Athame is
what some practitioners of ritual magic call their ceremonial
knives. In some traditions, the athame is a knife with a double
edged blade and short (often black) handle; other traditions
require that the blade be dull, curved, wavy, or a variety
of other specifications.
The athame is usually used
for ritual and magical purposes only, to direct energy; if
something such as herbs or cord needs to be cut, another knife
called a boline or white-handled knife is used. Exceptions
include "kitchen witchcraft", which actively encourages
the use of magical tools for mundane purposes to increase
the witch's familiarity with it.
Many traditions associate
the athame with the masculine principle and with the element
of air, though traditions associating it with fire are not
uncommon.
As a masculine principle,
it is often used in combination with the cup or Graal, as
feminine principle, and evokes clearly the act of procreation,
as symbol of universal creativity. This moment is the central
symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals.
Other traditions forbid the
ritual use of blades in general, or specifically of iron blades.
This is most common amongst traditions that have a particular
fondness of the Sidhe, to whom iron is supposedly harmful.
There are rituals of consecration
for a newly acquired Athame, be it new, or acquired from another
person.
Modern popular usage of the
athame originates in Wicca as it was publicised by Gerald
Gardner in the 1950's. Gardner had taken a particular interest
in the magical kris knives of Malaysia during his years there,
and this may have contributed to the athame being given such
central importance in modern Wicca.
More Articles On Athame
(Athame
Consecration)
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