What is an Athame and what is it used for?
The Athame, or ritual knife, is traditionally used to “draw” or define the magic(k)al circle that Witches use as holy ground during their rituals. It is not ever used to wound or kill anything. It is not a “sacrificial” knife. Some traditions hold this tool to be a symbolic representation of the male phallus. When performing public or outdoor rituals, many Witches forego the use of the Athame, because of the laws we have today about carrying weapons in public. There is a lot of fear in the Pagan community that onlookers or law enforcement might not realize that these knives are consecrated for non-violent ritual use only and would never, ever be used to harm anyone. Luckily, the Wand (another of the magickal tools of Witchcraft), a crystal or the fingers can be used to define the limits of the magic(k)al circle if the Athame is not available or appropriate.
