Witches' Tools of the Trade; Athamé.

A Spider Athamé.


Tools of the Trade.

Witches sometimes cast spells using only the power of their minds or their words. Charms and incantations, for instance, are spoken spells. All they require is that words be articulated - aloud or silently. However, over the centuries, certain tools have become important components of spell-casting and witchery. Many are familiar to the general public, others may be less familiar.

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Not all witches use all of the tools that are closely identified with witches and witchcraft.

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It must be pointed out, however that if a witch of practicioner uses any tool consistently in his or her magical work, that tool, whatever it is, is transformed into a magical tool.


Athamé.

An athamé, (pronounced a-tham-ay or ath-may) is a ritual knife. Symbols, such as runes or sigils, may be engraved or painted onto the handle. It is usually black-handled, and has a double-edged steel blade. Whether that blade is sharp or dull is irrelevant because the athamé is not intended as a cutting tool and is never used to draw blood.

  The athamé is among the standard tools of Wicca. Although the use of ritual knives, daggers, or swords is common to many magical traditions, the name and concept of the athamé is almost exclusively Wiccan or Wiccan-influenced. Among many other uses, an athamé is used to cast ritual circles and direct magical energy.

-- paraphrased from 'The Weiser Field Guide to witches...' by Judika Illes.


My Athamé.

With a black blade and handle, this athame uses the powerful symbolism of the spider, representing the arachnid’s guile, ingenuity, and predatory aspects.

5 1/2” - 2 1/2” blade.

Had insights explaining that Spider can be spelled as 'Spi-rit ther-e'.

Athamé is associated with element of Air, but some disagree.

Air Element has power over thoughts & communication, hacking & ESP included, among other ... i do not wish to reveal more for now.

It can support sensing threats in Mind as well, as with Raven' Eyes a spell.

It can support in protecting spiders, imparts abilities of guile, so it's subtle & can misdirect, confuse.

It can support in catching thoughts as a prey, ... for it's predatory.

It can support in caught thought analysis & discovery as well, it's ingenious & intelligent as well.


see also, if You wish or need, ... : Athamé Consecration, Ace of Swords, The Card, Which is Fire, Which is Air?, Uses of the Athamé.