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SageCat · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: A

The A's

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SageCat · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

Moved on behalf of RavenStar

THE ATHAME

On a Wiccans altar, there are many things that one would associated with ritual and religion - a chalice, an incense burner or a bell. One other common item is one that is often misunderstood by non-Wiccans or Witches. That tool is the athame.

The athame (pronounced "a-thAM-ay" or "ATH-a-may") is a ritual knife, usually black-handled. As with all ritual tools, the athame is a very personal magickal item. Within most traditions it is usually used to direct energy. It can also be used to [color=darkblue]cast the magick or sacred circle, call the "quarters" or elements, and is part of many an opening ritual, handfasting (wedding) or initiation rite. It is associated with the element of fire (most likely due to how they are made) and the direction of South.

It customarily has a black handle (black is an absorbant colour; the handle stores small amounts of energy for later use). It is customary in some traditions to have your blade given to you as a gift or lore surrounding the athame says that one should never give an athame as a gift, as this will at some stage "cut" the relationship. As with many things in Wicca and Witchcraft, this is a matter of personal belief and experience.

Many Witches make their own blades or "personalize" purchased ones with runes, carvings and other symbols, all of which serve to blend the energy of the tool with their own magickal intentions. As with most tools, Wiccans tend to consecrate their athames before use. As with any consecrated item, most people don't let others touch their athame.

Since the athame is used mainly to direct energy, they are often dull on the double blade. There is also argument about whether they should be used to cut anything. Some people believe that a knife is just a tool, one designed for cutting. Others argue that is shouldn't be used for mundane purposes. Others are somewhere in the middle. For example, many people use their athame to carve runes or other symbols into candles that they may be using in a spell or ritual.

RavenStar
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SageCat · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: Asperger

ASPERGER

A bundle of herbs used to sprinkle water for purification of objects, self or others.

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