Athame            

This is the symbol of the God. Welcome to the first argument in Magick, what element it represents: it is said to be the Magick Tool of Air and the East but also the instrument of command associated with the element of fire. So you will have to decide which element to dedicate it to. Its phallic shape compliment the feminine womb of the chalice. It is the tool of the will and is used to direct energy but never use it to call upon the Gods, Goddesses or the Guardians. Commanding higher powers to attend your rites is an insult to them and will only result in an unanswered call. The Athame is used to cast a ritual circle, cleanse and charge the elemental representations on your altar (incense, censor, water and salt) and to perform the Great Rite. 

Traditionally, it was a black handled knife meant to absorb energy. However, the choice of handle is entirely yours! Inside the directions of its purpose, it will do as your charge it to. This is a double edged knife with a dull blade. It is not intended to cut, in fact to do so would invoke the three fold rule back on the practitioner. It is used for commanding power and activating the energies of the Divine. For this purpose, the practitioner has a choice for the wand can also be used for this purpose. However, it is usually the athame that is used to cast the circle, to invoke, consecrate, summon, charge, bind and banish. Before it is used the athame should be magnetised and when not in use, store it away in a cloth or its sheath. Since it is you that casts the ritual circle (or performs any other act of directing energy using the athame), some of your power is absorbed into the handle, where it remains until it is called upon later. This is one of the reasons why no one else should use your athame...it holds your personal power. As an extension of your will, your athame is used to carve symbols of magick into spell candles and to cut ritual cords. 

Athames now come in many shapes and colours as a result of the different pantheons that people follow. You may wish to buy one in a form that suits the purpose of your path but there is no reason why you can't buy a plain one and decorate it with symbols of your choosing. Nor is there any reason why you can't make your own. 

Most blades are made from  stainless steel blade as this not only conducts the energy the witch wills through it, but also is resistant to damage by fire. Many rituals require you to plunge the blade into fire. The length of the blade should be from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. This is easily achieved if you make your own athame; however, most of us purchase one already made. The reason the blade is double edged is because it cuts both ways. Like fire, the athame can create and destroy. Sometimes we need to destroy something which is no longer useful in order to create that which we desire. Still, the choice of metal for your blade is for you to make.

One word of advise..... avoid iron... Whilst lore says that it will protect you from mischievous fae, elves and other visitors, most have an active dislike to the stuff and will treat you with disdain if not hostility so avoid at all costs if you wish to work with these magickal companions. On the other hand, those who wish to practice Dragon Magick should decorate their athame with gemstones since Dragons love all things that sparkle.

To consecrate your athame,  keep it wrapped in a red silk cloth until the cycle of the next full moon. On the day before the moon is actually full, plunge your athame into the earth up to its hilt. Allow the blade to remain in the earth for three days. This will cleanse your athame of any negative vibrations as the earth absorbs and transforms the energy aided by the power of three and the light of the goddess. (The three days correspond with the waxing maiden energy, the full mother energy and the waning crone energy.) At the end of the third night, pull the blade out of the earth and wipe it clean with a soft cloth (one that is used for magick workings only) and place it in the window sill to be charged by the light of the sun. Leave it in the sun for five hours. (The sun is the potent energy of the divine Child of Promise and the Sacrificial King. Five is the number of the Horned God.)

To dedicate it to your purpose, cleanse it with holy water then pass it through the incense smoke to dedicate it to the four elements. Dry it with a cloth that is used for rituals only and anoint the blade with a magickal oil of your choosing. I then present my athame to the four quarters asking the elements to imbue the athame with their power before returning to the altar and asking the element of spirit to fill the athame and to ensure that it does no harm is and is used for the greatest good.

It is now ready to use.