< Obtaining the Athame

While you can order your athame from any number of reputable cutlery companies, they're usually relatively expensive. I discovered a great alternative during my search, though. Believe it or not, it was the local pawn shop! The selection was as good or better than those found in most of the cutlery catalogues, and they even had some really obscure specialty blades. Not only was it an athame-hunters dream-come-true, the prices were great, too When obtaining your athame, please follow the same guidelines set forth for obtaining the cup. Remember to keep searching until you find the one that's exactly right for you, and above all-don't haggle over the price.

Athame Consecration

Unlike most of the other tool consecrations, the one for the athame is performed during the Waning Moon. It's also lengthy and could take several days or several weeks to complete. Remember that there's no need to hurry. Take your time. Do it right. The results? A wonderful tool whose magic you can always depend on.

Materials 3 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon each of five of the following: chili powder, chrysanthemum, Dragon's blood, hellebore, henbane, pansies, poppy seed, rue, sulphur (the scrapings of five match heads may be substituted for sulphur if you like)
3 drops of your blood
Wooden spoon
Campfire with 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 heat. Add five herbs from the list along with 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 with water and say:
By power of Water so clear and pure
I cleanse you of energies old and obscure
Holding the athame handle with the oven mitt, heat the blade until it is red hot, saying:
By power of Fire, be cleansed and free
Of your previous life of mundanity

Then plunge the blade into the herbal infusion three times, saying with each:

<> Tool of steel, Your orders be
To banish all things I ask of Thee

Toss the herbal infusion on the fire, then dowse it thoroughly with water. When the fire is extinguished, sit comfortably with 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 1 ask of Thee

Continue the process until the athame easily picks up nails, straight pins, or paper clips. (This may take some time. Work with it for at least an hour to start, then see how the blade reacts to small metal objects. If it doesn't pick them up with ease, continue to work with it at one-hour intervals until it accomplishes the task to your satisfaction.)

When the blade is magnetized, think about how you'd like to decorate it. Some folks like to carve 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 until after the next step to adorn the blade.
When you are satisfied with the rune inscriptions, dig a hole in the ground deep enough to completely bury the athame point down. As you cover the tool with Earth, say:

I ground You now with the power of Earth
Absorb its stability, its richness and mirth

Leave the athame in the ground for seventy-two hours, then dig it up. Clean the athame thoroughly with 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.

Althame
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