Pagans, Buying your first Athame?

Question

I would like to buy an Athame (for ritual work), though i'm not sure which one to buy.. Do they have to have certain coloured handles ect?
Also, how did you chose yours?

Thanks (:

Answer 1

Some people say black is the only color to use... but that's just silly. A natural wooden handle would be far more appropriate than black plastic. I always felt like I needed to feel the metal in my hand, so I fashioned my own with a pure copper handle (from a water pipe) and a piece of black obsidian notched into the end as the blade, all of which was bound in copper wire, and decoratively etched.



Unless you're in a coven of self-righteous prudes, do what feels appropriate to you. Heck, get one with a RAINBOW handle, if that's what suits you.



http://www.amazon.com/Raventree-Pewter-Green-Man-Athame/dp/B001QMRU2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1255028941&sr=8-1



You can also look online or at knife shops. Non-pagans will likely refer to an athame as a "boot dagger" "dirk" or "fantasy knife".



EDIT: Look, people... We DON'T worship or even believe in Satan, and when cats go missing its usually bored Christian teens who are responsible.

Answer 2

I would say that a horn athame that you feel connected to because you have made it yourself is going to be way more power full, in ANY type of ritual work, than any machine made metal blade. It is my experience when working with ritual items, that although some materials are better for certain purposes, its really more about what works with your personal energy and the type of person you are. I have an athame made out of an old obsidian blade shard I found long ago. I've even seen some made of wood. Its all about what kind of connection you feel between you and it when you hold it in your hands.

Answer 3

My first one was the Swiss Army Knife I had been given when I became a Boy Scout.

My second one cost $1.50 at a consignment shop.

My current one is a brass and aluminum reproduction of a bronze piece that was found in a 3000 year old grave.



Just pick what fits you.



Edit...a few years ago, I made a knife from a bamboo handle, a cow horn blade, and some feathers (and twine and gorilla glue) which a silly person of my acquaintance turned into a really silly looking athame.

Answer 4

The athame is normally considered to be a black handled knife, many traditions also include a white handled knife as a balance. I knew one practitioner who used a Neanderthal style stone knife with a wooden handle and a black stone blade instead, so use whatever works best for you personally, there is no single correct way to worship or pray. I personally don't use one, the masculine symbol on my altar is a wand, as I say, it's all a matter of personal preference.

Answer 5

Well, traditionally the handle of the athame is supposed to be black, but mine is actually pewter. I didn't really search for mine, it came to me. I was in Tennessee (on a school field trip where we were not supposed to posess anything that isn't allowed on campus, including knives....) and a couple of us went to this knife-and-gun store, and I saw it. It had a pewter sheath with Egyptian hieroglyphs on it, and the handle was Isis and the hilt was Isis wings, with stainless steel blade about 7 inches long. I fell in love with it instantly (if you can fall in love with an inanimate object).

This is by no means a definitive source. When you find your athame, you'll know it. For this reason, I highly recommend you don't look online - the way the athame feels in your hand is important.

A lot of people have athames made out of wood, bone, flint, or other such materials, and some people even make their own. It all just depends on your personal preference.

Answer 6

I bought one as a wiccan, with an amethyst handle for nearly $100. I have long since left wicca, but I still love the athame and I still use it in spiritual ceremonies. I was led to the blade by what I felt. It just felt right for me. I think that's the most important thing, make sure it feels right in your hands and you get a good "vibe" from it. They sell some nice ones online, but it's best to seek out a good eclectic shop or pagan store that carries them, so you can handle them for yourself. I don't know if I was just a paranoid wiccan at the time (I am generally paranoid anyways, lol) but I do recall cleansing the tool in cool running water and sea salt. I then buried it lightly under the Earth in the yard and sat it out in full moon light before I ever used it.

Answer 7

At what point did paganism start selling official merchandise? I want a play-off jersey for the Green Man.



DON'T GIVE PEOPLE MONEY TO PRACTICE YOUR RELIGION. Any item at all will be just as effective as an official Athame (TM).

Answer 8

I don't use one. Maybe instead of buying one, you could make your own if you feel you need one. R. Bucklands big blue book contains info on how to do it. Hey! no reason for the thumbs down. It's the truth.

Answer 9

Any will do. so long as its black. Satan is not particularly fussy how you worship him.

Answer 10

"for ritual work"



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