Magical Tools

The four suits of the Tarot are four magical tools: the wand, the cup, the sword, and the pentacle. These tools also correspond to directions of the compass and the four classical elements. I have my own versions of these tools, hanging up in my study as decorations. I also have the four elements written as Rikchik words, molded in plastic (gifts from my brother and sister-in-law).

I think it's kind of cool that they came from 4 very different sources - one was found, one was given to me, one was bought, and one was made by me.



My wand is on the south wall. It's my skating stick, a piece of wood I picked up in college and would carry around while I skateboarded. Below it hangs the Rikchik word for Fire, in the colors red and gold.

My cup is on the east wall. It's a candleholder I bought specifically for this purpose. A fire in a cup is the Flaming Chalice, the symbol of my birth religion, Unitarian Universalism. Below it hangs the Rikchik word for Water, in blue and silver.

My sword is on the west wall. It's a letter-opener given to me for helping officiate at my brother's wedding. Below it hangs the Rikchik word for Wind, in yellow and silver.

My pentacle is on the north wall. It's a mirror that I painted my penteract design onto. Below it hangs the Rikchik word for Ground, in green and gold.

I don't generally use these tools for any magical rituals - they're primarily decoration.
First written July 4, 2008 by Denis.