In the numerous witchcraft tools that a witch needs in his trade, the Athame is perhaps one of the most important after the candles that, in my opinion, are fundamental. It is a simple but very important ritual dagger.

Many professionals are made with one even before with a wand or a cauldron. It has an important function in rituals and spells, but despite everything, it is not strictly essential. It symbolizes fire, although in some traditions it is related to the air. But how to find the most suitable for you?

How to choose an athame? Here are 5 tips that will help you

Feel a connection

If you are looking for your atha me, do not choose the first to cross your way, unless you really fascinate you. Keep your eyes open in esoteric stores, New Age, hunting and fishing stores, antiquaries and even stationery stores. Once you perceive a special attraction for a certain knife, take it in your hand, evaluate your weight and handle it.

You do not have to worry if the sheet is not sharp, this dagger will never be used to cut. If you feel comfortable, it’s the indicated!

Does it adapt to your practice?

The ATHAME has several uses in magical practices, but in no case, as has been written above, is used to cut, action reserved for the seal or the white mango knife that can replace the sickle.

The dagger is used to close and open the circle, invoke the protective deities, represent the God when a symbolic ritual is performed, perform initiation rituals and, above all, direct the magical energy.

The only exception to the use of this knife is the witches of the home. The witches of this type are dedicated to magic at home: some of them prepare special meals with which to perform rituals and spells, others consider each meal as a real part of the magical practice. For them, Athame, in most cases, is the kitchen knife with which they cut the ingredients in the kitchen.

As for you, why do you want your atha to be great?

Avoid plastic materials

Actually, each Athame is unique and will have a wide choice during their search. Although it is also called black mango knife, it does not necessarily have it; The mango can be any color or material.

You must have an iron or steel, stone or crystal, wavy or straight sheet; a wooden, stone or steel mango, and an average length of 6 inches (about 15 cm).

Material characteristic, strong and commonly use for athamestoropoting properties of connecting natural and organic power and energy, connects with the energies of the ceremonial tierralatón with a touch of elegance and ritualcristal or gemainfundefunde specific energy properties in the athameTable 1: Materials for Athames and its characteristics

The knife can also be completely made of bone. Plastic materials should be avoided, since they will not help connect with energy and, on the contrary, they will block it.

Invoke it

According to some, the legendary Excalibur sword, source of power of King Arturo, was the first Athame in history. Only the chosen one could have extracted it from the indestructible steel rock. Based on this tradition, some witches decide to use a sword instead of a dagger.

But if the search for your first athame is difficult for you, these words can guide you:

«Lord of the Light, illuminates my way to Athame. Guide my sacred dagger.»

Use these words during morning meditation and then go to buy your atha me! It will be attracted to these words and this open and receptive energy.

Choose the right material

Athame usually has a black handle and must have a double -edged sword, although it should not be used to cut. It symbolizes the male principle (phallus) associated with the air element. In some cases, it can also be associated with fire. Its function is to direct energy and rise as greeting.

As a ritual knife, you can choose anyone that seems well to its owner. Normally, the ritual knife is made of steel, although also bronze, Cobrese use silver, tin and wood. Normally measures 25 cm (10 inches) from the base to the tip of the leaf and can be made of any metal, although witches or magicians prefer that steel have a high degree of purity.

Silver the blades, for example, have an added value, since this metal is associated with the moon and the goddess.

• Silver/Luna: Psychic powers, intuition, flow, mysteries of women, goddess and collective will.
• Copper/Venus: peace, tranquility, harmony, happiness, material world, beauty and wealth.
• Tin/jupiter: prosperity, expansion, growth, productivity, success and development
• Iron/Mars: Energy, movement, change of direction, individual will, strength, power, male god and mystery.
• Gold/Sun: success, achievements, ultimate knowledge, unity, divinity and universal mysteries.

Traditionally, the handle is black, but some sorcerers believe that the magical symbolism of a horn or deer hoof, in its natural color, is an acceptable alternative. We return to rule one: whatever seems well to each practitioner. However, the handle can be painted black.

Handle styles and their meanings

Asasignified and symbolismollanity

Where to buy an athame?

You can easily find it in a knife, in second -hand stores or in effort markets. Avoid internet because you can’t feel energy. Look well, do not come down if you do not find it or not is adequate. It will call you in a timely manner.

Remember, if the price is not within your reach, no problem; If it is adequate, there will be a way to buy it, such as an exchange of goods, payment in installments, help in the store or other solutions.

You know it better than anyone and you will perceive when it is around you. Do not forget to use a new athame and that, if you find an object used, you must clean it before using it, since some stagnant energy could be attached to the athame and distort your art.

That is why it is very important to buy it in a physical store. On websites such as eBay, you can often find athames that are sold as new, but in reality they are old and used, which means they belonged to another witch. Each witch should have their own Athame, so you find yours, create a great connection and live your trade positively!