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In ancient Hermetic Magic, most of the tools and ingredients of spells were only used for one spell. The tools that were used for more than one spell were taken from everyday use. In modern Hermetic magical societies, such as the Golden Dawn, most tools are used for many magical rituals and are consecrated solely for those rituals. As a modern alternative, some authorities suggest only using tools that have a specific purpose. Some of these tools are sacred by their very nature, some become sacred by repeated use and some are only sacred during their ritual use.

The altar is the focal point of the ritual and represents the foundation of belief. It's practical use is to hold the other tools and offerings. In most modern Hermetic traditions, the altar is a double cube that is painted black on the outside and white on the inside. In ancient times, the circle represented purification of the area and was simply drawn by sprinkling natron. In modern Hermetic, the circle represents the universe and is drawn with many symbols and magical names. By standing in the center of this symbolic universe, the mageos takes on the powers of a deity.

The lamp is traditionally an oil burning lamp and is used to illuminate the area, set the mood and act as a medium for any fire daimons that are evoked. The only requirement is that a lamp that is painted red should only be used for magic to Set-Typhon for such things as curses and binding spells.

The bowl is used to contain water and olive oil or water and ink for divination; water, wine, or some other beverage for libations; or any liquid as a medium for the evocation of water daimons.

The brazier or asperger is used to burn incense. Pleasant smelling incense is used to carry prayers to deities, pungent smelling incense is used to purify an area and any sort of incense can be used as a medium for evocation of air daimons.

As stated above, frequently the tools used in magic are from everyday use. Since modern use of oil lamps and braziers is rare, the modern mageos may want to consecrate some tools just for magical use. An example consecration presented in "hermetic magic" is as follows:

I, who am the holy one standing for Thoth-Hermes, do now consecrate this object, [Name the Object], to the service of holy mageia. It s now set apart from other profane things, has power over them, as the Aions, the Heavens, and the great elements rule over the thing of the earth!

This can be used as-is or modified with the names of deities from your own theology.

WORKS CITED