Knife

The Knife or Athame

The Athame, or witches' black-hilted knife, is the instrument we use to draw magical circles and other diagrams, in the midst of which many of our spells are cast. Some witches, folllowing the Cabalistic tradition of the old magical grimoire, the Key of Solomon, also employ a white-hilted knife, in addition, using the former to cast the circle, and the latter for anything that needs to be ritually dug, engraved, cut, or pierced. Most present-day witches, however, refer the white-hilted knife to the ranks of the lesser instruments, and rely entirely upon the Athame in their operations.

Buy a steel knife with a black handle; the blade should be about five to six inches long. When the moon is waxing, make an infusion in distilled water of any of the Martial herbs. Into this mix a few drops of blood, either your own, traditionally that of a black cat, but that of fresh beefsteak, chicken, or lamb chop from your supermarket will do. Your own is best, however. (Note: some modern day witches find the use of blood distasteful. And as such will not include the use of blood in their magical workings.)

Exorcise the knife with water from your cup and incense mixed with some of the aforesaid herbs burning in your thurible; then proceed to heat the blade of the knife on the thurible coals until it gets as hot as possible. You will have to stoke up a good heat to do this. When the blade is good and hot, plunge it into your waitning brew, chanted these words, and visualizing the knife glowing with power after wach immersion:

"Blade of steel I conjure thee
to ban such things as named by me.
As my word, so mote it be!"

This process of tempering, or forging as it is called, should be repeated three times.

Having accomplished this, you must now magnetize the blade by stroking it repeatedly with a lodestone or bar magnet. Hold the Athame in your left hand, the magnet by one end in your right, and beginning at the handle end of the blade, draw the tip of the magnet down the whole length to the very point. Keep this up for a good five minutes, always stroking in the same direction, chanting these words at each stroke:

"Blade of steel, I conjure thee
attract all things as named by me!
As my word, so mote it be!"

Finally, paint the the proper runes that represent the Athame upon the handle in white paint, with which you may mix any of the powdered herbs you use above. Chant the following words to charge each rune:

"Blessed be thou knife of art!"

Then paint your witch name on the reverse side of the handle again spelling the letters out loud to charge them finishing with your usual words "So mote it be!"

Finally, you must bury the Athame for three days and three nights in the earth, point down. Your backyard will amply suffice.

At the end of this time, you may dig up your Athame and wrapping it in a exorcised piece of cloth, tuck it safely away, ready for future magical use.