Athame
This ritual dagger is usually a double-edged knife about four to six inches long. Wiccans, however, sometime prefer crescent-shaped athames that represent the moon. If you decide to purchase a vintage dagger for your magic work, make sure it hasn't drawn blood in the past.
Except for perhaps inscribing symbols in candle wax with the dagger's point, you won't actually cut anything physical with your athame, so it needn't be sharp. When chopping up herbs, flowers, and spices to include in spells, use a regular kitchen knife instead.
The athame's main purpose is to symbolically clear away negative energies from a space you'll use in spell-working. It can also be utilized to slice through obstacles, again symbolically. Some people prefer to cast a circle with an athame instead of a wand. This tool represents the air element. In astrology it corresponds to the zodiac signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius; in the tarot it appears in the suit of swords.
Before you use it in spells and rituals, charge your athame by holding it in incense smoke — carnation, cinnamon, or ginger is best — for a few moments. If you wish, decorate the hilt with gemstones, crystals, feathers, and/or symbols that are meaningful to you. The best time for consecrating your ritual dagger is while the sun and moon are in air signs. When you've finished, wrap your athame in yellow silk and store it in a safe place until you're ready to use it.
