The most important aspect to realize about tools, in my opinion, is to understand they are not absolutely necessary to anything you do within the Craft. The most important tool is the individual's heart and mind. A finger makes a great wand; an outstretched arm can cut as cleanly as a knife or sword in a ritual; cupped hands upraised for a chalice can add an element to a ritual that a metallic object often cannot.
These tools which most Pagans feel they must have simply act to focus our energy and mindsets to the task at hand, and it satisfys the "old mind." The ritual tools "please" our old mind, giving the old mind what it wants so that it will open the door for merging.
When gathering together your tools, don't feel hard-pressed to spend so much money you go broke, nor should you haggle or bargain with the shopkeeper for a lesser price, pay what is asked, if it is within your means. State your need and intention to the Universe; call your tools to you; then live in a state of constant awareness. The tool which chooses you may not be quite as you envisioned it, but it'll be all the more powerful for having identified itself as "yours."
Some of your craft tools can be made by you. For instance, your wand and robe.
See Project:
Making your own Robe.
One more "tool," that many may not see as such, is the name an individual takes upon initiating into the Craft. Due care should be taken when choosing a name, so that it reflects that which you are or strive to be at your innermost core. This can be accomplished in many ways, the best being during a dream walk where the name is given to you by the Ancients, your totem, or familiar. If meditation, reflection, and dreams do not lead you to a name, one can be chosen numerologically by assessing missing numbers in your name and creating a name made of them, in order to bring their influence into your life. You may desire to bring a particular and specific influence into your life; again numerology can help you to choose your name and spelling. A name can also be created by combining names or syllables of a name of someone whose attributes you wish to emulate with a name or syllable symbolic of your present state. I would caution against taking a deity name in whole as a Craft name, especially as one just steps onto this path. To do so often assures the individual of being presented with situations and people that will bring about experiences and attributes of that deity. This can often be too overwhelming for the neophyte, who then turns away from the path in search of something easier; never realizing that he brought the burden down upon himself.
Now that we have mentioned the Craft Name, let me go one step further and mention your Secret Name. This is one that you identify with privately. This name is never shared. The only time it is used in when you are in personal ritual. It is the name that safe guards you against your enemies. One that identifies you with your personal diety. It should identify your higher SELF, your god-self, as it were.
My teacher gave me this little chant to use every night when I went to bed: "Oh, my self of Selves, I wish to know my own true name, the name that is my own, bring it to me as I slumber and let me know it when I awake."
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