Athame

The athame is the ritual knife of Wicca, traditionally double-edged with a black handle. It is not used to cut physical things but to direct energy: casting the magic circle, calling the quarters and consecrating. In the Gardnerian tradition it is associated with the element of Air and, by correspondence, with the tarot suit of Swords, although some currents link it to Fire and swap its place with the wand. For practical cutting, such as harvesting herbs, a separate white-handled knife called the boline is used. The athame is a personal object that is not usually lent to anyone.