| “ | Because it didn't find me, it found you... protected you. A witch's talisman is a powerful tool don't be givin' that back to anybody. | ” |
Jane Anne casts a spell, surrounded by mystical items.
There are many tools used by witches in witchcraft to increase their energy and strength. Most of them are provided by Nature like herbs and minerals, while other are artifacts such as Grimoires. Some witches have shown an aptitude in using objects more than others. Some specialize in specific branches of magic which requires particular items, while others resort to objects of the most varied depending on the circumstances.
Altar and Shrines
The attempted sacrifice on an altar
Although rarely used, altars serve to witches by providing a platform in which to readily perform their craft. They are simple shelves to lay objects on that are used for the ritual. In The Originals, Jane-Anne was seen using an altar to hold a multitude of ingredients to be used in a complex spell to link her sister Sophie and the werewolf Hayley Marshall.
A similar stone altar was used by Sophie as a basis to consecrate the bones of Céleste Dubois, though with little success. Within the Lafayette Cemetery, there lies a stone altar which was used as a surface to sacrifice the newborn Hope Mikaelson by the Harvest Witches, Monique and Abigail led by Genevieve.
Candles and Fire
- Main article: Channeling
Silas creating fire.
Witches commonly use candles in their spells to aid them by channeling the flames. Channeling is when a witch siphons power of an element, celestial event or even another witch. This enhances their magic as they draw energy from the flames. Fire is a strong component in witchcraft as it is one of the the main offensive tool witches used against their enemies. Among others, fire have also been used to form barriers and destroy objects. A more functional use of fire was seen in The Dinner Party, when Bonnie created fire in her hand, as well as on candles and light them up again.
Cauldron
Lenore's cauldron
Cauldrons are objects used for witches in order to concoct spells, potions and counter-curses. One of them was used by Greta Martin during the sacrifice ritual. Cauldrons can be seen in The Lycée used by the French Quarter Coven and were used by Lenore and Finn Mikaelson (while possessing Vincent Griffith) to perform complex rituals of Sacrificial Magic. More recently, the ancient witch Dahlia was shown to create potent sage by mixing the herb with a cauldron of serpent's blood which allowed her to create a mystical storm surrounding New Orleans in an attempt to find Hope Mikaelson.
Daggers
See Also: Silver Daggers & Gold Dagger
Genevieve enchants a sacrificial knife
Blades are used in various areas of Witchcraft, especially those requiring sacrifices or the drawing of blood. The name used to indicate magical knives is athame, especially in Wicca, where, however, are not used to cut or remove blood but only to direct energy. Daggers in Sacrificial Magic, such as Papa Tunde's Blade, are being used to kill the victim and absorb its power. The most powerful daggers of the entire series are the silver daggers who have the power to desiccate an Original causing sleep until the blade is removed from the heart.
Dark Objects
- Main article: Dark Objects
Bag of Dark Objects.
Dark Objects are a particular kind of Enchanted Objects created through the special magical practice known as Kemiya to infuse them with supernatural properties. The first known dark objects were created by Kol Mikaelson with the help of his witch followers, Astrid Malchance and Mary-Alice Claire. Dark objects can also be created by transferring the magic of an existing dark object onto an ordinary item such as in the case of Hope's Bracelet. Known Dark Objects include The Rosary of Madness, The Needle of Sorrows, The Cursed Shackles and the Devil's Star, a special throwing star that causes countless injuries from a simple cut.
Elixirs, Potions and Tonics
A tonic to prevent Kenning.
- Main article: Elixir
A potion is a liquid or mixture of herbs concocted with supernatural properties with effects similar to those obtained from spells. Unlike spells, however, the potions are difficult to prepare depending on the rarity of the ingredients and accuracy of dosages. Potions can be used to cure, such as elixirs and tonics as well as to damage, such as poisons.
Grimoires
- Main article: Grimoire
Tome of the Eight Everlastings
Grimoires are books where a witch records all knowledge of their spells, rituals and recipes in. It is a spell book filled with information, hexes and spells. Most known witches in the modern age archive their spells by writing them down be it in small portable notebooks or large tomes. For a time, Bonnie used her ancestor's Grimoire to learn her Craft. Jonas Martin had an obsession with Grimoires and collected them. After Jonas and Luka died, Bonnie packed up their grimories and presumably kept them in order to kill Klaus.
