{"id":16800,"date":"2021-11-07T18:22:32","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T02:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spells8.com\/?p=16800"},"modified":"2022-05-02T12:58:31","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T19:58:31","slug":"athame-uses-ritual-knife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spells8.com\/athame-uses-ritual-knife\/","title":{"rendered":"Athame: Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Your Ritual Knife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you’re a practicing Witch or just a newcomer to the Craft, you may have heard about the athame, the ritual dagger of Western witchcraft and occultism. Let’s explore some ideas on what to do with an athame in your Magic practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An athame is a double-edged dagger, generally made of steel and with a black handle<\/strong>. It is used by Neopagan practitioners in their rituals, to manipulate and direct energies. The athame is a ritual tool<\/a> and it can be used to create inscriptions and images of a Magical nature, such as sacred circles<\/a> and pentagrams (five-pointed stars).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Athame:
Athame: ritual dagger by Volmarr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Use an Athame: 5 Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Do: Consecrate your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Consecration <\/strong>means setting the tool apart from the mundane, i.e. making it sacred<\/strong>. Stories of swords with magical names and powers are very common in mythical literature. Feel free to give your athame a name or ask your athame for its name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bless your tool with a consecration ritual as explained here<\/strong><\/a>. As with other Magical tools, the athame acquires our energy with its contact and use. Optionally, carve symbols of power or protection<\/a> on its handle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do: Keep your athame in a safe place<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The athame is a very personal tool of the Witch, almost an extension of the practitioner\u2019s will<\/strong>. It should be treated with respect as its presence alone can set the mood of your rituals and help you raise energy<\/a> during a spell<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Witches
Can you spot the Athame on Roxanne<\/a>‘s altar?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Keep it on your altar<\/a> with your other tools during ritual and store it away in a safe place. Put the sheath on while not in use to protect the blade. Every so often, you may want to clear your tools\u2019 energies with a cleansing ritual, as you would do during a candle cleansing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Do: Cast a circle with your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The athame is a powerful tool for defining limits and boundaries<\/strong>. You can use your athame to ceremonially mark these limits. Its common for the Wiccan High Priest\/ess to use an athame to trace the circle before ritual in a coven setting. Learn how to cast a circle here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Do: Draw a pentagram with your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The invoking pentagram<\/strong> is used when we wish to draw something to us. Meanwhile, the banishing pentagram<\/strong> is used to repel or send something away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Invoking<\/a>
Invoking Pentagram & Banishing Pentagram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The five-pointed star<\/a> is a symbol of power and protection in Wicca and other Neopagan traditions. Hold the knife in your dominant hand and draw the gestures in the air as you visualize a golden light coming from the horizon as you do it. Repeat for each of the four quarters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Do: Direct energies and cast spells with your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The athame may be used when consecrating, charging, or empowering sacred objects like amulets<\/a>, talismans, or poppets. Develop a relationship with your tool by working with it as you experiment with casting spells<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ritual
Ritual knife (Athame) by Francisco<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The athame represents fiery masculine energy and is used in combination with the cup or chalice, which represents the intuitive side. This combination evokes the act of procreation as a universal symbol of creation. It is also a symbol of the Great Rite<\/a> in Wiccan rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Not to Use an Athame in Magic: 3 Don’ts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Don\u2019t: Cut or carve materials with your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A smaller, white-handled knife, called a boline<\/strong>, is the tool of choice when cutting ingredients or carving surfaces. While the athame cuts on a spiritual level<\/strong> (e.g. cutting energy cords<\/a>), the boline is used for practical purposes such as harvesting herbs, inscribing candles with symbols or sigils<\/a>, or cutting physical cords (e.g. thread or ribbons). An athame is not generally used for cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For the consecration<\/a> of the boline, Scott Cunningham recommends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Early in the morning, head to the forest (park, garden). Choose the most beautiful and vibrant plants. Touch them gently with the tip of the knife, forging a connection between the knife and the plants (and thus the Earth).<\/em>
\nThen sit on the ground. Making sure you are alone, make a pentagram on the ground with the tip of the knife. It’s ready.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Boline<\/a>
Boline Book of Shadows page<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Don\u2019t: Use your athame as a weapon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Janet and Stewart Farrar suggest in their book “A Witches Bible” that the tip of the athame is blunt to avoid damage during use in ritual<\/strong>. Thea Sabin states in \u201cWicca for Beginners\u201d that according to various traditions the athame is never used to draw blood, becoming tainted and requiring destruction if it does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whil an an athame is not considered a weapon by most practitioners, you should be mindful of the legality of knives in your area. If you’re going to cast spells in public, research the law before you go out with a knife<\/strong> to avoid potential problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u2019t: Abuse your athame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not every ritual requires an athame<\/strong>. As a sacred tool, it has a sacred purpose. Before using your athame for an invocation ask yourself if this is something that you could do with a wand instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the difference between the athame and the wand?<\/strong> Since the athame has an edge that cuts, it is more aggresive and can be used to create strong divisions or separations during a ritual. The wand is a gentler tool, used to direct energies by invitation (summoning), not by force (command). While the athame is associated to strength, the wand is associated to wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wiccan
Wand decorated with runes by Liisa<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read also: How to Make and Consecrate your Witch’s Wand<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbolism matters, so consider the correspondences of each tool (such as its elemental or planetary associations) and choose the best tool for each spell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting an Athame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you’ve learned about the athame, it’s time to find one that suits you. You can craft it yourself or buy one. But you don’t need to break the bank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ritual
Ritual knife by Emberlore<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to buy an athame, start with a kitchen knife. Wash it well and consecrate it for its Magical use. Don\u2019t put it back in the kitchen drawer! This tool will now only be used during your spellcasting works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When shopping for an athame, take your time and, if possible, handle it in person<\/strong> before you buy it. Notice how it makes you feel and decide if it is in alignment with who you are and what your practice means to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Buy an athame?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Buy local! Find a metaphysical shop near you<\/a>. Or explore these online alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\nShop for Athames Online<\/span>

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