Most people assume that when they walk into a witches house that they will  see a big cauldron bubbling on a fire, a cat in the corner (probably black) looking at you as if you were something she would most definitely not drag in, possibly a bundle of herbs hanging from the ceiling, a skull on the desk, bottles full of magical stuff, books, rocks in every corner, a broom, mortar and pestle, a pointy hat, a crystal ball, a pentagram and candles, this, after all is what we’ve been taught to expect by books and movies for years, oh and don’t forget the huge crooked nose with the wart on it

The truth however is not that far from fiction, let’s starts with the cauldron and the things bubbling inside, it is most probably soup (even a witch has to eat).  Potion recipes have been handed down for generations from mother to daughter that call for things like, eye of a bat, skin of a snake wing of bat etc, these names have been used by witches for centuries to describe certain herbs and parts of those herbs, why the strange names you may ask?  Much of a witches “power” lies in the mystery behind the knowledge that she’s accumulated over the years and inherited from her elders, and there is nothing mysterious about being offered a nice herbal tisane to improve your mood, it’s a whole different matter to be offered a potion containing Ears of a Goat (St. Johns Wort), Paw Of Cat (Catmint Leaves), and Rat’s Tail (Valerian Root). 

A Witches knowledge of herbs  is one of her most important tools, the knowledge of which herbs are poisonous what can be used for a sore throat, which herbs to avoid when someone is pregnant, where to find specific herbs, when the best time is to plant them and last but not least what are the magical properties of each herb. The importance of herbs also explains the bundles of herbs hanging around and all the bottles with the funny stuff in them.  The best way to preserve a herb is by drying it and you can’t go drying it outside in the rain now can you, once it is dried you mix it with other herbs to make salves, salts, oils and all things magical. 

All witches have a familiar (a cat usually) an animal to keep them company and to share there instincts with the witch.  Their senses are much sharper than any humans and they can tell you straight away when something is off or when there is a spirit hanging around, when someone is coming and whether that person have good or bad attentions towards you, animals seem to have an innate understanding of magick.  They can also tell you when someone is sick and give you an idea of what wrong with them never mind when bad weather is on the way so that you can bring in the laundry before it is all drenched.  And yes a familiar is smarter than the average bear and not be snivelled at they demand respect and will usually just show up at your door one day accepting you as their partner and friend.

The skull is just a bit of decor, it’s all about the image you see, people expect a certain amount of mystery and strangeness when they visit a witch for her help, they want you to be a little strange, it makes them feel better. And off course they need not know that when you turn the skull over the mysterious markings on the bottom read “made in China” ,  when it comes to all the old and worn books all over the place, witches are always learning new things, and often re-learning old things there will usually be a spell book that has been handed down for generations with writing and scribbles and notes, and loose papers everywhere., A good witch never just take something for granted they experiment with it learn more and improve.  As for the “rocks” they are there because each one of them have magical vibrations and a witch know what each crystal is good for, you get crystals that are good for all kinds of ailments, and crystals that help with love, luck, self respect an almost anything else you can think of. 

The broom serves two purposes, it is often used to clear a place of old energy, you know when you open the windows in spring time in order for the wind to blow through the house and everything feels more alive than before, well the broom is used for the same thing, and secondly the most mysterious use for a witches broom is to sweep dust off the floor. You can off course also fly with your broom; most airways will not give you too much trouble when you ask to take it along as carryon luggage on your flight.

Then come the crystal ball, or tarot cards, they are there to help you get answers, it is usually the feeling that comes along with glimpses of images and knowing how to interpret them that helps the witch with predicting something.  Yet nothing on this earth is written in stone if you choose to change your destiny you can do that and even the lines on the palm of your hand can change over time in correspondence to your new destiny.

The pentagram is a symbol of protection and was given to king Solomon by Arch Angle Michael, in the beginning is was also the symbol of protection for all Christians until some priest decided that it was evil and replaced it with the cross.  It has five corners representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit reminding us that all these elements work together and is in perfect harmony at all times.
Then comes the candles it is not only good for light but you can send your intentions into a candle and as it burns that intentions is carried to the universe on the wings of angels, don’t blow it out for you will blow away the magick.