The Athame
by Blayze
The Athame is the witches tool par excellence. A personal tool used by the witch to direct energy. It enables the witch to focus energy channeled through the body and out through the tip of the blade. Typically the athame is a double edged knife with a black handle.
The double edged blade respresents magic that can cut both ways. Magic can manifest itself in unexpected ways and the energy can be focused in both positive and negative ways. The blade also represents balance, aspects of light and dark, night and day, male and female.
One of the reasons for having a black handle on the athame is that black is a colour which absorbs energy rather than reflecting it. As energy passes through the hilt and out through the blade, some residual energy is left within the hilt. This energy can be drawn upon for later use, especially with casting and taking up a circle. The athame is also used to draw sigils in the air and over objects, as when consecrating objects upon the pentacle and calling the quarters.
Depending on which elemental correspondences are used, the athame is a tool of either air or fire. Mostly it is considered to be a tool of air with the wand being a tool of fire. Due to its phallic shape it is also considered to be a tool representing the male aspect. This can be seen by the opening lines of a well-known chant used in consecrating cakes and ale:
“As the Athame is the the Male, so the Cup is the the Female and when they are 
co-joined they bring forth the Great Blessing”.
If at all possible, the athame should be made by or for the witch. Or, if it is gifted or bought, should be decorated and personalised by the witch. It is, after all, the most personal of the commonly used tools. It should be consecrated to the Mighty Ones and have the relevant symbols drawn or etched upon the blade.
Generally a witch will not allow another to handle or touch their athame and it is considered an incredible breach of etiquette to touch another witch’s athame, or any tools, without permission. Most witches will also not allow their athames to come into contact with blood and will re-consecrate the athame if it does. Others, however, will use a drop of their own blood during consecration. This is a personal decision.
The athame is almost never used to physically cut or inscribe an object. The white handled knife is used for that purpose. The only cutting most athames are used for is in cutting a doorway out of a circle.
Within a properly cast circle the athame should be consecrated by inscribing the symbols upon it, passing it through each of the elements, presented to the Mighty Ones of the Four Quarters and to the Lord and Lady, as the witches personal working tool. Lastly it should be plunged into the earth to charge it and worn for three days to attune the athame to the witch and the witch to the athame.