooden staff commonly used by practitioners of traditional witchcraft, especially hedgecraft and Seidhr. The stang can be naturally forked, or a fork can be created with antlers or other forked objects. The stang can be used to divine water, direct energy, represent masculine energies, or aid in travel to the Otherworld. In some traditions, the stang is used much like the broom or besom for witch's flight.

Wheel: The wheel, much like the circle, represents the everlasting dance of birth and death. Usually viewed as an eight-spoked wheel, we see this imagery appear in the Wheel of the Year. Use the wheel in spell work to represent the endless cycle of life and death, add endlessness to your spell, or have your spell last at least one turning or more of the wheel. If you wish to break the spell before the time is up, simply break the wheel.

World Tree: The World Tree, also known as Yggdrasil, is the tree that connects each of the realms together, including our own with that of the Otherworld. The World Tree is often used by hedgewitches, Seidhr, and other shamanistic practitioners to travel through the different realms and can aid in spirit flight. In Norse mythology, Odin was said to have hung from the World Tree to learn the secrets of the runes. Much like Odin, the World Tree can be used for astral travel and the seeking of knowledge, especially those that pertain to the magical arts. World Tree imagery can also be used in spells to represent longevity, immortality, strength, protection, and steadfastness.  

And there you have it. A complete list of the tools of Spirit! Below is a free 3-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows.

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit

Putting It All Together

Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:

Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air

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