Athemes

I read an article on the internet and it said that an Atheme was not used to cut things on the physical plane. That's fair enough but it then says that if it was ever used to cut it must be destroyed, but it said you could use a kitchen knife which contradicts its self. can some one explain about Athemes to me I did read the tool article but now im confused.

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Oh don't worry they aren't used to cut like flesh or animals or stuff like that maybe that's what the article meant but I have heard some people do use them for cutting herbs to make easier to keep (but I would use a mortar and pedestal for that) and for cutting like string or yarn or making or writing symbols in wax from a candle or anything else but most of the time people use them for opening and closing circles,sending energies,calling on the elements,and cutting of magical materials so I think it's what suits you best I think plus if you want Im sure you can just have two of them lol

Plus no where have I read before in any of the books I have bought or read online that you have to destroy it? That seems kind of odd to me that they would write that.....

Thank you :D
I'm not squeamish or anything but every blade I own has been used to cut even my sword i've gotten some scratches from it so I wondered if I'd have to buy a blade that had never been used :)
Thank you again!

Wolvera it is spelled Athame not Atheme.
Magical tools should be used only for magical workings ,so thier energy and the intent imprinted remain in tact for long time .
I am really clueless how you will go about to destroy metal object ,such athame .Except if you do not work as smith ,or in factory which work has to do with melting metals .
Athame is used traditionally to cut energetical cords not physical objects .There is another knife which is called boline ,that is used to cut herbs .
Old kicthen knife is not appropriate for athame .Beside athame in most cases is double-edged blade .
In case that nothing else is available, you can use brand new one and clease and consecrate it .You should do the same with boline too .

An athame is used to direct energy; calling the quarters, casting the protective circle, anything that requires pointing the energy. It is usually a two sided blade, not sharp, as it isn't used for cutting.
Now if you don't have one, your finger works just fine.But as staed before, your magickal tools should stay for your magickal workings. Hope this helps. Blessed Be...

This thread has been moved to Magic Items from Misc Topics.

The belief that the athame can only be used in rituals and for no other purposes is common. However, some people argue that in 17th century traditional witchcraft, people used normal kitchen knives as athames and candle wax to make pentacles, so that when their houses were searched, they could easily break and dispose of the candle wax and use the knife in the kitchen. This is because witchcraft was practiced in secrecy, so it would have been odd for someone to use two separate knives for different purposes. That's why they decided to use the same knife for multiple purposes.

It all depends on your preference, really.