| What is an Athame? What do I use it for? | | | | by the previous unknown owners. One simple |
| An Athame, also known as Arthame, is a double | | | | method to purify your Athame, is to leave the tool |
| edged knife, traditionally with a black handle. It is | | | | exposed to the sun, at least one hour a day, for the |
| considered the masculine tool (phallic) and so it is | | | | full cycle of the moon, either beginning at a new |
| used for commanding, as opposed to a chalice that is | | | | moon or full moon. You can place the tool inside a |
| used for inviting or invocation of spirits. The athame's | | | | window to prevent theft. There are other methods |
| primary use is to direct energy. It is not used, | | | | such as using water, alcohol or even salt, crystals, |
| however, to physically cut items like herbs or cords, | | | | and herbal smudging. |
| a Boline, a knife with a white handle is used for that | | | | What if I want to use a knife that I already own for |
| purpose. | | | | my Athame? |
| An Athame is used for marking a magick circle or | | | | If you want to use a knife that you already own, |
| pentagram for evocation and banishing spells. Rituals | | | | you need to consecrate it. You can create your own |
| involving drawing lines, either visually or physically are | | | | ceremony to consecrate your Athame for sacred |
| best done with an Athame. If you are in a coven or | | | | use. This will transform the tool from the ordinary to |
| group magick ceremony, you can cut a doorway in | | | | the magickal. The ceremony does not need to be |
| the circle you have created so someone can leave | | | | long. A short poem will do. Place the Athame on your |
| the circle without damaging it. | | | | altar, cast your magick circle and perform a short |
| Athames are also used when mixing is necessary for | | | | ritual, with your poem, to consecrate the tool. For |
| casting a real spell. Some rituals require mixing potions | | | | added benefit, leave your Athame on the altar for a |
| or salt with water. The tip of an Athame can be | | | | full day before using it. |
| used to measure the proper proportions and to stir | | | | Should I decorate my Athame? |
| the mixture. Athames are useful for charging or | | | | You can decorate your Athame with runes, sigils, or |
| empowering magickal objects like amulets, talismans | | | | other magick symbols to increase the power of your |
| or poppets (magickal dolls). | | | | tool. Though it is not necessary because, as a |
| Should your Athame be sharp or dull? | | | | magickal tool, it will gain power through usage. As |
| Some say that because this is a knife, even if | | | | you become familiar with the Athame, your energy |
| ceremonial, it should still have an edge. It is okay if | | | | will flow into the tool. However, like all magickal tools, |
| the edge is dulled for safety concerns but then it | | | | an Athame will absorb the energy of anyone who |
| would be a stick, not a knife. | | | | touches it so it is considered rude and invasive to |
| What should your Athame be made of? | | | | touch someone's Athame without their permission. |
| Some use iron, copper, bronze, steel, pewter or | | | | You can name your Athame too if you wish. Many |
| wood. The handle should be black because black | | | | ancient traditions including Nordic, Germanic and |
| absorbs energy, but you can really use any color | | | | Teutonic give ceremonial names to an Athame thus |
| handle that works for you. | | | | invoking certain powers into it. This ceremonial name |
| Should I buy or make my Athame? | | | | can be carved into the handle of the Athame using |
| Well if you have the means to make the blade and | | | | runes or other appropriate magickal writing system. |
| handle yourself, that would, of course, be best. You | | | | Since an Athame is a knife, can I use it as a weapon |
| can put all your own energy into the Athame. | | | | for defense? |
| However, most people in modern times, do not have | | | | It is not recommended that you take your Athame |
| access to knife making tools. So it is best to either | | | | around town with you. In many places, it is illegal to |
| purchase your Athame or receive it as a gift. It is | | | | carry double bladed knives and is considered carrying |
| important that if you buy an Athame, do not haggle | | | | a concealed weapon. Carrying your Athame around |
| over the price, as this brings negative energy on to | | | | with you for defense is like a Catholic priest taking |
| your magickal tool. Many practitioners believe that | | | | the communion chalice down to a bar for a beer. |
| receiving an Athame as a gift creates a more | | | | Plus, a knife that has drawn blood, even your own, |
| powerful tool then purchasing it. It is considered a | | | | should not be used as an Athame, until it has been |
| great honor to receive an Athame as a gift. The | | | | purified and consecrated. If you accidentally cut |
| giver's energy, from years of use of the Athame, will | | | | yourself with your Athame, you need to purify it |
| transfer for the receiver's use in their own magick | | | | with sage smudging or sprinkling with salt water. |
| works. It is best NOT to do a purifying ceremony on | | | | What element is the Athame associated? |
| a gift Athame, as it would be an insult to the | | | | For most spell casters and Wiccans, the Athame is |
| magickal tool. Plus it would cleanse the Athame of | | | | associate with Air or thought, the element of the |
| the precious energy of the previous owner and | | | | East. There are some, however that associate the |
| dampen the over all energy within the Athame. | | | | Athame with the Warrior, the element of Fire, to the |
| What if I buy a used Athame? | | | | South. But either one that works best for you. It is |
| If you are purchasing a used Athame, it is important | | | | important to remember that it is a masculine tool due |
| that you purify the tool of any negative energies left | | | | to it's phallic nature and needs to be honored as such. |