Do I need an athame?

:)

An athame is not at all a necessity to practice magic. Whatsoever.

Some traditions may suggest one, and some specific systems may require one if you find yourself in a teaching group. But it is not necessary!

The formal instructions for the ritual to draw down thw moon in the Wicca religion may call for thw use of one, sure. But two things: that is only Wicca, and a formal ritual, not magic as a whole. Secondly is it still merely a symbolic tool and nothing more! It is not a necessity!

The only thing physically needed to use magic is you! Anything else is a ritual tool, even spell components, and all of it is merely symbolic.

A lot of times anthames and wands are used to direct energy. But the thing is, you can also use just your finger. A stick you find on the ground can be fashioned into a wand. Any dagger can be an athame. Alot of people once they use something for spell work keep it on their altar and dedicate it to that purpose.