An athame isa ceremonial knife that corresponds to the

element of fire in some traditions, to air n others, and to the

direction East. like all phallictools, it has male energy and

symbolizes animus. It is a witch's weapon and most important

tool. In some traditins, it must be black. The hilt of your

athame can be plain, or inscribed with magical markings. It can

be a new knife acquired fo this purpose, or it can be

something you have had for a long time and now dedicated for

ritual use. Antiaue stores and flea markets are good places to

find daggers and interesting knives, but you must purify wih

water, salt, sunlight, crystals or any combination there for any

object with unknown provenance in case it has black vibrations.

The athame is used for

• Mixing salt and water or potions
• Inscribing the circle
• charging, consecrating, or empowering amulets, talismans
  
• Deawing lines