The Athame

[dq369]

Hi. I would like to know if it is an absolute must to have one? I have no idea of how to obtain one, and if I did, I probably wouldn't have money for one. (plus try explaining that to my parents...) anyway, is it a must?

[LaFiamma]

Hi. I would like to know if it is an absolute must to have one? I have no idea of how to obtain one, and if I did, I probably wouldn't have money for one. (plus try explaining that to my parents...) anyway, is it a must?

Generally, tools are not an absolute must. Some traditions might have some rules about it...if you're practicing such a tradition, i would take it up with those who are teaching you, but if you're under 18 and/or working alone, chances are you're not part of such a tradition. You can work without material tools. If you want something to take the place of an athame, find somehtign else of a similar shape- a nice letter opener perhaps? (and letter openers, even decent ones, are often not very expensive) you can also use your finger for the same purposes. The athame is there to direct energy. I've known people who, when they were younger, were allowed to have a wand but not an athame, and have used the wand for the same purpose.

Also consider that many places will not sell such items to anyone under the age of 18...heck, most shops that I've been to won't even let you touch knives or athames if you're under 18, unless you have a parent there.

[Sobek]

i would say it all depends on what you want to use it for, if you dont really have any use for it as of yet there is no point in going and getting one. like Li said anything you want to use to direct energy will do.

[dq369]

Even a stick?

[LaFiamma]

Even a stick?

why not? many people believe that different trees have different magical or spiritual significance.

Heck, a lot of wands are made from wood, so a stick really is, if you believe it to be, a really rough wand.

magic isn't only in the fancy items you find in the really expensive stores...if you go out and find part of a branch from a tree and you feel some sort of connection to it, that's more magical than any fancy wand you could just go and buy in a store cause it's there.

try looking through books on tree lore and find a tree that has meaning to you, and try to find a branch from one of those trees- extra good if you find it already on the ground, there are different theories for taking a branch off of a tree, but one of the most common beliefs is that if you want to do this, you should communicate your desire to the tree, let it know why you want the branch, and wait for its response...if you feel the tree is okay with the request, take only what part you need and leave an offering of thanks. if you feel that the tree is not okay, don't take any part, and try another tree.

[dq369]

Oh wow! thank you very much! See, I asked this because a couple of mornings ago I picked a stick up off of the ground, it was lying in the middle of the street. My gut told me to keep it, so i did

[LaFiamma]

Oh wow! thank you very much! See, I asked this because a couple of mornings ago I picked a stick up off of the ground, it was lying in the middle of the street. My gut told me to keep it, so i did

there ya go, perhaps you've stumbled upon a wand


never underestimate the magic of "mundane" objects...there is magical potential within everything.

The drinking vessel on my altar is a martini glass

[Sobek]

especially if you are drawn to something. it shows great potential and especially if you act upon such things.

[Enki]

I understand that some do not like to have the blade of their athame composed of steel or other ferrous metals. For those of you who use an athame, what material is your athame made of (blade and handle).