Athame or witches ceremonial knife
The ceremonial knife, dagger or athame, is by tradition a knife with a sharp blade around 7 or 8 inches long. Apprentices and witches have ones with black handles and high priestesses have athames with white handles. Other traditions have different arrangements.
The knife was originally used by witches for chopping up herbs as well, but now we use it just ceremonially to replace the male energy within our work. It can be self consecrated to the spirit, even by an apprentice, so is often used in advance of being given a wand to cast circles etc, and for early simple magic.
The Athame has very little power compared to the wand, and never becomes a part of the witch or tuned to her, so is dependent on male energy from parts of the spirit within the atmosphere, condensing through this consecrated tool. In the same way female energy is through a chalice or container of water. This is the same as Wicans and many other traditions.
The Athame can be used to draw a circle, but has little real impact above an outstretched finger or using a ring.
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