“You should, once you’re home, cleanse them. No one should touch them without your permission. They require your energy. The wand is made from a birch branch pruned from a living tree on the winter solstice. The crystal on its tip is clear quartz. It was a gift to me from the one who trained me.”

It was lovely, slim and smooth, and felt almost silky when Nell trailed a finger over it. “You can’t give me something that was a gift.”

“It was meant to be passed on. You’ll want to have others, too; copper is good. This is your broom,” she continued, lifting a brow as Nell stifled a laugh.

“Sorry, I just never thought . . . a broom?”

“You won’t be riding on it. Hang it at the door of your home for protection, use it to sweep out negative energy. A cup—again, one day you’ll want to select your own, but for now this will serve. I bought it at Island Market, glassware section. Sometimes the simple works best. The pentacle is from a maple bur. It must always stand upright. The athame isn’t used for physical cutting, but for directing energy.”

She didn’t touch it, but told Nell to do so.

“Some prefer swords, but I don’t think you will,” she added as Nell explored the carved handle with a fingertip. “The blade’s dull, and meant to be. The bolline, on the other hand, is meant to cut in the physical. The handle’s curved, which will give you a good grip for harvesting your herbs and plants, carving wands, inscribing candles, and so on. There are those, kitchen witches, who use it to cut food. The choice is yours, of course.”

“Of course,” Nell agreed.

“I assume you can handle the purchase and selection of your own cauldron. Cast iron’s best. You can find an incense burner that appeals to you at one of the gift shops, and the incense as well—cones and sticks are more accessible locally. When you’ve time you can make your own incense powder. You’ll need some straw baskets, some swatches of silk. Do you want to write this down?”

Nell blew out a breath. “Maybe I’d better.”

“Candles,” Mia continued after handing Nell a pad and pencil. “I’ll explain the purpose of colors and symbols. I have some crystals for you, but you’ll want more, of your own selection. A couple dozen canning jars, with lids, a mortar and pestle, sea salt. I have a Tarot deck you can borrow, and some wooden boxes, though I’ll want them back as well. This will get you started.”

“It’s more involved than I thought. Before—the day in the garden—all I did was stand there.”