Tools are the inanimate (or in some cases animate) things that one uses when casting a circle, spell, or whatever.  They are NOT imperative to have in order to start practicing the craft because the most important tool is yourself.

Now, the list of tools that one uses varies from witch to witch depending on what s/he is studying or doing at the moment.  A specific tool used for one thing may or may not be appropriate for something else....say for example you normally wouldn't use your athame for cutting herbs....you would use your boline (or working knife) for that.  However, you COULD use your wand or staff to cast a circle or do energy work instead of your athame.  I will explain why in just a moment.  What is an athame you ask???  Glad you asked that!

An athame (pronunciations differ here) is simply a dagger or single-edged knife used to direct and/or hold the energy you call forth during a ritual, cutting doors in said circle, but NEVER, EVER for bloodletting of any kind.  If you don't have the money to purchase a dagger or knife for just this use, do as a Kitchen Witch does.....consecrate your butcher knife (or whatever knife happens to be handy at the moment) for the ritual!!  Don't feel comfortable handling knives?  Grab a stick from the back yard....same idea.  I know witches who use SWORDS for their ritual athames!

Candles are used for many things....candle magic, your quarters, the god and goddess

Sacred matches or zippo!  For lighting the candles and incense of course!

Cauldron for placing things into during ritual....this can be a cast-iron cauldron or a heavy-duty cooking pot from your kitchen, because some rites call for burning items within it.

The wand and/or staff can replace the athame for directing/holding energy if you feel uncomfortable handling knives.  These are best found on the ground in the woods or near trees.  Consider these a gift from the tree.  If you feel you MUST take a branch from the living tree or bush, please ask its permission first and leave a thank-you gift after you are done thanking the tree or bush for its branch.

Incense for purifying the air in your circle, the east quarter, certain spells and rites

Altar for placing small things on....candles, incense, athame, wand, etc.  You get the idea!

A boline is generally your working knife used to cut herbs, candle wax, carving on the candles, cutting wands, etc.

Now, when you get your tools (if you decide you want tools), here is a basic rite to consecrate your tools.  You don't have to follow this if you don't feel it is right for you, but you will get a general idea at any rate   :)

There are numerous tools in which to use for reading the past, present or future:  tarot cards, runes, shaman cards, palmistry, tea leaves....the list goes on!  Check each out, learn a little bit of each one and see which works for you.

Now, I mentioned a Kitchen Witch earlier.....I like to think I cross that path a lot.  This is the witch who will use whatever s/he has on hand at the moment in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or wherever for whatever spell requires something:  don't have a pestle and mortar?  Use the blender! No double-boiler for melting candle wax?  Use a soup can instead!  Can't afford the expensive candle dye?  try Crayola crayons instead!  Get the picture?

Now get busy and start practicing!  No excuses!  (unless you are too ill or dead...hehehe) okay, bad joke....*sigh*