Prop Making
By Joanne Dunster
Introduction
Almost every Wicca 101 book you may come across these days will contain a section about props and tools. The author will predictably mention that the serious practitioner doesn’t ‘need’ them and go on to say that whilst they are nice you should not feel too bad about not having that shiny new athame. Whilst this is true it does give the reader the impression that props are actually frowned upon in some way. What many authors don’t discuss and probably should is why props and tools are nice to have and why they are (or were) considered an important part of the practice of Wicca.
Why Use Props?
So what are some of the reasons you would want to use props or tools? Props can lend form to ideas making them visual and easily understood. They can act as a focus of attention. When you have a group of people trying to work together, a well used prop can get everyone acting and thinking in unison. They can become a potent symbol of something shared.
Props lend atmosphere. They add a touch of the theatric and help to get participants of a ritual into the right frame of mind for magic. There is a certain special impact in seeing the High Priest play the role of the God in ritual resplendent in a horned helmet.
In a more magical sense, props, especially costume pieces can be used as an anchor for deity. An item worn whilst an individual is invoked upon can also serve to signal the departure of the deity in question upon removal. For example a simple veil that hides the wearers face can allow the Goddess to shine through and help restore the witch to themselves once it has been taken off.
Over years of use props can accumulate energy and they can be wonderful things to pass down to students or family members. Some props can last for many years and become heirlooms in their own right
Lastly props are fun, they can be a joy to make and to use or wear and give an opportunity for an individual or group to exercise their creativity. The creating of props can become a devotional exercise in and of itself and the research and care with which they are obtained can facilitate learning and greater understanding of the individuals path. 
Why Would You Not Use Props?
Of course sometimes props are not appropriate, they can be difficult to transport and distracting to use. Sometimes if you are trying to incorporate too many, they can make a ritual confusing and too much like a stage play. You can also come to rely on props and lose a sense of spontaneity. It is best to have a few pieces that are truly symbolically impactful to you or your group. That way they stand out and draw attention to the mystery you are trying to convey and they do not become too difficult to manage.
Where Have all the Props Gone?
Props have been forgotten largely because of the rise of solitary styles of practice. This makes a certain amount of sense as many of the functions of props are better related to group work and they can often be a distraction or hindrance in solitary work. This does not mean however that they should be dismissed out of solitary work entirely. Props like masks (especially when used with a mirror) can aid a solitary in contacting certain archetypes within themselves. Costumes can shift the individuals awareness. 
Clever and creative use of props in both solitary and group practice can be a valuable addition to the symbolic language that we use in our craft and a beautiful expression of our devotion. 
Activity: Show some of the props for the main ritual
Discuss: Rituals where props have been effective.
Activity: Assemble Items for ritual
Assemble elemental banners
Assemble elemental tokens
Decorate crown
Assemble broom
Hang up costumes