Raymond
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Witchs' ToolsFollowing the unexpected interest in the 'Blasting Rod' I thought I might talk about other ritual/magickal tools that a Witch might use.
The most obvious place to start is the Athame.
An athame is a ceremonial double-edged dagger, one of several magickal tools used in Traditional Witchcraft and other pagan beliefs and religions such as Wicca for various ritual knives. It is usually pronounced A-THAY-MEE. A black-handled knife called an 'arthame' appears in certain versions of the Key of Solomon, a grimoire originating in the Middle Ages.
The athame is mentioned in the writings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950s, who claimed to have been initiated into a surviving tradition of witchcraft called Wicca. The athame was their most important ritual tool, which had many uses, but was not to be used for actual physical cutting.
An athame can take many forms. It frequently has a double-edged blade with a sharp point, and a handle which is often black. The handle may be inscribed with particular symbols dictated by the tradition.
In "eclectic" forms of witchcraft the handle decorations range from astrological glyphs to runes, the symbols being chosen by the owner.
The athame's primary use is to direct energy; if things such as herbs or cords need to be cut, another knife called a 'boline' - a white-handled knife - is used.
An exception is the "kitchen witchcraft" philosophy, which actively encourages the use of magical tools for mundane purposes to increase the witch's familiarity with them.
An athame is most often used in the constrution of the Magick circle.
As a masculine tool, it is often used in combination with the chalice, as feminine tool, evoking the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity.
This is a symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals.
Some modern witchcraft traditions may prefer not to use iron blades, instead preferring alternatives such as copper, bronze or wood. This is most common amongst traditions that have a particular fondness of the Sidhe, to whom iron is supposedly harmful.
Many traditions associate the athame with the masculine principle and with the element of either air or fire.
Touching another person's athame without permission is considered an intrusion of the owner's personal space and a sure way to bring about the wrath of any Witch, in fact it should be noted that one should never touch any ritual/magickal item belonging to a Witch without first seeking permission.
There are several rituals of consecration for a newly acquired athame, be it new, or acquired from another person. When purchasing a knife for this purpose (or any ritual tool) it is considered important never to haggle over the price.
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david hobbs
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This is a nice looking Athame.
Was it made for you Raymond or did you buy it.
I still have my rune knife which is a treasure to me because it was made for me by a good friend as a gift.
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Raymond
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The picture isn't an actual picture of MY athame but that's exactly how mine looks.
I bought mine. I'm afraid I don't know anybody clever enough to make knives.
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Samjaza
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Here's my thing;-
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Samjaza
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And the other tool on otherside, had to blur out some scribing though....soz;-
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Raymond
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Very nice Sam.
Come on, what secret inscriptions have you blanked out? Tell all.
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Samjaza
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Nothing so sinister, just my own personal 'mantra' in hebrew and sanskrit.
the Bolline I use for physical things, making and cutting and whittling which is why the blade is sharpen and ground so much, the athame really being a symbolic tool. Not for your info Raymond just for anyone else not familiar with these tools.
I'll dig out my besom tonight 
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evergreen
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| Raymond wrote: | The picture isn't an actual picture of MY athame but that's exactly how mine looks.
I bought mine. I'm afraid I don't know anybody clever enough to make knives. |
I have a wonderful client clever enough to make knives I keep telling him to set up an internet site and sell them to specialist groups they are beautiful..
Raymond I love your information I know nothing about these things thanks
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evergreen
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oh my gosh Samjaza ever had your palm read? I can see so much in it is even just the tiny bit we can see.. so much travel my man so many over seas trips that change your life interesting :) also do you have stress in your life or do you worry cause that shines through too perhaps just a deep thinker actually ha! opps getting carried away im not a palm reader but every now and then I can't help myself
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Raymond
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Oooooh! Y'know, I've never had a palm reading.
Maybe we should all photo our palms and let EG give them the once over, are you up for that EG?
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evergreen
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oh god  we could do it for a laugh cause I am honestly not a palm reader... thou I just do it for fun I'm in if you lot are maybe a few of us could have a go????
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Samjaza
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| evergreen wrote: | | oh my gosh Samjaza ever had your palm read? I can see so much in it is even just the tiny bit we can see.. so much travel my man so many over seas trips that change your life interesting :) also do you have stress in your life or do you worry cause that shines through too perhaps just a deep thinker actually ha! opps getting carried away im not a palm reader but every now and then I can't help myself |
haha I have no stress, I just seem to attract people who have stress, and I mean lots of stress and turbulence. I think more than worry, I'll photo my hands later though, you can have a wander along my paths as you may
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Samjaza
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| evergreen wrote: | | oh my gosh Samjaza ever had your palm read? I can see so much in it is even just the tiny bit we can see.. so much travel my man so many over seas trips that change your life interesting :) also do you have stress in your life or do you worry cause that shines through too perhaps just a deep thinker actually ha! opps getting carried away im not a palm reader but every now and then I can't help myself |
Not very clear at all really 
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Raymond
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Ouch! When did you break your little finger?
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Samjaza
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yeah looks weird that, perspective and all that I think haha
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evergreen
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| Samjaza wrote: | | evergreen wrote: | | oh my gosh Samjaza ever had your palm read? I can see so much in it is even just the tiny bit we can see.. so much travel my man so many over seas trips that change your life interesting :) also do you have stress in your life or do you worry cause that shines through too perhaps just a deep thinker actually ha! opps getting carried away im not a palm reader but every now and then I can't help myself |
Not very clear at all really
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okay here goes nothing... Remember I have never done this before ever ha! LOL
highly creative hand
you know what you want you have interest in all things mystical and yet you halso have a logical brain that makes you seeks truths
and you can be thought of as a know it all (ha! sorry)
you like to be organised and organising your time is a big thing....
important for you to give to you and you do but if others need you then you are very reliable.... you could be more flexible with yourself I feel that you some times sacrifice your wants for others.. but you appear to do this happily be careful of being burnt because of this
I'd say unlucky in love in early days.... be careful of being taken for granted ... but I see you settling into a steady and romantic relationship those lines are hard to make out, I can tell you the relationship you are in is a great love
like I said lots of travel over water yet also travel of the mind you are highly creative and like to challenge yourself you find it hard to sit and wait for things yet you know you should... you will make things happen if you can see the need you are great a being in charge yet you don't' want to control others in the least- ah but you do it so well ;)
there are many strong deep lines of protection tells me you work spiritually or religiously either way you have faith that you are looked after in some way... yet I also feel a deep feeling of being in charge of your own destiny
you have some strong life path line meaning that you will know what you want to do for a living yet you have other lines going off it telling me there are other ways for you to make money these are more creative things for you and you love that.
There is definitely time spent living over seas.. perhaps Asian or south American areas... there is a deep connection with loved ones a strong desire to see others achieve and be happily content
there is some difficulty in early years with self esteem and some family relationship issues that effected you and made you protect your heart .. I feel you work through these and manage to create yourself a good solid outlook and allow yourself to love and be loved :)
you actually feel rather balanced and peaceful yet I can also feel an underlying rush of energy... your powerful and you know how to use that power ... you have great integrity which ensures you use your power for good things...
Sam..... I don't read palms as I said.. I hope that means something to you I'd prefer a closer look at the right hand as that is what I want to read and I can't see the small lines ...ha make it bigger if you want or closer :)
cheers
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Samjaza
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Casn't argue with any of that evergreen.
I do get taken adavntage of and sacrifice wants.
As for know it all? haha I just read alot, anyone can read, no genius, just experience and craving for knowledge.
Thanks for taking the time in your reading though  x
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evergreen
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no problem it was actually fun  best wishes
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