The athame (pronounced “A-thuh-meh” or “AH-thuh-meh”) is a witch’s ritual and ceremonial knife used to cast magick circles, define sacred space, and direct energy during rites and spells. It is considered sacred in the Wiccan religion. Traditionally, the athame is a double-edged knife with a black hilt, resembling a dagger, made from natural materials, such as wood, bone, stone, or metal.
The athame is a very personal item to a witch, and for that reason, is generally not shared. When selecting an athame, balance and grip are important – you must be able to keep a firm grip while casting circles, inscribing pentacles, or consecrating other tools. However, the most important thing is how the athame feels in your hand: it should feel comfortable and powerful, and filled with positive energy. The athame is an extension of the power of the witch and should feel that way during use.
Some witches believe that the athame should never be used for any kind of physical cutting, and instead have a white-handled knife known as a boline for this purpose. In general use today, however, many witches use the athame for any cutting related to the preparation of magickal items or ingredients. The athame is an extremely magickal item, however, and therefore should only be used within the magick circle. Each time the athame is used and has energy channeled through it, a small amount of that energy is retained within the knife, allowing it to become even more powerful.
As a witch, you can spend as much or as little as you like on an athame. Extremely elaborate ones are available from Pagan supplies shops and online. Or you may choose a simple one, and decorate it yourself with runes or sigils.
I have a simple, unadorned athame with a black hilt of wood. I use my athame only within the context of ritual: for casting circles, defining sacred space, and directing energy, to inscribe spell candles, or for any purpose within a ritual which requires directing energy into an object.
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Sources:
Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn Publications, 1989.
Cunningham, Scott. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn Publications, 1993.
Chamberlain, Lisa. Wicca Altar and Tools: A Beginner’s Guide to Wiccan Altars, Tools for Spellwork, and Casting the Circle. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015.