ATHAME, CHALICE ...

ATHAME

The athame is the ritual knife of witchcraft ceremonies, representing the fire element and the masculine qualities of consciousness, force, and action. It often has a double-edged blade, with a black handle that may be inscribed with Wiccan symbols. The athame is used to direct energy and may be employed to cast the magical circle—a circle or sphere marked out during rituals to contain energy, create sacred space, or provide protection. When the ritual or ceremony has ended, the practitioner closes the circle by drawing it counterclockwise with the athame.

CHALICE

The chalice is a symbol of the element of water and of the feminine. A chalice represents intuition, psychic ability, and the subconscious. It also symbolizes the Goddess, the womb, and the female generative organs. It is often used in rituals along with the athame, the symbol of the male principle. The chalice and the blade together symbolize sexual union. The ceremonial use of the chalice is as the holder of ritual liquid, whether this is water to purify the circle or wine for a feast or ritual libation.

HIDDEN PENTANGLE

Hidden pentangles—pentangles disguised in intricate designs—can be worn when it is not safe or appropriate to wear a standard witchcraft pentangle (see page 96). They are sometimes called flower pentangles. These stylized designs can be recognized by other practitioners of the Craft, but are less apparent to others and so less likely to cause problems with a non-pagan family or in the workplace. Wearing a pentangle in any form acts as a protective amulet.

ELEVEN STAR

The eleven star (also called the fairy star) is a seven-pointed star associated with practitioners of the Celtic fairy traditions of Wicca. Fairy Wiccans focus on gnomes, fairies, and sprites and their relation to the natural world. The eleven star is used interchangeably with the pentagram. The seven points represent the seven directions: the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) plus above, below, and within. They can also represent the seven magical elements: the four alchemical elements (fire, earth, air, and water) plus magic, light, and life; or seven magical places: the sun, moon, sea, sky, wood, wind, and spirit.

BOOK OF SHADOWS

A book of shadows is a collection of magical and religious texts of Wicca and other witchcraft traditions, containing their core rituals, magical practices, ethics, and philosophy. In traditional Wicca, it is copied by hand from the book of one's initiating high priestess or priest, who in turn copied theirs from their initiator. The original book of shadows was put together by Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), who first popularized Wicca. Gardner's book began as a personal journal, but later became a religious text that was used in most traditions of Wicca.

In contemporary Wiccan practice, the term "book of shadows" normally describes a witch's personal journal, rather than a traditional text. It is a witch's collection of rituals, spells, recipes, and other magical information. This text is not normally passed from teacher to student. In some cases, the contemporary book of shadows is an electronic document residing on a computer or a website. Some Wiccans reserve their book of shadows for recording spells and magical information and keep a separate book, sometimes called the book of mirrors, for personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

DEGREES OF INITIATION

In Wicca, a degree system of initiation marks the candidate's level of understanding and proficiency in the Craft. The symbols that accompany each degree represent a special salute in which the hand touches parts of the body in an uninterrupted motion.

FIRST DEGREE

The first degree inducts the witch into the coven and introduces the basic teachings and traditions. The inverted triangle symbolizes the salute: breast, genitals, and return to the breast.

SECOND DEGREE (I)

The second degree has two levels. The first part acknowledges progress made following induction and its symbol is an upward-pointing triangle to match the salute: mouth, breast, breast, mouth.

SECOND DEGREE (II)

A down-pointing pentagram represents the second level of the second degree for candidates who have further deepened their knowledge of the rituals and skills. The order of the salute follows the pentagram: genitals, right breast, left hip, right hip, left breast, genitals.




THIRD DEGREE

The third degree is granted to witches who have shown the highest proficiency. The symbol is an upright triangle atop an upright pentangle. The salute is mouth, breast, breast, mouth, genitals, right foot, left knee, right knee, left foot, genitals.

SWASTIKA

Derived from the Sanskrit word svastika, meaning "lucky" or "auspicious object," the swastika symbolizes well-being. Because it faces all four directions, it represents the creator god Brahma. The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus and is widely used as a decorative motif, seen throughout India on the sides of temples, on the doorways of houses, on gift items, on business letterheads, and on food packaging. The Hindu god Ganesha is often shown sitting on a bed of swastikas.

Athamé and Other Tools

The athamé (pronounced a-tham-ay) is the Witch's personal tool. The best athamé—the most powerful, in terms of energy—is that which has been made by the Witch himself or herself. If unable to construct one from scratch, then the very least the Witch should do is inscribe the handle, to put energies into the ritual tool. Different traditions have different sigils they use. Here are those sigils used in Gardnerian and similar traditions.



On the obverse, the first symbol represents the horned god and is followed by the letter K, the initial letter of Kernunnos (Latin for "the horned one"). Then come the sigils representing the scourge and the kiss, or salute. They are followed by the two crescent moons—waxing and waning—to represent the Goddess, and finally a symbol for the initial letter of her name. On the reverse of the handle is found a symbol for the eight-fold path (also said to represent the four greater and four lesser sabbats). Then comes a sign for the "power which is directed forth" in the working of magic. Finally, there is a representation of two people, kneeling and facing one another the "perfect couple." In some traditions, after third-degree initiation, the top lines are joined to make it one sigil.

Huson also gave Ceremonial Magical sigils for marking the Wand, Goblet, Censer, and Candleholder:

The Gardnerian Pentacle is a copper disc, about eight inches in diameter, which has a number of markings etched into it. These are the Third-Degree symbol, with First and Second on either side of it; symbols for the God and the Goddess; and the symbols for the Salute and the Scourge.