Index Page
ROBES:
The burning times have passed and Witches now live in more open and tolerant times. It is true therefore, that we no longer have a need for long hooded cloaks that afford good disguise. It is also true that we now may speak our real names openly and without fear, and so there is no longer the need to take on a coven name which hides our true identity. Nevertheless, traditions are things which keep alive our heritage and remind us of the way we have arrived or progressed to the present. This is no less a truth for Witches. Therefore, we continue to wear long forest green robes in recognition of our heritage and for the spiritual, visual and social bond they engender to those of The Gathering. Not least they still make for good camouflage in the green wood and are a welcome wrap on a frosty winter’s night. (NB: At Autumn Equinox we change our robes to Woodland brown.)
WANDS:
Without doubt there are some wonderful and ornate wands which are available these days. Even so, as Woodwitches we select our own from a tree fall within the forest and fashion our wands from this. Therefore, all our wands are of Sherwood Forest, woodland wood. They are highly personal and ultimately unique, and there are some truly beautiful and enchanting wands within the gathering. Although Woodwitches make no use of ritual knives, we do make use of several wands.
CRAFT KNIVES:
They are a variety of different styles and types, but all may be described as basic and functional. (THEY ARE NOT RITUAL KNIVES AND ARE NOT USED FOR ANY CEREMONIAL OR RITUAL PURPOSE. WE MAKE NO USE OF RITUAL OR CEREMONIAL KNIVES IN OUR TRADITION.) We refer to them simply as craft knifes and they are used for simple woodland cutting tools.
STAFFS:
As you might imagine, our staffs are from fallen wood in Sherwood Forest. Seemingly ornamental, they have in fact many very practical uses for Woodwitches.
THE GATHERING WISE BOOK:
A book by any other name is a book! Our gathering book is in fact a collection of several books, but they are collectively referred to as ‘The Gathering Wise Book’. In these books are recorded all items and accounts of The Gathering Of Sherwood... But mindful of the burning times, only gathering names are ever recorded in these books. (Heritage: It can also be a poignant reminder of what has passed before!) The Gathering Wise Book has several volumes, some of which are: The Book Of Names, The Book Of Memories, The Book Of Tree Lore, etc.
WISE BOOKS:
Again, our wise books are in fact more then one single book. They are the book(s) that each individual Woodwitch keeps and in which is recorded all things of meaning to our craft and beliefs. All books are highly individual and no two are physically the same, but most of the wisdom they contain is common to all of them.
DIADEMS:
These are small wooden (Oak & Beech) discs which have a pentagram burned onto one side of them. They have a cord / lace at each end of the disc, and are worn over the forehead with the cords tying at the back of the head. Every Woodwitch is given two Diadems upon initiation as the marks of recognition. (Oak for winter and Beech for summer)
NANTA BAG:
A large (ish) bag usually made from cloth. This is the bag in which we carry our tools and needs when gathering in the woods.
Listed above are what we consider to be our essential needs and items for those in The Gathering. They are simple, inexpensive items which are highly personal and made special and unique by their keepers. We have no need of ornate, theatrical and expensive regalia in our gathering. The most expensive ritual knife that money can buy, will serve no better than a simple craft knife from our gathering. There are of course a few other items which we have need of - but nothing that is not readily available from many everyday sources for little more than a song. Things are as special as you make them - they do not necessarily have to be specially made!