Wicca for Kids - Magickal Tools and Children

Posted by Patrick McCleary

I have been practicing the Craft for almost 13 years and have never felt comfortable working with tools but I have met many people that have a need for the focus that tools can help to provide. But the point of today's post is not necessarily on the necessity of ritual tools, rather it is on whether to introduce children to tools and if so then when they should be introduced.
I believe that this a worthwhile argument because there are some tools that can be dangerous for young children. The prime examples being the athame and the bolline. I don't know about you but I don't want my young children running around with knives. Even if I decide that they are old enough to participate in more mature rituals.
But things like wands and cauldrons are relatively harmless as long as they don't run with them. And in fact a wand hunting expedition is a great activity to participate in with your children. If you make the decision to include your children in your family tradition and in small family rituals, then you will want to give considerable thought to gathering items for the children's own altar and ritual tool box.
These tools could include, but not be limited to;

Athame (Depending on age)
Bolline (As above, depending on age)
Wand
Chalice
Cauldron
Bell
Broom
Gemstones (Both precious and semi-precious; A great example are quartz points)
Pentacle Altar Tile

And although I personally don't use tools in my own practice, I believe that it is a good thing to introduce the tools to children and to all newcomers to the Craft at the beginning. For many people find them helpful and you should not deprive them of the chance to learn about them.

Blessed Be!