The Altar and the Five Principal Magical Weapons

The altar can be a wooden table that has been ritually cleansed and inscribed with the relevant signs and sigils. On the altar a cloth marked with signs that are in harmony with the work in question is usually placed. The altar cloth can also be plain black without any markings. It is on this altar that the five principal tools that represent the Nightside elements and the kliffotic forces of the Black Thrones are kept. The five weapons or tools of our work are the following:

1. The Pentacle
   Element Earth - Manifestation - The physical and the conscious plane

   A round clay or wooden disc inscribed with the five pointed star or in some cases a cross, representing the manifestation of all elements in a "physical sense". This represents the manifestation and the manifestor of the magical will and on this pentacle symbols for that which one needs/wants to manifest in the physical/conscious level of existence are placed. The pentacle is also a shield of protection and a sort of foundation to build the different workings upon. The pentacle is consecrated in the name of Belial and charged with his formulae:

   Agilleath Tiddehmos Tlyfos Belial!
   
   

2. The Chalice
   Element Water (and Blood) - Emotional energy and Prana - The astral plane

   The best material for this tool is silver, but other materials can also be used. The chalice is the gate to the astral and the Grail of the oneiric gnosis, and often represents the womb of Lilith or the mouth of Leviathan. The chalice is a magical weapon of divination, inspiration and invocation and is the primary tool for the channelling and receiving of different currents of energy. The chalice is the womb which is seeded by will and the powers directed through the other weapons and/or the power of the Dark Gods and Goddesses. The chalice is consecrated in the name of Leviathan and Lilith and charged with the Dragon Formula:

   Tohu Tehom Theli Than Leviathan Tanin'iver Taninsam!
   
   

3. The Wand
   Element Air - Mental energy and the powers of the mind - The mental plane

   A branch from a Blackthorn is the best material for our workings, but wood from other trees can also be used. The branch must be oiled and painted according to one's understanding and will. This is tool is the amplifier of the powers of the mind and a tool to direct and control thoughts and ideas within yourself or others. The wand is also used within workings that aim at mental silence and meditation. Mental Power from within and outside the mind is directed by this tool, which is often used for divination and telepathy. The wand is consecrated in the name of Beelzebuth and charged with his formula:

   Vibarlal Dendas Tnasod Beelzebuth!
   
   

4. The Dagger
   Element Fire - Spiritual Flame and Magical Will - The spiritual plane

   Iron is the best metal for this tool/weapon and it must be a Dagger and not a knife. The Two-Sided blade is very important and the best shape for the dagger is the serpentine or 'Kriss' form. This is the weapon of spiritual illumination and power, but also of separation and destruction, and is used in workings which aim at the removal of that which stands in the way of the Acosmic Becoming. The dagger is the flaming iron of the Blacksmith God and the creation and symbol of the Fire of Spirit, which can be used to form the world in harmony with the Satanic Will. This tool is connected to deep mysteries and to the hidden gnosis of the Serpent of Flame. The dagger is consecrated in the name of Satan-Lucifer and charged with his formula:

   Lylusay Tateros Volt Sids Lucifer!
   
   

5. The Black Candle
   Element Spirit/Black Flame/Azoth - Essence of Chaos within and without

   A big black candle that is consecrated and inscribed with relevant symbols and dressed with oils and/or other fluids and different herbs, represents the fifth element of our work. This tool is the outer aspect of the inner flame and the inner aspect of the outer Black Light of the Sitra Ahra. Its flame is linked to the Fire of Lucifer and to the anti-cosmic impulse of the Nightside. To light this flame is to stand in front of the Dark Gods and to awaken the Magical Self within ritual context. The altar candle is consecrated in the name of Azerate and charged with their formula:

   Vedar-Gal Tiekals Somdus Azerate!
   
   

Beside the above mentioned principal weapons other tools can and will be needed in order to practice the Art. Some of the secondary tools of our work are:

• + Censer/Thurible (incense burner)
• + Matches (lighters should be avoided)
• + Charcoal (to burn incense)
• + Metal Bowl (used when one needs to burn parchments, sigils, images etc.)
• + Bell (used to call on the spirits)
• + Book (with blank pages)
• + Ink and Quill
• + Cord (used in works of ligature, the tracing of the triangle of the Art and knot magic)
• + Candle holders (used for the secondary candles used in the different workings)
• + Black Mirror (a window to the other realms)
• + Stylus (inscribing tool)
• + Chalk (used to trace sigils and symbols)
• + Modelling Clay (used to create talismans and other representations of magical will)

TOTBL - 218