Getting Started with Athames and Bowlines

n your altar, do you have an athame, boline, or both? There’s often a common misconception that they can be used interchangeably, but that isn’t true. And while they both perform different jobs, they are equally as important. The athame is also considered one of the four important elemental tools used (in addition to the chalice, wand, and pentacle.) O

The athame, also often referred to as “witch’s knife,” is only used for representational cutting and magickal rituals. It isn’t used for actual cutting. Athames are also used to direct energy and to cast the magick circle.

An athame is double-sided, but not as sharp as a boline. The athame also generally represents the male in any magickal working. It can have a black handle and doesn’t need to be sharp (to avoid accidental injury during ritual work). The handles often are home to symbols, inscribed by the practitioner but this is completely optional.

Its opposite, the boline, is used only for physical cutting. What you need cut depends on the ritual or spells, but oftentimes it’s for things like knots, cords, and herbs. It was designed to be very sharp, with a crescent-shaped blade and a white handle. A boline, however, should not be used outside of your practice. This will keep it consecrated for use and intentions clear.

Before use, it’s important to cleanse and consecrate each tool. This purifies the tools and removes any potential negative energy that may have built upon them. This can be done easily with a few simple items: a candle (Fire/South), a bowl of salt (Earth/North), a cup of water (Water/West), and a stick of incense (Air/East).

To begin cleansing and consecration, pass your tool over or through each of the elemental representations while asking the elements to assist with cleansing and consecrating. Then, if you desire, hold the tool above your head and ask your chosen deity to also cleanse and consecrate your tool. This step can be done within or outside of ritual to fit with your practice. Your tool is now cleansed and consecrated for use. Repeat these steps for each tool.