Nemeton Gwynvyd

The Seeker is required to obtain eight tools before they are to be Initiated. These tools should be presented by the Seeker to his teacher, the High Priest and High Priestess for approval at least one moon prior to their Initiation, out of respect for their position. It is also preferable that you as the Seeker has attended several meetings before Initiation so that you well know what you're entering into. There is also a tradition regarding "the Witness". The Witness is just that, a third party, who witnesses the presentation of the Seeker by his teacher to the High Priest and High Priestess and thereby verifies that it took place. The teacher could, in theory, fulfill this function if practicality dictates. Also, remember - the Tuatha Oath must be taken before Initiation.

1. THE TOOLS OF THE ART AND CRAFT

a. The Eight Required Tools: (Charged by H.P.& H.Ps. at initiation)

1. A Robe
Element: Water - The robe should be a solid color of the student's choice, with or without a hood, and may be trimmed in a contrasting color of the student's choice. The robe should slip over the head, be ankle length and loosely comfortable. After initiation, the student needs to embroider the First Degree symbol onto a sleeve or cuff (green upright pentacle on right for males, left for females).

2. Cord
Element: Earth - The cord is used to tie around the waist of the robe and to mark out the boundaries of circles when used as a compass. The cord may be constructed in one of two ways:
A. A simple rope of any color or any material - the choice is the student's.
B. Braid or weave the cord of cloth, leather, silk or plant material. The cord must have a finished overall length of 9 feet, including a loop at one end, and knots as follows: 0', 5', 6',7.5', 9'; five knots in all. Only initiates wear cords, it is a symbol of the priesthood.

3. Wand
Element: Air - Cut wand after the moon has gone dark(up to three days following). Make sure that the tree is agreeable. Some trees will "gift" you with one, so it is unnecessary to actually cut one of its branches. Acceptable trees are fruiting trees (barren hybrids are poor choices) - nuts and other seed pods are also fine. If tree is sexed, choose the female. Wand length is up to the student, but "standard" length is from outside bend of the elbow to tip of finger. Let it sit in moonlight as it waxes until the Full Moon. Strip the bark off, sand and decorate or carve. Have it charged by the initiators. Examples of runes to put on Wand:

 

 

4. Sacrificial Blade
Element: Fire - A knife (preferably double edged) with a sheath that could be hung off the cord. The knife blade can be steel,iron, bronze, copper, brass or silver. The handle is of the student's own preference (not plastic), comfortable in the hand. Wood, bone, horn, shell, metal, stone, etc. are all good choices. The sacrificial blade is to be used only for magic (not a dinner knife during the feast). It may be decorated with etching and carving. Examples of runes on Sacrificial Blade:

 

 

5. Water Chalice
Represents Water in the elemental position (west). It can be a cup, goblet, shell, bowl, etc. of any material (avoid plastic) as the student prefers. Examples of runes on the Water Chalice:

6. Salt Dish
Represents Earth in the elemental position (north). Can be a cauldron, dish, shell, plate, bowl, etc. of any material(avoid plastic) as the student prefers. Runes for Salt Dish:

7. Thurible/Censer
Represents Air in the elemental position (east).It must be able to be moved while the incense is being burned on charcoal.It can be on a stand (where a stand can be raised), but chains work best. The best materials are metals (with feet to protect altar top surface), oven proof china, stone or Pyrex glass. Examples of runes on Thurible:

8. Candlestick
"The Flame that binds us." (south).Type to be used is any to the student's preference (avoid plastic) and may hold votive, taper, pillar or sculpture candles. If using a votive, a clear cup is preferred as the candle needs to be WHITE in color. Runes on Candlestick:

b. Optional Tools To Be Obtained Later:

1. Objects or figurines representing the Goddess and God of your College or Clan affiliation.
2. A pair of candlesticks to represent the Goddess and God of your College or Clan affiliation (green and red candles, or white votives with green and red cups).
3. A loose leaf three ring binder to put study materials in.
4. A wine chalice. This is also used to drink wine out of at group meetings. If runes desired, place your own name in runes and/or a personal symbol you have chosen on it.
5. A good utilitarian knife. This is for carving,trimming wax and wicks, etc. You may name it if you wish.
6. Altar supplies - candles, incense, charcoals,oils, matches or lighter, etc.
7. A 'Clan' candlestick containing another white candle to represent the Clan or College of your affiliation.
8. An altar cloth - Student's preference, but traditionally is red.
9. A pentagram - One of the optional tools the altar can contain. This can also be an "altar stone". Excellent examples of such are meteorites and other sacred stones such as lodestones, pieces of Stonehenge, etc. (Although it is not recommended that you should chip pieces off of such sites - that's vandalism.)

 

 

10. A sword - Used like a sacrificial blade, but it's left in the altar area, never worn on side as the sacrificial blade is. In groups, it's used by the college officers. Runes are the same as the Sacrificial Blade.
11. Special use wands: ("Cangen", or "Branches")

a. Healing Wands: Made of birch or apple.Birch was made into besoms (brooms) and ritually used to cleanse the ritual areas. "Birch brooms sweep clean" is the old saying - purifying and cleansing. In ancient times, criminals were ritually beaten with birch sticks to drive out their social disease. So Birch is also traditional for a healing wand. Apple is used on a different level. It is purifying as death, fertility and rebirth. Apple protects, but allows the disease to die and then a new pattern to be planted as you "rest" in (and of)the land of the blesséd. It is also associated with healing due to its high vitamin and nutrient content of the fruit ("An apple a day keeps the doctor away!") Runes on the healing wand same as Wand.
b. Blackthorn Wand: Best used for magic involving fertility and death. It is good for negative works or when dealing with negativity. Runes for this wand:
c. Staff: Used as a wand but larger.Runes may be the same as the wand, or may reflect the deity associations of its particular use (such as D'Anu, Lugh's spear), and its runes and decorations may reflect this. It is also usual for the H.P. and H.Ps.to have staves.
d. Cane: The symbol of the scepter of the Lord of the feast, sacred to Govannon and Manawyddon. Govannon - Ale that keeps the tuatha ever young, Manawyddon - Pigs of Immortality.
e. Calling or Bell Staff: A wand or mini-sized staff with three branches. Primarily used in group meetings,it can be used in the place of the group's altar wand. Can be rapped as the wand in the rituals, or fitted with bells and shaken. Three or nine bells are appropriate. It is used to "call together the Tuatha".