Magical Materials-only the best?

[dave]

Hey dudes,

I have been in this debate many times with people. Alot of people say that practitioners of relgious magic (such as Wicca) should always use the most pure of ingredients. This means no dried herbs, no plain bought candles, etc. They say that this is because the divine is to be respected, and using artificial materials will show dis-respect. In some ways, I can see where these people are comming from, I always make sure to take my shoes of before I sit down at my altar and worship, but I usually use a typical store bought candle. I just find that purchasing expensive beeswax and making my own candles such a waste of money. Does anyone else feel this way? I seem to be fighting a loosing battle of sensibility here, but maybe it is just my opinion.

Dave

[GenevieveDawn]

I use store bought candles, dried herbs etc. and have never had a problem. I always properly dress and charge the candles, and charge the herbs as well for the reasons you mentioned. I think God/Goddess/whomever knows your intent anyway. I don't have the money for more expensive ingredients and I reckon they already know that.

[JBRaven]

Everyone has thier beliefs but this one I find silly. If you have the time and money to make all your candles that is great but it should have no harmful effects to ones magic.

[Moon_Stone]

I agree with JB. It is rather silly to think you have to make and grow all your own supplies... that may have been true when it was easier to make and obtain your items, but now that it's a craft store project and you can make somewhere around 2 candles for 15.95, it's just not too terribly worth it. As long as we remain true to the goddess and respect her in her constant state, I really don't think where or how we get our ritual supplies is important.

[Fox Flame*]

I agree. I don't think there is anything wrong with using store bought candles or pre-prepared herbs, not everyone has the time to grow herbs. But I tend cheap out when it comes to "tools", because I'm poor . My wand could be a bark from a magickal tree and my oil could be juice from a fruit or berry (if people have read my previous posts, this sounds repetitive, but I can't help it, I LOVE these tools). Overall, casting a spell is all about harnessing the energy within you first, despite what tools you use to do so.

[Skylights]

Since it's you, not the tools, that's really the only necessary attendee of the ritual or spell, I think it only matters that you yourself are pure. I always use storebought candles and incense, and a lot of my other materials are second hand. I would suggest cleansing them before use, but otherwise, you should be fine. I think most people who insist upon handmade candles, wands, incense, everything are focusing on the wrong thing.

[[Ebony Rose]]

I agree with Skylights. Candles, wands, athemes, cauldrons, are all just "tools" to help you with your magic. Its not the items you use, but the intent with which you use them.

Until I win the lottery or otherwise become stinking rich, here's what I do:

I have a regular kitchen knife that I have dedicated to be my atheme.
I have an old green ashtray that is dedicated to be my cauldron.
I use candles I pick up from dollar stores and garage sales that I dedicate for the rutuals in which they will be used.
In a pinch, I have opened a tea bag for the herbs within. Again, I dedicate the tea/herbs for the intent in which they will be used.
Sea salt can be purchased in bulk, and costs a whopping .03 a pound where I live, and can be used for any kind of cleansing and purification you need to do.

I throw my hard earned money on gems and crystals. Crystals have their own energy and since I do crystal healing, I want the energy from the different stones I use. But again, you can substitute a clear crystal for any kind of stone you want it to be by cleansing then dedicating it before you begin. After dedicating a crystal, it will remain what you dedicate it for until you cleanse and rededicate it again.

The power is within YOU.

[TheDeadlyEntity]

Yep, I agree with you all on this one, use anything you can, I fully believe its all in the mind and if you can’t get the right ingredients needed a mental image is sufficient (cant get any cheaper then that). I have heard of people doing spells on the astral plane with no need for any material items at all. This is a great idea because everything can be freshly picked and gathers within your astral work space.

[Draconis]

i use store bought items for two main reasons (theres proberly more but these are the tow main ones)

1: most 'hand-made' stuff is eitehr not hand-made or extremly expensive

2: i cant collect my own items because of my location, if i could i would

[LaFiamma]

Hey dudes,

I have been in this debate many times with people. Alot of people say that practitioners of relgious magic (such as Wicca) should always use the most pure of ingredients. This means no dried herbs, no plain bought candles, etc. They say that this is because the divine is to be respected, and using artificial materials will show dis-respect. In some ways, I can see where these people are comming from, I always make sure to take my shoes of before I sit down at my altar and worship, but I usually use a typical store bought candle. I just find that purchasing expensive beeswax and making my own candles such a waste of money. Does anyone else feel this way? I seem to be fighting a loosing battle of sensibility here, but maybe it is just my opinion.

Dave

I know it's been a while since this was posted, but heres my two bits anyway....

1. My approach to magic is as I've stated in other threads that nothing is more or less magical than anything else. Everything is magical, potential and magic are contained within everything. Therefore, use what works for you.

2. Keep in mind that EVERYTHING has "natural" origins. No matter how manmade and manufactured it is, EVERYTHING can EVENTUALLY be traced back to the earth. Plastic? It's petroleum-based. Petroleum comes from the earth.

3. Do you take off your shoes because that's how you feel comfortable worshiping? or because someone else told you it HAS to be done that way. If that's what you like doing, and that's what you feel is apropriate, great! If not...why? Are you a membmer of a specific tradition, and doing this to follow a tradition?

Seriously. I think the gods are okay with your store-bought candle. I think being able to do things like make your own candles does (or could) add to the experience for most people because you've earned the money, bought the wax, melted it down, poured or diped the candes...its your money, your time, your energy going into it. But it's not possible for everyone.

I can understand the practicality of not wanting to spend the money for such things, but what I would recommend, if it's feasible, would be to give it a shot- don't go a out and blow the bank account, but for example buy enough wax to make a few candles and see if the experience isn't beneficial to you.

I've made my own wraps for my tarot cards and runes by crocheting them from silk, and I would much rather use those than any bag I bought from a store. They're unique, they're all mine. When I handle them, I see the colors and feel the texture, they have a slight scent to them. I could never get anyhitng like them in a store. Thats my preference.

But I use store-bought candles and incense. (Let me just say, Yankee Candles? LOVE them.) One of these days, making my own candles wil be a higher prioity on my to-do list.

[PorcObby]

If your worried about disrespecting the divine think of it this way.

If a friend invites you to his home for dinner, and serves you a dinner that he bought at the store. However you know this friend doesn't have alot of money, and isn't very talented at cooking, but they've set a wonderful table and you have a good time. At the end of the night when you go home, do you feel disrespected?

If you would feel dissrespected, then I would suggest useing homemade materials.
If you wouldn't feel dissrespected, then I think the stuff from the store would be fine.