Herbs and Stones
- Main article: Herbs
- Main article: Stones and minerals
Mystical herbs
Witches often use a variety of stones and herbs in their magic as many of them contain magical properties. Amber crystal protects a witch from evil, Vervain protects them from vampires and Wolfsbane protects them from Werewolves. The later two have the same effect but are for vampires and werewolves, respectively. They cause the victim to be weak and feverish when ingested similar to poisoning. When in contact with it, it will burn them. Sage is the most common herb used by witches and often seen integrated with their spell. Lapis Lazuli, when enchanted, will protected Vampires from sunlight. Paragon diamonds are shown to be used by witches practicing Kemiya as conduits for power. Thereby allowing them to focus and increase the potency of their spells.
Magic Symbols
- Main article: Symbols
Davina draws a seal on the Church's floor
The magic seals are powerful tools used primarily in Ancestral Magic practiced by witches in New Orleans. Seals can be drawn with chalk or another dusk, sometimes with salt. They generally have a circular shape, inside which occur from time to time, signs and intersecting lines. A common symbol used in the series is the pentagram, a five-pointed star in a circle, and was first seen used by Esther in All My Children where it is described as the symbol of magic.
Talismans
- Main article: Talismans
Freya Mikaelson's pendant.
Witches sometimes infuse personal artifacts of significance with magic that act as talismans. They are usually in the form of jewellery with varying materials such as a crystal or stone. It is used to increase their powers by incorporating external energy and help them to channel magic. When a talisman is full of magic, it can greatly increase the power of spells and rituals. The material of a talisman may hold some signification as many consists of unique substances (e.g. Qetsiyah's bone talisman, Emily's amber talisman, Freya's blue jeweled talisman etc.). Bonnie Bennett used the Bennett Crystal as a talisman for a time before she destroyed it whilst possessed in History Repeating.
Totems and Dolls
Totems in Representational Magic.
Totems are largely used in Representational Magic, where objects of significance (animals parts, symbolic figures etc.) are utilized as physical manifestations of a concept such as an aspect of a person's nature or intangible spells. They allow one to link the person with the will of the witch.
Totems worth mentioning are the Sanguinum Knot, Willow Hoop and hanging totem built with bones and other unknown materials used by the Moroccan Witch to trap Rebekah and Freya Mikaelson respectively an Original vampire and an extremely powerful witch.
Dolls are a specific category of totems identified as small human-like figurines with vast variations to represent a human victim for a variety of purposes and can be seen used by the witches of New Orleans to harm or locate their victims. Notable users of dolls include, Céleste, Esther, Finn, Monique, Vincent and Davina.
Poppet
A doll filled with blood and skewered with pins
A poppet is the most general kind of doll in the shape of a person used in magic rituals specifically those cast on those to whom the poppet has been created to represent. Poppets may be made of wax, stuffed, cloth, porcelain, clay, or wood although virtually any material will do.
To create a poppet a doll must first be crafted then blessed by rituals that generally require an item from the person who is the target of the spell. Once this is done the figurine can then be used to directly affect the intended individual whether that is to heal or harm
Golem
Freya with the representational Golem.
The Golem is a doll made of clay. Kol (then possessing the witch Kaleb) attempted to use one such doll to transfer particularly strong curse on the poppet.
The same Golem was then used by witches Davina and Rebekah in an attempt to draw out the witch Dahlia. They successfully used the doll to craft the illusion of Hope Mikaelson's presence and replicated her power source.
Figure of Veritas
Truth Doll
The figure of veritas is a doll made of straw resembling an asian porcelain doll. The Ninth Ward witch, Van Nguyen attempted to use one such doll to spell the then Regent, Davina.
They are crafted to take on the likeness of their the victim such as having similar clothes. When bewitched with the necessary procedures and stabbed in the "heart", the doll forces the person that which it represents to reveal the truth. More recently, Davina attempted to use it against Lucien however, he destroyed before it could be used.
Gallery
See also
Template:VD Objects