A IS FOR ATHAME

I have decided to do a series of blog articles.  The series will go through the alphabet to write something about Wicca, Paganism and Witchcraft.  Here is the first one:

Look up any definition of this strange word, athame, and you will find the same definition – a magickal tool which is used to channel energy when casting a circle.  It is also listed as one of the most important tools in the witch’s collection.

It is customary for me to look beyond the common definition.  As such, I delve into the history, the entomology, cultural and traditional uses, and any other background that I can find about the subject at hand.  Today, I am going to look at this most common and valuable tool of the Craft – the Athame.

The Athame is a ritual blade used by pagans.  Like in all things pagan, some traditions hold very rigid ideas as to what this blade should be like – double-edged, black handle, blunted edge, point broken off, often adorned with magickal sigils, while others more eclectic groups regard any sort of blade suitable, regardless of the handle colour.  Only one distinct pagan subsection rejects the athame – the Dianic, because this tool is very male in nature.  At least, some Dianics do.  These ladies are happy to use other means of casting circles – with a different blade called a Boline, with their finger, with flower petels, herbs, or feathers.

The Athame has a number of correspondencies – as mentioned above, it carries the male energy with it.  It corresponds with the Swords suit in Tarot and depending on who you talk to, will align with either Air (the Mind), or with Fire (the Will). 

As I started researching all of this, I was struck by one very important fact – it’s difficult to pin down where exactly the word “Athame” comes from!  One source cites that the original term was Latin “artavus” meaning “quill knife”, a small knife used to sharpen quills that were used as pens.  This was first found in the oldest manuscripts of the Key of Solomon.  Another term is Arabic  al thame or adh- dhame.  Yet another source suggests that it may have come from the French, Attame, meaning “to cut”.  In my search, I even found one suggestion that perhaps it’s a made-up word, meant to keep the witchcraft practices a secret during the times of persecution.  Somehow, this doesn’t ring right with me, because if that is the case, why not disguise the other terms?  Why not “make-up” words for Cup, Water, Candle, Bell, etc.?  Why not just say “knife”, since this is a commonplace tool found in every kitchen?  No, to me this just speaks of a different origin, but one that we can no longer identify any longer.

In the same vain, I found it difficult to find out exactly when the athame has gained such wide-spread pagan usage.  Historically, there is no doubt that blades of all sorts were used in ceremonies and rituals from antiquity.  One of my favourite ceremonial blades is the Malaysian “Kriss”, which has a beautiful, elegant wavy blade.  In fact long before I became acquainted with the pagan version of this tool, I adopted the Kriss in my SCA Coat of Arms, just because I loved that design so much.  In most cases, the blade was used in sacrifice, both human and animal.  We also know that a knife is very important in the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.  The bible speaks of angels with fiery swords.  Swords were used to represent the Christian cross, and in this way became ritual blades, as knights contemplated and prayed during their vigils.  The Arthurian tales all revolve around that enchanted blade, Excalibur. 

It is important to also remember that our ancestors were not so much concerned, or even acquainted  with the “Harm None” rede.  They were fierce folk, who killed animals for food and people in battle.  Knives and swords were always at the ready.  The idea of carrying a knife of blunted edge and broken point would have been very impractical and ludicrous.  In today’s culture, we shy away from the thought of drawing blood, and I for one am very happy to oblige.  What we now cite as “The Charge of the Goddess” tells us that the Goddess requires no sacrifice any longer, so obviously the Athame is no longer to be used to draw blood any longer.  However, it is a good idea to never forget the beginnings of this tool/weapon!

Today’s usage of the ritual blade gained popularity and established itself in our hearts and minds from the beginnings of modern-day Wicca, as established by Gerald Gardener.  Although his dogmatic laws have been played around with, changed, and adapted since then, whether the athame has a black handle or not, whether it’s made of steel, stone, copper or tin, a blade of one type or another is used universally wherever covens gather and wherever solitaries kneel before their altars.  Further, In Wiccan rituals today, the Athame is teamed up with the Chalice – and the meaning cannot be more clear.  This is representative of the sexual act – the penis and the vagina – the Lord and Lady coming together in ultimate Love.  A far cry from the life-taking sacrifice, it has become a symbol of abundance, fertility and Life.

Think also of how that blade came to be.  Stones high in metal had to be heated, the metal, now a liquid, is bled out of them and will then be shaped, and tempered.  That blade would be beaten and folded, heated and while red hot, beaten again until it’s no longer brittle, but strong, able to bend with pressure without breaking.  This analogy iis carried into a person’s life, as that is what the our spirits undergo, as we are put through the pressures of life, are bounced between trials and tribulations.  We feel that we are folded and beaten, suffer and finally, emerge tempered and strong.  The Atheme is also of our symbol of such spiritual alchemy.

Regardless of the inability to find the definitive origin, the Athame has established itself as one of the important tools of most pagans.  My research into this has brought forth an unexpected and a totally delightful realization – I have just witnessed in my mind’s eye the evolution of a myth!  I have watched the fluid and organic growth of a tool that is now so commonplace!

In my own journey, I have acquired a number of blades that I’ve used for the purpose of channeling energy.  My first blade was a small silver letter-opener.  That was followed by a tri-bladed golden coloured ritual Tibetan knife.  Finally, I acquired a nice double-edged leaf blade in an ornate metal sheath of gold inset with dark blue glass, and this is the one I use most consistently in rituals.  I also have a lovely slender stiletto with a dragon design, and a curved golden blade whose hilt is inset with turquoise stones.  It is my hope that I will eventually acquire a dirk (a Scottish blade) as well as my favourite Kriss.  In a pinch, with no blade in sight, I know I can simply point my hand outward, extend my index finger, and channel the universal energy in this way.

One last point – with me declaring myself as Dianic lately, how is it that I love this male symbol so much?  Well, it’s my own thoughts only, but I have made my choice of not working with a Priest any more.  I do not deny the male half exists, nor do I deny that part of the Divine Godhead which carries with it the male energies – the Gods.  I will continue to invoke Them, and to serve Them as needed.  I love my male friends, my sons, my father, my brother, nephews and grand-nephews and grandsons.  I simply choose not to work with a Priest any longer, and that is based on some rather unpleasant experiences.  Also, I have become more and more aware of the injustices women still face in this world and to concentrate my efforts to bringing the Sacred Feminine into greater focus.