My symbols for the ritual tools
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 3:01 pm
A while back, I thought up some personal symbols for the four elemental weapons. I haven't made them yet, but I'll describe the symbols for anyone who wants to use them. All symbols are symmetrical.
Fire Dagger An arrow facing upwards. Near the bottom, but not actually at the bottom, are two curving lines shaped like ram's horns. Slightly above those are two branched lines, like antlers. The whole symbol resembles a flame. Inscribe the symbol either on the hilt or on the blade, facing the tip.
Water Chalice A vesica piscis starts this symbol. A larger mandorla is constructed tangential to the two circles. Erase, leaving only the original two circles and the bottom half of the large mandorla. The whole symbol resembles a heart. Inscribe the symbol on the bowl of the cup.
Air Wand A vertical line with three circles stacked atop one another, leaving room on both ends of the line. Under the bottom circle, add two curves continuing slightly from the circles, and add the same above, continuing slightly more. Above, a vague brain shape with a third eye, with simplified wings coming out the sides. The whole symbol resembles a brain and spine, or a caduceus. Inscribe the symbol on the thick end of the wand, around the grip.
Earth Pentacle A circled cross inside a square (simple, I know). The whole symbol resembles an ancient map of the world. Inscribe the symbol in the center of the disk.
If your tradition has the fire and air tools switched, I've provided alternate symbols.
Fire Wand A Latin cross with a solar circumpunct at the juncture of the two lines. At the upper quarters, add two curved shapes. The whole symbol resembles a torch. Inscribe in the same place as the Air Wand.
Air Dagger A tall, narrow, serrated leaf shape, with a line going down the middle, extending at the bottom. At the bottom of the line, a talon shape is made. The whole symbol resembles a feather. Inscribe in the same place as the Fire Dagger.
Fire Dagger An arrow facing upwards. Near the bottom, but not actually at the bottom, are two curving lines shaped like ram's horns. Slightly above those are two branched lines, like antlers. The whole symbol resembles a flame. Inscribe the symbol either on the hilt or on the blade, facing the tip.
Water Chalice A vesica piscis starts this symbol. A larger mandorla is constructed tangential to the two circles. Erase, leaving only the original two circles and the bottom half of the large mandorla. The whole symbol resembles a heart. Inscribe the symbol on the bowl of the cup.
Air Wand A vertical line with three circles stacked atop one another, leaving room on both ends of the line. Under the bottom circle, add two curves continuing slightly from the circles, and add the same above, continuing slightly more. Above, a vague brain shape with a third eye, with simplified wings coming out the sides. The whole symbol resembles a brain and spine, or a caduceus. Inscribe the symbol on the thick end of the wand, around the grip.
Earth Pentacle A circled cross inside a square (simple, I know). The whole symbol resembles an ancient map of the world. Inscribe the symbol in the center of the disk.
If your tradition has the fire and air tools switched, I've provided alternate symbols.
Fire Wand A Latin cross with a solar circumpunct at the juncture of the two lines. At the upper quarters, add two curved shapes. The whole symbol resembles a torch. Inscribe in the same place as the Air Wand.
Air Dagger A tall, narrow, serrated leaf shape, with a line going down the middle, extending at the bottom. At the bottom of the line, a talon shape is made. The whole symbol resembles a feather. Inscribe in the same place as the Fire Dagger.