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To take in the life force in all the creatures around us, turning the power within it, directing it as you will, into another person...Or into say, a doll.
— Mary Sibley[src]


Witch's tools are ordinary objects empowered through magical means by witches, usually to cause harm.

Items

The practice of magic requires the use of external support to focus and improve a spell or ritual. Although the most powerful witches are capable of doing that through sheer force of will, the following are considered essential tools in witchcraft. Although these tools are primarily used by witches, others have proven proficient in the use of similar products. From the Tools of Power enchanted by a shaman for John Alden [1] to cunning use of spells and potions. [2]

Book of Shadows

Main article: Book of Shadows (object)

A Book of Shadows, also known as grimoire, is a journal documented with magical recipes, rituals, and spells as well as personal thoughts, goals and opinions. With the right spell, only the owner can read the contents.

Candles

A block of solid wax with an embedded wick that is commonly lit to amplify a witch’s spell. Candles are one of the most basic tools used by witches in various rituals and spells. Several spells and rituals require the use of candles, which are sometimes required to be of a certain colour, or smeared with hair, blood and herbs. [3]

Casting Stones

Crystal stones similar to amethyst or another kind of quartz stone found by Increase Mather in a secret compartment in Mab's office. They are probably used to practice divination or for casting spells, hence their name. The stones, hidden in a little cloth bag, were hidden along with other witch's tools.[4]

Cauldron and cup

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Witch's blood gathered in a sacred goblet to consecrate the vessel

A metal pot that is commonly used to concoct ingredients for elixirs and potions. Tituba and Mary Sibley used a copper pan to dry the hand of Alexander Corwin.[5] Similarly, a cup or goblet is used for collecting liquids and beverages, but also sacrificial blood. Sebastian Von Marburg gathered blood in a cup during to represent the witches' union and the Earth womb at the Dark Baptism.[6]

Ceremonial dagger

A double-edged blade that is commonly used to perform spells and sacrifices. An important dagger is that used by Baron Sebastian Von Marburg during the final stage of the Consecration to collect the witches' blood in a blessed golden cup.[6]

Herbs, roots and powders

Main article: Potion Brewing
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Herbs and powders on a table

Plants and roots have been employed for centuries for their medicinal properties and witches use them to brew their potions and perform their rituals. Collected under certain astrological influences, each herb has a certain property crucial to the outcome of the spell.

Personal items

A witch can use any object owned by a person to cast spells or curses. In order to blame Isaac Walton of witchcraft, Magistrate John Hale filled his pockets with ordinary items such as pieces of jewelry. According to Cotton Mather, witches use parts of corpses for their spells and potions. This turned out be true when Mary and Tituba used the severed finger of Alexander Corwin to manufacture a compass leading to his killer. To avoid drawing unwanted attention, witches steal body parts from the unwanted dead tossed in the crags. Mercy Lewis fashioned a knife out of a rib.

Poppets and dolls

Main article: Poppet
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Mary hexes Anne with a doll

Figurines used to represent the target of a witch's hate. Dolls are usually crafted by the witch and filled with previously mentioned items such as personal belongings, herbs and empowered through sacrifice. Any harm done to the doll will reflect on the target.

Witch's shaft

Main article: Witch's shaft

A wooden shaft used to pleasure oneself or others in order to climax and project a body double. Powerful witches such as Countess Von Marburg seem to be able to perform these spells without resorting to this "rudimentary" tool.[7]

Instruments

Peculiar items and resources used to increase magical power or to carry out specific rituals are listed below. These tools are apparently unique in their kind and some are considered as sacred objects. Among the sacred objects are also the relics needed for important rituals, such as the Grand Rite to consecrate the earth awaiting the rise of the Dark Lord.

Clock of the Doom

Main article: Clock of the Doom
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The Clock of the Doom

The Clock of the Doom is a bewitched orrey, a complex instrument that measures and regulates the movement of stars and planets. It was used by Mary Sibley to calculate celestial movements conducive to the steps of the Grand Rite.

Familiar

Main article: Familiar

A Familiar is a lower demon in the guise of an animal received upon sealing a deal with the Devil. The familiar lives to serve their witch as a constant reservoir of blood and to perpetrate their evil deeds.

Malum

Main article: Malum

The Malum was an ancient relic in the shape of a golden apple used to cleanse and consecrate the Earth by spreading a supernatural plague, a key-object to complete the Grand Rite. The Malum is kept in an inlaid box, a kind of Pandora's box used to unleash indescribable horrors.

Traveler's Mask

Main article: Traveler's Mask
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The witch Anne Hale with her father's traveling mask

The Traveler's Mask is a mysterious artefact that allows a witch to teleport to any location they may desire, especially the wilderness. John Hale and his daughter, Anne were the owners of this peculiar mask.

Valerian Trinket

A Valerian trinket is a pendant necklace filled with valerian root that protects its wearer from witchcraft. According to Mary Sibley, this tool is part of a Witch Hunter's repertoire.

Water charm

Main article: Water charm

Water charm is a small horn-shaped glass vial enchanted to act as a magical warning sign. This vial, containing part of the water used as a conduit for a specific spell, is a great system for keeping track of the sign left by a witch's spell.

Witch's Knot

Main article: Witch's Knot

Witches can assert control over reality through strings and ropes that bind the movement of a person as well as the winds. [8] Mercy Lewis played cat's cradle with her friend Alice Land to focus her power on Alice's uncle and break his limbs at each movement of the string. [9]

Trivia

  • Mary Sibley owned a box storing personal items from witches of her hive and used the items to control them.
  • In "The Beckoning Fair One", Sebastian handled some tarot cards in Mary's boudoir as he waited for her.

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Navigations

References

  1. Brannon Braga & Adam Simon (writer) & Allan Arkush (director). July 13, 2014. "Blood Kiss". Salem. Season 2. Episode 2. WGN.
  2. Elizabeth Sarnoff, Tricia Small (writer) & Alex Zakrzewski (director). May 4, 2014, 2014. "In Vain". Salem. Season 1. Episode 3. WGN.
  3. Donna Thorland & Adam Simon (writer) & Joe Dante (director). July 13, 2014. "The Beckoning Fair One". Salem. Season 2. Episode 7. WGN.
  4. Jon Harmon Feldman (writer) & Alex Zakrzewski (director). June 8, 2014. "Departures". Salem. Season 1. Episode 8. WGN.
  5. Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson (writer) & Alex Zakrzewski (director). July 13, 2014. "From Within". Salem. Season 2. Episode 3. WGN.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Donna Thorland & Adam Simon (writer) & Alex Zakrzewski (director). July 13, 2014. "Midnight Never Come". Salem. Season 2. Episode 12. WGN.
  7. Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders (writer) & Nick Copus (director). July 13, 2014. "Ill Met by Moonlight". Salem. Season 2. Episode 6. WGN.
  8. Adam Simon & Brannon Braga (writer) & David Von Ancken (director). April 20, 2014. "Our Own Private America". Salem. Season 1. Episode 7. WGN.
  9. Brannon Braga & Adam Simon (writer) & Nick Copus (director). November 2, 2016. "After the Fall". Salem. Season 3. Episode 1. WGN.
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