Lesson Five: The Tools of the Trade
Different skills take different materials. For example, I have several rune sets, candles, and associated tumbling stones. The Mediator has tarot sets and notebooks full of ghost communications. The Protector is sort of a combination of both of us. But there are some things that every psion/psychic/witch should keep around. I have most of this stuff on a shelf on my bookcase. If I’m going on an investigation or (gods help me) a sleepover, I gather all my supplies up, throw them into a bag, and know I’m ready for whatever comes my way. So here’s what you should have on hand for any situation:
Amethyst: this purple crystal has strong protective qualities. You can get it cheap at a science or geology store. I have a chunk of raw crystals for $3.00, and several tumbled stones for $0.20 each.
Sage: You can buy this spice at a cooking store. However, I think it works better if you pick it yourself. Luckily I have some growing outside, and was able to dry it in my room. It’s also protective, and crumbling a leaf and casting it around helps purify an area. Smudging is also good for cleansing, but there’s the problem of fire alarms…
Salt: Yes, just regular salt. This is protective and symbolic of the element of earth. It can be used to help cast a circle, and generally no one will notice if you toss a little on the carpet. Earth is also used, but that’s more suspicious indoors.
Flashlight: Depending on what you’re doing, you might be in the dark. This may seem very mundane and boring, but hey – you’re not exactly going to be conjuring light out of nowhere.
Candle and matches: Some entities feed off electrical energy. I’ve heard accounts of batteries being drained. Therefore, your flashlight might not always work. Also, a plain white candle can be used for almost any basic candle magic.
Change of clothes: I’ve been stuck inside a room all night. Or you could be exploring some old house or something and get dirty. Again, very mundane, but a good idea.
Food: Magic takes a toll on your energy. Food can boost that up – especially natural, no preservative food. Fruit or nuts is a good idea.
Water bottle: Again, magic can make you thirsty. And you may need water if you’re stuck somewhere indefinitely.
And finally, the most important objects you can have:
A notebook and pen/pencil.
No, I’m not kidding. Recording experiences, spells invented and tried, creatures seen… that’s all part of the learning process. Having things written down helps you organize your part of this crazy universe. Trust me. You’ll treasure that little notebook later.
So there you have it. The very basic introduction to the world of magic and the paranormal. Now that you have an idea of what’s going on, you can start learning some actual skills. But – and I can’t stress this enough – be careful. It’s a nasty place out there, and not all the monsters are stories.
