Essential Magical Elements.

[Lurker]

Always essential:

• Candle, how many and the color depend on the operation, but at least one white candle
• Small fire extinguisher, handy but hidden; it's there if I need it, although I'm very careful with fire
• Electric candle in place of the real candle if I expect to be doing something like going into a long trance in the Earth position, although I haven't done that in years

Almost always essential:

• Incense

For major operations:

• Main altar and an appropriate altar cloth
• Robe & ring
• Whatever else is required for the operation

What I almost never use are elemental tools.

In terms of atmosphere, in the past I've used colored lights and black lights for extra drama. I've also used binaural beats, Gregorian chants with binaural beats, and meditation videos.

 

[OberonFromTheHills]

The more i get into the occult, the more my understanding of the tool switches.

I used to think tool were useless if the magician had a strong ability to play with energy. Now i see tools as a "short cut" and a "trigger".

For instance : let's say i wanna invoke the elements and i use tarot cards to represent the elements. I don't think the card itself while hold any energy or power. But it will be a trigger for my mind to remember the element of water is behind me. I may place the magician at the center, each time i see the magician during the work, i remember i am at the center of the work.

Another example : i work in a big company and i have a name tag i work with everyday. Once a week, i might hold my nametag and using it as focus to feed the thoughtform "i am a great worker, i do my job well". While doing it, i might visualise a current of energy/a cone of power above me with my intent. The nametag (made of plastic) isn't charged at all, but each time i see it, i keep my cone of power/thoughtform going.