Athame Question

[Caelin]

feeling embarrassed here...

I've read in a number of books that you should never use an athame to cut anything nor should you ever get blood on it.

Trouble is, I've managed to get blood on mine. (Long story). What should I do?

Help would be appreciated :)

[Haedis]

Wash it off. :)

The idea that an athame should never be used to cut anything physical is something that some people believe for different reasons. Unless you belong to a tradition or group that specifically SAYS you should abide by it...I see no reason to adhere to it if you dont know the reasoning behind it or if you just dont see the point.

The reasoning I've heard for not cutting physical things is that it helps you seperate that tool from a regular knife. It makes it more sacred to you and the energy that it collects is only related to magick.

I personally use my athame for cutting physical things as long as it pertains to witchcraft or magick. I use it to cut cords, carve into wax, and even plunge it into the dirt in symbolic rituals. It doesnt seem to hurt (despite the minor scratches on it). Infact it helps me "bond" with it and get more comfortable with using it.

If you're worried about changing the energy of the object by introducing negativity or making it less sacred by getting something on it you should simply clean it off, dry it well so it wont rust or tarnish, then consecrate it. (there are a bunch of threads on consecration around here if you need them)

[Dravius]

Although a majority of literature I've read states that the athame should never be used to cut anything physical, I'm more in league with Haedis in this area. I use my athame cut things related to witchcraft as well, such as carving runes, trimming candles, ect. Go with whatever feels right for you :)

[Leviyah]

Maybe it's because I don't have a lot of money to spend on things like that, but I'm not a big believe in buy things for their appearance or soley to hold energy. I think its fine to use your athame to cut herbs or anything ritual, spell or witchcraft related.

[st0rm]

everyone forgot to ask the most important question, who's blood is it?

[Pan]

I wouldn't call that the most important question, personally, st0rm. Blood is blood. *shrug* imho, anywho.

As for athames.. I use mine to carve into candles. I use my bolline (a rare and wonderful find for me!) for herbs, cords, and everything else. I also use my athame to store a teeny bit of each ritual I do and keep the energy in the handle. Just something I picked up from gods-know-where!

As for the blood.. wash it off. If it's yours, wash it off. If it's someone else's.. wash it off. :) I just think of blood as "solid" energy. After all, it keeps you moving, right? So, using an athame in blood shouldn't be too much of a spiritual problem.. as long as you wash it off and don't really hurt yourself. And I would *strongly* advise not using it on anyone/anything else. I am *not* in *any way* promoting using blood in rituals.. nor harming yourself or others in any way, shape or form. :)

But, yeah.. wash it off and it'll be okay.

[st0rm]

hmmm.... blood isnt just energy it is the essense(sp?) of the person its from, it carries all the charcteristics of that person... blood from the wrong person can weaken a spell or even be harmfull to the caster... but on the other hand, blood from the right person(u get the point)......
If its ur own blood then its not a prob, it will just enhance the connection between u and ur athame...

[Caelin]

Thanks everyone :)
I get the impression I shouldn't worry overmuch about it :D I don't know why I was, to be honest, as I haven't so far. As I'm a poverty-stricken student, my athame is actually a kitchen knife (a cheap one, that I don't use for kitchen stuff, obviously) which I painted on.

Oh, and FYI, the blood was mine, I had a little accident. Maybe I should have blunted it, as I have a tendency to fiddle with stuff.

[st0rm]

heh.. my athame is a nine inch hunting knife :D

[Dravius]

Mine is about a five inch double-edged dagger that one of my friends gave me for my birthday several years back...it's black from hilt to tip too :) It's just a cheap knockoff of a ceremonial dagger, but it works for me. Kinda has a bit of an attachment too since it was a gift.

[Aviendha]

I read in one of my books...don't ask with one....that your own blood helps magnify your connection with your athame. It personalizes it and makes the power you have stored in it even more personal and powerful. As far as cutting with it...I was always told not to, but...if it feels right to you, then it is right.

By the way...HI! I'm new!

[Caelin]

I read that somewhere too, Aviendha, I remember thinking about it...then reflecting that that might hurt. I'm a coward, lol.

[st0rm]

I've used my athame for almost everything...

[Aviendha]

Well, what I gathered...you wheren't supposed to cut yourself. You where to get the blood from...somewhere....else....if you get my meaning. *gulp* But I guess if you where a guy, you really could do that...but uh, I'm a sissy too and I'd rather NOT put 'that' blood on my athame...so...whatever! LOL

[Amber Ravenstar]

My first athame was a kitchen steak knife. I used to joke that I cast "serrated circles".

I feel that the prohibition against blood on an athame is referring to it not being used to harm anyone or anything.

[ankhesen Sekhmet]

as I understand the whole not cutting anything with your athame mentality is a newer idea, and yes it does refer to harming none and keeping the instrument sacred.

However, if you're a kitchen witch for example it's old hat to use the athame for mundane things as well. It made no sense for someone to have a fancy knife set aside back then, and I think the idea of keeping a fancy athame is very much a Wiccan thing.