Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:13:01 GMT -5
The Athame
Element: Fire
Direction: South
Color: Red
Gender: Male
The Athame may be used to cast a circle. But its purpose is to direct energy. It invokes and Banashes it, holds negative spirits at bay and tends to unseen forces and entities. This is very important so that your spell work is not spoiled by outside forces. It attracts those entities that would help your spellwork too.
Traditionally the Athame is a double-edged blade w/ a black handle. Black is the absence of color rather then a color in itself.. This means that it is capable of grabbing negative forces and digesting them. It then transforms them into harmless energy that disipates easily into the universe.
The blade is usually made of steel. Here is why. During the consecration ceremony, it will be heated to a very high temperature. Most other metals wouldnt be able to take that.
Warnings about an athame. It must NEVER be used to draw blood! If it is it must be distroyed in such a way that it can never be used again. Please check w/ your law inforcement officials before taking ur athame out into public. In some places it is illegal to carry a weapon like this and the argument that it is a ritual tool wont cut the mustard!!! No use in getting it confiscated now is there???
Obtaining the Atheme
You can aquire your Athame from any source that is availible to you. it can be any size or design and no it doesnt have to be traditional. The main thing here is you must NEVER haggle over the price of your tools. Make sure the blade calls to you and is yours.
Athame Consecration
Unlike most other tool consecrations, the one for the athame is perfomed during the Waning Moon. It's also lengthy and could take several days or weeks to complete. There is no rush to this so dont get in a hurry. Better to do it right then have to cleanse your athame and start all over again!
MATERIALS
3 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon each of five of the following: chili powder, chrysanthemum, Dragons's Blood, hellebore, henbane, pansies, poppy seed, rue, sulphur(the scrapings of five match heads will work for this).
3 drops of your blood. Please make sure ur safe in getting this so there is no infection. DO NOT USE YOUR ATHAME!!
wooden spoon
Campfire w/ hot coals (a charcoal fire in a barbecue grill also works well)
oven mitt
Incense(your choice)
Small dish of water
Lodestone or magnet
During the Waning Moon, boil three cups of water and remove from the heat. Add five herbs from the list along w/ three drops of your blood, then stir well. Cover the pot and set aside to cool.
Prepare the camp or grill fire and light it. When the coals are red hot, light the incense. Pass the athame through the smoke and say:
By power of Air so light and free
I cleanse You of all negativity
Sprinkle the athame w/ water and say:
By power of Water so clear and pure
I cleanse you of energies old and obscure
Holding the athame handle w/ the oven mitt, heat the blade till it is red hot, saying:
By power of Fire, be cleansed and free
Of your previous life of the ordinary
Toss the herbal infusion on the fire, then dowse it thoroughly w/ water. When the fire is extinguished, sit comfortable w/ the athame and the lodestone or magnet. Stroke both sides of the blade to magnetize it while saying:
Tool of steel, Your orders be
To invoke all things I ask of Thee
Continue the process untill the athame easily picks up nails, straight pins, or paper clips. This is time consuming but have patience w/ it.. all things must be done properly or u will have to start all over again.
When the blade is magnetized, think about how you'd like to decorate it. Some folks like to care or paint runes in the handle. Others prefer to tie ribbons, shells, or stones at the hilt. If carving or painting is your thing do it now. If not wait till the next step to adorn the blade.
When your are satisfied w/ the rune inscriptions, dig a hole in the ground deep enough to completely bury the blade point down. Bury the blade. As you cover the tool w/ earth say:
I ground you now w/ the power of Earth
Absord its stability, its richness and mirth
Leave the athame in the ground for seventy-two hours, then dig it up. Clean the athame thoroughly w/ soap and water, and dry it well. Finish decorating the tool, then wrap it in a cloth or sheath until you're ready to use it.
Element: Fire
Direction: South
Color: Red
Gender: Male
The Athame may be used to cast a circle. But its purpose is to direct energy. It invokes and Banashes it, holds negative spirits at bay and tends to unseen forces and entities. This is very important so that your spell work is not spoiled by outside forces. It attracts those entities that would help your spellwork too.
Traditionally the Athame is a double-edged blade w/ a black handle. Black is the absence of color rather then a color in itself.. This means that it is capable of grabbing negative forces and digesting them. It then transforms them into harmless energy that disipates easily into the universe.
The blade is usually made of steel. Here is why. During the consecration ceremony, it will be heated to a very high temperature. Most other metals wouldnt be able to take that.
Warnings about an athame. It must NEVER be used to draw blood! If it is it must be distroyed in such a way that it can never be used again. Please check w/ your law inforcement officials before taking ur athame out into public. In some places it is illegal to carry a weapon like this and the argument that it is a ritual tool wont cut the mustard!!! No use in getting it confiscated now is there???
Obtaining the Atheme
You can aquire your Athame from any source that is availible to you. it can be any size or design and no it doesnt have to be traditional. The main thing here is you must NEVER haggle over the price of your tools. Make sure the blade calls to you and is yours.
Athame Consecration
Unlike most other tool consecrations, the one for the athame is perfomed during the Waning Moon. It's also lengthy and could take several days or weeks to complete. There is no rush to this so dont get in a hurry. Better to do it right then have to cleanse your athame and start all over again!
MATERIALS
3 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon each of five of the following: chili powder, chrysanthemum, Dragons's Blood, hellebore, henbane, pansies, poppy seed, rue, sulphur(the scrapings of five match heads will work for this).
3 drops of your blood. Please make sure ur safe in getting this so there is no infection. DO NOT USE YOUR ATHAME!!
wooden spoon
Campfire w/ hot coals (a charcoal fire in a barbecue grill also works well)
oven mitt
Incense(your choice)
Small dish of water
Lodestone or magnet
During the Waning Moon, boil three cups of water and remove from the heat. Add five herbs from the list along w/ three drops of your blood, then stir well. Cover the pot and set aside to cool.
Prepare the camp or grill fire and light it. When the coals are red hot, light the incense. Pass the athame through the smoke and say:
By power of Air so light and free
I cleanse You of all negativity
Sprinkle the athame w/ water and say:
By power of Water so clear and pure
I cleanse you of energies old and obscure
Holding the athame handle w/ the oven mitt, heat the blade till it is red hot, saying:
By power of Fire, be cleansed and free
Of your previous life of the ordinary
Toss the herbal infusion on the fire, then dowse it thoroughly w/ water. When the fire is extinguished, sit comfortable w/ the athame and the lodestone or magnet. Stroke both sides of the blade to magnetize it while saying:
Tool of steel, Your orders be
To invoke all things I ask of Thee
Continue the process untill the athame easily picks up nails, straight pins, or paper clips. This is time consuming but have patience w/ it.. all things must be done properly or u will have to start all over again.
When the blade is magnetized, think about how you'd like to decorate it. Some folks like to care or paint runes in the handle. Others prefer to tie ribbons, shells, or stones at the hilt. If carving or painting is your thing do it now. If not wait till the next step to adorn the blade.
When your are satisfied w/ the rune inscriptions, dig a hole in the ground deep enough to completely bury the blade point down. Bury the blade. As you cover the tool w/ earth say:
I ground you now w/ the power of Earth
Absord its stability, its richness and mirth
Leave the athame in the ground for seventy-two hours, then dig it up. Clean the athame thoroughly w/ soap and water, and dry it well. Finish decorating the tool, then wrap it in a cloth or sheath until you're ready to use it.